From funny poems to romantic classics and Scottish favourites, these wedding readings will help you find words that feel personal, natural and right for your ceremony
Scottish celebrant Paul Browett conducting a ceremony (Photo: Lou Rob Photo)
Choosing a wedding reading sounds simple enough – until you start searching and realise just how many poems, book extracts and famous passages there are to choose from.
The right reading should feel like you as a couple. It might make your guests laugh, bring a few tears or put into words something you have always felt but never quite known how to say. Most importantly, it should sound natural when read aloud and suit the atmosphere you want to create during your ceremony.
From funny and modern wedding readings to romantic classics, Scottish poetry and traditional religious passages, we've gathered some of the best ideas to help you find the perfect fit.
Civil and humanist wedding ceremonies in Scotland can usually include readings, poetry, music and personal vows. However, individual registrars, celebrants and religious officiants may have their own guidance, particularly around religious wording, so always send your chosen reading to them in advance.
Modern and non-religious wedding readings
In non-religious ceremonies, readings can include poems, quotes or passages from books that are meaningful to the couple.
(Photo: Lifetime Photography)
1. Everything I Know About Love, Dolly Alderton
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.
This popular extract explores love as both something exhilarating and something reassuringly ordinary. It moves between life’s exciting moments and the everyday gestures that make a relationship feel safe and settled.
Its conversational wording makes it particularly effective when read aloud, while its focus on real life keeps it from feeling overly formal or sentimental.
2. Union, Robert Fulghum
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.
Union reflects on the moment two people move from being companions and partners to becoming a married couple. It acknowledges everything they have already shared while recognising that the ceremony marks the beginning of something new.
The language is clear and accessible, making this a good option for a parent, sibling or close friend who would prefer prose to poetry.
3. I Wanna Be Yours, John Cooper Clarke
I wanna be your raincoat
For those frequent rainy days
I wanna be your dreamboat
When you want to sail away
Direct, playful and instantly recognisable, this poem expresses devotion through a series of humorous comparisons involving familiar household objects. It feels informal and refreshingly different from a traditional romantic poem.
Arctic Monkeys fans will recognise the words of this uniquely direct and humorous love poem, which was used as the lyrics to their 2013 song by the same name.
Funny and light-hearted wedding readings
4. How Falling In Love Is Like Owning a Dog, Taylor Mali
On cold winter nights, love is warm.
It lies between you and lives and breathes.
This reading compares love with the responsibilities, unpredictability and unconditional affection involved in having a dog. It is funny but warm, and is especially fitting for couples whose pet is an important part of their lives.
The piece is relatively long, so choose the section that feels most relevant or ask your celebrant whether a shortened version would work better.
5. Yes, I’ll Marry You, My Dear, Pam Ayres
“Yes, I’ll marry you, my dear, and here’s the reason why; So I can push you out of bed when the baby starts to cry…”
Pam Ayres’ humorous poem takes a realistic look at marriage, household responsibilities and looking after one another. It acknowledges that married life will not always be glamorous while still ending with genuine affection and commitment.
Its rhythm and punchlines work best with a reader who is comfortable speaking clearly, varying their delivery and allowing the guests time to react.
6. He Never Leaves The Seat Up, Anon
He’ll be more than just her husband
He’ll also be her friend
And she’ll be more than just his wife
She’s be his soul mate ‘till the end.
Even couples who would not normally choose poetry will enjoy this light-hearted and easy-to-read wedding piece. It celebrates the everyday realities of married life while also touching on friendship, companionship and lasting commitment.
Its playful tone makes it a good choice for a friend or sibling to read, particularly during a relaxed or informal ceremony.
(Photo: Camerashy Photography)
You'll need to fill out the M10 Marriage Notice Application Form ahead of your wedding to make the ceremony legal. Find out how to fill out the M10 form
Traditional and Scottish wedding readings
(Photo: Natalie Stevenson Celebrant)
7. Sonnet 116, William Shakespeare
“Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments; love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds…”
Famously used in the 1995 film of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, this is one of the Bard’s most widely recognised poems. The famous sonnet describes true love as constant, resilient and unchanged by time or difficult circumstances.
It is one of the most traditional wedding poems, but its compact length and clear central message mean it still works well in modern ceremonies. Ask the reader to practise the rhythm beforehand rather than rushing through the unfamiliar language.
8. A Red, Red Rose, Robert Burns
O my Luve is like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
Few readings feel more appropriate for a Scottish wedding than Robert Burns’ declaration of enduring love. Its imagery is romantic, its Scottish identity is unmistakable and its promises stretch far into the future.
The Scots wording can make it particularly atmospheric when read confidently. Give your reader plenty of time to practise the pronunciation, especially if they are not familiar with Burns’ work.
(Photo: Jo + Liam Photography)
9. On Marriage, Kahlil Gibran
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.”
Taken from The Prophet, this reflective piece considers how two people can build a life together while retaining their independence and individuality.
Its message about allowing space within togetherness feels particularly modern, despite the work having been published in the early 20th century. It is one of the longer options, so read it aloud before deciding whether to use the full piece or a selected passage.
Religious wedding readings
10. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind.”
This passage remains one of the best-known Christian wedding readings. It describes love as patient, generous, trusting, hopeful and enduring, making it especially fitting for the exchange of lifelong promises.
Verses four to eight are usually long enough to feel meaningful without extending the ceremony unnecessarily. Different Bible translations use slightly different wording, so agree on the version with your minister or officiant before printing it in your ceremony programme.
How to choose the right wedding reading
Think about the tone of your ceremony
A funny reading can relax guests at the beginning of the ceremony, while a more emotional piece may work better immediately before the vows. Consider how you want everyone to feel at that particular point in the service.
Make sure it sounds like you
A reading does not need to be serious or poetic simply because it is being used at a wedding. A passage from a favourite novel, a film, a song or even something written by a friend can be more meaningful than a famous poem.
Read it aloud before deciding
Words that look beautiful on a page do not always flow naturally when spoken. Time the reading and listen for difficult sentences, unfamiliar wording or sections that feel repetitive.
Most wedding readings work best when they last around one to three minutes.
Choose the reader carefully
Ask someone who will feel comfortable speaking in front of your guests. They don't need to be a professional performer, but they should be willing to practise, speak slowly and look up from the page occasionally.
Explain why you chose it
Your celebrant can introduce the reading with a brief explanation of its significance. Perhaps it comes from the first book you discussed together, reflects a shared interest or was used at a family wedding.
That small piece of context can make even a popular reading feel much more personal.
When do readings happen during a wedding ceremony?
Wedding readings commonly take place after the officiant’s welcome and before the exchange of vows and rings. Some ceremonies include a second reading later in the service or during the signing of the marriage schedule.
The exact order is flexible and often depends on the type of ceremony you're having. Edinburgh City Council, for example, point to two places where readings can go during a civil ceremony. Your celebrant or registrar will help position each reading so the ceremony flows naturally.
Wedding reading FAQs
What is a wedding ceremony reading?
A wedding reading is a poem, book extract, religious passage, song lyric or piece of original writing spoken during the ceremony. It is usually read by a friend, relative, celebrant or one of the couple.
How long should a wedding reading be?
Aim for approximately one to three minutes. Always time it aloud, as poetry and emotional passages are often read more slowly during the ceremony.
How many readings should a wedding ceremony have?
One or two readings are usually enough. Three can work if each one is short and adds something different, but too many may interrupt the pace of the ceremony.
Who should do a wedding reading?
Choose someone who is important to you and reasonably confident speaking in public. A reading is also a lovely way to involve a relative or friend who does not already have a formal role in the wedding party.
Can you have readings at a civil wedding in Scotland?
Yes. Scottish civil ceremonies can include readings, poems, music, customs and personal vows in addition to the required legal declarations. The content should be approved by the registration office in advance.
Can you include a religious reading in a Scottish civil ceremony?
This may depend on the registration authority. City of Edinburgh Council permits religious content when it is delivered by a guest rather than the registrar and kept separate from the compulsory legal sections. Check the exact rules with the council conducting your ceremony.
