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Ceremony, legal and venues · Vows and readings

What are good non religious wedding readings?

Answered by the UK Wedding Websites editorial team · Updated 2026-10-12

Short answer

Good non religious wedding readings include poems about love, excerpts from novels about partnership, and short reflections on marriage by writers like Rumi, E.E. Cummings, and Maya Angelou.

Choose a reading that speaks to your relationship, not just to weddings in general. Popular non religious choices include "Union" by Robert Fulghum, which compares love to a good meal, and "The Art of Marriage" by Wilferd Peterson, which focuses on patience and kindness. You could also use a short passage from a favourite novel, such as the letter from Captain von Trapp in "The Sound of Music" or a line from Jane Austen about companionship. If you want something modern, consider a poem by Rupi Kaur or a quote from a film you both love. The key is to read it aloud a few times before the day. If it feels natural and makes you both smile, it will work. Avoid anything too long, as guests' attention fades after two minutes. You can ask a friend or family member to read it, or read it to each other during the ceremony. Remember, the registrar must approve any reading for a civil ceremony, but non religious poems and prose are usually fine.

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