Shakespeare described music as the “food of love” and no wedding day ceremony would be complete without a selection of meaningful pieces of music to add emotion and colour to proceedings.
But actually, song lyrics can make for the most sweet and sentimental wedding ceremony readings when as a spoke word piece, and are the perfect choice for couples who love music.
Afterall, the iconic lyrics of artists such as Leonard Cohen, Johnny Cash and Bruce Springsteen are considered poetry in their own right. So here, we’ve gathered a list of our favourite ceremony readings from songs. There’s an excerpt from each below, but simply click the link to see the full text. You’ll find even more ceremomy readings from songs and other ideas here.
Ceremony Readings from Songs
“And so today, my world it smiles
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles
Thanks to you it will be done
For you to me are the only one”
The Book of Love by The Magnetic Fields
“The book of love is long and boring
No one can lift the damn thing
It’s full of charts and facts and figures
And instructions for dancing“
But I, I love it when you read to me
And you, you can read me anything
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye
“Everything I did was just a bore
Everywhere I went it seems I’d been there before
But you brighten up for me all of my days
With a love so sweet in so many ways
How sweet it is to be loved by you“
Happiness Is You by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash
“Way down the mountain I chased a moonbeam
On the beach I built sand castles too
My moonbeams faded my castles tumbled
All of this was meaningless ’cause happiness is you“
“And you can tell everybody this is your song
It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done
I hope you don’t mind, I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words
How wonderful life is while you’re in the world“
Everybody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Baz Luhrmann
“Don’t waste your time on jealousy;
sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind…
the race is long, and in the end, it’s only with yourself.
Remember the compliments you receive,
forget the insults;
if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.“
Dance Me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen
“Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We’re both of us beneath our love, we’re both of us above
Dance me to the end of love“
If I Should Fall Behind by Bruce Springsteen
“We said we’d walk together baby come what may
That come the twilight should we lose our way
If as we’re walking a hand should slip free
I’ll wait for you
And should I fall behind
Wait for me”
I Love You Because by Jim Reeves
“I love you because my heart is lighter
Every time I’m walking by your side
I love you because the future’s brighter
The door to happiness, you open wide”
“I’m nothin’ fancy in a world drippin’ in gold
But a beautiful jewel never bought, never sold
And when you open your heart and let me in alone
You’ll know who I am, because I feel like home”
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman
“What are you doing the rest of your life
North and South and
East and West of your life
I have only one request of your life
That you spend it all with me”
I Will Love You Every Time by The Fureys
“Every time I hear your soft voice humming
My heart jumps in my breast my love
My heart jumps in my breast
And until I hear your footsteps coming
My heart can know no rest my love
My heart can know no rest”
Still looking for the perfect wedding ceremony reading? See our Essential List of Ceremony Readings which is broken down into categories and sign up to the One Fab Day newsletter!
