Have you ever been at a wedding ceremony that felt a little... predictable? You know, the kind where you could practically recite the words along with the officiant? It’s like Groundhog Day for weddings.
What if I told you there’s a way to make your ceremony as unique, vibrant, and quirky as your relationship? In this post, we’re diving into the world of non-traditional wedding readings—because your ceremony deserves to reflect you.
Why Non-Traditional Readings Matter
Think of your wedding ceremony as the heart of your big day. It’s where you declare your love and commitment in front of the people who matter most. But just because it’s a big moment doesn’t mean it has to follow a formula. Sure, you could recite the same classic scripture passages that you’ve heard a dozen times before. But why not make your ceremony more you?
Choosing non-traditional readings—like poems, song lyrics, or even quotes from your favorite movie or TV show—adds an extra layer of personality and richness to the ceremony. Instead of using words that might feel generic or disconnected, you have the chance to share your unique love story in a way that feels real and authentic.
These readings are a way to connect with your guests on a deeper level. They reflect your relationship—whether it’s funny, sentimental, quirky, or something in between—and turn a typical ceremony into something unforgettable. And trust me, when your guests hear a reading that truly resonates with your bond, they’ll remember it long after the ceremony is over.
How to Choose the Perfect Reading
Now that we’ve established why non-traditional readings can make your ceremony more meaningful, let’s talk about how to choose the right one for you. Here’s a simple approach:
Reflect on Your Relationship
What makes you as a couple? Are you funny together? Super romantic? A little nerdy? Do you love adventure, spending lazy weekends together, or cooking meals side by side? Start by thinking about what feels authentic to you as a couple. The readings you choose should reflect that!Balance Emotion and Tone
You don’t need to go overboard with sentimentality unless that’s really you. A mix of humor and heartfelt moments often works best—it keeps things engaging while still conveying deep meaning. Striking that balance ensures that your ceremony feels both personal and dynamic.Involve Your Celebrant or Officiant
Your celebrant is your partner in making sure everything runs smoothly. Once you have a few readings in mind, share them with them. They might have great ideas on how to weave them into the ceremony seamlessly.Consider the Timing
The placement of your readings within the ceremony is just as important as the words themselves. For example, a funny quote might work best at the end of your ceremony to lighten the mood before you’re pronounced married. Or a poem about love and commitment might be perfect before you say your vows. Make sure the timing enhances the overall flow of the ceremony.
Some Beautiful Examples of Non-Traditional Readings
Alright, let’s dive into a few examples to inspire you. Whether you’re into poetry, song lyrics, or TV/movie quotes, there’s something out there that perfectly captures the essence of your love.
Poetry and Prose
Poetry can sound intimidating—like you’re back in English class analyzing Shakespeare. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. The key is to find something that speaks to you and your guests. Here are a few of my favorites:
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
A beautiful reflection on love being both loud and jubilant, as well as quiet and reassuring. It captures the many facets of love, from wild adventures to cozy, everyday moments.
"I know that love can be loud and jubilant…It can be dancing in the swampy mud and the pouring rain at a festival and shouting “YOU ARE AMAZING” over the band. It’s introducing them to your colleagues at a work event and basking in pride as they make people laugh and make you look lovable just by dint of being loved by them.
It’s laughing until you wheeze.
It’s waking up in a country neither of you have been in before.
It’s skinny-dipping at dawn. It’s walking along the street together on a Saturday night and feeling an entire city is yours.
It’s a big, beautiful, ebullient force of nature.
I also know that love is a pretty quiet thing.
It’s lying on the sofa together drinking coffee, talking about where you’re going to go that morning to drink more coffee. It’s folding down pages of books you think they’d find interesting.
It’s hanging up their laundry when they leave the house having moronically forgotten to take it out of the washing machine.
It’s saying ‘You’re safer here than in a car’ as they hyperventilate on an EasyJet flight to Dublin.
It’s the texts: ‘Hope your day goes well’, ‘How did today go?’, ‘Thinking of you today’ and ‘Picked up loo roll’.
I know that love happens under the splendour of moon and stars and fireworks and sunsets but it also happens when you’re lying on blow-up airbeds in a childhood bedroom, sitting in A&E or in the queue for a passport, or in a traffic jam.
Love is a quiet, reassuring, relaxing, pottering, pedantic, harmonious hum of a thing; something you can easily forget is there, even though its palms are outstretched beneath you in case you fall.”
I Like You by Sandol Stoddard Warburg
A sweet and quirky celebration of the small things that make a relationship special.
"I like you and I know why
I like you because you are a good person to like
I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it’s special
And you remember it a long, long time
You say, “Remember when you told me something special?”
And both of us remember
When I think something is important
You think it’s important too
We have good ideas
When I say something funny, you laugh
I think I’m funny and you think I’m funny too
You know how to be silly
That’s why I like you
If I am getting ready to pop a paper bag,
then you are getting ready to jump
I like you because when I am feeling sad
You don’t always cheer me up right away
Sometimes it is better to be sad
You want to think about things
It takes time
I like you because if I am mad at you
Then you are mad at me too
It’s awful when the other person isn’t
I can’t remember when I didn’t like you
It must have been lonesome then
Even if it was the 999th of July
Even if it was August
Even if it was way down at the bottom of November
I would go on choosing you
And you would go on choosing me
Over and over again
And that’s how it would happen every time.”
Bubbles by Rachel Bright
A whimsical metaphor for the little joys of life and love.
"Together, you are the bubbles in one another’s champagne, the morning sun through a window, the breaking of a smile.
Together, you are the one doughnut in the bag with more jam than all the others.
That photo where everybody looks great.
The know-all-the-words, sing-out-of-tune chorus of your favourite song.
Together, you are the beginnings of a big idea.
The twinkly bits that hang in the sky after the firework goes bang.
The cold, thin air at the top of a mountain.
The only two people in a crowded room.
Together, you are that unforgettable day of the holiday.
An accidental adventure.
Chocolate chip.
The last two pages of your favourite book.
A BBQ with friends.
The spray of the sea.
The nose of the cheese.
A kiss.
A hug.
A hold-my-hand.
A decision which, looking back, will seem to be the most excellent one you’ve ever made.
Together you are bubbles.
The unburstable bubbles of the very best things in life.
The only things any of us ever really need.”
TV and Movie Quotes
If you’re a movie or TV show buff, you can add a personal touch by quoting something from your favorite flicks. Here are a few iconic ones:
The Notebook
"So it's not going to be easy. It's going to be really hard. And we're going to have to work at this every day. But I want to do that. Because I want you. I want all of you, forever."When Harry Met Sally
"I love that you're the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely. And it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible."Parks and Recreation
"The things that you have done for me to help me, support me, surprise me, to make me happy, go above and beyond what any person deserves. You're all I need. I love you and I like you."
Song Lyrics
Song lyrics have the power to hit you right in the feels, and many love songs are perfect for wedding readings. Here are some options:
Because by The Beatles
"Love is old. Love is new. Love is all. Love is you."Feels Like Home by Chantal Kreviazuk
"If you knew how much this moment means to me and how long I've waited for your touch, if you knew how happy you are making me, I've never thought that I'd love anyone so much. Feels like home to me."The Luckiest by Ben Folds
"Now I know all the wrong turns, the stumbles and falls brought me here, and where was I before the day that I first saw your lovely face? Now I see it every day, and I know that I am, I am, I am the luckiest."
Wrapping It Up
The beauty of using non-traditional readings in your wedding ceremony is that it makes your big day feel completely yours. Whether you choose a funny quote, a soulful poem, or a heartfelt song lyric, you’re telling your story in a way that feels authentic, engaging, and unforgettable.
So, which reading are you planning to include in your ceremony? If you’re feeling inspired, head over to Instagram and share your choices with me at @unbridley. I can’t wait to hear what you come up with!
Until next time, gorgeous!
