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Nonreligious wedding poems are such an interesting balancing act… You want something emotional and heartfelt, but also a little not too heavy. You want a dash of funny, and a hint of modern — I mean, not that Robert Fulghum and Captain Corelli’s Mandolin aren't great, but it's nice to introduce your guests to something they haven't heard before. (Oh and that Apache wedding blessing everyone uses? It's not Apache at all.)
Funny wedding readings to make you laugh AND cry
We already gave you awesome wedding readings for bad-ass couples, but what if you're less bad-ass and more wonderfully weird? Here are some lighthearted, funny,... Read more
We've featured hundreds of nontraditional wedding readings in our archives, from ones targeted to second marriages and blended families, to ones for polyamorous commitment ceremonies. Today, I'm going to focus on modern nonreligious wedding readings from poets that cater more to Gen Z's tastes… this means a lot of Instagram poets and TikTok literati.
Nonreligious wedding readings
Thank you for showing me patience.
for meeting my insecurities with kindness
for looking into my tired eyes
and offering me a place to rest
thank you for keeping me warm,
foor holding me when things get
too heavy.
Thank yo ufor supporting me
and hearing me
and seeing me.
thank you for logivng me
and teaching me how to love too.
Karlee North
She asked
“you are in love
what does love look like?”
To which I replied
“Like everything I've ever lost
come back to me”
Nayyirah Waheed
A partner who
supports your dreams
and your healing
is a priceless gem,
a heaven in human form
Yung Pueblo
I think
we fall in love in stages,
I think it all begins
with the choice
to do so.
I think love is a door
built to take knocking,
I think we must still
turn the handle.
Tyler Knott Gregson
Find a partner who can accept you as you are but also inspires you to evolve because they take their own growth seriously. Love will not seek to change you, but it will embrace you so unconditionally that you will fe safe enough to heal the old and put effort into the new. The courage you both have stay committed to the inner journey will reflect brightly on your relationship, all the good qualities that you develop as empowered individuals will help you calmly, compassionately and creatively handle the challenges you may face as a couple. Because you know that growing is not easy, you will warmly support each other when one of you feels down and rejoice when victorious steps forward have been taken.
Yung Pueblo
Kind words through anger,
softeness in rage,
love is passion
permeated
with patience.
I'll give yourespect
before all other
things.
Tyler Knott Gregson
i want you to wipe away
everything you know about love
and start with one word
kindness
give it to them
let them give it to you
be two pillars
equal in your love
and you'll carry empires on your backs
–rupi kaur
You are the golden rule
my mother read to me from story books.
you are the dragons
and the elves
and the forest
you are the magic
and the suspense
and i have the curiosity
of a child
who loves to read.
–Camille Inkwell
This wedding reading feels a little scandalous but mostly romantic
Come here
and take off your clothes
and with them
every single worry
you have ever carried.
My fingertips on your back
will be the very last thing
you will feel
before sleeping
and the sound of my smile
will be the alarm clock to your morning ears
Come here
and take off your clothes
and with them
the weight of every yesterday
that snuck atop your shoulders
and declared them home
My whispers will be the soundtrack
to your secret dreams
and my hand
the anchor to the life
you will open your eyes to.
Come here
and take off your clothes.
Tyler Knott Gregson
Looking for other nonreligious wedding ceremony readings, check out our infinite archive here!
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