Choosing Catholic Wedding Readings

Catholic wedding readings are often one of the most difficult aspects of wedding planning for a Catholic ceremony.  While the order of the marriage rite itself is a fixed liturgy, couples have quite a bit of leeway in selecting Catholic wedding readings, provided the wedding isn't part of a regular Sunday mass or holy day of obligation, in which case you will be locked in to the readings for that particular Sunday or holy day.  While the Church publishes suggested wedding readings in its Rite of Marriage, you are free to choose any readings from the lectionary used for mass. 

There are a total of four Catholic wedding readings during the course of a wedding mass, or a wedding liturgy outside of mass.  You'll need to select an Old Testament reading, a responsorial psalm, a New Testament reading, and a Gospel reading.

When choosing scripture readings other than those suggested in the Rite of Marriage, your best bet is to find a particular passage of scripture, then check to see if it's included in the lectionary for readings at mass.  Note that the New American Bible is the approved translation used in the lectionary for masses and liturgies in the United States.

Many couples have found the following scripture passages particularly apropos and meaningful as part of a wedding ceremony:

Old Testament Catholic Wedding Readings

(Genesis 2:18-24): "...It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him...that is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one body..."

(Song of Songs 8:6-7): "...Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; For stern as death is love, relentless as the nether world is devotion; its flames are a blazing fire..."

(Proverbs 3:10-31)  "...When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.  Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize...She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.  She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel..."

(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) "...Where a lone man may be overcome, two together can resist. A three-ply cord is not easily broken..."

Responsorial Psalm

(Psalm 34:2)  "I will bless the Lord at all times, praise shall always be in my mouth."

(Psalm 121:2)  "My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth."

(Psalm 127:3)  "Children too are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb, a reward."

(Psalm 128:2)  "What your hands provide you will enjoy; you will be happy and prosper."

New Testament Catholic Wedding Readings

(Romans 8:31-39): "...For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord..."

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13). "...Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, (love) is not pompous, it is not inflated..."

(1 John 4:7-12): "...Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another..."

Gospel Readings

(Matthew 5:13-16): "...Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father..."

(Matthew 19:3-6): "...So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, no human being must separate..."

(Mark 10"2-9)  "...For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother (and be joined to his wife), and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two but one flesh..."

(John 17:20-26): "...I pray not only for them, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me..."

Ultimately, you should use your discretion to choose scripture passages that are meaningful to you and your spouse to be.  Realize that poems, letters, song lyrics, and other materials are not allowed for Catholic wedding readings during the liturgy.  While these can express your love for one another in a poignant way, you should save these for the reception or other extra-liturgical event.

For the complete text of the above scripture passages, visit the USCCB - New American Bible Online