Bible readings for your wedding

Choosing your readings is one of the ways a wedding can be made really personal. Popular Bible passages are given here, but your vicar can help with choosing alternatives if you’d like something different.
A close up of the Bible open at 1 Corinthians 13 with a wedding ring on the text

A Church of England wedding must have at least one reading from the Bible and you can also include other readings or poems. Read some of these Bible passages together and see if what they say seems important to you. There are many different versions of the Bible, some using modern language and some with a more traditional style – talk to your vicar about different versions if you’d like to learn more.

Love, actually! The number 1 most popular reading for weddings is (1 Corinthians Chapter 13)
God creates women and men to look after the earth (Genesis, Chapter 1, verses 26-28)
A love poem between two lovers (Song of Solomon, Chapter 2, verses 10-13; Chapter 8, verses 6&7)
Jesus teaches how to live a life that brings true happiness (Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 1-10)
Jesus teaches about marriage, and welcomes children (Mark, Chapter 10, verses 6-9 and 13-16)
What happens when Jesus attends a wedding reception (John, Chapter 2, verses 1 - 11)
Committing to each other (Ephesians Chapter 5, verses 21-33)
Seeing the good side… (Philippians Chapter 4, verses 4 - 9)
Getting the perfect relationship (Colossians Chapter 3, verses 12 - 17)
Being a good lover! (1 John Chapter 4 verses 7 - 12)

If you have some special ideas of your own your vicar will be pleased to discuss your choices.

All above readings are New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.