Top 10 Catholic Wedding Readings for Your Ceremony

Planning a wedding can be overwhelming, but choosing the readings for your Catholic ceremony doesn't have to be. In fact, it's one of the most beautiful and personal parts of the process. These readings aren't just words; they're the spiritual heart of your union, a way to share your beliefs and the love that binds you to God and all your loved ones.

Think of it as choosing the soundtrack to your love story. Each biblical passage has its own melody and message, and finding the ones that resonate with you as a couple will make your ceremony unforgettable. It's your opportunity to reflect on the meaning of marriage and start this new chapter with a solid foundation of faith and shared love.

To help you with this beautiful task, we've prepared a list of 10 of the most beloved and meaningful readings for Catholic weddings, from both the Old and New Testaments. Don't worry, we'll guide you step by step, explaining what makes each one special so you can choose with your heart.

Old Testament Readings

Old Testament readings connect us to the roots of our faith. They speak of creation, God's unconditional love, and the promises that lay the foundation for marriage. Here are three wonderful options.

Genesis 1:26-28, 31a: Created in God's Image

The passage:
"Then God said: 'Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness...' So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth...' God saw all that he had made, and it was very good."

Why is this a great choice?
This reading is the starting point of everything. It reminds us that marriage isn't a human invention but part of the divine plan from the beginning of time. By choosing this passage, you're affirming that your love is a reflection of God's creative love. It's a powerful declaration about the holiness of your union and the sacred purpose of forming a family. It's ideal for couples who want to highlight God's fundamental blessing on their relationship and their future together.

Song of Songs 2:10-13; 8:6-7a: Poetry of Love

The passage:
"My beloved speaks and says to me: 'Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away. For now the winter is past... The flowers appear on the earth...' Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death... Its flashes are flashes of fire, a divine flame. Many waters cannot quench love, nor can floods drown it."

Why is this a great choice?
If you're a romantic couple, this is your reading. The Song of Songs is one of the most poetic books in the Bible, and this passage is pure celebration of passionate and committed love. It speaks of the joy, beauty, and invincible strength of true love. Comparing love to a divine flame that not even the most torrential waters can extinguish is a beautiful and powerful metaphor. It's perfect for couples who want to express the intensity and durability of their feelings, showing that their love is a fire that will burn forever.

Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a: A New Covenant in the Heart

The passage:
"'Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah... I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people... For they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord.'"

Why is this a great choice?
This reading is profound and moving, speaking of a promise and commitment that go beyond words. Jeremiah describes a "new covenant" that God writes directly on people's hearts. In the context of a wedding, this symbolizes that your marriage pact isn't just a social contract but a deep spiritual commitment, engraved on your souls. It's a wonderful option for couples who see their marriage as a spiritual renewal and an intimate, personal covenant, both between each other and with God.

New Testament Readings

The New Testament brings us Christ's message, centered on love, sacrifice, and life in community. These readings offer practical and spiritual guidance on how to live your marriage in faith.

Romans 12:1-2, 9-18: Sincere and Practical Love

The passage:
"Let love be genuine... Love one another with brotherly affection... Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer... Bless those who persecute you... Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

Why is this a great choice?
St. Paul gives us here a practical manual for Christian life based on love. This passage is incredibly useful for day-to-day marriage. It speaks of love that is genuine, patient, supportive, and full of joy. Choosing this reading is like committing to be each other's greatest support, in good times and bad. It's perfect for practical couples who want to lay the foundation for a life together full of respect, empathy, and mutual support.

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a: The Hymn to Love

The passage:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud... It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

Why is this a great choice?
This is, without doubt, THE wedding reading par excellence, and for good reason! It's so popular because it defines love in a beautiful and aspirational way. It doesn't speak of love as a fleeting feeling but as a series of actions: patience, kindness, humility, forgiveness. It's a reminder that true love requires effort and daily commitment. It's the perfect choice if you want the center of your ceremony to be a clear and powerful definition of what love means to you and how you commit to living it each day.

Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33: Christ and the Church as Model

The passage:
"Walk in love, as Christ loved us... Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, to your husbands, as to the Lord... Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the Church... This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church."

Why is this a great choice?
This reading may seem traditional, but its message is profound and radical. It speaks of a love of mutual giving and sacrifice, using the relationship between Christ and the Church as the model to follow. The call to submission is reciprocal and based on love and respect. The husband must love his wife with the same dedication with which Christ sacrificed himself for humanity. It's a powerful reading for couples who understand marriage as a vocation of mutual service, where both give themselves completely for each other's good.

Philippians 4:4-9: God's Peace in Your Hearts

The passage:
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!... Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Why is this a great choice?
This reading is like a balm of calm and positivity. Amid the stress that sometimes surrounds a wedding (and life in general), this passage invites us to find joy and peace in God. It's a reminder that if you trust in Him, a deep peace will guard your hearts. It's ideal for couples who want to start their marriage with a mindset of gratitude, trust, and serenity, knowing that God's peace will be their anchor in any storm.

Colossians 3:12-17: Clothed in Love

The passage:
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts... And be thankful."

Why is this a great choice?
This reading is a beautiful guide on the virtues that build a solid marriage. St. Paul invites us to "clothe ourselves" in compassion, kindness, and patience, and to crown it all with love, which unites everything in perfect harmony. It's a call to forgive each other and live in gratitude. It's perfect for couples who value personal and spiritual growth and who commit to actively cultivating these virtues in their daily relationship.

1 Peter 3:1-9: A Life of Respect and Blessing

The passage:
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment... Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight... Live in harmony with one another, sharing in the pains and joys, loving as brothers and sisters, being compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil... On the contrary, repay with blessing."

Why is this a great choice?
St. Peter offers here timeless advice about inner beauty and the importance of harmony in the home. The reading emphasizes the value of a "gentle and quiet spirit" above any external adornment. It encourages couples to live in unity, to be compassionate, and above all, to bless each other instead of responding with negativity. It's a wonderful choice for couples who want to build a home full of peace, mutual respect, and blessings.

1 John 3:18-24: Love with Actions and in Truth

The passage:
"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth... And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us."

Why is this a great choice?
This is a call to action. St. John reminds us that love isn't just something you say but something you do. Loving "with actions and in truth" is the core of marriage commitment. This reading encourages couples to demonstrate their love through concrete, daily actions. It's a fantastic option for pragmatic couples who firmly believe that actions speak louder than words and who want to commit to living an active, tangible love.

Choose Readings That Tell Your Story

Here they are: ten wonderful readings, each with its own charm and depth. We encourage you to take time together, read each passage aloud, and feel which one speaks directly to your heart. Which best reflects your love story? What message do you want to share with your guests on your big day?

Remember, there's no "right" or "wrong" choice. The best reading is the one that resonates with you and with the vision you have for your marriage. By personalizing your ceremony with readings that truly mean something to you, you won't just be fulfilling a rite, but weaving your faith and love into the very fabric of your celebration. This is your moment, your story, and your promise.

For more information on planning your Catholic ceremony or discovering other religious wedding traditions, check our specialized guides.