8 Iconic Wedding Poems to Celebrate a New Union

Weddings are a celebration of love, commitment, and the union of two souls. Throughout history, poets have captured the essence of this special day in their verses, offering words of wisdom, beauty, and emotion. Poems can add a unique touch to your wedding celebration or can act as inspiration while writing vows. Here are eight iconic wedding poems that have graced countless ceremonies, each adding a unique touch to the joyous occasion.

 

“Sonnet 116” by William Shakespeare

“Let me not to the marriage of true minds  

Admit impediments. Love is not love  

Which alters when it alteration finds,  

Or bends with the remover to remove:  

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark  

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;  

It is the star to every wandering bark,  

Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.”

 

William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116” is a timeless testament to the steadfast nature of true love. Its exploration of love’s unwavering strength and constancy makes it a popular choice for wedding readings.

 

“I Carry Your Heart with Me” by E.E. Cummings

“I carry your heart with me (I carry it in  

my heart) I am never without it (anywhere  

I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done  

by only me is your doing, my darling)”

 

E.E. Cummings’ intimate and tender poem “I Carry Your Heart with Me” captures the deep connection and unity felt between partners. Its heartfelt expression of love and togetherness resonates deeply with many couples.

 

“How Do I Love Thee? (Sonnet 43)” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.  

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height  

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight  

For the ends of being and ideal grace.”

 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “Sonnet 43” is a declaration of boundless love. Its enumeration of the ways in which love can be felt makes it an eloquent choice for a wedding ceremony.

 

“A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns

“O my Luve is like a red, red rose  

That’s newly sprung in June;  

O my Luve is like the melody  

That’s sweetly played in tune.”

 

Robert Burns’ poem celebrates the beauty and passion of love. Its vivid imagery and romantic tone make it a fitting tribute to the jubilant and bright feelings shared by newlyweds.

 

“Love’s Philosophy” by Percy Bysshe Shelley

“The fountains mingle with the river  

And the rivers with the ocean,  

The winds of heaven mix for ever  

With a sweet emotion;  

Nothing in the world is single;  

All things by a law divine  

In one another’s being mingle—  

Why not I with thine?”

 

Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poem “Love’s Philosophy” uses the natural world to illustrate the interconnectedness of love. Its lyrical beauty and philosophical musings make it a reflective choice for weddings.

 

“She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron

“She walks in beauty, like the night  

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;  

And all that’s best of dark and bright  

Meet in her aspect and her eyes.”

 

“She Walks in Beauty” by Lord Byron’s is a tribute to the beauty of a beloved. Its admiration and reverence for the lover capture the awe and wonder often felt on a wedding day.

 

“To Be One with Each Other” by George Eliot

“What greater thing is there for two human souls,  

than to feel that they are joined for life –  

to strengthen each other in all labor,  

to rest on each other in all sorrow,  

to minister to each other in all pain,  

to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the moment of the last parting.”

 

George Eliot’s poem reflects on the deep companionship and mutual support that marriage brings. Even its title, “To be One with Each Other”, offers a poignant reflection on unity and shared life, makeing it a meaningful wedding reading.

 

“Love One Another” by Khalil Gibran

“Love one another, but make not a bond of love:  

Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.  

Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.  

Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.”

 

Khalil Gibran’s poem offers wisdom on maintaining individuality within a partnership. Its profound insights into the balance of love and independence provide a thoughtful perspective on how to “Love One Another” for couples.

 

These eight iconic poems capture the myriad facets of love, making them perfect additions to any wedding ceremony. Their timeless words continue to inspire and resonate with couples embarking on the journey of marriage.