Planning a non-religious wedding? 🎉 Dive into these 10 amazing ceremony readings to sprinkle magic into your special day! We've got you covered whether you're after poetic verses, heartfelt quotes, or modern texts. These readings celebrate love in all its diverse glory, honouring different perspectives and beliefs. From classic literature to contemporary authors, these selections will touch your hearts and your guests too.

Personalise your vows and share your love story uniquely and meaningfully and choose your readings accordingly. You don't necessarily need religious traditions to fill your day with love and joy.
Celebrate your one-of-a-kind journey and create unforgettable memories with these beautiful readings. Let love be your guide as you embark on this new chapter together. Ready to explore the 10 best ceremony readings for non-religious weddings? Let's do this! 💍❤️
Poems for Non-Religious Weddings
‘ Let me not to the marriage of true minds, Admit impediments; love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds, Or bends with the remover to remove…’
This classic and famous sonnet (a fourteen-line poem) speaks about the unchanging nature of true love and, at the same time, what love is not. This is a favourite poem amongst guests and couples alike.
2. The Owl and the Pussy cat Edward Lear –
‘Pussy said to the Owl, "You elegant fowl! How charmingly sweet you sing!
O let us be married! too long we have tarried: But what shall we do for a ring?..
This is a fun, nonsense poem many of us would have read during childhood. But it also makes for a charming, light-hearted reading for a wedding.
“The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day. It is never going to sleep angry…’
A beautifully written poem which reminds us of all of the actions we need to take continually to maintain a marriage by being a good partner.
“Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time passes, remember…
Like a star should your love be constant, Like the earth should your love be firm…’
You may or may not be pagan but this does not mean you cannot use this breathtaking poem, which invokes the earth and stars as your blessing.
‘Falling in love is like owning a dog. First of all, it’s a big responsibility, especially in a city like [insert place]. So think long and hard before deciding on love…’
A perfect poem for dog lovers, especially if they have brought their pets to take part in their wedding. You may have decided on having an upbeat and relaxed style wedding so this could also be an excellent choice for you.
‘I wanna be your vacuum cleaner breathing in your dustI Wanna be your Ford Cortina I will never rust…’
A hilarious poem, which had us I stitches when I was preparing for a video of a wedding ceremony with family and friends for my training as a celebrant. It’s a bit like marmite, but I love it.
‘It’s not the flowers it’s the weeding in the dust with you
It’s not the champagne, It’s that cuppa in that favourite mug you use…’
A contemporary hugely relatable poem by a young trending poet, which could make your guests gasp and laugh all at the same time.
‘Extinguish Thou my eyes: I still can see Thee, deprive my ears of sound: I still can hear Thee, and without feet I still can come to Thee, and without voice I still can call to Thee…’
My son read this powerful poem at my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding last year. It evokes such strong emotions of love and devotion; it could be perfect for your wedding too.
O my Luve is like a red, red rose, That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve is like the melody, That’s sweetly played in tune.
Said to be one of the greatest love poems of all time, this Robert Burns (author of ‘Auld Lang Syne’) poem can still bring a tear to the eye, and some ‘aha’ moments among your guests.
Marriage (Anon) –
‘Marriage is about giving and taking And forging and forsaking
Kissing and loving and pushing and shoving, Caring and Sharing and screaming and swearing…’
I like this poem, since it’s about real life and doesn’t sugarcoat the edges. If you want to make your guests laugh and hear a new love poem at the same time, this could be just the right one for you!
Conclusion: Celebrating love beyond beliefs
Choosing the right ceremony readings for your non-religious wedding ceremony could be said to be as important as choosing the colours, the music, and your jewellery. You are creating an impression, a style, memories, and experiences, all of which are part of an intricate patchwork that makes your special day. You can ask one of the guests to read your poem, or I am very happy to read it for you—just ask!
If you would like some more ideas, please see this article in the Knot, in which I was quoted 15 Funny Wedding Readings for Wedding Bells & Belly Laughs
Don't hesitate to contact me at ritesofw@gmail.com and/ or 07305002858 to share your dreams for your big day and how I can help you make them come true. Please leave a comment below and subscribe to future blogs. Thank you!
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