How to Choose Your Italian Wedding Readings for the Perfect Ceremony
Choosing the right wedding readings for your ceremony can be a deeply personal and meaningful part of your wedding planning process. In Italy, weddings often carry religious, cultural, and spiritual significance, but they can also reflect your unique relationship, whether you're planning a traditional religious wedding or a non-religious symbolic ceremony.
There are various Italian wedding readings—ranging from spiritual blessings to romantic poetry—that can make your day truly unforgettable. Select readings that reflect your values, style, and the type of ceremony you're planning while considering guests from different backgrounds and beliefs.
Choosing the Right Speaker for Your Wedding Reading
Before diving into specific readings, the first step is to choose the right person to deliver them. Whether it’s a family member, close friend, or someone with religious or personal significance, selecting the right speaker is key to making the reading impactful.
Make sure that whoever you choose feels comfortable with public speaking and understands the significance of the reading. The reader’s relationship with you as a couple adds another layer of emotional depth to the moment, creating a lasting memory.
Traditional Italian Wedding Readings
Italian weddings have deep cultural roots, and for many, this means a connection to Catholic or Christian traditions. Religious readings can reflect the sacredness of marriage and the lifelong commitment you and your partner are making.
Here’s a popular religious reading used in Italian Catholic weddings:
Let us Pray. Lord, in your love you have given us this Eucharist to unite us with one another and with you. As you have made (bride) and (groom) one in this sacrament of marriage, so now make them one in love for each other. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.
This prayer focuses on the spiritual connection between the couple and their union under the guidance of faith. It is ideal for couples wanting a Christian blessing in their wedding.
If you are planning a Catholic and traditional ceremony, a non-religious and modern one, or a combination of both, explore our Destination Wedding Planning Guide for details on how we can help design the best exclusive wedding. For more insights, our Italian Wedding Traditions post is also a great resource.
The official celebrant, wearing the traditional Italian band, reads the legal articles required for civil weddings in Italy. Only a representative from the Town Hall is authorised to officiate the ceremony, ensuring the legal formalities are properly observed.
Symbolic or Secular Readings for Non-Religious Weddings
For couples who prefer a symbolic or secular ceremony, there are plenty of meaningful readings that reflect love, unity, and the promises made to one another. These readings are perfect for civil ceremonies or for couples who want to avoid religious overtones while still creating an emotional and heartfelt moment.
A popular choice for symbolic readings is Elliott Arnold’s Blessing of the Apache:
Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter for the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there will be no loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two persons, but there is only one life before you...
This powerful reading embodies the sense of support and partnership that comes with marriage. It beautifully symbolises the couple's future together and the mutual responsibilities they are taking on.
Romantic Italian Wedding Poetry
Romantic poetry is another timeless option for couples who want to evoke emotion through lyrical beauty. Italian culture has long celebrated the art of romance, and incorporating poetry into your ceremony is a lovely way to highlight the love you share.
One of the most beloved Italian poets is Dante Alighieri, whose La Vita Nuova captures deep romantic feelings:
“Love and the gentle heart are but the same thing, as the wise man tells us, neither can exist without the other.”
Dante’s words reflect the unity of love and the heart, making this an ideal reading for any wedding ceremony.
For more ideas on incorporating poetry and other symbolic elements into your wedding, visit our Wedding Planning Services page, which offers step-by-step guidance on creating your ideal wedding.
Incorporating Italian Wedding Sayings and Blessings
Many couples choose to honour Italian traditions by including famous Italian sayings or blessings in their ceremony. These blessings can be religious or non-religious, making them flexible enough to suit any wedding.
Here is a classic Italian wedding blessing:
Che il sole splenda sempre sulla vostra vita matrimoniale. Possa la gioia abitarvi ogni giorno e l'amore accompagnarvi per tutta la vita.(May the sun always shine on your married life. May joy live with you every day and may love follow you for life.)
This blessing is simple yet full of warmth, offering well wishes for a lifetime of happiness. For more examples of traditional Italian sayings, check out our collection of Italian wedding blessings and sayings, which can provide further inspiration for your ceremony. You’ll find some beautiful examples that can be included in your vows, speeches, or even printed on wedding invitations.
Customising Your Civil Ceremony with Readings
Though civil ceremonies traditionally don’t include readings, many couples today opt to add them to personalize their event. Whether it’s reading from a favourite book, a poem, or a quote that holds significance for the couple, civil ceremonies can be as meaningful as religious ones.
Adding personal readings can turn a standard civil ceremony into something unique and memorable. For inspiration, many couples choose passages that reflect their shared history or future aspirations. One popular reading in civil ceremonies is Khalil Gibran’s On Marriage:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. You shall be together when the white wings of death scatter your days. Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God...
This reading speaks to the enduring nature of love and commitment and fits perfectly into any civil or symbolic ceremony.
Examples of Italian Wedding Blessings and Sayings
Here are some examples of Italian blessings and sayings that can be used throughout your ceremony or as part of your wedding vows:
Traditional Italian Wedding Blessing
“Che il sole splenda sempre sulla vostra vita matrimoniale. Possa la gioia abitarvi ogni giorno e l'amore accompagnarvi per tutta la vita.”
(May the sun always shine on your married life. May joy live with you every day and may love follow you for life.)
Short Italian Marriage Wish
“Auguri di una vita piena d’amore e di felicità.”
(Wishing you a life full of love and happiness.)
Italian Marriage Proverb
“L'amore è cieco, ma il matrimonio ripristina la vista.”
(Love is blind, but marriage restores sight.)
Italian Blessing for Unity
“Possa la vostra vita insieme essere piena di amore, risate, e felicità infinita.”
(May your life together be full of love, laughter, and endless happiness.)
Blessing of Love and Friendship
“Che l'amore e l'amicizia vi accompagnino sempre nella vostra nuova vita insieme.”
(May love and friendship always accompany you in your new life together.)
Wishing a Strong Marriage
“Che il vostro matrimonio sia sempre forte come il vento che soffia tra le colline toscane.”
(May your marriage always be as strong as the wind that blows through the Tuscan hills.)
Blessing for Eternal Love
“Possa il vostro amore essere eterno come il cielo sopra di voi e la terra sotto i vostri piedi.”
(May your love be as eternal as the sky above you and the earth beneath your feet.)
Good Fortune Blessing
“Che la fortuna e la felicità vi trovino sempre sulla vostra strada.”
(May fortune and happiness always find you on your path.)
Blessing of Family
“Che la vostra famiglia cresca sempre nell'amore e nella felicità.”
(May your family always grow in love and happiness.)
Let Us Help You Plan Your Perfect Ceremony
Selecting the right reading for your wedding is about finding something that reflects your unique relationship. Whether it’s a religious reading, a romantic poem, or a symbolic blessing, your wedding readings should add personal significance to your day.
At Your Secret Tuscany, we help couples plan every aspect of their dream wedding in Italy. As experienced Tuscany wedding planners, we ensure that every detail, from ceremony readings to venue selection, is perfect for your special day.
Contact us today to start planning your destination wedding in Tuscany, and let us guide you through every step of the process.