I love ceremony readings and coming up with new ideas!
Here's some of the readings my couples have used this year. Let me know which one is your favoruite!
The Giraffe and the Monkey by Daniel Thompson
Wherever we go
Whatever we do
Whenever there’s me
I hope that there’s you.
Now Money is Funny, it can make people odd.
You forget to be happy, and you live for your job
And fashion, is a passion, beset with a flaw
You can dress to excess, but you’ll always need more
And a muscle toned body, may sound like a dream
But no body is better, than chocolate ice cream
What I’m trying to say, is that happiness grows
Not through your wages, or body or clothes
But in laughter and love, and in sharing your life.
Who laughs when you’re stupid and who makes you laugh too.
When you sit on the sofa, not hiding your flaws.
As imperfectly perfect, as the hand that holds yours.
When the fortune of kings, or purse of a beggar.
Won’t change how it feels, just being together.
When a cuddle and cuppa is all that you need….
Well then…
you’ve found something quite special indeed.
Wherever we go
Whatever we do
Whenever there’s me
I hope that there’s you.
Maybe - Anon
Maybe we are supposed to meet the wrong people before we meet the right one so when they finally arrive we are truly grateful for the gift we have been given.
Maybe it's true that we don’t know what we have lost until we lose it but it is also true that we don’t know what we’re missing until it arrives.
Maybe the happiest of people don’t have the best of everything, but make the best of everything that comes their way.
Maybe the best kind of love is the kind where you sit on the sofa together, not saying a word, and walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you ever had.
Maybe once in a lifetime, you find someone who not only touches your heart but also your soul, someone who loves you for who you are and not what you could be.
Maybe the art of true love is not about finding the perfect person, but about seeing an imperfect person perfectly.
The Art of Marriage - Wilferd Arlan Peterson
Happiness in marriage is not something that just happens.
A good marriage must be created. In marriage the little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is at no time taking the other for granted; the courtship should not end with the honeymoon, it should continue through the years.
It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world. It is forming a circle of love that gathers the whole family.
It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.
It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is not looking for perfection in each other.
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of humour.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can grow old.
It is a common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is establishing a relationship in which the independence is equal, dependence is mutual and the obligation is reciprocal.
It is not only marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.
From Beginning to End by Robert Fulghum
You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way.
All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks—all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”—those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”—and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart.
All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another—acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years.
Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this—is my husband, this—is my wife.
Personalised Poems!
As part of my celebrant services, I offer bespoke poetry. This poem tells your story in a unique way from your meet-cute to your wedding day. No one else will have a reading like it as no love story is the same! Here's one a couple is happy for me to share (there are a few more on my website: https://www.megstaniercelebrant.co.uk/poetry-service):
Amy & Michael, Our Story Poem
They met in school and camped at the farm.
He asked her out, she fell for his charm.
It was young love, the breakup was short-sited...
But when Amy was at uni, the couple reunited.
They’ve met different friends, all along the way.
Many of whom, you will see here today.
Then they got a puppy, a husky named Mish.
Then they adopted Suki, that was their next wish.
They live together now like a little family.
The next thing on the cards was for them to marry.
They love to travel together: Austria, Budapest and Rome.
Let us just say they really enjoy different time zones.
So it was no surprise, when they went away
To Australia and New Zealand on a vacay.
While they were there, Michael got down on one knee.
Amy said yes!! It was time to tell their family.
All the family was elated and excited about the news.
They celebrated, cried and then they had some booze.
7 bridesmaids were selected and the groomsmen too.
Now it was time to start planning, there was so much more to do.
The venue was selected, a place named Cragwood hall.
The venue had a jetty, they hoped no one would fall…
Then in 2020, the wedding had some doubts
Because of a global pandemic we knew nothing about.
Now the wedding was in limbo, so many in the same boat,
It was a tough decision but they decided to postpone.
The new date was set for October 2021
And now we’re all here today, how quick that year has gone.
So welcome one and all to the wedding of the year!
We’ve all been waiting patiently but it is finally here.
Now listen up as there is one thing we know for certain,
We cannot wait to announce you are MR & MRS BURGIN!
Which is your favourite reading?
The Giraffe and The Monkey
Maybe
The Art of Marriage
From Beginning to End
I hope this has given you some ideas for readings to include in your wedding ceremony!
I'll be writing further blogs on readings soon!!
Meg Stanier Celebrant x