Non religious wedding ceremony readings: how to choose and where to look
Non religious wedding ceremony readings: where to find poems, prose and personal pieces, how to choose for your story, who should read, and how long to keep them.
Readings give a ceremony its voice. For couples who want a secular or civil ceremony, or simply prefer words that are not scripture, there is a wide world of non religious wedding ceremony readings to draw on: poetry, novels, letters, songs, speeches and words written by people who know you. This guide explains where to look, how to choose and how to make readings work on the day.
Check the rules first
Some civil ceremonies limit religious content, while others are flexible. If your registrar or officiant must approve readings, ask early. Our guide to civil vs religious wedding ceremony explains how ceremony types differ.
Where to find non religious wedding ceremony readings
Poetry. Love poetry spans every era and culture. Classic poets whose work is now in the public domain, such as Shakespeare's sonnets or Elizabeth Barrett Browning's sonnets, are popular for formal ceremonies. Contemporary poets offer more modern voices; check whether permission is needed if you print their words.
Novels and children's books. Short passages about friendship, home or growing together often resonate, and children's books can bring warmth and humour.
Letters. Published love letters from writers, artists and historical figures can be moving and specific.
Speeches and essays. Passages about partnership, equality or commitment, including words from court judgments or public speeches about marriage, can be powerful.
Songs. Lyrics read aloud can work, especially for a song that matters to you. Choose carefully, as some lyrics feel different spoken.
Your own cultures. Poems, proverbs or blessings from each family's language and tradition, with a translation, can honour heritage without religious content.
Personal writing. A short piece written by a friend or family member, or letters you write to each other, can be the most memorable reading of all.
How to choose
- Reflect your story. Choose words that sound like your relationship.
- Think about tone. One reflective reading and one lighter one can balance a ceremony.
- Keep it short. Most readings work best at one to two minutes.
- Read it aloud. Some beautiful written passages are hard to follow when heard.
- Consider your guests. Avoid in-jokes or references most people will not understand.
Who should read
Choose readers who are comfortable speaking in public, and invite them early. Readers might be siblings, friends, grandparents or children. If someone close to you is nervous, a short reading or a shared one with another person can help. Our guide to wedding party roles and responsibilities explains other ways to include people.
Where readings fit
Readings usually come after the welcome and before the vows, or between the vows and the pronouncement. Two readings are common; more can make a ceremony long. Our guide to the wedding ceremony order of service shows typical placements.
Practical tips for readers
- Print the reading in a clear, large type, or put it in a small folder.
- Ask readers to practise aloud and slow down.
- Make sure they know when to come up and where to stand.
- Check microphones at the rehearsal.
Multilingual ceremonies
If guests speak different languages, consider one reading in each language, with a translation in the programme. Our guide to bilingual wedding invitation wording has tips for presenting two languages equally.
Copyright and printing
Reading a passage aloud at a private ceremony is generally fine, but printing long extracts in programmes or publishing them online may require permission for works still under copyright. Short credits, such as the title and author, are a courteous habit.
Writing your own reading
If you cannot find the right words, write them. Ask a friend or relative who knows you both to write a short piece about love, friendship or the life you are building, or write letters to each other that a reader shares. Keep it to one or two minutes, specific and kind. Personal readings are often the moment guests remember most, because they could only have been written for you.
A quick checklist
- Check what your officiant allows.
- Gather options from poetry, prose, letters and family traditions.
- Choose one or two readings that reflect your story.
- Read them aloud and time them.
- Invite confident readers early.
- Print clear copies and rehearse.
The best readings feel like they were written for you, even when they were written long ago.