Something that is NOT 1st Corinthians

We are using something from Ephesians, 2nd chapter.

Ephesians is also common. Also 1 John, 4:7-21.

Personally, I hate the Corinthians reading.

Try Ruth. "Where you go I will go, your people will be my people". If you google it, you'll find it and it's lovely.

Then go to my pinterest site for vows. There is a mad lib vow generator that should fix you right up.

Genesis 2 discusses marriage. The entire book of Song of Solomon is about being crazy in love.

Colossians 3:12-14New International Version (NIV)

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

I am thinking about using that one

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12. I used a different translation that I liked better, but this was what Google came up with first. Look at different translations. "Two are better than one,

because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down,

one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

and has no one to help them up.

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,

two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

I hate 1st Corinthians as well. It's way too overdone. We did that and a reading from Song of Solomon (that I forget right now).

I was going to suggest Song of Solomon. I did readings from that for my aunt's wedding. They were beautiful.

Song of Solomon 8:6,7-

"Place me as a seal upon your heart,

As a seal upon your arm,

For love is as strong as death is,

And exclusive devotion is as unyielding as the Grave.

Its flames are a blazing fire, the flame of Jah.

Surging waters cannot extinguish love,

Nor can rivers wash it away.

If a man would offer all the wealth of his house for love,

It would be utterly despised.”

This is the bible translation that has added back God's name, Jehovah. You could use any version of course, this is just my favorite. I love this scripture.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 is also a favorite of mine.

I used this one to appear at the beginning of our wedding video. I love it!

Mark 10:6-9

6 “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[a] 7 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[b] 8 and the two will become one flesh.’[c] So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Ruth 1:16 and Song of Solomon are both lovely! FW and I are getting Ruth engraved on our rings in the Biblical Hebrew. Just a note -- the translation of G-d's name as "Jehovah" is both disrespectful to Jewish tradition and incorrect. Just say "G-d".

If you're interested, this page explains what the deal is with the tetragrammaton (the four-letter name of G-d usually rendered "Jehovah" or "Yahweh" by Gentiles who don't know any better), and the very last paragraph explains how "Jehovah", specifically, came into common usage and why it's incorrect.

I love this!!! One of my requirements for my wedding was to NOT include 1 Corinthians 13. You're right--EVERYONE reads it. And, for Christ sake, there is SO MUCH about love in the Bible it's not your only choice.

I love Colossians 3:12-17. We're also having a reading from Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis called "Being in Love".

I think that FH and I are using Ecclesiastes 4 9:12 (above), and a readings from Romans 12 9:18:

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; 10 love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord.[e] 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly;[f] do not claim to be wiser than you are. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. 18 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Then we're also having one or two secular readings... still picking them

There are ideas on this thread!

https://www.weddingwire.com/wedding-forums/ceremony-readings-what-are-yours/2a315b228cd471f0.html