how many readings are too many?

nvdmeulen

we're having a 30 minute or so ceremony (minister figures that's the max length), and are wondering about readings. Fi really wants one of his very close friends do a reading (Paul to the corinthians I think), and I would also like my sister to do one as well. problem is, FI wants 3 readings. if we were to do a third I would want my twin bro to do it. however......how many readings are too many? I don't want my guests to be sitting there thinking "how may freaking readers are there going to be? just kiss her and get it over with!" is 3 too many? they aren't long passages or anything, I just don't want people getting bored.what do you wise ladies suggest?

mandysmear

One is too many. Heh. We didn't have any and I was complimented on that.

V6CamaroGirl

We had a 25 minute ceremony and we had 2 readings, a song, and then the regular business. No unity candle or other crap in ours.

Mrs.B6302007

I'd say no more than that.Even if they're not long, there's the awkward silence of transition each time.

C W

Yes, 3 is too many. Why does he want 3? I think people would stop listening after too much talking. I think 2 should be the max, and keep them short.

agk0125

I went to a 30 minute wedding this weekend. There were two readings and then the pastor did a reading from where he was standing, but I got the feeling that was sort of his own personal addition. So I guess that's three. It was fine.

georgia_bride09

We had two short readings and the unity candle for roughly a twenty minute ceremony.

danieliza1127

I'm not a big fan of readings and songs in ceremonies.  I think 2 readings is plenty, 3 is too many.

hbquinn

I have four readings (2 people doing 2 each), no song or unity candles/sand, prayers, etc... The readings are very very short (not like Corinthians). The only thing I'm trying to figure out is where to put the readers during the ceremony so we don't have lag time waiting for them to come up to the mic. It might be too many, but it's my wedding and you should do yours how you want it.

agk0125

Oh and there was also a song. IMO if the whole thing is under a half an hour I don't care how many of which thing there are.

nvdmeulen

I think he just really likes 3 that we were shown and now wants everybody and their dog to come to and be involved in our wedding.I really only wanted one, but this friend of his has given him a hard time about not being in the BP. so he's looking for some way to include him.

ring_pop

If anything, people would get bored with 1 Corinthians because they've probably heard it a million times at other weddings..

TeaForMe

We're having three because it's a Catholic ceremony and that's just the way of it. If the reading has significance to you and you want to do three readings, by all means, do three. It's supposed to be a meaningful ceremony to the two of you and everyone else can seriously deal with sitting for an extra 3 minutes. But if you're just going to add one as filler, then I'd say it's not necessary. Something to discuss with your fiance... And are you really less than 2 weeks out? Is it going to be pushing things to change ceremony details at this point? I don't know?

Mrs.B6302007

So wait.  Because one of his friends is pressuring him to be involve in the wedding, you guys have to make the ceremony longer for yourselves and your guests just to find him something to do?What's wrong with his just being a guest?

blenderdance

We have one.  It is made up of 14 bullet points (short statements really) and we have 7 different people who will just stand and read two points each.  I get bored pretty easily, so I would say 3 is a lot, especially if they are readings that are pretty traditional and I have heard them before.

ggmae

Any more than 3 is too many. We had 3 and I thought it was a bit much.

wadingmoose

Three is a lot.  Any chance of just adding the third to the program rather than having someone read it?

ffmaid

Depends on your religious tone and desires. I always think trying to shorten the wedding part is silly as that is the important stuff if you want 3 readings have 3 readings  

xnikki118x

I think 3 is still a god number and that 4 would be too many. I was raised Catholic and have been to quite a few hour-long wedding masses, and honestly, I'd rather sit through 3 readings than 2 readings and a song like lots of people do.

tlv204

We had 3 readings (well, 2 and a prayer reading) because it was a Catholic ceremony and that's how they told us to do it.  I definitely wouldn't do more than 3, but I personally think 3 is fine.  2 would probably be better. 

ThePinkSuperhero

I think 3 could work, as long as they're on the shorter side.  I think 4 would be too many, no matter the length; just having all the readers stand up and sit down would take too long.