Ideas for Non-Religious Wedding Readings That Still Feel Meaningful

Choosing your wedding ceremony readings can feel a bit like standing in a bookshop, book voucher in hand, with absolutely no idea which section to explore first; do you want poetry or prose? Romance or humour? There is a whole world of wedding readings out there, and choosing the right ones for you can feel a bit overwhelming - but fear not, we're here to help!

If you're planning a non-religious wedding and want your readings to feel heartfelt but not preachy, then you're in the right place! This is your guide to non-religious wedding readings that still tug on the old heartstrings (and maybe even have your best friend dabbing their eyes before you've even said "I do").

Beautiful Wedding Readings Without the Religion

If organised religion isn't your thing, you're not alone. The number of secular weddings taking place has been steadily increasing since the 1970s, with many couples choosing to move away from religious language in favour of something that feels a bit more personal and heartfelt.

Having a non-religious wedding means that you're free to express your love for one another in a way that nods to your mutual sense of humour, your history and your shared passions. Rather than religious scripture, your readings can be part love letter, part storytelling. And they don't need to be long; you just need a few words that feel authentic, fit with your wedding style, and honour who you are as a couple.

The Best Non-Religious Ceremony Readings

You don't need biblical verses to reflect the feeling of eternal passion or finding your soul mate. You need words that sum up the fact that you see each other, you choose each other, and though you might lose sight sometimes, you're committed to this marriage thing!

Some of the most beautiful wedding readings come from unexpected sources - favourite films or novels, or even conversations you've had over a bottle of wine in the small hours of the morning. Here are our top three non-religious wedding readings, and why we love them:

When Harry Met Sally

Modern and iconic. Two imperfect humans, figuring things out and realising they love each other.

“I love that you get cold when it’s seventy-one degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I’m nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it’s not because I’m lonely, and it’s not because it’s New Year’s Eve. I came here tonight because when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.”

Union, by Robert Fulghum

A beautiful reading that can easily be adapted for same-sex couples.

“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.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things that we’ve promised, and hoped, and dreamed – well, I meant it all, every word.”

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another – acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, even teacher, for you have learned much from one another these past few years. Shortly you shall say a few words that will take you across a threshold of life, and things between you will never quite be the same.

For after today you shall say to the world – This is my husband. This is my wife.”

Captain Corelli's Mandolin

Short, sweet, and perfect for couples who have been together a long time.

“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 roots have 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, it is not the desire to mate every second minute of the day, it is not lying awake at night imagining that he is kissing every cranny of your body. No, don’t blush, I am telling you some truths. 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.”

Some More Ideas for Alternative Wedding Readings

If our all-time favourites don't float your boat, then here are some more places to find the perfect wedding readings for you:

Your Favourite Books

From the romance of Pride and Prejudice to the emotion of The Velveteen Rabbit, there is no shortage of inspiration when it comes to novels. You can always piece together shorter quotes with excerpts from longer pieces of writing for something entirely bespoke.

TV and Movies

If you're movie lovers, then there are plenty of cinematic wedding readings out there for you: from The Notebook to The Wedding Singer, to offbeat offerings like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek, there really is something for everyone.

Ask a Friend

We might not all know a professional writer, but most of us have at least one friend or family member who fancies themselves a bit of a wordsmith, and the chances are they would love the opportunity to create something for your special day. Whether it's a poem or a piece of writing that encapsulates your relationship, having someone write something bespoke is extra special!

Choosing the Perfect Reading for You

The lovely thing about choosing a non-religious wedding ceremony is that you don't have any traditions to stick to; it's as simple as finding or creating a piece of writing that speaks to you. Your whole family, your wedding party and all your friends are going to be immersed in the emotion of the day, no matter what readings you decide on, so it's really just about choosing the perfect reading for you.