Readings
1 Corinthians, chapter 13 (abbreviated paraphrase of divine love; for weddings by Rev. Ed Bruning, faithful to the Greek text. I will happily supply other Bible verses that may fit your wedding plans)
Whether I speak like men or angels, if I have not love, I am only making noise. If I can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, have a faith that can move mountains, and have the courage to live generously but have not love, I am worthless and gain nothing.
Love is patient, constructive, kind. Love does not envy, it does not parade itself, it is not puffed up. Love is never rude. Love does not insist on its own way, it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in other people’s stumbling but rejoices in what is upright. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.
Life brings change, but love goes on forever. When perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. And these three remain: faith, hope and love. The greatest of these is love.
Blessing (Jewish custom adaptable to other weddings as well)
May the values which each of you cherish, and the ideals of justice and righteousness, be strengthened by your love, so that by your lives together all humanity will be nearer the presence of God. We pray that this covenant will be blessed, and that this bond of marriage will be sealed, with love by the creator of us all.
May he gladden the beloved who stand here this day as he did the first couple in Paradise - gladdening the bridegroom and the bride - with rejoicing, song, pleasure and delight, love and brotherhood, peace and fellowship. Always may there be heard the sounds of gladness, the jubilant voice of the bridegroom and the bride.
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be a shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of your will be warmth to the other. Now there is no loneliness for you; now there is no more longing for another. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. Go now to your dwelling place, to enter the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth.
Selected poetry, or romantic memories written by the wedding couple, can provide a personal highlight to the ceremony. These may be read by the wedding couple or honored guests. I will always be available if your designated reader is overcome by emotion.
