Special Bible Verses for Your Christian Wedding Ceremony

Planning a wedding is a very stressful time. For those planning a Christian ceremony, there is an added pressure to choose a good biblical theme that has a strong meaning for bride and groom, and then find appropriate verses to fit. Here are some ideas I have gleaned from my own wedding planning experience, and from other weddings I have attended.

Ruth 1:16b-18: For our wedding, a theme came somewhat easy. As a military family, we knew we would be leaving our home, and moving around. So I first chose these verses in Ruth, which say "where you go, I will go" etc. This was a reassurance that we would remain together wherever life, and the military, took us. But I wanted to add onto that notion with God's reassurance that He will remain with us. Psalm 139:8-10, written by David, speaks of going to the heavens and the depths, and God always being there. Because of our situation facing military life, we also had Jeremiah 29:11 read. "'I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord" is a beautifully reassuring passage that even in the "for better and for worse" times of life, God's good plan for us is paramount.

I Corinthians 13: This is probably the most commonly used verse in weddings, and for good reason. The chapter is all about pure and perfect love, motivation for us to love each other as God loves us. Having the verse read and then the pastor expounding upon how each "love is" can be applied in marriage would make for a wonderful meditation that each person can bring back to their own relationship.

Ephesians 5:21-33: For those of you who may know these verses, you may shudder. They are the infamous "submit" verses that many in this age of independence do not appreciate. The biblical paraphrase "The Message" does a good job of interpreting these verses in a less 'in your face' fashion, so that may be worth a look if the idea of submission makes you nervous. Before nixing these verses for use in your ceremony, understand what they are saying. The Apostle Paul is not telling wives that they have to do whatever their husband says, or follow his every whim (including in the bedroom). The responsibilities laid out in these verses are more on the husband. He has to love, cherish, give to, give himself up for, and, most importantly, appropriately lead his wife. When he has accomplished these things, and become like Christ, then wives should want to submit to his leadership, just as we as the Church submit ourselves to Christ's leadership. Talk to your Pastor about these passages if you would like a better understanding.

Romans 12:9-13: These verses speak of the purity and sincerity of Christian love. While they may seem to refer to love among brethren, hopefully your spouse is your brother/sister in Christ as well as husband/wife. Verse 12 is a beautiful verse, complementing wedding vows well: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." These are excellent instructions with which to begin a marriage.

Colossians 3:12-17: These verses provide another wonderful set of instructions for the beginning of a new life together. Like I Corinthians 13, these verses explain what love needs to be successful, such as compassion, kindness, patience, forgiveness, thankfulness, and the word of God.

Song of Songs (Solomon) 8:6-7: Actually, much of this book could be used in weddings, as it is a song of love. What you choose to read depends on how much you want to blush, as much of it talks about the physical attraction between the Lover and the Beloved. These particular verses are very blush-friendly, talking instead about the fierceness of love: "It burns like a blazing fire….Many waters cannot quench love." They are a wonderful testament to the strength of pure love, and a reminder of God's love for us.

Genesis 2:24 (and preceding, if desired): This verse is also commonly used in weddings, sometimes in junction with the previous verses detailing Eve's creation, or even with the reading of Genesis 1:1 and other verses to establish the image of God creating the world, finding it good, creating man, but needing to find him a suitable helper (verse 18). Verse 24 explains the very foundation of marriage, that "a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This verse gives us God's very intent for His people in marriage, and would be a good foundational verse in a ceremony.

There are many, many other verses in the Bible that speak of God's love for us, and our love for each other. I hope these gave you some ideas, but if you are still looking for something different, go as a couple to speak to your pastor. Share your ideas of what kind of theme you want your ceremony to address, and search for verses together.

My last piece of advice is for the wedding day in general, from one bride to another. Take the time to enjoy every second, because it will go by so fast. God bless!