Wedding ceremony samples: Nonreligious wedding readings – Never Stop by Safetysuit
One of my couples came to me with lyrics from this song, wanting to use them as one of their readings, which isn’t uncommon. I’ve read lyrics from a Jack Johnson song and even from a metal band called, Avenged Sevenfold. Ask your couple if there’s a song special to them and if they might want some of the lyrics read as one of their ceremony readings. I usually try to match my tempo while reading with the tempo of the song, but do not sing. I know my abilities and singing isn’t one of them.
“This is my love song to you. Let every woman know I’m yours. So you can fall asleep each night, babe and know I’m dreaming of you more. You’re always hoping that we make it. You always want to keep my gaze. Well, you’re the only one I see and that’s the one thing that won’t change. I’ll never stop trying, I’ll never stop watching as you leave, I’ll never stop losing my breath every time I see you looking back at me.
I’ll never stop holding your hand, I’ll never stop opening your door, I’ll never stop choosing you babe, I’ll never get used to you. And with this love song to you, it’s not a momentary phase. You are my life, I don’t deserve you, but you love me just the same. And as the mirror says we’re older, I will not look the other way. You are my life, my love, my only and that’s the one thing that won’t change.”
Song lyrics make great nonreligious wedding readings, especially because the song is usually important to the couple or nostalgic in some way. Occasionally guests are invited up to read. It’s a neat way for the couple to honor that relationship and a great way to include someone who may have been excluded from being in their bridal party. If the couple chooses to have guests read, be sure to ask that guest reader if they’ve practiced reading out loud. If they haven’t, politely suggest it. Reading aloud is far different than silently reading to one’s self.
Occasionally a guest reader will tell me that he/she hasn’t practiced out loud and for me to mind my own business. Nine times out of ten, those readers trip on their words a bunch of times and bomb. When I get an overly confident guest reader, I politely remind them that we all want to do an amazing job for the couple and that it might make sense to run through it once or twice before the ceremony starts.
I hope this helps point you in the right direction. Check out my blog post where I describe ways to reduce your and your couple’s stress level, here. Until then, be well!
