Getting married is huge—it’s the biggest, most sacred promise you’ll ever make! If you and your partner want to anchor your ceremony in faith, choosing the right Bible verse isn’t just a tradition; it’s a powerful way to set the blueprint for your life together.
While I’ve often said to couples that there aren’t as many verses in the Bible as you might think for a wedding, there are some really good ones! Hey, it’s all good, but what fits your wedding?
Whether you’re looking for that iconic, tear-jerking love passage or something that talks about the nuts and bolts of a lasting partnership, here are some of my picks for the best Scriptures to read at your wedding.
The All-Star: What Love Really Means
When people think of a wedding Bible reading, this one usually springs to mind, and for good reason! It’s the ultimate definition of unconditional love—a perfect roadmap for your marriage.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a & 13
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
(And for a powerful sign-off:)
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
The Practical Partnership: Two Are Better Than One
This reading is wonderful for couples who want to emphasize teamwork and support. It reminds everyone that marriage isn’t just about romance; it’s about having a faithful partner for life’s inevitable ups and downs.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
(That “cord of three strands” is a beautiful image, often symbolizing the couple and God together.)
The Sacred Vow: Becoming One Flesh
These are the bedrock verses that talk about the why of marriage—that it was designed by God and is meant to be permanent. They’re a fantastic choice if you want to highlight the sacred nature of your covenant.
Genesis 2:24 (The Original Plan)
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
Matthew 19:6 (The Forever Commitment)
“So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
Short & Sweet: Verses on Unity and Kindness
If you want a reading that’s heartfelt but super-brief, or if you’re writing a Bible verse onto your program or invitation, these quick hits are perfect. They focus on the character required to make a marriage last.
- Colossians 3:14: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
- Ephesians 4:2-3: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
- 1 Peter 4:8: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (Because let’s be honest, you’re gonna mess up sometimes!)
For the Romantics: The Poetic Love Song
If you want to inject some beautiful, passionate poetry into your ceremony, turn to the Song of Solomon. It speaks of a deep, fiery love that nothing can extinguish.
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.”
Pro Tip for Choosing
Don’t just pick the most famous one! Read a few of these out loud together and see which one truly speaks to the kind of marriage you hope to have. Your wedding day is just the start, and the best verse is the one you’ll want to revisit for inspiration for decades to come.
Which one of these feels most like your story?