Wedding Topics

Catholic wedding readings from the The Order for Celebrating Matrimony

Below you will find a list of readings provided by The Order for Celebrating Matrimony, the book that guides worship for Catholic weddings. The readings are listed here with a descriptive title and the Biblical citation. Click on each reading to view the full text at ForYourMarriage.org.

See "For More Information" at the bottom of this page for links to additional information.

Options for the First Reading (Old Testament) during a Catholic wedding

Click here to find the readings below at foryourmarriage.org.

Male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-28, 31)
The two of them become one body. (Genesis 2:18-24)
In his love for Rebekah, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother. (Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67)
May the Lord of heaven prosper you both; May he grant you mercy and peace. (Tobit 7:6-14)
Allow us to live together to a happy old age. (Tobit 8:4b-8)
Allow us to live together to a happy old age. (Tobit 8:5-7)
The woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31)
Stern as death is love. (Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16; 8:6-7)
Like the sun rising in the Lord’s heavens,
the beauty of a virtuous wife is the radiance of her home. (Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16)
I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. (Jeremiah 31:31-32a, 33-34a)

Options for the Responsorial Psalm during a Catholic wedding

The psalms were written as songs, so although the responsorial psalm can be read if no cantor (song leader) is available, it is better for it to be sung by a cantor (GIRM #61). The responsorial psalm is the assembly's response to the Word of God; accordingly, the cantor sings the verses, and then leads the whole assembly in singing the response. In the following list of responsorial psalms for weddings, the title is the assembly's response.

Click here to find the readings below at foryourmarriage.org.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33:12, 18, 20-21, 22)
I will bless the Lord at all times (Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9)
The Lord is kind and merciful (Psalm 103:1-2, 8, 13, 17-18)
Happy are those who do what the Lord commands (Psalm 112:1-2, 3-4, 5-7, 7-8, 9)
Happy are those who fear the Lord (Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5ac, 6a)
The Lord is compassionate to all his creatures (Psalm 145:8-9, 10, 15, 17-18)
Let all praise the name of the Lord (Psalm 148:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-13ab, 13c-14a)

Options for the Second Reading (New Testament) during a Catholic wedding

Click here to find the readings below at foryourmarriage.org.

What will separate us from the love of Christ? (Romans 8:31-35, 37-39).
Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. (Romans 12:1-2, 9-18 [long form] or Romans 12:1-2, 9-13 [short form])
Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you. (Romans 15:1b-3a, 5-7, 13)
Your body is a temple of the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20)
If I do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:8)
One Body and one Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-6)
This is a great mystery, but I speak in reference to Christ and the Church. (Ephesians 5:2, 21-33 [long form] or Ephesians 5:2, 25-32 [short form])
The God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)
And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Let marriage be held in honor by all. (Hebrews 13:1-4a, 5-6b)
Be of one mind, sympathetic, loving toward one another. (1 Peter 3:1-9)
Love in deed and in truth (1 John 3:18-24)
God is love (1 John 4:7-12)
Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb. (Revelation 19:1, 5-9)

Options for the Gospel Reading during a Catholic wedding

Click here to find the readings below at foryourmarriage.org.

Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. (Matthew 5:1-12)
You are the light of the world. (Matthew 5:13-16)
A wise man built his house on rock. (Matthew 7:21, 24-29 [long form] or Matthew 7:21, 24-25 [short form])
What God has united, man must not separate. (Matthew 19:3-6)
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it. (Matthew 22:35-40)
They are no longer two, but one flesh. (Mark 10:6-9)
Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee. (John 2:1-11)
Remain in my love. (John 15:9-12)
This is my commandment: love one another. (John 15:12-16)
That they may be brought to perfection as one. (John 17:20-26 [long form] or 17:20-23 [short form])

For more information

Planning your Catholic wedding
A step-by-step guide to planning your wedding.

Choosing lectors (readers)

Days on which the reading from the lectionary must be used during a Catholic wedding

Creating your Catholic wedding program
A guide to creating a program for your wedding, including links to templates.

Order of a Catholic wedding ceremony during Mass
A step-by-step walk through the complete order of the Catholic wedding Mass.

Order of a Catholic wedding ceremony outside Mass
A step-by-step walk through the complete order of a Catholic wedding outside of Mass.