Sooner or Later, Anonymous Author “Sooner or later we begin to understand that love is more than verses on valentines, and romance in the movies. We begin to know that love is here and now, real and true, the most important thing in our lives. For love is the creator of our favorite memories, and the foundation of our fondest dreams. Love is a promise that is always kept, a fortune that can never be spent, and a seed that can flourish in even the most unlikely of places. And this radiance that never fades, this mysterious and magical joy, is the greatest treasure of all -- one known only by those who love."
Ceremony readings are a very personal selection. Readings can share thoughts on love, marriage and relationships. Sacred texts can convey the importance of marriage. Romantic poetry can express universal sentiments on the power of love. To find the perfect reading for your ceremony, consider the following:
1. Collect quotes, poems and readings that you like. Some may simply be 'warm and fuzzy thoughts' for your own reflection and some may be the right words for your ceremony.
2. If you have more than two readings during your ceremony, it may sound like a literature class, so select only what you absolutely love. If you want to use a long reading, divide it between two readers.
3. If you like portions of a poem or reading, use what you like.
4. Remember that songs are just poems put to music. Your favorite lyrics may be a perfect for your ceremony.
5. Think about the placement of your readings. You can spread the readings throughout the ceremony, or have them read back to back. You can have one reading before your vows to get people thinking about love, and then a final, special one near the end as the concluding thought.
6. To make it easy for the person reading, prepare your chosen reading by copying it to a word processing program on your computer. Then, increase the text to a font size 16 or larger. This makes make reading it easy. Print the reading and then tape or paste it inside a nice card. The card will be sturdy and easy to hold and nice to look at. You can also print the reading on a heavier piece of paper or regular paper and then laminate it.
7. Consider printing your readings in a program. This creates a memory for your guests.
8. Don’t be surprised by a reading on your wedding day! The general rule is that the Bridal couple picks their readings and their readers. You can include the reader in the ‘choosing’ of your reading; however, be careful not to be surprised at the wedding. (Of course, couples must also work with the Priest/ Minister/ Officiant who is performing the ceremony. Certain traditions may limit the choices couples have.)
9. Who do you want to share a reading? Ask someone you know is comfortable speaking in public. If someone is intimidated by speaking in public, they may not be your best choice for reading. You may want to include them somehow in your special day, but be thoughtful of what you ask of someone. Give your reader plenty of time to review the piece they will be reading. Don't surprise someone a few days or hours before the ceremony.
Photo courtesy of the couple & Country Camera
IDEAS FOR READINGS: SONG LYRICS
Whether from a classic love song or from a contemporary artist, song lyrics express much about love and relationships. Some couples may choose song lyrics because they hope for something lighter than traditional readings. If the song is too long, use the first couple of verses, or select the bits that work well to create a wedding reading. To search for the lyrics to particular songs, visit a lyric database such as lyrcismode.com.
This list may also provide you with some unique ideas for wedding ceremony music. It's truly amazing how such a simple thing as a piece of music can personalize and set the tone for the whole ceremony. You could use some of these as Processionals or Recessionals. You could use an instrumental version of any one of these and set a wonderful tone, without guests being fully aware of your contemporary choice.
- Train's Marry Me
- Adam Sandler’s song, Grow Old With You, from the movie, The Wedding Singer
- I Will Be Here
by Stephen Curtis Chapman
- Rascal Flat’s song, Bless The Broken Road
- My Best Friend
by Tim McGraw
- Nora Jones' song Come Away With Me
- Because You
Loved Me by Celine Dion
- At Last by
Etta James
- Unforgettable, sung by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole
- Louis Armstrong's version of What A Wonderful World
- Come What May
sung by Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, from Moulin Rouge
- B.B. King’s The
Glory of Love
- Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce
- Leonard Cohen’s The
Marriage March
- Barbra Streisand’s Evergreen
- The Wedding
Song by Bob Dylan
- Vera Matson & Elvis Presley’s Love Me Tender
- The Book of
Love by Stephen Merritt (The Magnetic Fields)
- Bruce Springsteen’s song, I’ll Wait For You
- Sarah McClachlan's Angel
- John Lennon’s, In My Life
- I Swear by John
Michael Montgomery
- Oh My Love by John Lennon & Yoko Ono
- Shania Twain’s From
This Moment On
- It's Your Love
sung by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
- Can't Help Falling In Love done by Elvis Presley
- U2's All I Want Is You
- Adele's To Make You Feel My Love
- Ben Harper's Forever
- Your Love (Is Lifing Me Highter) by Otis Redding
- Oh, Happy Day, by various artists