The Complete Guide to Catholic Wedding Readings

Choosing the readings is one of the first concrete planning decisions most couples make with their priest or deacon. The Order of Celebrating Matrimony provides 40 approved scripture options grouped into four liturgical slots: a First Reading from the Old Testament, a Responsorial Psalm, a Second Reading from the New Testament (optional at a wedding outside of Mass), and a Gospel Reading.

Before anything else, know the one rule that constrains the choice: at least one of your readings must explicitly speak of Marriage. In the ritual book these readings are printed with an asterisk, and the requirement is satisfied by a single one of them in any of the four slots. Thirteen of the forty qualify:

• First Reading: Genesis 1:26-28, 31a; Genesis 2:18-24; Genesis 24:48-51, 58-67; Tobit 7:6-14; Tobit 8:4b-8; Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31; Sirach 26:1-4, 13-16
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 128, the only psalm that carries the designation
• Second Reading: Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33 (either form); 1 Peter 3:1-9
• Gospel: Matthew 19:3-6; Mark 10:6-9; John 2:1-11

The catch is that a reading can feel thoroughly wedding-appropriate without qualifying. 1 Corinthians 13, "love is patient, love is kind," is the most-chosen wedding reading in the English-speaking world and it does not satisfy the requirement, since it speaks of Christian love in general rather than of Marriage. The same is true of the Song of Songs, the wedding feast of the Lamb in Revelation 19, and the John 15 passages. Wedding imagery is not the test; the asterisk in the ritual book is.

So if you choose Genesis 2:18-24 as your First Reading, you have met the requirement and the rest of your selections are free, 1 Corinthians 13 and John 15 included.

Below is each slot, what the Church offers, and how couples typically approach the decision. If you already know what you want, you can jump directly to the full list of approved wedding readings, where the qualifying options are marked.

The First Reading: from the Old Testament

The First Reading roots the wedding in the Hebrew Scriptures and places the couple within the long story of God's covenant with his people. The nine approved options span Genesis, Tobit, Proverbs, the Song of Songs, Sirach, and Jeremiah. This is the easiest slot in which to satisfy the marriage requirement: seven of the nine qualify, every option except the Song of Songs and Jeremiah.

• Genesis 1:26-28, 31a: "Male and female he created them," the creation account in which God calls creation "very good."
• Genesis 2:18-24: The creation of Eve, "This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh."
• Tobit 8:4b-8: Tobias and Sarah's wedding-night prayer, a favorite for couples who want explicit lifelong language.
• Song of Songs 2:8-10, 14, 16a; 8:6-7a: The poetry of courtship and enduring love.

Tip: If your wedding falls on a Sunday or solemnity, ask your priest which options are preferred. Liturgical law sometimes requires the day's readings instead of wedding-specific ones.

The Responsorial Psalm

Psalms are songs; if you have a cantor and musicians, work with them early. The seven approved options run from Psalm 33 through Psalm 148, covering themes of trust, praise, and blessing on family life.

Psalm 128 ("Blessed are those who fear the Lord") is one of the most traditional choices, and the only one that explicitly invokes children and long life together. It is also the only psalm that speaks explicitly of Marriage, so choosing it satisfies the requirement on its own, which is useful if you have your heart set on 1 Corinthians 13 and a John 15 Gospel. Psalm 34 ("Taste and see the goodness of the Lord") is a frequent pick for Masses that include Communion.

The Second Reading: from the New Testament

Fourteen options from Paul's letters, the letters of Peter and John, and Revelation. This slot is optional in weddings celebrated outside of Mass, but for a full nuptial Mass it's included. Only two of the fourteen speak explicitly of Marriage: Ephesians 5 and 1 Peter 3.

• 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:8a: the famous "love is patient, love is kind" hymn. Universally recognizable, but it does not satisfy the marriage requirement, so pair it with a reading that does.
• Ephesians 5:2a, 21-33: the "great mystery" passage comparing marriage to Christ and the Church. Carries theological weight; not for everyone. Satisfies the requirement in either its full or its shorter form.
• Colossians 3:12-17: a practical list of virtues to "clothe yourselves in."
• Romans 12:1-2, 9-18: "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice," with concrete counsel on Christian community.

The Gospel Reading

The Gospel is proclaimed last and by tradition receives special attention. Ten options span Matthew, Mark, and John. Three of them (Matthew 19:3-6, Mark 10:6-9, and John 2:1-11) speak explicitly of Marriage.

• Matthew 5:1-12a: the Beatitudes. Uplifting, dense with themes, and familiar to most guests.
• Matthew 19:3-6: "What God has joined together, no human being must separate." The shortest option and theologically direct. Satisfies the marriage requirement.
• John 2:1-11: the wedding at Cana, Christ's first public miracle at a wedding feast. Symbolic and often chosen for its imagery. Satisfies the marriage requirement.
• John 15:9-12 / 15:12-16: "Remain in my love." Great for couples who want their friendship to be foregrounded, but neither satisfies the marriage requirement, so look to another slot for that.

How couples usually decide

A few practical patterns we see:

• Start with the Gospel. It's the heart of the Liturgy of the Word. Once the Gospel is chosen, the others tend to follow.
• Check the marriage requirement early. Once you have a set you like, confirm that at least one of them speaks explicitly of Marriage. It is easier to discover this now than after the programs are printed.
• Balance familiar and meaningful. 1 Corinthians 13 is familiar but can feel rote. Consider pairing it with a less-heard First Reading like Tobit, which also satisfies the marriage requirement.
• Involve the people proclaiming them. The parents, siblings, or friends who read at your wedding appreciate being asked early and given a reading that suits their voice.
• Ask your priest. Many parishes have a binder of the options with translator notes. Your celebrant has preached on most of them dozens of times.

Next steps

Browse the complete list of approved wedding readings with full scripture text. When you're ready to build a print-ready program, create your wedding program. It takes about five minutes.