Romantic Readings
Romantic readings are a beautiful way to add personality, emotion, and storytelling to your ceremony. They offer a glimpse into your relationship, your values, and the kind of love you share.
Many couples choose to include one or two readings as a way to pause, reflect, and create a meaningful moment within the ceremony. These can be heartfelt, lighthearted, poetic, or even a little playful depending on your style.
You are welcome to select readings that resonate with you, or invite a loved one to choose something meaningful to them. Having a friend or family member participate not only personalizes your ceremony, but also creates a special memory for everyone involved.
Readings can be performed by your officiant or by someone you trust. We recommend choosing readers who are comfortable speaking in front of a group and providing them with the final version in advance.
Below is a curated collection of romantic readings for inspiration. You may choose from these, combine excerpts, or use them as a starting point to find something uniquely yours.
Tips for Choosing Your Reading
Choose something that feels authentic to your relationship
Keep it to 1 reading for a smooth flow
Consider balancing emotional and lighthearted tones
Select readers who are comfortable and confident
Don’t be afraid to personalize or shorten passages
“A Beautiful Journey” – Donna Fargo
A reflection on partnership, friendship, and the lifelong commitment of walking through life together.
"A great marriage begins with two people joined together in love as partners and best friends.
It's a commitment to always be on each other's side, sharing everything.
When two people become one in spirit, every joy is doubled and every disappointment is diminished. They listen, hope, dream, make mistakes, understand, forgive… and move forward together.
They are loyal and steadfast, promising to be there through anything. For them, love is the magic that guides their journey and assures their happiness."
“A Good Marriage” – Pearl S. Buck
A thoughtful perspective on how love evolves and deepens through growth over time.
"A good marriage is one where love is not destroyed. Love changes as time goes on, but change does not mean loss — it means growth.
A good marriage allows for that growth, both in the individuals and in the way they express their love."
“A Marriage” – Mark Twain
A poetic and uplifting reflection on how marriage transforms two lives into something greater.
"A marriage makes two fractional lives a whole.
It gives two lives a purpose and doubles their strength.
It brings new beauty to the world — to sunshine, flowers, and life itself — and adds a sense of wonder to everything."
“The Art of a Good Marriage” (excerpt) – Wilferd Arlan Peterson
A beloved and practical reminder that strong marriages are built through everyday actions and intention.
"A good marriage must be created.
In marriage, the little things are the big things.
It is holding hands, saying ‘I love you,’ and never going to sleep angry.
It is standing together, showing appreciation, and choosing to grow.
It is not only marrying the right person — it is being the right partner."
“The Keys to Love” – Robert M. Millay
A meaningful guide to the essential elements of a strong and lasting relationship.
"The key to love is understanding — both the spoken and unspoken.
The key to love is forgiveness, trust, sharing, and giving.
It is respect — knowing you are two individuals who choose each other every day."
“Love Is Like Owning a Dog” – Taylor Mali
A playful and honest take on love that brings laughter while still capturing its depth.
"Love is a big responsibility. It brings comfort, warmth, and joy — but also mess, unpredictability, and effort.
Love needs care and attention, and sometimes tests your patience. But in the end, love is loyal, constant, and always there for you."
“Benediction of the Apaches”
A poetic and spiritual blessing focused on unity, partnership, and shared life.
"Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other.
Now there is no more loneliness, for you are companions in life.
You are two bodies, but one life before you."
“Sonnet 116” – William Shakespeare
A timeless and powerful declaration of love as constant, enduring, and unshaken by time.
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds.
It is an ever-fixed mark, unshaken by storms.
Love does not fade with time — it endures, constant and true."
“The Velveteen Rabbit” (excerpt) – Margery Williams
A touching and meaningful reflection on becoming ‘real’ through deep, lasting love — especially lovely for family-inclusive ceremonies.
"What is real?"
"Real isn’t how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It’s what happens when someone loves you for a long, long time.
It doesn’t happen all at once. You become. And once you are real, you are loved in a way that truly matters."