If you’re searching for non‑religious wedding readings that feel modern, heartfelt and personal, you’re in the right place. These 10 beautiful readings are perfect for secular, celebrant‑led or mixed‑belief ceremonies — meaningful, inclusive and full of warmth. Whether you're after poetic verses, heartfelt quotes, or modern texts, we've got you covered. These readings celebrate love in all its fabulous diversity, honouring different perspectives and beliefs.

From classic literature to contemporary authors, these picks are sure to tug at your heartstrings and leave your guests in awe. And what’s more some of these have been chosen by couples I am working with as their celebrant to use on their special day- what's not to love?

If you’re planning a non-religious ceremony, such as a wedding or a vow renewal and want help choosing readings or shaping your vows, I offer gentle guidance through my Ceremony Starter Kit and Vow Support Add-On. These resources are available by request—just message me to learn more.

What Makes a Great Non‑Religious Wedding Reading?

Make your celebrant-led wedding ceremony extra special by choosing the perfect readings for your wedding ceremony that capture your love story in a unique and meaningful way. You don't need religious traditions to pack your day with love and joy! It’s fine if you do want religious readings too!

A great non‑religious wedding reading doesn’t need to be famous or elaborate — it simply needs to feel like you. The best readings reflect your relationship, your values and the way you see the world together. Start with what you already love: a poem, a book passage or even a line from a film that has stayed with you. If it makes you smile, brings a lump to your throat or feels true to your story, it’s already a strong contender.

How to Choose a Non‑Religious Reading for Your Ceremony

Begin by exploring the things that matter to you both. Do you have a favourite poem or a piece of writing that feels “just right”? Search for it online or pull it from your bookshelf and talk about why it resonates. If nothing comes to mind, follow the themes in your relationship — nature, travel, music, tulips, Harry Potter, anything that feels like home. You can also ask friends or recently‑married couples for ideas. Above all, choose something that speaks to your hearts and will mean something special on the day.

Once you know what makes a great reading and how to choose one, the next step is simply exploring some beautiful options. Celebrate your one-of-a-kind journey and create unforgettable memories with these beautiful readings I have chosen for you. Let love be your guide as you embark on this new adventure together.

Ready to explore the 10 of the best ceremony readings for non-religious weddings? Let's get this party started! 💍❤️

10 Heartfelt Readings for Non-Religious Wedding Ceremonies

1.      The Beatrice Letters by Lemony Snicket

An unusual and surprising reading, full of vivid imagery that captures the impact of love on one another and the wider world. It’s sure to hold everyone’s attention—probably a reading your guests haven’t heard before, unless they’re Lemony Snicket fans. But I’m sure they will be after this! Whoever is reading it, make sure they take breaths and dramatic pauses at suitable points throughout the reading for maximum effect.

‘'I will love you as a drawer loves a secret compartment, and as a secret compartment loves a secret, and as a secret loves to make a person gasp, and as a gasping person loves a glass of brandy to calm their nerves, and as a glass of brandy loves to shatter on the floor, and as the noise of glass shattering loves to make someone else gasp, and as someone else gasping loves a nearby desk to lean against, even if leaning against it presses a lever that loves to open a drawer and reveal a secret compartment. I will love you until all such compartments are discovered and opened, and until all the secrets have gone gasping into the world.’’

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2.    Excerpt from Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne

Winnie the Pooh is a family favourite, and the style of the reading, along with the care shown between Piglet and Pooh, feels very familiar to many. My daughter read this at her best friend’s wedding, and I loved the charming touch it added to the day and the emotion it conveyed.

“If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.”

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh?” he whispered. “Yes, Piglet?”

“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s hand. “I just wanted to be sure of you.”

“We’ll be Friends Forever, won’t we, Pooh?” asked Piglet.

“Even longer,” Pooh answered. “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.”

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3.     Origins of Love, from ''Plato's Symposium" - excerpt

This is a reading introduced to me by one of the couples whose wedding I will be officiating later this year. It was written by Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Western philosophy and a student of Socrates. This reading is perfect for those looking for something timeless, as it beautifully conveys the idea that we, as couples, are two halves of a whole and that love has the power to overcome anything.

‘’Humans have never understood the power of Love, for if they had they would surely have built noble temples and altars and offered solemn sacrifices; but this is not done, and most certainly ought to be done, since Love is our best friend, our helper, and the healer of the ills which prevent us from being happy.’’

The full reading is here: Ceremony Reading: Origins of Love, from Plato's Symposium

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4.     ''The Invitation" by Oriah - Excerpt

A reading that emphasises the importance of truly knowing one another—inside and out—and highlights our desire to understand each other’s passions and individuality. It reflects the fundamental need to be in touch with ourselves, enabling us to embrace the openness and capacity to connect deeply with another person.

‘’It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing. It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive…’’

 The full reading is here: Ceremony Reading: The Invitation by Oriah

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5.     Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith - excerpt

A modern, non-religious ceremony reading with a contemporary twist that appeals to many couples. This reading uses vivid visual imagery by comparing people to unique buildings and their surroundings. It captures the journey of exploring each other, getting to know one another, and loving as if discovering a favourite place. Many couples speak of those special spots they revisit or hold deep, almost spiritual memories of, making this metaphor especially fitting..

‘’People are like cities: We all have alleys and gardens and secret rooftops and places where daisies sprout between the sidewalk cracks, but most of the time all we let each other see is a postcard glimpse of a skyline or a polished square. Love lets you find those hidden places in another person, even the ones they didn't know were there, even the ones they wouldn't have thought to call beautiful themselves.’’

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Want help choosing readings that reflect your story? I’d love to help you shape a ceremony that feels like you. 🌿 Message me 📩 to request my Ceremony Starter Kit or complimentary Vision call.

6.     A Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton - excerpt

I heard this lovely reading at my daughter and son-in-law’s wedding in Sorrento last year. It’s the kind of reading you want to hear again because it’s so unusual—and it makes you smile, while imagining that one day the couple might end up like dinosaurs! The poem beautifully highlights how we can appreciate each other for exactly who we are, and that’s what love is all about.

‘’The fierce Dinosaur was trapped inside his cage of ice. Although it was cold he was happy in there. It was, after all, his cage.

Then along came the Lovely Other Dinosaur.

The Lovely Other Dinosaur melted the Dinosaur’s cage with kind words and loving thoughts.

“I like this Dinosaur,” thought the Lovely Other Dinosaur.’’

The full reading is here:  A Lovely Love Story by Edward Monkton Wedding Reading

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7.     Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë -excerpt

While Jane Eyre may not be the first book one would immediately consider for a wedding ceremony reading, this particular excerpt eloquently captures the essence of the celebration. It conveys the deep passion and endless joy found in being with life partner—a moment when you truly recognise that you have discovered the person, who is perfect for you.

"I have for the first time found what I can truly love—I have found you. You are my sympathy—my better self—my good angel—I am bound to you with a strong attachment. I think you good, gifted, lovely; a fervent, a solemn passion is conceived in my heart; it leans to you, draws you to my centre and spring of life, wrap my existence about you—and, kindling in pure, powerful flame, fuses you and me in one."

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8.     The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach - excerpt

From the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull, this excerpt from a later work focuses on transformative love—that is, a love imparted by a uniquely compassionate and understanding partner. Such love not only supports but inspires us to grow, transform, and fully become our true selves. This powerful reading, chosen by one of the couples I work with, carries profound meaning for them and is an ideal selection for a celebrant-led wedding ceremony.

‘’A soul mate is someone who has locks that fit our keys, and keys to fit our locks. When we feel safe enough to open the locks, our truest selves step out and we can be completely and honestly who we are; we can be loved for who we are and not for who we’re pretending to be. Each unveils the best part of the other. No matter what else goes wrong around us, with that one person we’re safe in our own paradise. Our soul mate is someone who shares our deepest longings, our sense of direction. When we’re two balloons, and together our direction is up, chances are we’ve found the right person. Our soul mate is the one who makes life come to life..." 

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9.     So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams - excerpt

A quirky reading drawn from the science fiction follow-up to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy offers an intimate and personal portrayal of a truly special moment shared between two people in love. Its blend of humour, gentle irreverence, and heartfelt emotion makes it an ideal choice for a non-religious wedding ceremony reading—one that celebrates love in its most unconventional and deeply meaningful form.

"There was a sort of gallery structure in the roof space which held a bed and also a bathroom which, Fenchurch explained, you could actually swing a cat in, 'But,' she added, 'only if it was a reasonably patient cat and didn't mind a few nasty cracks about the head. So, here you are.' 'Yes.' They looked at each other for a moment. The moment became a longer moment, and suddenly it was a very long moment, so long one could hardly tell where all the time was coming from.’’

The full reading is here: Reading: So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish by Douglas Adams

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10.  The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman - excerpt

A beautiful and poetic reading that expresses the timelessness of love—that we will love each other forever, even after we are gone, as the atoms that make us up will become part of a new existence. While this might feel too emotionally intense for some, for others, it could be the perfect choice for a wedding reading.

"I will love you forever; whatever happens. Till I die and after I die, and when I find my way out of the land of the dead, I'll drift about forever, all my atoms, till I find you again… I'll be looking for you, every moment, every single moment. And when we do find each other again, we'll cling together so tight that nothing and no one'll ever tear us apart.

The full reading here: Ceremony Reading: Excerpt from The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman

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So there you have it, what a list to choose from!

So there you have it—10 amazing readings to choose from, many of which have been selected by real couples for their celebrant-led weddings. Incorporating non-religious readings into your wedding ceremony adds those extra special moments—moments where you hear different voices, gain fresh perspectives, and have the chance to pause and reflect on the significance of what you are witnessing and celebrating. The additional dimension given by a poem reading enhances the overall experience for everyone, reinforcing the message and tone of the ceremony in a way that resonates with every guest.

FAQs About Non‑Religious Wedding Readings

1. What are the best non‑religious wedding readings?

The best non‑religious wedding readings are the ones that speak straight to your heart. They’re the pieces that catch you the moment you read or hear them — whether they come from a favourite film, a book you’ve always loved, a writer who feels like home, something an influencer recommended, a family favourite, or even a poem you learned at school and never quite forgot.

2. Can you have readings in a non‑religious ceremony?  

   Absolutely. Celebrant‑led ceremonies welcome any reading that feels meaningful to you, whether it’s romantic, modern, funny or themed. That’s the beauty of having a celebrant design your ceremony content with you — you have complete flexibility. Your celebrant is there to shape a ceremony that feels just like you, and that includes helping you choose readings that truly speak to your hearts.

   
   

3. Where do non‑religious readings go in a wedding ceremony?

   Many couples choose to include one reading after the welcome and another before the vows, but there are no rules at all. It really depends on how you want the ceremony to feel, where a reading will add the most meaning, and what else is happening in your ceremony. You might be including a handfasting, a ring‑warming or another symbolic moment, and your celebrant can help you decide where a reading will sit most naturally. Together, you can shape a ceremony that feels just right for you.

   
   

4. Can we write our own poem for our ceremony?  

   Yes — what a brilliant idea. I once worked with a couple who rewrote their vows as a poem about their life together, reading it in turns during the ceremony. It was moving, personal and completely unforgettable. Writing your own poem gives you the freedom to express your story in your own words, and it can become one of the most meaningful moments of the day. If you’d like help shaping it or would like someone to look over what you’ve written, I’d be delighted to support you. I love poetry and I’m a member of the Toddington Poetry Society, so what’s not to love?

Thank you for reading my blog. If I can be of any help with your wedding ceremony, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on ritesofw@gmail.com and also 07305002858 or by completing the contact form here.