How to Choose Readings for Your Wedding Ceremony

You should choose readings for your wedding ceremony no later than four months from the ceremony. Readings lend a traditional as well as a personal touch to the ceremony, letting you use someone else's words or your own to communicate the deep, symbolic sentiments of your union. Choose readings for your wedding ceremony with care.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Book of common prayer
• Bible (or other religious text)
• Accurate source for other texts
• Readings

1. Consider your values. There are certain readings that are conventional according to religions or family tradition. But you may also want to consider your own personal experience and feelings leading up to your wedding ceremony.

2. Browse popular selections. Check out some of the selections from the resources section for some very wedding appropriate readings. Reading these can give you ideas for your own original touches as well.

3. Consult with your officiate. Some priests or reverends have a selection of readings that they prefer you would pick from. Others are more flexible, but run your choices by them anyway.

4. Analyze your text. Make sure you understand the layers of meaning in your reading. Ask a librarian or an academic for help or suggestions.

5. Finalize your choice and choose a reader. Once you are confident about your selection, choose someone to read and have them practice in the upcoming months.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose a significant text to read from. If you are Christian, the Bible; Jewish, the Torah; Muslim, the Quran.
• Rules on readings and other rites are more flexible with civil ceremonies.
• Coordinate your vows with the readings. If the readings call for one partner to uphold a certain value, the vows should answer to that and affirm it.
• Ask your parents what they read at their wedding. It might be nice to follow in their footsteps.
• If you decide to choose something unique or self-crafted, be sure it is appropriate. Read it to some friend's or family beforehand to make sure it's proper.

[JaneFord]

on 7/21/2008 I have been recommending this wedding ceremony readings site: http://www.weddingreads.com/wedding_readings/