Non-traditional Reading for ceremony

anniej212 · July 2010

Looking for a non-traditional reading at the ceremony. Something kinda cool like a poem, movie quote (have to be a long one obviously), or song lyrics. Any ideas??? Thanks!

Beth0882 · July 2010

I've been looking at these lately and one that I like that I found online is:

From Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – by Louis Bernieres:
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.

(found here -- has lots of other ideas too)

I will let you know if I find any others!

sundrop24 · July 2010

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
You’re too smart to go down a not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

Out there things can happen
And frequently do
To people as brainy
And footsy as you
And when things start to happen,
Don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
Dr. Suess

sundrop24 · July 2010

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes, to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way. All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world –

This is my husband. This is my wife.
Borrowed from Knottie apple_green.

Written by: Robert Fulghum

keserzan · July 2010

We used the above reading by Robert Fulghum in our wedding, only we deleted the word lover so no one freaked out in the church during the ceremony. I LOVED it, and others said how neat and different it was.

ANSchick08 · July 2010

We found this in the information email from A Beautiful Affair of the Heart officiant group:
The Hands Ceremony
(face each other and join hands)

Please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift that they are to you.

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow and forever.

These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.

These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelming love for you.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

Our families and guests told us it was very touching and unique.

anniej212 · July 2010

thank you all for these! some great ideas!

meredithl618 · July 2010

DH's aunt read an Irish Blessing. His family is all Irish and has family still living in Ireland, so I thought it was a nice way to tie in that heritage.

May God go with you and bless you,

May you see your children's children,

May you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings,

May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

May joy and peace surround you both,

Contentment latch your door,

And happiness be with you now

And God Bless you Evermore.

May you live you life with trust,

And nurture lifelong affection,

May your lifelong dreams come true for you,

Move ever that direction.

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

May the light of friendship guide your paths together,

May the laughter of children grace the halls of your home.

May the joy of living for each

other trip a smile from your lips, a twinkle from your eye.

And when eternity beckons,

at the end of the life heaped high with love,

May the good Lord embrace you

with the arms that have nurtured you

the whole length of your joy-filled days.

May the gracious God hold you both

in the palm of His hands.

And, today, may the Spirit of Love

find a dwelling place in your hearts.

AbbeyS2011 · July 2010

Wow - those are some beautiful readings! I have chosen Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet 43 - How Do I Love Thee" as one reading - I want another, as I am not sure we will have a soloist or not. If you are still looking for something, try poetryspeaks.com - has some awesome poems on there!

Non-traditional Reading for ceremony

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