I've been the kind of person who collects favorite lines for ceremonies—tiny scraps of paper in my Bible, notes in my phone—and wedding scriptures are some of the richest picks. When couples ask me for readings, I pull from a mix of joyful, covenantal, and poetic passages that have been used across generations. The ones I reach for most often are the ones that speak of unity, love, and God’s blessing on a household.
A quick run-through of the passages I commonly use and why: 'Genesis' 2:24 is the classic foundation: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." It frames marriage as a new, intimate family unit. 'Song of Solomon' (so many gems there) offers lyrical love: think 'Song of Solomon' 2:10–13 and 8:6–7—lines about longing and the fierce, protective nature of love—perfect for a more romantic ceremony. For blessing and joy I often use 'Psalm' 128:3 and 'Psalm' 45 (a royal wedding song): they carry a celebratory, thankful tone. Practical wisdom like 'Proverbs' 18:22—"He who finds a wife finds a good thing"—and the companionship lines in 'Ecclesiastes' 4:9–12 are lovely when you want warmth and everyday truth.
New Testament readings are staples at many Christian weddings: 'Matthew' 19:4–6 (Jesus citing 'Genesis' on becoming one flesh and saying what God has joined together...), the famous '1 Corinthians' 13:4–8 "Love is patient..." (a ceremony classic), and 'Ephesians' 5:22–33 that talks about mutual love modeled on Christ and the church (often used for its theological depth). I also recommend 'John' 2:1–11 if you want the joyful miracle image—the wedding at Cana where Jesus turns water into wine. For those who appreciate apocalyptic imagery, 'Revelation' 21:2 depicts the church as a bride "prepared as a bride adorned for her husband," which some couples use in a more symbolic reading.
I also try to be sensitive to other faith traditions: the Qur'an has beautiful verses too, like 'Quran' 30:21 about tranquility, affection, and mercy between spouses, and 'Quran' 24:32 encouraging marriage. When I help friends plan interfaith readings, I mix those lines with the poetic or practical Scripture passages above so the ceremony feels both sacred and personal. Honestly, nothing beats seeing a passage land with the couple and their guests—there’s always that tiny intake of breath when the right line is read.