Most wedding poems make you want to hide under the nearest table. You know the ones—dripping with outdated language about “thee” and “thou,” or so saccharine they could cause actual tooth decay.
Here’s the truth: meaningful poetry exists that won’t make your guests cringe or your officiant stumble over archaic phrasing.
These selections strike the right balance between heartfelt and authentic, perfect for couples who want genuine emotion without the eye-rolling factor.
1. “The Country of Marriage” by Wendell Berry
Berry writes about marriage as a journey into unknown territory, which feels refreshingly honest compared to typical wedding fluff. His poem acknowledges that love isn’t just butterflies and sunset walks—it’s building something real together.
“Sometimes our life reminds me / of a forest in which there is a graceful clearing / and in that opening a house, / an orchard and garden, / comfortable shades, and flowers / red and yellow in the sun.”
The imagery feels lived-in and genuine, like he’s describing an actual life rather than a greeting card fantasy.
2. “Union” by Robert Fulghum
Fulghum cuts straight through wedding clichés with surprisingly practical wisdom. His poem talks about two people choosing to share their separate lives, which sounds simple but captures something profound about partnership.
“You have become yourself by learning to be together” hits differently than typical wedding poetry.
It acknowledges that healthy relationships require maintaining your individual identity while building something shared—a concept many couples struggle with long after the wedding day ends.
3. “Blessing for a Marriage” by James Dillet Freeman
Freeman manages to sound spiritual without getting preachy, which is harder than it looks. His blessing feels universal enough for mixed-faith ceremonies while still carrying genuine reverence.
The language stays contemporary and accessible, avoiding the trap of sounding like it was written three centuries ago.
“May you always need one another, not to fill an emptiness, but to help each other know your fullness” speaks to mature love rather than codependency.
4. “I Carry Your Heart With Me” by E.E. Cummings
Cummings gets away with romantic intensity because his unconventional style keeps it from feeling saccharine. The broken syntax and unique punctuation create intimacy rather than grandiosity.
“Here is the deepest secret nobody knows / (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud / and the sky of the sky of a tree called life)” sounds like someone actually overwhelmed by love.
The experimental format mirrors how real emotion rarely follows neat, predictable patterns.
5. “Love After Love” by Derek Walcott
Walcott’s poem works beautifully for second marriages or couples who’ve done serious personal work before finding each other. It celebrates the idea that you need to know yourself before you can truly love someone else.
“Give wine. Give bread. Give back your heart / to itself, to the stranger who has loved you” acknowledges that authentic partnership requires bringing your whole, integrated self to the relationship. It’s sophisticated without being pretentious.
6. “The Art of Marriage” by Wilferd Peterson
Peterson writes like he’s actually been married for decades, which shows in every line. His poem reads more like hard-won wisdom than romantic idealism.
“The art of marriage is to be what you are, / to become what you are capable of becoming” cuts through wedding day fantasy to focus on the real work of partnership. It’s encouraging without being unrealistic about the challenges ahead.
7. “Apache Blessing”
Traditional Apache wedding blessings carry weight because they’ve been tested by generations of married couples. The language stays simple and direct, focusing on practical hopes for the couple’s future.
“Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other” uses concrete imagery to express abstract concepts. The blessing acknowledges life’s difficulties while emphasizing how partnership can provide strength and comfort.
8. “A Marriage” by Michael Blumenthal
Blumenthal writes about marriage as conscious choice rather than fairy tale destiny. His realistic perspective refreshes after too much exposure to “happily ever after” messaging.
“The marriage I want is one / that will keep me interested / until there is no more of me” captures long-term commitment without making unrealistic promises. It acknowledges that sustaining interest requires ongoing effort from both partners.
9. “Love Is Not All” by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Millay’s sonnet starts by listing what love cannot do—pay rent, set bones, or fill empty stomachs. Then it pivots to explore why love matters despite its practical limitations.
“Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink / Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain” grounds romantic feeling in reality. The poem works for couples who’ve lived enough life to understand that love alone doesn’t solve everything, but it’s still worth choosing.
10. “Epithalamion” by Linda Pastan
Pastan’s wedding poem acknowledges the complexity of merging two separate lives. She writes honestly about the losses involved in commitment alongside the obvious gains.
“I give you an onion. / It is a moon wrapped / in brown paper” uses unexpected imagery to explore how love reveals layers over time. The poem suggests that real intimacy involves seeing your partner clearly, including the parts that might make you cry.
Choosing the Right Poem for Your Ceremony
Consider your audience when selecting wedding poetry. Elderly relatives might prefer more traditional language, while younger guests often appreciate contemporary voices.
Think about your ceremony’s overall tone and length. A short, punchy poem works better during lengthy religious services, while intimate gatherings can handle longer, more complex pieces.
Making Poetry Work in Practice
Test-drive your chosen poem by reading it aloud several times. Beautiful words on paper sometimes become tongue-twisters when spoken, especially if your officiant isn’t comfortable with poetry.
Consider who will read the poem and adjust accordingly. Some pieces work better as solo readings, while others benefit from being shared between two voices.
Beyond the Wedding Day
The best wedding poems continue resonating years after the ceremony ends. Choose something you’ll want to revisit on anniversaries rather than hide in a drawer with other wedding memorabilia.
Poetry that acknowledges marriage’s real challenges alongside its joys tends to age better than purely romantic pieces. Life will test your relationship in ways you can’t imagine on your wedding day—let your chosen words reflect that reality.