I thought I didn’t want readings. Too long. Too stiff. Then I heard one verse read out loud in our living room. I cried on a random Tuesday. So yes—I changed my mind.
Let me explain how we used Bible verses at our wedding, what guests felt, which ones played nice with the flow, and what I’d tweak next time (not that there is a next time—knock on wood). I’ll share the exact verses we used, word for word, so you can hear them how our people heard them. We used the World English Bible (WEB), since it’s clear and free to print in a program. For a deeper dive into the biblical roots of traditional marriage promises, this concise roundup breaks down where those vows show up in Scripture and why they matter.
By the way, our ceremony was simple: outdoor garden, 95 guests, a short aisle, and a pastor who keeps time like a stage manager. Music was violin and one speaker. We had a mixed crowd—church folks, skeptics, and one aunt who narrates everything in whispers. You know the type.
Budget talk: we kept costs low by hunting for second-hand décor and local vendors in classified listings rather than pricey wedding directories. A surprisingly useful roadmap for that search was this guide to modern Backpage-style marketplaces at FuckLocal’s Backpage resource—it walks you through where to post, what to watch for, and how to snag deals on everything from lanterns to last-minute musicians. And if you’re lining up bachelor or bachelorette nightlife in North Texas and want venues that are explicitly trans-friendly, the rundown at One Night Affair’s Denton trans escort page offers real-time insights on inclusive spots, safety pointers, and contact details that can help every guest feel welcome.
The crowd-pleaser (and why it still works)
We opened the readings with love’s “greatest hits.” It’s popular for a reason. It’s plain, true, and plays well in any space.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (WEB)
“Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails.”
How it felt: Even our non-religious friends nodded along. It set the tone—gentle, but not mushy. We kept it slow, with a steady voice, and it landed. On timing, it came in around one minute. Perfect.
The promise that made everyone lean in
My sister read this. She stood still, breathed, and let it sit. It wasn’t long, but it was strong. It felt like a vow inside the reading.
- Ruth 1:16 (WEB)
“Where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.”
How it felt: Clean and loyal. We didn’t add verse 17. We wanted short and sweet. And yes—Grandma cried here. Softly. Twice.
The practical one (for folks who like “real life” talk)
Our pastor picked this, and I’m glad he did. It gave the ceremony some backbone. It’s about teamwork, not just butterflies.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (selected lines, WEB)
“Two are better than one… For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow… A threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
How it felt: People got it. We’re building a life, not just a day. If you want the full section, it’s still short, but we used the highlights to keep things moving.
The classic origin line (we used it to end the readings)
This one closes well. It feels complete. Like a porch light turning on.
- Genesis 2:24 (WEB)
“Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.”
How it felt: It’s simple. No fluff. Great right before Christian wedding vows.
Mini-verses we tucked into the program (and on the welcome sign)
These were like little anchors. People read them before the ceremony even began.
-
1 John 4:19 (WEB)
“We love, because he first loved us.” -
Colossians 3:14 (WEB)
“Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.” -
Proverbs 3:3–4 (WEB)
“Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.”
How they felt: Snack-size. Gentle. Helpful for a mixed crowd. And they read well on signs without looking preachy. Need a few more Scripture ideas to sift through? Cru has curated a helpful list of wedding-ready Bible verses that spans both Old and New Testaments.
The verse we almost used but didn’t (and why)
- Song of Solomon 8:6–7 (WEB)
“Set me as a seal on your heart… for love is strong as death… Many waters can’t quench love…”
It’s beautiful. But out loud, it felt heavy in our small garden. The “strong as death” line is bold. In a big church with a choir? Stunning. In a breezy outdoor space? It swallowed the moment a bit. We cut it late in rehearsal. No regrets.
Pros, cons, and tiny surprises
Pros:
- The readings gave shape to the ceremony. Not just romance—wisdom.
- They worked for all ages. Kids got the “be kind” part. Adults heard “endures all things.”
- They paced the room. Slow, then steady, then close.
Cons:
- If the reader rushes, the meaning slides by. Warm-up matters.
- Long sections can feel windy outside. Wind and mic noise are real.
- Translation choices can trip up readers. Pick simple. Practice names.
Tiny surprises:
- People kept the programs. They folded them into pockets and purses. I found one in our guest room a week later.
- The shortest verse, 1 John 4:19, got the most compliments. Funny, right?
If you’re picking verses, here’s my quick playbook
- Match verse length to the venue. Big chapel? You can go longer. Backyard? Keep it tight.
- Give the reader a printed page with big text. Not just the program. Stage brain is real.
- Use a common translation for clarity. We used the WEB. It read clean and was easy to print.
- Let the reading breathe. One beat before and after. No rush into music.
- One “heart” verse, one “wisdom” verse, done. You don’t need five.
If you want even more ceremony templates that blend scripture with modern wording, check out the free guides at VT Vows.
My verdict (and who I think will love this)
Would I use Bible verses again? Yes. I’d use the same ones, in the same order.
Use them if:
- You want meaning without long speeches.
- Your crowd is mixed, and you want kind, clear words.
- You want your vows to feel rooted, not just cute.
Skip or trim if:
- Your ceremony is under 10 minutes.
- You have live music that carries the same mood.
- You’re outside on a windy day with no mic. Trust me—keep it short.
You know what? The verses felt like good friends. They didn’t steal the show. They held us up, then stepped back. And when I hear “Love is patient” now, I slow down a bit. On purpose. That’s the whole point, right?