Best Bible Passages for Wedding Ceremony Readings

Many couples, whether they are actively practicing Christians or were just raised in the church, choose to include Bible passages as wedding ceremony readings. There are a number of popular passages, and the ones that are chosen really depends on the preferences of that particular couple. Here are a few of the best and most popular Bible passages used in wedding ceremonies.

Wedding Ceremony Bible Reading: Genesis 2:21-24

The earliest mention of marriage in the Bible comes in Genesis chapter 2, which describes how woman was created out of man, and how man will leave his parents and be joined as one flesh with his wife. For Christian couples, this is a reminder of how marriage is designed by God from the beginning as the union of a man and a woman into one flesh, which is not able to be broken.

This reading is best used as something that the minister reads early in the ceremony when he is explaining the foundation for marriage and what is going to take place in the wedding ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33

Probably the most well-known passage in the New Testament on the topic of marriage, this portion of Paul's letter to the Ephesians compares the marriage relationship of a man and a woman to the relationship between Christ and the church. It is a wonderful reminder to both husbands and wives about how to best fulfill the roles they were designed for to have a harmonious marriage.

This reading is perfect for just about any time during the main part of the wedding ceremony. It has such strong imagery linking marriage to Jesus, and it can even be the focal point of the readings during the wedding ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony Bible Reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

This passage is particularly appropriate for being read to the bride, as it describes the role that a noble wife plays in the household. It is a beautiful Bible reading to express the value of a woman's role, and the necessity for her to be active, wise, and loving with her family.

A good time to read this is before the vows take place, as a charge to the wife. It helps her to set her mind on all of the good things that she is going to accomplish through this marriage.

Wedding Ceremony Bible Reading: Song of Solomon 8:6-7

This passage in Song of Solomon is at the culmination of the love story, and it proclaims the strength of love. It talks about how love is as strong as death, that is, it is a force that is so inevitable and impossible to stop. It also contains imagery of a "seal over your heart," which speaks to the bond of marriage as an unbreakable seal.

This is a good passage for reading at the end of the ceremony because it indicates the significance and the weight of what has just taken place. It leaves those attending with a strong picture of the bond that is holding the new husband and wife together.