Need ideas for something appropriate? Reading for a wedding

LisaLou1982

Hi All

My best friend is getting married and I am chief bridesmaid. Due to issues with her Fiancees health, the wedding has been moved forward to 3 weeks time as he is too unwell to wait until the original date at the end of the summer.

We are all devastated for them but are determined to make it the best day that we can so that they can start married life with the love of their friends and family around them.

I have been asked to provide a reading at the church and possibly a speech at the wedding. Im really struggling with finding something that will be appropriate taking into consideration their circumstances.

It will be a non religious reading as there is already 1 religious reading being done at the church, but all of the readings ive found so far speak about a long and happy life together, going off and starting a family etc, none of which are going to be either applicable or appropriate.

Im ideally looking for something that will be slightly upbeat, and not too serious, but also something that will associate with their lives and their commitment to each other.

Any help would be gratefully received x

(cross posted on the weddings board but i use this one most often so thought it might be better here)

double_mummy

http://categoryzero.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/killerquotes-drseuss-loveandweirdness/

LisaLou1982

ummm, thanks double mummy but not really the sort of thing i was looking for x

Bella73

Heard the following at a wedding ceremony and thought it was cool x
No idea if it will suit your couple but wishing them a lovely day.

Us Two by A A Milne

Wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
Whatever I do, he wants to do,
"Where are you going today?" says Pooh:
"Well, that's very odd 'cos I was too.
Let's go together," says Pooh, says he.
"Let's go together," says Pooh.

"What's twice eleven?" I said to Pooh.
("Twice what?" said Pooh to Me.)
"I think it ought to be twenty-two."
"Just what I think myself," said Pooh.
"It wasn't an easy sum to do,
But that's what it is," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what it is," said Pooh.

"Let's look for dragons," I said to Pooh.
"Yes, let's," said Pooh to Me.
We crossed the river and found a few-
"Yes, those are dragons all right," said Pooh.
"As soon as I saw their beaks I knew.
That's what they are," said Pooh, said he.
"That's what they are," said Pooh.

"Let's frighten the dragons," I said to Pooh.
"That's right," said Pooh to Me.
"I'm not afraid," I said to Pooh,
And I held his paw and I shouted "Shoo!
Silly old dragons!"- and off they flew.

"I wasn't afraid," said Pooh, said he,
"I'm never afraid with you."

So wherever I am, there's always Pooh,
There's always Pooh and Me.
"What would I do?" I said to Pooh,
"If it wasn't for you," and Pooh said: "True,
It isn't much fun for One, but Two,
Can stick together, says Pooh, says he. "That's how it is," says Pooh.

fluffnutter

I think you should put aside all concerns about the groom's health and treat it as you would any other wedding. There are times to be sad, and it sounds like your friends will have many dark days ahead of them, but their wedding is a time for joy.

As such I'd just go with any classic wedding reading. Try to find one that doesn't mention kids obv, but you can always tweak it a bit. If it talks about a 'long and happy life' just change it to 'happy life'.

I think they're very brave. It will be a bittersweet day, hopefully more sweet than bitter x.

double_mummy

http://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/wedding-poems/i-carry-your-heart--by-ee-cummings_315.htm

http://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-planning/wedding-poems/with-you-in-my-heart--by-mick-jennings_324.htm

http://offbeatbride.com/2011/06/silly-wedding-readings

LisaLou1982

Thanks Fluffnutter. Obviously im not planning on reading something that makes everyone miserable

Yes, their situation is so very difficult and as such, that is what is making it hard to find something appropriate to read. Something about their devotion to each other is what im looking for as they are as close as can be having gone through such a difficult time over the last few years and which is only going to get harder going forward.

I just cant seem to find something that sounds quite right!

fluffnutter

How about writing one yourself? You can always use other people's stuff as inspiration - I doubt anyone will worry about plagiarism at a wedding It's nice to talk from the heart.

suejb2

Could you find out a favourite song(s) from the couple and perhaps read a verse or two and even the chorus .

fluffnutter

suejb2 wrote: »

Could you find out a favourite song(s) from the couple and perhaps read a verse or two and even the chorus .

Problem with that is that people can't help hearing the song as you're saying the words, and singing along in their head. It ends up sounding a bit naff.

CH27

I know it's religious & won't suit some people but I think the best wedding reading is from 1 Corinthians.

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.