Beautiful Non-Religious Wedding Readings for Every Style (With Real-Life Videos)
Romantic and Poetic Non-Religious Wedding Readings
Now that you have an idea of what makes non religious wedding readings so special, let’s explore some examples that couples love to include in their ceremonies. I’ve grouped these readings by tone and style, starting with romantic and poetic pieces that capture the beauty and emotion of a wedding day.
If you’re drawn to heartfelt words that celebrate love in its purest form, these romantic and poetic readings are perfect. They bring warmth, tenderness, and timeless emotion to your ceremony — without any religious references. Each one has been featured in a real wedding video so you can see how beautifully they sound when spoken aloud.
Soulmates by Lang Leav
“I don’t know how you are so familiar to me or why it feels less like I am getting to know you and more as though I am remembering who you are. How every smile, every whisper brings me closer to the impossible conclusion that I have known you before, I have loved you before in another time, a different place, some other existence.”
The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach
“A soulmate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other.”
“No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person, we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soulmate is someone who shares our deepest longings, and our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soulmate is the one who makes life come to life.”
Love is a Temporary Madeness – Excerpt from Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is.
Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being in love, which any fool can do. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.
Heartfelt and Reflective Readings
Some couples prefer deeply emotional wedding readings — words that make guests pause and reflect on the meaning of love and commitment. These heartfelt pieces are perfect if you want a more personal, sincere touch to your ceremony.
Each one is a beautiful example of how non religious wedding readings can move people just as powerfully as traditional ones, and you can watch them performed in real weddings below.
Getting Married Means You’ll Have by Nicholas Gordon
Getting married means you’ll have
Someone’s hand to hold,
Even when you’re feeling sick,
Even when you’re old.
It means when you sit down to eat,
Someone will be there,
So you won’t have to tell your day
To an empty chair.
It means that when you need some help,
Someone will help out,
Someone always near to you
So you won’t have to shout.
But best of all is when it’s time
To turn out all the lights:
You won’t have to be alone
Those long and scary nights.
So even though you don’t have toys,
You don’t have to care:
Once you’re married you can be
Each other’s teddy bear.
The Art of Marriage by Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage, 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.
It is, at no time, taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon; it should continue through the years.
Lighthearted and Relatable Wedding Readings
Not every moment during a wedding ceremony has to be serious. Sometimes a bit of humour or real-life honesty makes it even more memorable. These non religious wedding readings are lighthearted, fun, and refreshingly down-to-earth. They’re ideal for couples who want guests smiling (and maybe laughing) as they listen.
Each example below comes from a real wedding we’ve filmed, so you can see how perfectly these readings fit into a joyful celebration.
He’s Not Perfect by Bob Marley
“He’s not perfect. You aren’t either, and the two of you will never be perfect.”
“But if he can make you laugh at least once, causes you to think twice, and if he admits to being human and making mistakes, hold onto him and give him the most you can. He isn’t going to quote poetry, he’s not thinking about you every moment, but he will give you a part of him that he knows you could break.”
“Don’t hurt him, don’t change him, and don’t expect more than he can give. Don’t analyze. Smile when he makes you happy, yell when he makes you mad, and miss him when he’s not there. Love hard when there is love to be had.”
“Because perfect guys don’t exist, but there’s always one guy that is perfect for you.”
Union by Robert Fulghum
“You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making commitments in an informal way.”
“All of those conversations that were held in a car, or over a meal, or during long walks – all those conversations that began with, “When we’re married”, and continued with “I will” and “you will” and “we will” – all those late-night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe” – and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.”
Oh, the Places You’ll Go! – Dr. Seuss
Congratulations!
Today is your day. You’re off to Great Places! You’re off and away!
You have brains in your heads. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourselves any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go.
And when things start to happen, don’t worry. Don’t stew. Just go right along. You’ll start happening too.
OH! THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!
You’ll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You’ll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life’s a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!
So… be your name [Bride’s name] or [Groom’s name] or [Couple’s last name] O’Shea, You’re off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!
Modern & Unique Non-Religious Wedding Readings
For couples looking to break away from tradition, modern and unique non-religious wedding readings offer fresh, heartfelt ways to express love and commitment. These readings range from contemporary poetry to whimsical literary excerpts and even pop-culture inspired pieces — perfect for adding personality and fun to your ceremony.
Each of these readings has been chosen to feel authentic, relatable, and memorable, and you can watch some performed in real weddings we’ve filmed to see how they come to life.
Highs and Lows by Morgan Harper Nichols
For the highs and lows
and moments between
mountains and valleys
and rivers and streams,
For where you are now
and where you will go,
For “I’ve always known”
and “I told you so”
For “nothing is happening”
and “all has gone wrong”
It’s here in this journey
you will learn to be strong
You will get where you’re going,
landing where you belong.
You are the Bubbles by Rachel Bright
Together, you are the bubbles in one another’s champagne
The morning sun through a window
The breaking of a smile.
Together, you are the one doughnut in the bag with more jam than all the others.
That photo where everybody looks great.
The know-all-the-words, sing-out-of-tune chorus of your favourite song.
Together, you are the beginnings of a big idea.
The twinkly bits that hang in the sky after the firework goes bang.
The cold, thin air at the top of a mountain.
The only two people in a crowded room.
Together, you are that unforgettable day of the holiday.
An accidental adventure.
Chocolate chip.
The last two pages of your favourite book.
A BBQ with friends.
The spray of the sea.
The nose of the cheese.
A kiss.
A hug.
A hold-my-hand.
A decision which, looking back, will seem to be the most excellent one you’ve ever made.
Together you are bubbles.
The unburstable bubbles of the very best things in life.
The only things any of us ever really need.
More Helpful Articles
FAQs about Non-Religious Wedding Readings
If you’d like even more inspiration, The Knot has an extensive collection of wedding readings.
