Bible verses appropriate for use in wedding ceremonies
Most members of the clergy will not object to more than one reading during your ceremony. In fact, many will encourage you to pick as many as 3 passages. As difficult as it might be for you to believe, it can be hard to narrow it down! There are so many from which to choose!
The list I've provided for you on the next pages is an easy place to begin and comes as a result of years of working with wedding couples in Episcopal, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Christian Science churches and from my education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Following the list are some closing thoughts which may be helpful to you. Direct quotes from the Bible are taken from the King James Version, which is in the public domain. The interpretations or paraphrases of these verses are strictly my own. However, they do reflect mainstream thought and are non-denominational in perspective.
The Christian Wedding Planner
How does one begin to narrow down the choices?
One thing to bear in mind is that many of these popular wedding Bible verses have been set to music. If you narrow your choices down to 5, but you only need to use 3, find out from your music director if any of your choices are set to music. You could then use those as vocal selections and the problem is solved. You can have them all! And as for which ones to choose, you have some work ahead of you. Read the verses as a couple. Ask each other, "Does it speak to our situation?" "Does this sum up an important belief that we hold?" "Does this make us feel good or special when we read it?" And sometimes it's simply a matter of what grabs you!
A word about translations and paraphrases While many prefer the King James Version for the sheer poetry of the language, the verses above read quite differently in other translations. Consider consulting Today's English Version, The New International Version, the Revised Standard, the New Revised Standard, The Good News Bible, the New Living Translation, the Jerusalem Bible, and many others for more modern language.
Your wedding is one of the most important events in your life. Take the time to set the perfect tone for your married years by starting your ceremony preparations with the Bible. © 2000, 2001, Deborah Spence and GlassyLady.com
Bible verses
Genesis 1:27-28a, 31a God's good and gracious work in creating man and woman for each other
Ruth 1:16 The devotion of Ruth to a new family
Song of Solomon 2:10-14, 16a The lover arrives in spring to call for his bride
Song of Solomon 8:6-7 A bride beseeches her lover to be faithful Isaiah 26:3-4 Trust in God
Isaiah 43:1-7 Our redemption by God, and God's presence and love in our lives
Isaiah 55:10-13 God's word feeds and nurtures us
Isaiah 61:10-62:3 Our certain salvation and a new status
Psalm 19 A Psalm praising God as creator
Psalm 34:8 A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Vs. 8 is particularly nice for weddings which include Holy Communion.
Psalm 98:1a, 4-6 A Psalm of praise
Psalm 100 A Psalm of praise
Psalm 119 The longest in the Bible, the entire Psalm is a reflection on God's laws, with verses 1-16 reflecting on walking always in God's way.
Psalm 127 A home built by God
Psalm 128 The blessings of lives led by God
Psalm 148 Praise the Lord
Tobit 8:5-9 Tobias and Sarah praise God and acknowledge Him as the creator who ordained marriage. Tobias prays for mercy and that God allow him and Sarah to grow old together. (This is the only verse I could find from the Apocrypha.)
Matthew 5:1-10 The famous Beatitudes which proclaim God's favor to those who try to live by God's law. (See Luke 6:17-49 for a shorter account of The Sermon on the Mount which also includes a few other verses found elsewhere in Matthew.)
Matthew 7:24-27 A metaphor on establishing your home on a foundation in God.
Matthew 22:35-40 The greatest commandment of love and the many ways it applies to life.
Mark 2:18-22 Christ as the bridegroom and His followers as the bride.
Mark 10: 42-45 It is better to serve than to be served.
John 2:1-11 The wedding at Cana where Christ performs his first miracle of turning water to wine.
John 3:16 The famous "For God so loved the world" verse.
John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life..."
John 15:9-17 An admonition to love one another. Christ's sacrificial love for us.
Romans 12:9-18 The Christian's duty to love and all that is encompassed by that duty: hope, patience, prayer, compassion, and more. Be sure to compare this passage to the 13th chapter of First Corinthians.
I Corinthians 13 Perhaps the most famous of all wedding Bible verses, this chapter defines the ultimate gift of the Spirit: Love.
I Corinthians 14:1 "Make love your aim" in all that you do.
I Corinthians 16:14 Be certain that everything you do is motivated by love.
2 Corinthians 5:14-17 Through Christ's sacrificial love, we have become new creations.
Ephesians 2:4-10 God's gracious love for us saves us through faith.
Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Be loving and forgiving, speaking only good and imitating Christ. "...let not the sun go down upon your wrath..." (KJV) Check on more modern translations for a better reading.
Ephesians 5:21-33 This passage depicting the Christian home is difficult for some because it deals with "submission theology." However, the general thought is mutual submission. Understand it from an early church point of view.
Philippians 2:1-5 Guard against selfishness. Be humble and serve others.
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice and don't be anxious. Live honorably and justly, and God's peace will be a part of your lives.
Colossians 3:12-17 The Christian life lived in love and harmony. Do all in Christ's name.
Colossians 3:18-20 More submission theology with the admonition to husbands to love their wives
I John 3:1 "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us..." (KJV)
I John 3:16 Christ's example of sacrificial love.
I John 3:18-24 Believe in Christ, and keep His commandments by loving one another.
I John 4:7 Love each other because love comes from God.
I John 4:16-19 God loves us. If we live in love, it serves as a sign that God lives in us. We are capable of love only because God loved us first.
Revelation 19:1; 5-9 A glorious celebration in heaven for the marriage of the Lamb of God.
In reading these selections, you may find yourself reading beyond the verses. This is an excellent idea because the context may surprise you in some cases. For example, Ruth 1:16 is a popular verse and is often used in weddings. (There are endless vocal music settings of this text as well, so don't rule this possibility out for your soloist.) While we think of this passage as being spoken by a man to a woman, or visa versa, as an affirmation of love and devotion, it is actually spoken by Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi! The story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz is certainly an entertaining tale. If you have time to read the whole saga, I encourage you to do so! It's quite a story! So, again, try to take the time to read a few verses before and after the main verses listed below. It could influence your decision.