WEDDING READINGS

In a Catholic marriage ceremony (with or without a Mass), there are usually four Scriptural readings. The first reading is chosen from the Old (Hebrew) Testament; that is followed by a Psalm (and a spoken or sung response); then there is a second reading that is chosen from the New Testament (usually from the Letters of St Paul). The fourth and final reading is from one of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke or John. The Gospel reading is often chosen by the priest.

Click on the words below to get a representative sampling of each category. Many of these selections are often included in Catholic weddings, but remember that you can choose from all parts of the Old and New Testaments. The readings you choose should speak to your relationship with one another, your relationship to God and your understanding of your faith. Make sure that they are meaningful to you both, and that they are communicating what you want to say about your love for one another and the meaning of this union that you are publicly declaring and celebrating. Be sure to consult with your priest about the reasons for your choices so he can speak to them meaningfully in the homily.

Old Testament (usually the first reading)

Responsorial Psalms and music(often sung by cantor, with responses from congregation)

New Testament (third reading)

Gospel Reading (often chosen by the priest)

Click below for printable versions of the suggested readings above:

Old Testament (first reading)

 Genesis 1:26-28, 31a * “Male and female he created them”

 Genesis 2:18-24 * “The two of them become one body.”

 Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67 * “In his love for Rebekah, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother.”

 Tobit 7:6-14 * “May the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May he grant you mercy and peace.”
Tobit 7:6-14 * “May the Lord of heaven prosper you both. May he grant you mercy and peace.” (shorter form)

 Tobit 8:4b-8 * “Allow us to live together to a happy old age.”

 Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 * “She who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

 Song of Songs 2 8-10,14,16a, 8 6-7a “Stern as death is love.”

 Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16 * “Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens, the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home.”

 Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a “I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”

PSALM and RESPONSE (usually sung at weddings) CLICK THIS TO TAKE YOU TO WEDDING SONGS

New Testament (second reading)

 Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39“What will separate us from the love of Christ?”

Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 “Offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”
Romans 12:1-2, 9-13 “Offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” (shorter form)

 Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13 “Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you.”

 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20 “Your body is a temple of the Spirit.”

 1 Corinthians 12: 31; 13:1-8a “If I do not have love, I gain nothing.”

 Ephesians 4 1-6 “One Body and one Spirit”

 Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33 * “This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church.”
Ephesians 5:2a, 25-32 * “This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church” (shorter form)

 Phillipians 4:4-9 “The God of peace will be with you.”

 Colossians 3:12-17 “And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection.”

 Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b * “Let marriage be held in honor by all.”

 1 Peter 3:1-9 * “Be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another.”

 1 John 3;18-24 “Love in deed and in truth.”

 1 John 4:7-12 “God is love.”

 Revelation 19:1, 5-9a “Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb.”

Gospel

John 2:1-11 *- “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee.”

 John 15:9-12 – “Remain in my love.”

 John 15:12-16 – “This is my commandment: love one another.”

 John 17:20-26 – “That they may be brought to perfection as one.”

 John 17:20-23 – “That they may be brought to perfection as one.” (shorter form)

 Mark 10:6-9 *- “They are no longer two, but one flesh.”

 Matthew 5:1-12a – ” Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.”

 Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the light of the world.”

 Matthew 7:21, 24-29 – “A wise man built his house on rock.”

 Matthew 7:21, 24-25 – “A wise man built his house on rock.” (shorter form)

 Matthew 19:3-6 *- “What God has united, man must not be separate.”

 Matthew 22:35-40 – “This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it.”