If you can't find a reading on my readings page that suits you, you are welcome to look beyond that resource to find one of your own. Kindly review the following guidelines before you choose one:
- I won't read anything at all that has been written by another wedding officiant or minister.
- Song lyrics are not suitable readings. If the song in question is that meaningful to you, have your DJ play it at your reception. Lyrics were meant to be sung - when read, they're clunky and lose their charm. This, in turn, interrupts the flow of the ceremony.
- I won't read unsourced or poorly sourced materials, or misquotations.
- With the exception of First Corinthians (13:4-8 up to "Love never fails") and Song of Solomon (2:10-13 and/or 8:6-7), I won't read from religious texts or anything with overt religious references or themes. (However, in the ceremony questionnaire, you may elect a friend or family member to read from such texts.)
- If the reading you selected relies too heavily on cliché or empty sentimentality or was written for children, I'll ask you to choose another reading. Some examples include (but are not limited to):
- "Blessing of the Hands" by Daniel Harris
- "Friendship" by Judy Bielicki
- "How Falling in Love is Like Owning a Dog" by Taylor Mali
- Anything by Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, A.A. Milne, Margery Williams or Richard Bach
- If you choose a reading that's too short (that feels more like an excerpt or a quotation than a reading) I'll ask you to choose another reading (or allow me to) for the sake of keeping the ceremony balanced. I'll still incorporate the "quote" you asked me to, but in a different way than I do with readings. Readings are best as standalone segments of the ceremony (read during Act I - see ceremony theory for details) whereas quotes work best when weaved organically into the fabric of the ceremony, usually toward the end.