My 13 Favorite Wedding Poems and Readings
- George Polgar
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Choosing the right wedding poems and readings is one of those decisions that feels small... until you're standing in the ceremony and suddenly everyone is emotional. A good reading gives your ceremony rhythm, meaning, and breathing space between the big moments. This article is about how to choose wedding poems and readings that actually fit you, not just ones that sound nice on Pinterest.
Short version: the best wedding readings and poems feel personal, sound natural when read aloud, and support the story of your day without stealing the spotlight.
Key takeaways
Wedding readings work best when they reflect your tone, not tradition for tradition's sake.
Short, meaningful texts always land better than long, impressive ones.
One to three well-chosen readings is more than enough for a balanced ceremony.
Quick navigation // Table of Contents
How to Choose the Right Poem or Reading
Before picking a poem because it's famous, pause for a second. Think about how it will sound, not just how it reads on a screen. Wedding ceremonies move fast, and attention spans are shorter than you think. Aim for something that feels clear, human, and emotionally honest.
Tone matters more than genre. Romantic, funny, spiritual, or quietly reflective are all valid – as long as it matches you as a couple. Length is just as important. One minute can feel powerful; three minutes can already feel long if the text is dense. If guests can follow it easily the first time they hear it, you're on the right track.
Placement also matters. Readings work beautifully:
after the welcome,
before the vows,
or as a soft emotional bridge between ceremony elements.
Traditional, modern, and non-traditional options all have a place. What matters is intention. If the reading helps explain why you're getting married, it belongs in the ceremony.
My Criteria for Choosing These 13
This list isn't about "the most popular poems on the internet". These are readings I've seen work – emotionally and practically – in real wedding ceremonies.
First, emotional impact. Does it make people feel something without trying too hard? Second, familiarity. Well-known readings often land better because guests relax into them. And third, variety. Not every couple wants religious language, and not every ceremony needs solemn silence. Romance, humour, inclusivity, and literary weight all deserve space.
That's why this list includes classic poetry, modern voices, spiritual texts, and readings that gently break the rules – in a good way.
1.) I Carry Your Heart With Me (E.E. Cummings)
This poem by E. E. Cummings is a favourite for a reason. It's intimate without being heavy, romantic without sounding outdated. The language flows naturally when read aloud, which makes it ideal for ceremonies.
It speaks about unity and shared identity, but in a soft, personal way. Perfect for couples who want something poetic that still feels grounded and sincere.
A karakia brings a sense of grounding and respect into the ceremony. Rooted in Māori tradition, it acknowledges connection – between people, nature, and the moment itself.
For weddings in Aotearoa, this reading often feels especially meaningful. It works beautifully in bilingual ceremonies and adds cultural depth without requiring a religious framework. When spoken slowly and with intention, it creates a calm, focused atmosphere.
3.) Fragment (Sappho)
Sappho proves that powerful love poetry doesn't need many words. This fragment is short, intense, and emotionally sharp.
It's ideal for couples who want something ancient yet surprisingly modern in feeling. Because it's brief, it works best as a quiet emotional punctuation rather than a centrepiece.
Modern, accessible, and deeply personal, this piece by Rupi Kaur resonates strongly with contemporary couples.
It speaks about reflection, growth, and mutual understanding. The language is simple, which makes it easy to listen to – and that's exactly why it works so well in ceremonies.
5.) Excerpt from A Farewell to Arms (Ernest Hemingway)
This excerpt from Ernest Hemingway captures love in a calm, grounded way. It's not flowery, not dramatic – and that's exactly its strength. The language feels honest and adult, making it a great fit for couples who value partnership over spectacle.
It works particularly well when read slowly, allowing the meaning to land without being rushed.
6.) On Love (Thomas à Kempis)
A reflective and thoughtful piece that focuses on patience, kindness, and commitment. This reading feels timeless and sincere, without being overly formal.
It suits ceremonies that lean gently spiritual without being explicitly religious. Best delivered by an officiant or someone with a steady, warm voice.
Few readings are as recognisable as this one by William Shakespeare. It speaks about enduring love – the kind that remains steady despite change and challenge.
While the language is classic, it still resonates strongly when read with clarity. Ideal for couples who appreciate tradition with substance.
8.) Touched by an Angel (Maya Angelou)
This poem by Maya Angelou celebrates love as a transformative force. It's emotional without being sentimental and uplifting without feeling forced.
It works beautifully in ceremonies that aim to feel warm, joyful, and deeply human.
9.) Yes, I'll Marry You, My Dear (Pam Ayres)
This is where humour enters – gently and honestly. Pam Ayres writes about love with realism and charm.
Perfect for couples who want their guests smiling while still feeling the emotional weight of commitment. It often gets the biggest reaction of the day.
Often attributed to Bob Marley, this reading focuses on acceptance rather than perfection. It's warm, relatable, and refreshingly honest.
It suits relaxed ceremonies where authenticity matters more than tradition.
11.) Love Sonnet XVII (Pablo Neruda)
This poem by Pablo Neruda is deeply romantic without being overly sweet. It speaks about love that grows quietly and deeply.
Because of its emotional depth, it works best as a single, standalone reading.
12.) Excerpt from Captain Corelli's Mandolin (Louis de Bernières)
This reading explains love as something built over time, not just felt in a moment. It's thoughtful, grounded, and incredibly fitting for long-term partnerships.
Ideal for couples who value commitment as a daily choice rather than a fairytale moment.
This passage speaks about love as powerful and enduring. Even in non-traditional ceremonies, it often resonates because of its poetic strength.
It works best when the ceremony includes cultural or spiritual elements, even if lightly.
Tips for Ceremony Use
Most ceremonies work best with one to three wedding poems and readings. More than that can break the flow and dilute the impact. Choose readers who feel comfortable speaking in front of people – confidence matters more than performance.
Live readings usually feel more personal than printed ones, but having the text in the programme is a nice touch for guests who want to revisit the words later.
When Words Become Memories
Poems and readings don't just shape how your ceremony sounds, they shape how it's remembered. When they're delivered with intention, they create those quiet, emotional moments that live on long after the day is over.
As a wedding videographer and photographer, these are often the scenes that couples come back to again and again – the pause before the vows, the smile during a familiar line, the way voices crack just slightly. If you're putting care into choosing your readings, it's worth having them captured thoughtfully too, so they don't just exist in the moment, but in a film and images you'll actually want to revisit for years to come.
Would you like help capturing these moments? Feel free to get in touch – we'd be more than happy to help. Here's a quick example of how we can incorporate a reading into our films:
FAQ
Can poems be used as wedding vows?
Yes, poems can be included as part of your vows, but they usually work best as a complement rather than a replacement. Many couples choose to read a poem first, then add a few personal lines in their own words.
Are funny poems appropriate in a wedding?
Absolutely. Funny poems can work beautifully if they reflect your personalities and don’t overpower the emotional tone of the ceremony. Light humour often helps guests relax and makes the moment feel more personal.
How long should a wedding reading be?
Ideally, a wedding reading should be around one minute long. Short readings keep the ceremony flowing and ensure guests stay engaged without losing the emotional impact.
What is a good reading for a wedding ceremony?
A good wedding reading is one that feels authentic to you as a couple, sounds natural when read aloud, and fits the overall tone of your ceremony. Whether it’s classic, modern, spiritual, or humorous, clarity and meaning matter most.
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And if you're ready to talk wedding films, get in touch here — we'd love to hear from you!
 | I’m George, the filmmaker and creative partner behind Red Guy Films — I create cinematic wedding films full of emotion and meaning. I began my career in television and advertising back in 2005, and I’ve been telling real stories ever since. |
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