Non-Traditional/Non-"Sappy" Readings and Ceremony

[jennwo]

We are also looking for something not too mushy, not too serious, and not too cutsie. I've been searching on Kvetch » Vows, but there are SO many it's overwhelming and most are still too sappy. Anyone have any idea's to add?

[jennwo]

We are also looking for something not too mushy, not too serious, and not too cutsie. I've been searching on Kvetch » Vows, but there are SO many it's overwhelming and most are still too sappy. Anyone have any idea's to add?

[Jena0609]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ch2344 I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Lovely Love Story, unfortunately FH did not. We are using an exerpt from a book called "I Like You." It's very long, so I took out lots of parts. Here is the portion we are using (it's typed the way my friend will be reading it) I LIKE YOU I like you, and I know why. I like you because you are a good person to like. I like you because when I tell you something special, you know it’s special, and you remember it a long long time. You say, “Remember when you told me something special?†And both of us remember. When I think something is important, you think it’s important too. When I say something funny, you laugh. I think I’m funny and you think I’m funny too. I like you because everything that happens is nicer with you. I can’t remember when I didn’t like you - It must have been lonesome then. I like you because…because….I forget why I like you - But I do. So many reasons: On the Fourth of July I like you because It’s the Fourth of July. On the Fifth of July, I like you too. If you and I had some drums and some horns and some horses, If we had some hats and some flags and some fire-engines, We could be a HOLIDAY We could be a CELEBRATION We could be a WHOLE PARADE See what I mean? Even if it was the nine-hundred-and-ninety-ninth of July; Even if it was August; Even if it was way down at the bottom of November; Even if it was no place particular in January; I would go on choosing you and you would go on choosing me…Over and over again. That’s how it would happen every time. I don’t know why…I guess I don’t know why I like you really. Why do I like you? I guess I just like you. I guess I just like you because I like you. Here is an amazing reading repository (where I found I Like You) for "non-traditional" brides and badass couples (their words, not mine haha). There are some traditional/sappy but if you have the patience to go through them you are likely to find something. Hope this helps! Kvetch: Vows => Can we make a giant ceremony readings repository?

I like this one. I also found a reading on the link that you posted. Thanks.

[Prettyhazardous]

One of my sorors who does spoken word is writing something for us. I really like the idea bc she knows us very well so it'll really encompass who we are.

[YaelM]

We finally decided! FI's mom will be reading this:

 

Union by Robert Fulghum

 

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married” and continued with “I will and you will and we will”- those late night talks that included “someday” and “somehow” and “maybe”- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.” Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.

[Erika J]

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoAzul We finally decided! FI's mom will be reading this: Union by Robert Fulghum You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with “When we’re married†and continued with “I will and you will and we willâ€- those late night talks that included “someday†and “somehow†and “maybeâ€- and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding. The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, “ You know all those things we’ve promised and hoped and dreamed- well, I meant it all, every word.†Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another- acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this- is my husband, this- is my wife.

OMG Yael - this one one of the five Evan and I narrowed down to!!!

[Lindz]

Yael-- Thank you for taking the time to post the above...I love it! Erika- what are your other 4? Anything not posted? I like to see what other ideas are out there!

 

Are you girls having more than one reading? If so how many? (whats the norm?)

[sunset78]

Those are great! I'm still thinking about what to do for ours.

[YaelM]

Yay Erika! Ya i think i spent a full work day looking for something that would work for us and so happy I found that one!

 

Lindz - we are only doing one reading but I think you can have as many as you want There is also a funny Dr. Sues one, Ill try to find it and post it

[ErinB]

Here is one that I wish I had found before our wedding. It would have been perfect for us since we are both dog lovers.

 

Quote:

Falling in love is like owning a dog an epithalamion by Taylor Mali Taylor Mali   First of all, it's a big responsibility, especially in a city like New York. So think long and hard before deciding on love. On the other hand, love gives you a sense of security: when you're walking down the street late at night and you have a leash on love ain't no one going to mess with you. Because crooks and muggers think love is unpredictable. Who knows what love could do in its own defense?   On cold winter nights, love is warm. It lies between you and lives and breathes and makes funny noises. Love wakes you up all hours of the night with its needs. It needs to be fed so it will grow and stay healthy.   Love doesn't like being left alone for long. But come home and love is always happy to see you. It may break a few things accidentally in its passion for life, but you can never be mad at love for long.   Is love good all the time? No! No! Love can be bad. Bad, love, bad! Very bad love.   Love makes messes. Love leaves you little surprises here and there. Love needs lots of cleaning up after. Sometimes you just want to get love fixed. Sometimes you want to roll up a piece of newspaper and swat love on the nose, not so much to cause pain, just to let love know Don't you ever do that again!   Sometimes love just wants to go for a nice long walk. Because love loves exercise. It runs you around the block and leaves you panting. It pulls you in several different directions at once, or winds around and around you until you're all wound up and can't move.   But love makes you meet people wherever you go. People who have nothing in common but love stop and talk to each other on the street.   Throw things away and love will bring them back, again, and again, and again. But most of all, love needs love, lots of it. And in return, love loves you and never stops.

This is what my mom read at our wedding. I got lots of compliments on it.

Quote:

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world You may not always understand.   May the pain you have known and conflict you have experienced Give you the strength to walk through life Facing each new situation with courage and optimism.   Always know that there are those whose love and understanding Will always be there, even when you feel most alone.   May you discover enough goodness in others To believe in a world of peace.   May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours Every day of your life, And may you give these gifts as well as receive them.   Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.   Teach love to those who know hate, And let that love embrace you as you go into the world.   May the teaching of those you admire become part of you, So that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched And who have touched yours are always a part of you, Even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than it's form.   May you not become too concerned with material matters, But instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.   Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you.   Realize that each person has limitless abilities, But each of us is different in our own way. What you may feel you lack in one regard May be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present May become one of your strengths in the future.   May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.   May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, And not be dependent on another's judgement of your accomplishments.   May you always feel loved.   --- Copyright © 1987 Sandra Sturtz Hauss