Wedding readings
The wedding service normally has a Bible reading, which is chosen from a wide range of topics such as love, commitment and the best foundations for living. Some deal more specifically with the love of God and the example Jesus gave us.
Below are a number of readings that are suitable for a wedding. Select two or three readings in a modern version of the Bible, read them and then ask yourself these questions.
Which of the readings makes most sense to us?
Are there words, phrases or sentences in some of the readings that we particularly like?
Which of the readings do we find most difficult to understand?
Are there parts of the readings we don’t understand and we want to find out about?
Which of the readings reflects best what we hope for in marriage?
Your minister will help you decide on a reading that fits in with the message or sermon.
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Genesis 2:18-25
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This early story tells of our human need to share life with other people. |
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John 2:1-11
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This is an account of how Jesus went with his mother and friends to a wedding and gave some miraculous assistance when all the wine had been drunk before the end of the feast. |
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1 Corinthians 13
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Although he is talking about love in a broader sense than marriage, this well known passage from St Paul's letter to his Christian friends is often read at weddings. |
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Ephesians 5:21-33
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St Paul compares the marriage bond to the bond between Jesus and his followers, the church. |
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Matthew 7:21, 24-27
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Jesus tells a story about two men who built their homes in different places on different foundations to show how important the right foundation is for our lives. |
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Mark 10:6-8
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Marriage broke down and men easily divorced their wives in Jesus' time. Jesus reminds people of God's intention that every marriage should become an unbreakable bond. |
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Colossians 3:12-17
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St Paul describes how important it is for Jesus to be at the centre of everything we do. |
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John 15:9-12
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Jesus tells his disciples about love and the need for us to love one another. |
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Romans 12:1-2, 9-13
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St Paul describes how love changes us and helps us in the practical things of daily life. |
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1 John 4:7-12
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St John shows that God is love, and that because of God's love for us we too should love one another. |
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Ephesians 3:14-21
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In this passage St Paul prays that the reader should know the love of Christ at the very foundation of their life. |
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Genesis 1:26-28, 31
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The story of how God created men and women and instituted marriage. |
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