Ideas for reading during ceremony?

Question

We’re trying to plan our ceremony & what we would like to have in it. Our preacher is open to ideas, as most ceremonies he has done have been very religious. Ours is not that way since I’m not a religious person. So we are all looking for something to add to the ceremony so it doesn’t pass by in a flash & doesn’t seem to plain.

Does anyone have any suggested readings or any links to sites where I can find good readings to use in our ceremony?

Not sure how to phrase this but I think it may be important to add.

My fiance' was raised as a Christian & still considers himself one altough he doesn't practice.

Personally, I lean more towards being an atheist. The preacher knows this, obvously my fiance' does as well. It causes no problems in our relationship & we've talked out the future (kids, etc.). We've all agreed to have very miminal "God talk" for our wedding, having 1 prayer. Now we are left trying to develop our own ceremony. The preacher is looking into things, but of course we are as well. We are trying to find readings on love & such to use in our wedding in place of the stuff we've obviously removed.

Also, we picked this preacher because he was my fiance's preacher as a child.

Answer 1

We had my friend read this poem during our ceremony!

"Art of Marriage"

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.


- from "The Art Of Living" by Wilferd Arlan Peterson (short version)

Answer 2

I'm not criticizing your minister, but he/she should be able to perform a wonderful, non-religious ceremony for you.
And asking God's blessing upon your marrriage isn't tied to any particular religion.
I'm not sure why you've chosen an ordained minister to marry you and not a secular officiant.

See if you can find something here. The first part are Bible texts but the last part is poetry.
http://www.todays-weddings.com/planning/readings.html

Answer 3

here are a few: http://weddings.about.com/od/weddingreadings/a/poemwedreadings.htm

I really like this one:

“To Be One With Each Other” by George Eliot

What greater thing is there for two human souls
than to feel that they are joined together to strengthen
each other in all labor, to minister to each other in all sorrow,
to share with each other in all gladness,
to be one with each other in the
silent unspoken memories?

and this:

“To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov'd by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold,
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can in no way repay;
The heavens reward thee manifold I pray.
Then while we live, in love lets so persever,
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

Answer 4

The book The Language of Love edited by Susan Polis Schultz (Blue Mountian Press) is full of poems, quotes and sayings. I adapted one of the poems as my toast for my sister's wedding. I'm sure you could find something suitable.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780883964781&itm=24