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Ceremony Advice: Suggested Readings

Whether you're having a religious or Civil Ceremony here is a complete list of readings for your big day.

For most Christian churches, it is typical to have one reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and then the Gospel. Here are some of the popular Scripture readings:

Old Testament

Genesis 1:26-28
Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16
Isaiah 61:10-11
Ruth 1
Jeremiah 31:31-34

New Testament

Romans 8:31-35
Romans 12:1-2; 9-18
1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8
Colossians 3:12-17
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 3:18-24

Gospel

John 2:1-11
John 15: 9-12
John 15:12-16
Mark 10:6-9
Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 22:35-42

Here are some popular readings for Civil Ceremonies

Poetry from Yeats, Keats or Elizabeth Barrett Browning
The extract on the meaning of love in Captain Corelli’s Mandolin
‘Marriage Joins Two People in the Circle of Love’ by Edmund Neil
‘A gift from the Sea’ by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Eskimo Love Song
Apache wedding blessing
Irish blessing ‘May the road rise to meet you...’

List from The Irish Bride’s Survival Guide by Natasha Mac a’ Bhaird

Image by Darren Purcell, www.visionary.ie

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