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@o0olibelulao0o: Isn't there something about, "I like you because..." or something to stress that you don't just love the other person, that you like them. I'm a Christian but I still cry whenever I hear that being read at a wedding! You may already have that as an idea. I think it's fairly popular.
This might be a good source, too: http://offbeatbride.com/2008/07/wedding-readings
Good luck!
ETA: Not to make it sound like it's super popular. I've only seen it done once at a real-life wedding. Every other time, it's been on the boards/general wedding search. I'm sure your guests won't have first-hand knowledge of it themselves (unless they're planning, too)!
@Diet Coke: thanks, I'll definitely check those out!
Is the Union Reading religious?! this is one of my faves and MUSTS!
Union by Robert Fulghum
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.
I love the Art of Marriage. We read the poem in its entirety but you can shorten as needed.
@CupCakeMeg: I second Union, we used it and got tons of compliments after the ceremony.
Here's a short version:
The Art Of Marriage"
by Wilferd A. Peterson (short, popular version)
Compliments Of Erik & Beth Kent, Co-Publishers of NJWedding.com
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 each day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation and
demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
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 not only marrying the right partner...
It is being the right partner.
@CupCakeMeg: We're using Union toooo! I love that reading, brings tears to my eyes every time.
@Diet Coke: "I Like You" by Sandol Stoddard Warburg. This was a contender too, but we ultimately decided to go with Union. The poem is quite long, I've seen others shorten it to include their favorites parts. :) Here's a link to it: http://erikstar.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-like-you-sandol-stoddard-warburg.html
@CupCakeMeg: wow that really is beautiful! thanks for sharing that!!
@squeak35: That's the one that I'm kind of "ehh" about... it's very repetative and we have another reading that I LOVE that is a bit repetative... I want to spread it out a little. But I do like that one!
We are doing the "Blessing of the hands" and it goes like this (incase anyone else is interested):
Please face each other and join hands.
These are the hands of your best friend, 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 alongside 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 fills your mind.
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 help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
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.
^^I just love that... it brings tears to my eyes already!
We had Union at our wedding, too! A close family friend read it. Just beautiful! :)
@o0olibelulao0o: I did the hand ceremony (Blessing of Hands), too. :)
@Jenn23: I love it! It was sent to me in the samples our officiant sent and I started reading it and instantly burst into tears, I knew it had to be a part of our day!
@o0olibelulao0o: I know, it's beautiful. That was my favorite part of our ceremony! :)
Edit: Well, besides our first kiss. hehe
We're thinking about a Lucille Clifton poem called blessing the boats:
We used an excerpt from I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg (cute and funny) and a passage from Plato's Symposium about the mythical origins of love (long and serious but really interesting). The Plato is the last one listed on this page, although we removed a few sentences to make it shorter:
http://weddings.about.com/od/yourweddingceremony/a/NovelReadings_2.htm
I also love "The Art of Marriage" but didn't have a place for it once we already had two readings.
Our reading was called "I am love", author unknown.
Some say I can fly on the wind, yet I haven’t any wings.
Some have found me floating on the open sea, yet I cannot swim.
Some have felt my warmth on cold nights, yet I have no flame.
And though you cannot see me, I lay between two lovers at the hearth of fireplaces.
I am the twinkle in your child’s eyes.
I am hidden in the lines of your mother's face.
I am your father's shield as he guards your home.
And yet…
Some say I am stronger than steel, yet I am as fragile as a tear.
Some have never searched for me, yet I am around them always.
Some say I die with loss, yet I am endless.
And though you cannot hear me, I dance on the laughter of children.
I am woven into the whispers of passion.
I am in the blessings of Grandmothers.
I embrace the cries of newborn babies.
And yet…
Some say I am a flower, yet I am also the seed.
Some have little faith in me, yet I will always believe in them.
Some say I cannot cure the ill, yet I nourish the soul.
And though you cannot touch me, I am the gentle hand of the kind.
I am the fingertips that caress your cheek at night.
I am the hug of a child.
I am love.
We also had a duo do a declaration of support that I really loved.
Person 1: (directed to Bride and Groom) Bride and Groom, today we come together to celebrate the love that you have found with each other. By being here with you, each of us is declaring our support for your decision to join together in marriage.
Person 2: (directed to all) As family and as friends, we form the community of support that surrounds Bride and Groom. Through our presence here today, we are called upon to uphold them in honoring and loving each other.
Person 1: (directed to Bride and Groom) On behalf of everyone here today, we promise to always stand beside you, never between you, offering our love and support, not our judgment.
Person 2: (directed to all) And may we return to you the love you have given us, The love that has brought us together here today; And may it grow deeper and sweeter with each passing year.
@lovekiss: I love the duo declaration. I love it. Thanks for sharing
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Does anyone care to share any non-religious blessings or readings that they have had or are having in their ceremony?
I have beautiful pieces in my ceremony that bring me to tears, but I need another reading or something because otherwise it will be a VERY short ceremony (like 10 minutes!!) and the filler piece I put in just doesn't resonate with me...
Any ideas?