Music & readings for your wedding day

Readings

There are many popular and exciting readings. Read some of these together and see if what they say seems important to you.

• God creates women and men to look after the earth (Genesis, Chapter 1, verses 26-28)
• A love poem between two lovers (Song of Solomon, Chapter 2, verses 10-13; Chapter 8, verses 6&7)
• Jesus teaches how to live life that brings true happiness (Matthew, Chapter 5, verses 1-10)
• Jesus teaches about marriage, and welcomes children (Mark, Chapter 10, verses 6-9 and 13-16
• What happens when Jesus attends a wedding reception (John, Chapter 2, verses 1 - 11)
•  Love, actually! (1 Corinthians Chapter 13)
• Committing to each other (Ephesians Chapter 5, verses 21-33)
• Seeing the good side… (Philippians Chapter 4, verses 4 - 9)
• Getting the perfect relationship (Colossians Chapter 3, verses 12 - 17)
•  Being a good lover! (1 John Chapter 4 verses 7 - 12)

Readings are available to view online at www.biblegateway.com.

Your minister will be pleased to help you choose the right readings for your wedding service.  As well as other Bible readings, she or he may be happy for you to include a suitable non-religious reading. Choices have been as diverse as 'Winnie the Pooh' and 'Captain Corelli'!

Hymns

There are usually two or three hymns during a wedding service. Try to find hymns that are familiar to those who will be present - and are easy to sing!

The following are popular choices:

• All things bright and beautiful
• Come down O love divine
• Father hear the prayer we offer
• Give me joy in my heart
• Love divine, all loves excelling
• Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
• Lord of all hopefulness
• Make me a channel of your peace
• Morning has broken
• One more step along the world I go
• O, praise ye the Lord
• Now thank we all our God
• Praise my soul, the king of heaven
• The king of love my shepherd is

The minister or the organist at the church where you are to be married will be pleased to help you make your choice.

Processional music

Many couples choose the traditional "Bridal March" from Lohengrin by Wagner and "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn. However, there is other music that can be chosen, so if you want something different, talk to your organist about this. They will advise on what will sound good on the instrument in church. Some churches allow recorded music to be used; speak to your minister.

Web sites

There are a number of wedding websites with suggestions for music and readings that you could choose:

www.2-in-2-1.co.uk

if you go to the 'Wedding Centre' section of their site you will find lots of suggestions about hymns.

www.confetti.co.uk

This site includes the words and music of the more popular wedding hymns as well as suggestions for readings.

www.weddingguide.co.uk

The Information and Advice section has suggestions for readings and music including clips of the more popular processional music to help you make your choice.

www.weddings.co.uk/info

This gives some Biblical and other readings for your wedding.