It's quite common to do readings in the wedding ceremony. Typically, readings are passages from the Bible or poems by famous poets or words of great mystics. When it comes to making selections of poetry, however, it's not uncommon for some brides and grooms to quickly dismiss the idea due to the “the sap factor,” as in “poems are just too sappy!” While it may be true for you, it may also be true that just considering the option of using poetry in your wedding can illuminate important aspects of your love that deserve mention in your ceremony. Here’s how:
Poetry provides a means for expressing the otherwise inexpressible experiences associated with love. The poet’s rhythm and flow of words can mirror the actual rhythm and flow of love's physical energy -- something that might otherwise only be described through physics. The poet's language brings to life unspoken feelings; the choice of words can describe your aspirations for your marriage. It's easy to say "oh, we want to be together forever," but what is it exactly that makes this so? Hard to explain, right? If ever there were an appropriate time to capture and express the feeling tone of your love, it's in your wedding ceremony.
So, before poo pooing the idea of using sappy poetry in your wedding ceremony, read through some books of poems. See if any of them reflects a depth of feeling that you have experienced for your partner or your relationship or special moments you've shared that drew you together. Once a poem is identified, it doesn't necessarily have to become a reading in your ceremony, but its content can guide a useful conversation.
What it is about the words or the mere rhythm of the poem as you read it that rings true for you? Simply put, what do you like about the poem? Ask your partner to take very precise notes about what you are saying and then read it back to you. You can each take a turn choosing a poem -- or even one single line of a poem -- and talking about it while your partner takes notes.
The words that you express through the mere discussion of a poem can be poetry in and of themselves and should be included in your wedding ceremony. Share your discussion and your notes with your officiant. This exercise can produce rich material for bringing personalized depth of meaning to your wedding ceremony.
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