Wedding ceremony reading have any of you special memories you would share with me. Thanks Joanie

Joanie, I am not sure what you want, do you want suggestions for readings for the service, reception or just stories from other people's weddings?

At my son's wedding - only a couple of weeks ago - this was read:

The Art of Marriage by Wilfred 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 every day.

It is never going to sleep angry.

It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with this day, 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 a common search for the good and the beautiful. 

It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependance is mutual, and the obligation is reciprocal. 

It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner."

It says it all :)

Daisy

If it is a poem to be read out in your Wedding Service, this one "Marriage" by Kahlil Gibran is one that brings tears to my eyes whenever I hear it :_

You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.

I read a poem at my sisters civil wedding ceremony a few years ago. I was a jibbering wreck (my sister was as calm as a cucumber) :-)  and even thought i was so nervous i got through it and everyone thought it was lovely. It puts an intimate friendly feel to the wedding which hymns just dont seem to reach. The poem i read was beautiful (think it came from the internet or a wedding book) but i think nothing hits the spot better than a personally written poem about the love the couple have for each other

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply, do appreciate it. Joany