Choosing the right Bible reading for your wedding ceremony can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at the same passages everyone else uses. Sure, 1 Corinthians 13 is beautiful, but maybe you want something that feels more authentically you as a couple.
Let’s explore some lesser-known gems that pack just as much emotional punch without making your guests feel like they’re attending their fifteenth identical ceremony this year.
1. Song of Solomon 2:10-13 – The Springtime Love
“My beloved speaks and says to me: ‘Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, for behold, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come.'”
This passage captures that giddy, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling of new love perfectly. It’s sensual without being inappropriate for Grandma, and the imagery of seasons changing mirrors how love transforms our entire world.
The poetic language feels fresh and alive, especially if you’re having a spring or summer wedding. Your officiant can draw beautiful parallels between the natural world awakening and two hearts choosing to intertwine their lives.
2. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Stronger Together
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 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.”
Forget the romance for a second—this passage gets real about partnership. It acknowledges that life will knock you down sometimes, but having someone in your corner changes everything.
The cord of three strands metaphor at the end gives couples a chance to acknowledge their faith as the binding element in their relationship. It’s practical wisdom wrapped in beautiful imagery, perfect for couples who appreciate substance over sentimentality.
3. Ruth 1:16-17 – Radical Commitment
“Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.”
Here’s the thing about this passage—it wasn’t originally about romantic love at all. Ruth spoke these words to her mother-in-law Naomi, which makes the commitment even more powerful when applied to marriage.
This reading works beautifully for couples from different backgrounds, cultures, or faith traditions. It speaks to the willingness to fully embrace your partner’s world while creating something entirely new together.
4. Genesis 2:18-24 – The Original Love Story
“The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.’ So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh.”
This creation narrative offers a fresh take on the “two become one” concept. Adam’s response when he sees Eve—”At last!”—captures that recognition couples feel when they meet their person.
The Hebrew word for “helper” here doesn’t imply subordination but rather a complementary strength. It’s about finding someone who fills in your gaps while you do the same for them, creating something stronger than either could be alone.
5. Proverbs 31:10-31 – Celebrating a Strong Partner
“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.”
Don’t let the traditional “wife” language fool you—this passage celebrates strength, intelligence, and capability in a partner. It’s about mutual respect and admiration for each other’s gifts and talents.
The passage describes someone who’s industrious, wise, kind, and feared by no challenge. If you’re marrying someone who inspires you to be better, this reading captures that beautifully.
6. 1 John 4:7-21 – Love’s True Source
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
This passage goes deeper than surface-level romance to explore love as a divine gift. It’s perfect for couples who see their relationship as part of something bigger than themselves.
The repetition of “love” throughout creates a rhythm that’s almost hypnotic when read aloud. It reminds everyone present that the love being celebrated isn’t just emotion—it’s a reflection of something sacred.
7. Colossians 3:12-17 – Daily Love in Action
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.”
Marriage advice doesn’t get more practical than this. Compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness—these aren’t just nice ideas but actual tools for building a lasting relationship.
The instruction to “bear with each other” acknowledges that your spouse will sometimes drive you absolutely crazy. The key is choosing love anyway, over and over again, until it becomes second nature.
8. Isaiah 54:10 – Unshakeable Love
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”
This verse speaks to permanence in a world where everything feels temporary. Mountains can move, but true love—the kind worth building a marriage on—remains constant.
The covenant language connects beautifully to the marriage covenant you’re making. It’s a reminder that your promises to each other are meant to withstand whatever earthquakes life might bring.
9. Jeremiah 31:3 – Everlasting Love
“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'”
Short and sweet, this verse packs an emotional punch. The phrase “everlasting love” captures what every couple hopes their marriage will become—a love that transcends time and circumstances.
The “unfailing kindness” part often gets overlooked, but it’s crucial. Love without kindness can become possessive or demanding. True love draws people closer through gentleness, not force.
10. Philippians 1:3-6 – Gratitude and Growth
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.”
This passage beautifully captures the joy of finding someone who shares your deepest values. Paul’s gratitude for his friends mirrors the thankfulness couples feel for finding each other.
The promise that God will complete the good work He began speaks to marriage as an ongoing project. You’re not marrying a finished product—you’re committing to grow together into who you’re meant to become.
11. 1 Peter 4:8-10 – Love That Covers All
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have to serve others.”
“Love covers a multitude of sins” doesn’t mean ignoring problems—it means choosing grace over keeping score. In marriage, you’ll hurt each other sometimes, but deep love creates space for forgiveness and healing.
The hospitality and service elements remind couples that marriage isn’t just about the two of you. The love you build together should overflow into blessing others, creating a legacy bigger than yourselves.
12. Ephesians 4:2-6 – Unity in Diversity
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
This passage acknowledges that unity doesn’t happen automatically—it requires effort. “Make every effort” suggests that maintaining connection takes intentional work, especially when you’re stressed or tired.
The call to humility and gentleness counters our culture’s emphasis on being right or winning arguments. In marriage, being gentle with each other matters more than being right.
13. Romans 12:9-18 – Authentic Love
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
“Love must be sincere” cuts through all the wedding day romance to address what really matters. Authentic love doesn’t perform for others—it shows up consistently in small, daily choices.
Honoring your partner above yourself flies in the face of our self-focused culture. It’s not about losing yourself but about choosing to prioritize your spouse’s wellbeing alongside your own.
14. 2 Corinthians 13:11 – Living in Harmony
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
This farewell blessing works beautifully as a wedding reading because it captures the daily work of marriage. Encourage each other, seek restoration when things go wrong, choose peace over conflict.
The promise that “the God of love and peace will be with you” offers hope for couples who want divine help in their marriage. You’re not navigating this journey alone.
15. Zephaniah 3:17 – Celebrated Love
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
This verse paints a picture of love that celebrates rather than criticizes. God doesn’t just tolerate us—He delights in us, rejoices over us, sings because of us.
Imagine bringing that kind of joy to your marriage. Not just loving your spouse despite their quirks, but actually celebrating who they are, finding reasons to rejoice in their very existence.
Making Your Choice Personal
The best wedding reading isn’t necessarily the most beautiful or poetic—it’s the one that resonates with your story as a couple. Consider what themes matter most to you: commitment, growth, partnership, joy, or perseverance.
Think about your relationship’s defining moments. Did you help each other through difficult seasons? Do you share a sense of adventure? Are you building something together that’s bigger than yourselves?
Bringing It All Together
These fifteen passages offer alternatives to the wedding reading greatest hits without sacrificing depth or beauty. Each one brings something unique to your ceremony while honoring the sacred nature of marriage.
Your wedding day will fly by in a blur of emotions and logistics. But the words spoken over your union will echo in your hearts for years to come, shaping how you understand your commitment to each other.