Wedding Readings: Centuries of Writing and Rituals on Love and Marriage

by Eleanor Munro (Introduction)

This rich collection of writings on the nature of love and commitment has long delighted brides and grooms of every denomination. Culled from both sacred and secular texts, and suitable for either traditional or informal wedding ceremonies, these selections might be included in Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, interfaith, and non-denominational exchanges of vows. Among the passages appropriate for readings by parents, friends, or the bride and groom are selections from Plato and Sappho, Rilke and Auden, Ecclesiastes and Euripedes, Shakespeare and Donne, pascal and Montaigne, Emily Dickinson and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. There are love songs from the Aztecs and Eskimos, Hindu and African wedding prayers, a Buddhist marriage homily, a Shaker hymn, and Irish blessing, excerpts from Coptic Orthodox and Greek Orthodox marriage services, and passages from the Old and New Testaments, some familiar, some surprising. With myriad choices, Wedding Readings will help you add a special, personal touch to your marriage ceremony.

Genres: Nonfiction, Poetry, Religion, Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1989

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great compilation of interesting passages on marriage and relationships. There are a few crazy things in it though. I was impressed by how many excerpts were included from well known writers that I had already read but hadn't known at the time to be thinking about passages about weddings/marriage.

[Kat Casually_Coastal_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collection of readings from many faith backgrounds and secular readings as well. I can’t say they are all really the most fitting for weddings, but that is obviously a personal preference.

[Lacey Louwagie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished copying down readings from this book into two documents: one of possible readings for Ivan's and my wedding, and one of readings that I don't want at our wedding, but that spoke to my experience of falling in love and making this decision in a way that really rings true. The latter document contains the best of this book, but feels so deeply personal that I wouldn't feel comfortable using the writings in a public ceremony. Instead, I plan to copy them into my journals and further reflect upon them.

So after completing this project, it's easy to believe this is a wonderful book -- after all, I've just relived the best of the best in it! But it's really a rather odd little book. I appreciate that it pulls together readings from multiple faith traditions and that they are both religious and secular; some of them are pragmatic and practical, others passionate and flowery. Indeed, I think everyone could find something to suit their own unique brand of love and commitment within these pages. Still, some of the selections struck me as just plain *odd* -- a few that were very sexual in nature and that I can hardly imagine someone using in even the most intimate of ceremonies, some which paint marriage as a bit of necessary drudgery, and even one in which the bride talks about loving the attention she receives on her wedding day, but dreading life with her groom! While I like the many different angles presented in this book, I'd like to know who would actually use some of this stuff in their wedding!

A nice bit of wisdom to leave you with, from my second document:

"I will reveal to you a love potion, without medicine, without herbs, without any witch’s magic; if you want to be loved, then Love." – Hecaton of Rhodes

[A lovely sentiment that I mostly agree with, although, how stinging to all those who suffer unrequited love!]

[Renee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found an even older version at my local library - copyright 1989. This book was *very* outdated and didn't even contain much of anything that I was looking for! I was hoping for more examples of readings during the ceremony but what this book contained a lot of was suggestions for readings by a pastor/officiant. Not what I was looking for at all.

[Alex · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave it one star as zero stars wasn't an option. Like others I was searching for a book of readings to add a little spice to my groom's speech, or a quick meaningful bit of prose for the ceremony. This is best used as a handbook for the officiant (if that). Look elsewhere.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a book I read all the way through, but I like it because they readings were nice and appropriate for a wedding, and the slim book hits up many cultures and time periods.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't find anything we could use, but maybe it'd be helpful for others.

[Erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

I skimmed through this book. it didn't have readings ideal for a wedding ceremony. the ideas were just not what I was looking for. The included passages were not enjoyable to read.