Sometimes, you just can't find the perfect reading for your wedding: you've either heard them all at a million other weddings, or just can't find the one that says everything you want to say - without being cheesy!
Why not think about using lyrics from a song? Apart from the words being absolutely right for you, you might also have an association with that particular song, which will give an extra layer of resonance to your wedding ceremony.
The trick, of course, is to make sure that your reader reads the lyrics as they are, and doesn't do the toe-curling thing of reading the words as they were sung ("Lights will gui-i-i-i-de you home....!").
Remember, you don't have to include every verse and chorus - just the parts that are right for you.
Here are lyrics from 10 songs that are ideal for wedding readings, from Johnny Cash to Beyonce, Metallica to Stevie Wonder, and which you might not have considered:
Happiness is You - Johnny Cash
Way down the mountain I chased a moonbeam
On the beach I built sand castles too
My moonbeams faded my castles tumbled
All of this was meaningless ‘cause happiness is you
No more chasing moonbeams or catching falling stars
I know now my pot of gold is anywhere you are
My heart won’t miss you, my heart goes with you
Loneliness is emptiness but happiness is you
I tried to doubt you and live without you
Tried to deny but I love you like I do
But I realise now and I’ll admit it
You’ll always be a part of me ‘cause happiness is you
Flaws and All - Beyonce
I’m a train wreck in the morning
I’m a b*tch in the afternoon
Every now and then without warning
I can be really mean towards you
I’m a puzzle, yes, indeed
Ever-complex in every way
And all the pieces aren’t even in the box
And yet you see the picture clear as day
I don’t know why you love me
And that’s why I love you
Catch me when I fall
Accept me, flaws and all
I neglect you when I’m working
When I need attention, I tend to nag
I’m a host of imperfection
And you see past all that
I’m a peasant by some standards
But in your eyes I’m a queen
You see potential in all my flaws
And that’s exactly what I mean
I don’t know why you love me
And that’s why I love you
You catch me when I fall
Accept me, flaws and all
Tangled Up in You - Staind
You’re my world
The shelter from the rain
You’re the pills
That take away my pain
You’re the light
That helps me find my way
You’re the words
When I have nothing to say
And in this world
Where nothing else is true
Here I am
Still tangled up in you
You’re the fire
That warms me when I’m cold
You’re the hand
I have to hold as I grow old
You’re the shore
When I am lost at sea
You’re the only thing
That I like about me
And in this world
Where nothing else is true
Here I am
Still tangled up in you
i choose you - Sara Bareilles
Let the bough break, let it come down crashing
Let the sun fade out to a dark sky
I can’t say I’d even notice it was absent
‘Cause I could live by the light in your eyes
I’ll unfold before you
Would have strung together
The very first words of a lifelong love letter
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
I will become yours and you will become mine
I choose you
There was a time when I would have believed them
If they told me that you could not come true
Just love’s illusion
But then you found me
And everything changed
And I believe in something again
My whole heart
Will be yours forever
This is a beautiful start to a lifelong love letter
Tell the world that we finally got it all right
I choose you
We are not perfect we’ll learn from our mistakes
And as long as it takes I will prove my love to you
I am not scared of the elements, I am underprepared,
But I am willing
And even better
I get to be the other half of you
I will become yours and you will become mine
I choose you
As - Stevie Wonder
As around the sun the earth knows she’s revolving
And the rosebuds know to bloom in early May
Just as hate knows love’s the cure
You can rest your mind assure
That I’ll be loving you always
As now can’t reveal the mystery of tomorrow
But in passing will grow older every day
Just as all that’s born is new
You know what I say is true
That I’ll be loving you always
Until the rainbow burns the stars out in the skies
Until the ocean covers every mountain high
Until the dolphin flies and parrots live at sea
Until we dream of life and life becomes a dream
Did you know that true love asks for nothing
Her acceptance is the way we pay
Did you know that life has given love a guarantee
To last through forever and another day
Just as time knew to move on since the beginning
And the seasons know exactly when to change
Just as kindness knows no shame
Know through all your joy and pain
That I’ll be loving you always
Until the day is night and night becomes the day
Until the trees and seas just up and fly away
Until the day that eight times eight times eight is four
Until the day that is the day that are no more
I’ll be loving you always.
Dance Me to the End of Love - Leonard Cohen
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic ’til I’m gathered safely in
Lift me like an olive branch and be my homeward dove
Dance me to the end of love
Let me see your beauty when the witnesses are gone
Let me feel you moving like they do in Babylon
Show me slowly what I only know the limits of
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the wedding now, dance me on and on
Dance me very tenderly and dance me very long
We’re both of us beneath our love, we’re both of us above
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to the children who are asking to be born
Dance me through the curtains that our kisses have outworn
Raise a tent of shelter now, though every thread is torn
Dance me to the end of love
Dance me to your beauty with a burning violin
Dance me through the panic till I’m gathered safely in
Touch me with your naked hand or touch me with your glove
Dance me to the end of love
At Last - Mack Gordon and Harry Warren, sung by Etta James
At last, my love has come along
My lonely days are over and life is like a song
At last, the skies above are blue
My heart was wrapped up clover
the night I looked at you
I found a dream that I could speak to
A dream that I can call my own
I found a thrill to press my cheek to
A thrill I’ve never known
You smiled and then the spell was cast
And here we are in Heaven
For you are mine at last
Thank You - Led Zeppelin
If the sun refused to shine
I would still be loving you
When mountains crumble to the sea
There would still be you and me
I give you my all
nothing more
Little drops of rain
Whisper of the pain
Tears of loves lost in the days gone by
Our love is strong
With you there is no wrong
Together we shall go until we die.
Inspiration's what you are to me
Inspiration, look and see
And so today, my world it smiles
Your hand in mine, we walk the miles
Thanks to you it will be done
Happiness, no more be sad
Happiness…. I’m glad
You're All I Need To Get By - Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, sung by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
You’re all I need to get by.
Like sweet morning dew,
I took one look at you,
And it was plain to see, you were my destiny.
With arms open wide, I threw away my pride,
I’ll sacrifice for you, dedicate my life to you.
I will go where you lead,
Always there in time of need.
And when I lose my will,
You’ll be there to push me up the hill.
There’s no looking back for us
We got love,
Sure that’s enough
You’re all I need to get by.
Like an eagle protects his nest,
for you I’ll do my best,
Stand by you like a tree,
and dare anybody to try and move me.
In you I found strength where I was torn down,
Don’t know what’s in store
but together we can open any door.
Cause we got the right foundation
and with love and determination
you’re all I want to strive for and do a little more
You’re all the joys under the sun wrapped up into one
You’re all I need to get by.
Nothing Else Matters - Metallica
So close, no matter how far
Couldn’t be much more from the heart
Forever trust in who we are
And nothing else matters
Never opened myself this way
Life is ours, we live it our way
All these words, I don’t just say
And nothing else matters
Trust I seek and I find in you
Every day for us is something new
Open mind for a different view
And nothing else matters
Forever trusting who we are
And nothing else matters