How to Come Up with Unique Wedding Readings

Weddings are a dime a dozen. If you are in your twenties, you probably go to at least a few a year. For as much diversity as there is when it comes to the wedding cake, reception locations, or the wedding dress, the readings during the ceremony are hideously predictable. So how do you go about finding wedding readings that are unique and meaningful?

Depending on the presiding priest, pastor, or clergy person, they may have predetermined readings or a set idea of when they happen. Before you begin looking for your reading, have a quick talk with your minister. Decide where and when there will be readings. Will it be right before the unity candle? After communion? At the beginning?

The reason this is important is because you can choose words that match the moment in the service. This helps to add relevance to the text so people aren't as likely to tune it out.

Most people are familiar with the love chapter in 1 Corinthians. But the Bible is full of beautiful texts that are virtually ignored during weddings. If you want something unique but still spiritual, you'll need to think outside the box when it comes to the scriptures. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Go to the Psalms. Since these were written as hymns, the lyrics are beautiful to read aloud.
2. Song of Songs (sometimes called the Song of Solomon) is an ancient text that is full of romance that could make Shakespeare blush.
3. Proverbs can make for some humorous wedding reading!
4. The teachings of Jesus are great readings to express love between two people in marriage.
5. Go back to the beginning. Have someone read the first love story between Adam and Eve.

Check different translations. There are several modern versions (like the Message) which are a great way to hear a familiar scripture in a new light.

1. Guess How Much I Love You
2. Love You Forever
3. I'll Be You and You Be Me
4. Frog and Toad
5. Everyone Says I Love You
6. A Kiss for Little Bear
7. The Pocket Dogs
8. I Like You
9. I Love You Stinky Face
10. A Color of His Own

There are a ton of beautiful children's books that have great stories and lessons on love. Since they are written for children, often times the text is short, simple, and lyrical. Of course you can read it word for word, or adapt it with your own words. Just make sure you give credit to the author regardless!

Who doesn't love a good poem right? You can start by going right to the famous stuff first, or you can try your hand at your own poem. Here's a secret: If you are nervous about showing your work to people, just write it up and when it's time to have your partner look it over, just mention that you found it online somewhere and the author is anonymous.

Here's a simple tip on writing a poem if you've never done it before....

Don't worry about rhyming. It's a lot of pressure. However, if you like the poems that rhyme, I'll give you an easy way to do it.

Write one sentence first.

The first day we met, we stopped dead in our tracks.

That's an example of a first line. Before you write the second line, go to a website like www.rhymes.net and find words that rhyme with tracks.

Pick a word that you like. For this poem, we'll choose the word impacts.

The first day we met, we stopped dead in our tracks.
Our paths had crossed, making great impacts

Next, write another line.

Our worlds as we knew them would change forevermore

And then look up the rhyme for that word too!

As we blended together letting love wash ashore.

If you aren't a poet, it might be best to make the poem a bit light and fun. The rhyming poems work well with humor.

Did you write about your beloved while you were dating? Perhaps you have a funny text exchange or email? Go through all your old writings together and see if you can't find a theme of some sort. Having a friend or family member read about your developing love is a great way to honor your upcoming marriage.

Perhaps you want to keep the traditional readings in your ceremony but you want it to be a bit different. If you have a relative that speaks another language, consider having the scripture read in another language.

If you have a song you danced to the night you met or have a special song you both consider "yours", have a friend or relative read the lyrics during the ceremony. When you choose to read instead of sing, you can combine stanzas of different songs to make a collage of words.

1. Unchained Melody
2. I Can't Help Myself
3. Come Away with Me
4. First Day of My Life
5. Kiss From a Rose
6. You Are the Sunshine of My Life
7. Fallin'
8. Stand By Me
9. Ain't No Mountain High Enough
10. Let's Stay Together

Ask your parents what they did for their wedding readings. Is there a way you can incorporate it into your ceremony? This creates a sense of heritage- the understanding that your love is in the context of a much larger family and lineage.

Some families have certain Biblical passages or other holy texts that they read to one another. You could read the lyrics from your parents first dance. The point is to find something that has meaning and ties you together with your new spouse and existing families.

If you are the kind of couple that uses humor to overcome obstacles, consider a reading of some of your favorite movie lines. Of course, they should have some underlying principle or virtue that you want to highlight- don't go quoting Dumb and Dumber during your ceremony.

Just because it's a ceremony- it doesn't mean it has to be stiff and impersonal. On the contrary, the more of you that you put in, the more memorable it will be!