The search for something personal is an opportunity for the wedding couple to discuss the meanings of their relationship and their ceremony.
When they’re tying the knot in a church or synagogue, a mosque, or any other religious setting, they may be limited to passages of scripture. The institution’s spiritual leader or the officiant may have some suggestions.
If the couple is not limited in the choices they can make, then it may be an idea to mix religious and secular readings or have an all secular event.
When it comes to who to ask to read at a wedding, it’s an excellent opportunity to involve people who are close to you and who aren’t necessarily in the wedding party.
Depending on who is asked to read, different selections could be more or less appropriate. Humorous poems are not suited for serious friends. You should keep foreign language selections for those who can pronounce the language well. When it comes to poetry, ensure the reader is comfortable, knowing where to pause and where the emphasis is required.
Some couples ask the readers they have selected to choose their wedding readings. It’s a good idea to give them guidelines on length.
To find the readings themselves, couples can look for inspiration wherever. Wedding readings are perfect opportunities for sharing what the couple loves. So, when watching movies, listening to music, or reading books, they may discover passages that genuinely speak to them.
When they have songs whose lyrics they love, especially if it’s not appropriate as the song for their first post-wedding dance, they could consider incorporating it into their ceremony.
When it comes to the number of readings and the length of each of them, then it is typical for most ceremonies to have between two and three of them. If the ceremony is to feature a musical soloist or have any other music, the couple may decide to stick to just one reading.
Having too many readings could overshadow the rites of marriage and the purpose of the main ritual. If there are too many pieces to include, an option is to use these in the programs, on any thank you notes, or even incorporated into the toasts at the reception.
In the majority of ceremonies, the readings should last no more than about five minutes in total or between one and three minutes each. The time it takes for any readers to walk to the podium and to gather themselves and their thoughts also need to be factored into the plans.
If one of the readings is a complex piece of poetry, it’s a good idea to pair it with a simple piece of prose. If the couple likes humor, it could be a good idea to limit the readings to one funny piece paired with a more serious reflection.
