Alternative readings for wedding ceremony?!

LCW2LCO · July 2011

Hey ladies!
Anyone know of any or have used any alternative readings for your ceremony? I'm around a lot of weddings and just have heard the same ones read at almost every one of them. Corinthians 13: 4-7... etc. I love the verse but just want something different. We're looking for biblical verses though as we're both Christian/Catholic. We'd like one from New testament and one from Old Testament.

Thanks ladies!!! As always, your help is MUCH appreciated!!!

maybe984 · July 2011

We opted for one biblical, one non-biblical. So many of the biblical ones, particularly in the old testament, just seem uber sexist to me... so we were very picky.

Here's what we chose:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one,
       because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
       his friend can help him up.
       But pity the man who falls
       and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
       But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

i carry your heart with me by e.e. cummings

i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go, my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet) i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world, my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you

here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart

i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart)

LCW2LCO · July 2011

WOW! I love that reading. You and I are very alike. I totally agree about the sexism in the old testament. Yikes. I love this! Thanks so much!!!!

musicalsunlight · July 2011

You also might want to try asking over on the Catholic Weddings or Christian Weddings board(s). I bet a lot of those ladies have different verses to share! (Under Cultural Wedding Boards)

brink131 · July 2011

I looked up a bunch, trying to find some that weren't just the same old, same old. FI isn't religious, so I found verses that I liked and then let him choose two from the list. He picked I Corinthians 13:1-13 (which is same old, same old, I know, but we both like it) and Romans 12:12-18. Here's that one and the other choices I liked:

Romans 12:12-18: 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
    14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Proverbs 3    
1 My son, do not forget my teaching,  but let your heart keep my commandments,  2for length of days and years of life  and peace they will add to you. 3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;    bind them around your neck;  write them on the tablet of your heart.  4So you will find favor and good success  in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways acknowledge him,  and he will make straight your paths.  7 Be not wise in your own eyes;  fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.  8It will be healing to your flesh  and refreshment to your bones.
9Honor the LORD with your wealth  and with the firstfruits of all your produce;  10then your barns will be filled with plenty,  and your vats will be bursting with wine.

Psalm 23
   1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.     2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.     3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness    for his name’s sake.
    4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,    I will fear no evil, for you are with me;    your rod and your staff,    they comfort me.
    5You prepare a table before me    in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil;    my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me    all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD     forever.

Prayer of Saint Francis - this isn't from the bible, but I really like it.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love.
Where there is injury, pardon.
Where there is doubt, faith.
Where there is despair, hope.
Where there is darkness, light.
Where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.

newlyseliski · July 2011

You can go to this site which lists several marriage/love/etc related scripture readings from both the old and new testament...

http://catholicweddinghelp.com/topics/readings-rite.htm

LCW2LCO · July 2011

Thank you all!!!! We have decided on the two readings:

(Old Testament)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9 Two are better than one,
       because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
       his friend can help him up.
       But pity the man who falls
       and has no one to help him up!
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
       But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
       two can defend themselves.
       A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

(New Testament)
A reading from the Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 3:12-17
Brothers and sisters:
Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved,
heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,
bearing with one another and forgiving one another,
if one has a grievance against another;
as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do.
And over all these put on love,
that is, the bond of perfection.
And let the peace of Christ control your hearts,
the peace into which you were also called in one Body.
And be thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
as in all wisdom you teach and admonish one another,
singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God.
And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through him.
The word of the Lord.

Alternative readings for wedding ceremony?!

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