Whether you want to warm your guests’ hearts, tickle their funny bones or keep things romantic, your wedding readings deliver the words that will spark emotions and make your wedding ceremony as memorable as possible.
These days, weddings can be as personalised as you want them to be. Choosing the readings that will make your ceremony is one of the nicest parts of the wedding planning process. But should you select readings that are the most fitting to you and your relationship, or try your hand at creating your own? We discuss the pros and cons of doing it yourself and opting for pre-prepared wedding readings so you can answer that very question.
Make it really personal
What better way to sum up your feelings for each other than speaking from the heart? There’s certain to be many things you want to share with your new husband or wife and the guests who are there to celebrate with you, so say it. Writing your own reading will ensure your words are as personal to you as your marriage is. Your reading can also be written to reflect your own style, giving you the stage and the words to communicate your deepest feelings to the one you love.
A reading is a great way to share your love with your wedding guests in a meaningful and non-cheesy way. Getting married is a wonderful moment, and what it means to you is best described in your own words. Your words will also be a wonderful gift for your groom or bride.
Rely on the tried and trusted
Tried and tested doesn’t have to mean tired and tested. There are a vast number of readings to choose from, many of which reflect specific circumstances and feelings. There are wedding readings for every ceremony imaginable, from the classic and traditional to the modern and unconventional.
Choosing a pre-prepared wedding reading can be just as meaningful. If you and your partner share a love for a particular film or book, for instance, you could pluck some lines from it to use in your reading as Offbeat Bride describes:
“I had a couple last year who could not find a reading that they connected with, so I asked them for a few of their favorite authors, and found this beautiful poem by Neil Gaiman, which he had written for a friend’s wedding. A little bit of creative Googling can go a long way. [Although do your research carefully: Google can be an inaccurate resource when it comes to quote attribution. -Eds.]”
Which is right for me?
It’s important to remember that combing through wedding readings and creating your own takes time. It may take you a while to find the reading or the words that work for you so start your quest for the perfect wedding reading as early as you can. Taking inspiration from your wedding theme can be a great place to begin.
For couples having a religious ceremony, be aware that there may be some restrictions on what you can and can’t say. Checking your choice with your priest will ensure the readings your select or craft are suitable for the setting.
