Example wording

I would like to ask if [name]  , [Party 1] & [Party 2]’s daughter who has prepared a reading called [reading name]

You select a suitable reading from this list or choose one of your own.

Reading 1

Getting married means you’ll have Someone’s hand to hold,

Even when you’re feeling sick, Even when you’re old.

It means when you sit down to eat, Someone will be there,

So you won’t have to tell your day To an empty chair.

It means that when you need some help, Someone will help out,

Someone always near to you So you won’t have to shout.

But best of all is when it’s time To turn out all the lights:

You won’t have to be alone Those long and scary nights.

So even though you don’t have toys, You don’t have to care:

Once you’re married you can be Each other’s teddy bear

Reading 2

I love you to the Earth and back, Professed the giant, gentle moon.

Scared as he gazed upon her face, Had he learned to love too soon?

Was he still too young to understand? Too naïve to feel real love?

Like those below who feel such faith, As they wish on stars above?

But love is strange, you cannot see it, Or hold it in both hands.

To take the leap, have faith and feel it, Is one of life’s great plans!

As the moon released his fears, And saw the stars so bright,

He never felt real love so deeply, As he had felt that night.

Reading 3

Extract from
the The Velveteen Rabbit

Margery Williams (1881-1944)

‘What is REAL?’ asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. ‘Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?’ ‘Real isn’t how you are made,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘It’s a thing that happens to you. When someone loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, buy REALLY loves you, then you become Real.’ ‘Does it hurt? Asked the Rabbit. ‘Sometimes,’ said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. ‘When you are Real you don’t mind being hurt.’ ‘Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,’ he asked, ‘or bit by bit?’ ‘ It doesn’t happen all at once,’ said the Skin Horse. ‘You become. It takes a long time. That’s why it doesn’t happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.’ ‘I suppose you are real?’ said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse only smiled. ‘Someone made me Real,’ he said. ‘That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can’t become unreal again. It lasts for always.’

Reading 4

Wherever I am, there’s always Pooh,
There’s always Pooh and Me.
Whatever I do, he wants to do,
“Where are you going today?” says Pooh:
“Well, that’s very odd ‘cos I was too.
Let’s go together,” says Pooh, says he.
“Let’s go together,” says Pooh.

“What’s twice eleven?” I said to Pooh.
(“Twice what?” said Pooh to Me.)
“I think it ought to be twenty-two.”
“Just what I think myself,” said Pooh.
“It wasn’t an easy sum to do,
But that’s what it is,” said Pooh, said he.
“That’s what it is,” said Pooh.

“Let’s look for dragons,” I said to Pooh.
“Yes, let’s,” said Pooh to Me.
We crossed the river and found a few-
“Yes, those are dragons all right,” said Pooh.
“As soon as I saw their beaks I knew.
That’s what they are,” said Pooh, said he.
“That’s what they are,” said Pooh.

“Let’s frighten the dragons,” I said to Pooh.
“That’s right,” said Pooh to Me.
“I’m not afraid,” I said to Pooh,
And I held his paw and I shouted “Shoo!
Silly old dragons!”- and off they flew.

“I wasn’t afraid,” said Pooh, said he,
“I’m never afraid with you.”

So wherever I am, there’s always Pooh,
There’s always Pooh and Me.
“What would I do?” I said to Pooh,
“If it wasn’t for you,” and Pooh said: “True,
It isn’t much fun for One, but Two,
Can stick together, says Pooh, says he. “That’s how it is,” says Pooh.

Alan Alexander Milne

Reading 5

Once upon a time you two met
You’ve shared much love and laughter
May your marriage be a fairy tale
Happy ever after

I’m glad I’m in the fairy tale
And you are too I guess
Congratulations, King and Queen
From your fairy tale Princess

Reading 6

Today you’re getting married; some say you’re getting wed
There’s crowds of people in our house, and strangers in my bed!
We had to get up early, take breakfast all together
Allowed to have the TV on to listen to the weather
Shower time was hectic, should have seen the queue
Girls were taking twice as long and air was turning blue
Hair was being straightened, perfume being sprayed
Nails were being painted, the boys of course delayed
Lots of make-up lots of shoes, sparkles in the hair
Pretty cards and parcels, flowers everywhere
Everyone had new clothes, Dad even wore a suit
Mum is looking stunning, and I look kinda cute
Posh car turned up at the door, took my Mum away
Left me with the other kids but told I couldn’t play
Lots of photos lots of fuss, what’s it all about?
Parties are for having fun, there’s no need to shout!
Mummy looks real pretty, Daddy’s not too bad
Someone here is crying but doesn’t look real sad
Lots of people laughing, sometimes very loud.

Then it goes all quiet, lady talking to the crowd Daddy holds Mum closely, putting on a ring
Says some words and makes a speech and makes them cry again
Mummy takes another ring and puts it on his finger
Says some words and makes a speech and then we hear a singer
Someone says a poem, lots of people clap.

Waking up the funny man who’s taking a quick nap

Now we are all standing, watching them both kiss

They look so very happy, think they call it bliss!

Time to do some writing in a great big book

And with all thos cameras, which way shall we look

Is it nearly over, can I go and play?

Lets come back tomorrow, we can do it all again.

Reading 7

Mum and Dad get married today

I’d like to help them on their way.

So here’s some special advice from me,

To help them with our family.

Keep the drawer filled with sweets

And give us children lots of treats

Make sure you spend time together

To keep your happiness forever

Make sure you spend lots on us

And then us kids won’t make a fuss .

But the most important thing for you,

Is to show your love in all you do.

A caring word, a kiss, a touch,

And those family cuddles that mean so much

Reading 8

Congratulations! Today is your day.

You’re off to Great Places!

You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the couple who’ll decide where to go