What should I read for my best friend’s wedding?
“you need to find a reading that will capture the wonder of the adventure they’re embarking on, and maybe a bit of the brilliance of your friendship too. More than anything, you want to bring joy – and plenty of it – to their day. Here’s a few ideas of where to start when you’re looking for what to say at your best friend’s wedding.”
When you’re wondering what to read at your best friend’s wedding there’s going to be a whole load of emotions whizzing round your brain. You’ll be thrilled (of course) mildly terrified (public speaking – waah!) but mostly you’re likely to feel a bit confused. This is one of the biggest events of their life, and you need to find a reading that will capture the wonder of the adventure they’re embarking on, and maybe a bit of the brilliance of your friendship too. More than anything, you want to bring joy – and plenty of it – to their day. Here’s a few ideas of where to start when you’re looking for what to say at your best friend’s wedding.
Make your wedding reading personal
An easy way to make things really personal is to write your own reading. This means you can speak from your heart about your friendship with the bride or groom as well as the joy you feel about their new life with their partner. It’s a chance to share cherished memories and tell your friend how much they mean to you. Writing your own wedding reading can add a unique and intimate touch to the ceremony and show the bond you share with the couple.
Choose a poem about love and friendship
If you’re puzzling over what to say at your best friend’s wedding, poetry can be a great source of inspiration. The combination of rhythm and well-chosen words speaks to the human spirit in a way that is unique and powerful. You can choose to write your own poem, seek help from a professional poet, or look through some of your favourite books for inspiration. If you’re not sure where to begin your hunt for the perfect poem take a look at The Poetry Foundation or delve into an anthology of love poems to find one that fits the bill. To help make your decision, read the poem aloud - it’s important that you feel confident with where to take a breath and how the rhythm of the poem will work, so you get the best from it on the day.
Gorgeous poems on love in all its forms between the pages of this anthology.
Choose an excerpt from a book or lines from a song
Another fab idea for your best friend’s wedding reading is to draw inspiration from one of their favourite books or their favourite songs. When you’re looking, keep an eye (and ear) out for passages that celebrate love, commitment, and friendship. This excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit is a beautiful example.
“Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’ ‘Does it hurt?’ asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’ ‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’ ‘It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.” ― Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit
To make it feel really personal you could sneak a peek at their bookshelves or vinyl collection to find inspiration. The most important thing is to do some close research to make sure you’ve chosen a passage or lyric that really says what you need it to.
Consider their faith and culture
If the couple follows a particular faith or cultural tradition, consider incorporating readings from relevant religious or cultural texts into the ceremony. These readings can add depth and significance to the proceedings, reflecting the couple's spiritual beliefs and values. Whether it's a Bible verse, or a traditional wedding blessing, you can be sure your choice will hold special meaning for the couple.
Choose a wedding reading that celebrates shared memories
I recently completed a commission for the best woman to read at her best friend’s wedding. Part of the poem included specific memories and anecdotes, and these really made the poem sing. Whether you choose a personal story, cherished memory, or a funny tale, you can highlight the special bond you share with your friends. Your reading can become a heartfelt message about what their relationship means to you and speaking from personal experience will create a memorable and meaningful moment during the ceremony.
You can read the story behind this poem here
Would you like me to write a reading for your best friend’s wedding?
Ultimately, the most important thing is to choose something that feels like a celebration of friendship and of your relationship with the couple. So, take your time, reflect on your friendship, and choose something that speaks to the beauty and joy of the occasion. A bespoke wedding poem means reading for your best friend’s wedding will be a unique snapshot of your friendship, as well as all the things that make the couple so fantastic.
If you’d like me to write for you, just get in touch using the contact form, or email kathrynannawrites@gmail.com.
Until next time
Kathryn
xx
How do you know what to say for non-religious wedding readings?
“your wedding reading brings you and your guests back to the reason for this fantastic event, and all the work that’s gone in to making it amazing. Your wedding reading is a celebration of what makes two of you so very special, and what makes your marriage unique.”
When you’re looking for readings for a non-religious ceremony the choice can seem overwhelming. When thinking about the readings you’d like for your wedding, the first step is to take a moment to consider how you want your reading to make you and your guests feel. In this post I’ll take you through a few ideas of the types of readings to choose, as well as things to keep in mind when you’re searching for the perfect words to capture your relationship.
What is a wedding reading for?
Essentially, wedding readings are an opportunity to create a moment of reflection and focus. Amongst the legal trappings, vows, gasps of awe at your outfits, and smiles at the charm of the day, your wedding reading brings you and your guests back to the reason for this fantastic event. Your wedding reading is a celebration of what makes two of you so very special, and what makes your marriage unique.
What type of wedding reading should I have?
A quick search offers dozens of poems and passages from books to read at your wedding. There are traditional love poems, pieces by some of the most celebrated modern authors as well as snippets from TV shows and films. For my own wedding I read The Good Morrow by John Donne. It’s a poem I love and felt fitting for our day. The key is to have a reading that celebrates your love and reflects the things that matter to you as a couple.
Should wedding readings fit my wedding theme?
Some wedding websites do suggest choosing a wedding reading to fit the theme. If.for example, you’re having a beach side wedding, you’d perhaps go for a poem inspired by the sea, or a wedding in a castle might lend itself to reading an extract from a fairy tale. Whilst this can be a good idea in many ways, it’s important not to let your wedding reading become just another layer to your overall day. This is the moment to celebrate the essence of your relationship, the things that will be as special on a wet Wednesday in February as they are on this fabulous occasion.
How many readings can I have at my ceremony?
Most weddings have two wedding readings, but this can vary depending on the type of ceremony you’re having. Ceremonies carried out by a celebrant can often be more flexible, since the celebrant is with you for the whole day, whereas more traditional ceremonies have considerations around other weddings that may be happening in the same venue or with the same registrar.
The great thing about being able to have two or more wedding readings is the flexibility it gives. There may be a reading that is traditional to your family, or you may wish to choose one serious and one humorous reading. One of the best combinations is to have a bespoke wedding poem for a truly personal touch, alongside a more universal reading that celebrates the gravity of love. If you’re really struggling to narrow your choices down, why not bring one of your readings into the speeches afterwards?
How can I make my wedding readings personal?
Go with your gut feeling. If a reading makes you both a little teary, or both giggle “that’s us” then it’s the right reading for you. Try not to have a reading because it sounds especially grand or solely because someone else likes it. This is your moment to cherish and shine.
One of the best ways to make your wedding reading personal is to have something written for you. Choosing a writer for your wedding can be tricky – there’s a lot of trust involved and a lot relies on the rapport you and your poet build for the short time you’re working together. For me, each wedding I write for is unique and I’m intensely aware of what a privilege it is to be asked to be the vehicle to tell your love story. Here’s some recent feedback – I loved writing for this fab couple!
Can you write something for my wedding reading?
As a poet I write many different types of poetry across many different subjects. One of my favourite things is writing to celebrate love, and being asked to write for people’s wedding readings is something I treasure. If you’d like me to write for you, just get in touch using the contact form and we can begin to create a poem for your wedding day that brings joy and tenderness and, most importantly, celebrates the unique relationship you have as a couple.
Until next time
Kathryn
xx