Speaking of Readers...

jarmstrong23

... FI and I are still looking for one more reading to do for our ceremony.  We already plan to use "Love" by Roy Croft, but I haven't found another one that knocks my socks off like the first one. What are you guys using?  I'm open to religious/spiritual/poetic/literary/ WHATEVER

eek214

Pablo Neruda XVII is my fav.

Future.Mrs.Shawty

What about the excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit?

Future.Mrs.Shawty

We're using this one: Love is a temporary madness; it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two. And this one is the Velveteen Rabbit one: "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day. "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but Really loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get all loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

catbarnes09

Desiderata Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

econner42

This is my favorite - WHY MARRIAGE? 
~ By: Mari Nichols-Haining ~ 
 
 Because to the depths of me, I long to love one person, 
 With all my heart, my soul, my mind, my body... 

 Because I need a forever friend to trust with the intimacies of me, 
 Who won't hold them against me, 
 Who loves me when I'm unlikable, 
 Who sees the small child in me, and 
 Who looks for the divine potential of me... 

 Because I need to cuddle in the warmth of the night 
 With someone who thanks God for me, 
 With someone I feel blessed to hold... 
 
 Because marriage means opportunity 
 To grow in love in friendship... 

 Because marriage is a discipline 
 To be added to a list of achievements... 
 Because marriages do not fail, people fail 
 When they enter into marriage 
 Expecting another to make them whole... 
 
 Because, knowing this, 
I promise myself to take full responsibility For my spiritual, mental and physical wholeness 
 I create me, 
I take half of the responsibility for my marriage 
 Together we create our marriage... 
 Because with this understanding 
 The possibilities are limitless

Audge.Podge

Here's one we're considering:The Key to LoveThe key to love is understanding …The ability to comprehend not only the spoken word,but those unspoken gestures,the little things that say so much by themselves. The key to love is forgiveness ….to accept each others faults and pardon mistakes,without forgetting, but with rememberingwhat you learn from them. The key to love is sharing …Facing your good fortunes as well as the bad, together;both conquering problems, forever searching for waysto intensify your happiness. The key to love is giving …without thought of return,but with the hope of just a simple smile,and by giving in but never giving up. The key to love is respect …realizing that you are two separate people, with different ideas;that you don’t belong to each other,that you belong with each other, and share a mutual bond. The key to love is inside us all …It takes time and patience to unlock all the ingredientsthat will take you to its threshold;it is the continual learning process that demands a lot of work … but the rewards are more than worth the effort …and that is the key to love.”If you have time and want to read through lots of ideas, I'd also recommend checking out [url]www.indiebride.com[/url] and go under Kvetch.  There is a huge board called Reading Repository or something with TONS of readings.