Popular Religious Wedding Readings from the Bible

When you think about the details of your church wedding, one of the most important decisions will be the readings. Whether you have a religious or non-religious ceremony, it’s important to find prose that fit well with your beliefs. You want any chosen religious wedding readings to not only reflect your love and relationship but also be relevant and leave a lasting impact on your guests during and after the wedding ceremony.

Any biblical religious readings for weddings that you believe are particularly meaningful to you can be incorporated into your ceremony and celebration. Sharing your thoughts and feelings about your marriage with your guests makes the wedding feel much more private and personal.

Have a look below for the most common religious wedding readings for your ceremony. We have noted the numbers for the bible readings for easy reference.

• Genesis 1: 26-28

26

Then god said, “let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

27

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

28

God blessed them and said to them, “be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Meaning – By instructing people to follow all Jesus ordered and establishing dominion over every created domain of created order, we are to extend the sphere of God’s control into every area of society.

Corinthians is a popular choice for Religious Wedding Readings

• 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5

It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8

Love never fails.

Meaning –According to the Bible, love is more than just an emotion. This verse from the Bible being read aloud during your wedding is a promise to your spouse.

• 1 John 4:16-19

16

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

17

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

19

We love because he first loved us.

Meaning – The above verse compliments 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 as it shows how love can be a weapon against fear and a reliable and strong foundation from God.

• Song of Songs 2:10-13

10

My beloved spoke and said to me,

“arise, my darling,

my beautiful one, come with me.

11

See! the winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

12

Flowers appear on the earth;

the season of singing has come,

the cooing of doves

is heard in our land.

13

The fig tree forms its early fruit;

the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.

arise, come, my darling;

my beautiful one, come with me.”

Meaning – It honours the love between a man and a woman, a love that is “strong as death” (Song of Solomon 8:6) and is seen in the reborn life of the earth (Song of Solomon 2:10-13). The Song also honours the bond between Christ and the Church, a bond that has been cemented by the Resurrection and is stronger than death.

Colossians 3:12-17

12

Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,

13

accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive.

14

Above all, put on love-the perfect bond of unity.

15

And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.

16

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Meaning – Fundamentally, we are to give thanks to God in the name of Jesus Christ for who He is and what He has accomplished in everything we do.

There is a downloadable version of the Colossians 3:12-17 reading here.

• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

9

Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labour:

10

If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

11

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

12

Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Meaning – This passage illustrates a true partnership between two individuals. It also shows the power of bringing Christ into your relationship and the fundamentals of being there for someone through good times and bad.

• Ephesians 4:2-3

2
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Meaning – This will suit you if you’re an action-oriented individual. This is an excellent verse to keep in mind at your wedding if you prefer to know what to do and how to accomplish it!

• Psalm 143:8

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Meaning – This passage shows that God is trustworthy and that you can put your confidence in Him. God has always been dependable, and you just need to consider what He has accomplished in the past to realise that He can help in the current problems as well.

• Matthew 19:4-6

4
“Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator “˜made them male and female,’

5
and said, “˜For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’?

6
So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Meaning – This verse is a fantastic example of the value of harmony in a marriage. Nothing should divide them, and they should be able to experience the intimacy of being one.

• Proverbs 31:10

A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Meaning – This verse is excellent for husbands to use when praising their wives at the altar!

Please comment if we have missed any great religious wedding readings and we’ll add them to the list.