I’ve been combing the web for wedding readings lately to add something personal to your ceremony. I think the best readings are ones that speak to you as a couple, the reading that makes you go “That’s us!, that’s what we’re about!”. Marriage of course is a great topic for a reading, because everyone defines the bond of marriage differently in their own lives. So here’s a few of my favourite readings along the theme of defining marriage. Do you have any you’d like to share?

Marriage is love – Gloria Matthew

If two are caring as they are sharing life’s hopes and fears.

If the music of laughter outweighs sadness and tears.

Marriage is togetherness.
If both derive pleasure from the mere presence of each other,

yet when parted no jealousies restrict,

worry or smother.

Marriage is freedom.
If achievements mean more when they benefit two and consideration is shown with each point of view.

Marriage is respect.
And if togetherness,

freedom and respect are combined with a joy that words can never fully define,

then marriage is love.

To Diego and Frida (Tina Modotti’s toast) from Frida

I don’t believe in marriage. No, I really don’t. Let me be clear about that.

I think at worst it’s a hostile political act, a way for small-minded men to keep women in the house and out of the way, wrapped up in the guise of tradition and conservative religious nonsense.

At best, it’s a happy delusion – these two people who truly love each other and have no idea how truly miserable they’re about to make each other.

But, but, when two people know that, and they decide with eyes wide open to face each other and get married anyway, then I don’t think it’s conservative or delusional. I think it’s radical and courageous and very romantic.

 

The Art Of Marriage – Wilferd Arlan Peterson

Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage the little things are the big things…

It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted;
the courtship should not end with the honeymoon,
it should continue through all the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude
of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience,
understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal,
dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.>It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best.

Marriage Joins Two People In The Circle Of Its Love –  Edmund O’Neill
Marriage is a commitment to life,
the best that two people can find and bring out in each other.
It offers opportunities for sharing and growth
that no other relationship can equal.
It is a physical and an emotional joining that is promised for a lifetime.

Within the circle of its love,
marriage encompasses all of life’s most important relationships.
A wife and a husband are each other’s best friend,
confidant, lover, teacher, listener, and critic.
And there may come times when one partner is heartbroken or ailing,
and the love of the other may resemble
the tender caring of a parent or child.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.
Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher,
commitment is stronger, even anger is felt more strongly,
and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands and forgives the mistakes life
is unable to avoid. It encourages and nurtures new life,
new experiences, new ways of expressing
a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,
they create a spirit unique unto themselves which binds them closer
than any spoken or written words.
Marriage is a promise, a potential made in the hearts of two people
who love each other and takes a lifetime to fulfill.

Ceiling – Michael Blumenthal, from “A Marriage”

You are holding up a ceiling

with both arms. It is very heavy,
but you must hold it up, or else
it will fall down on you. Your arms
are tired, terribly tired,
and as the day goes on, it feels
as if either your arms or the ceiling
will soon collapse.
But then, unexpectedly,
something wonderful happens:
Someone, a man or a woman,
walks into the room
and holds their arms up
to the ceiling beside you.
So you finally get
to take down your arms.
You feel the relief of respite,
the blood flowing back
to your fingers and arms.
And when your partner’s arms tire,
you hold up your own
to relieve him again.
And it can go on like this
for many years
without the house falling.

Why Marriage?  – 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 of this understanding
The possibilities are limitless.