For Marriage is a gentle and poignant poem written by the late Irish philosopher and poet John O'Donohue, who as a former Catholic priest with a PhD in philosophical theology, is well known and revered for his writing on life’s important milestones. With its beautiful depiction of married life that draws on powerful images from nature - spring unfolding, the ocean, the wind, and moonlight - there's a sense of universal grounding to these vows, making this reading a great option for a close friend or family member.

The reading also includes lines like, "May you love the gaze of each other's mind," which honours emotional and intellectual intimacy and asks for a tender spirit when challenges arise ("when light grows scarce") and that "nothing negative control your lives", including lines such as May sleep find you clear of anger and hurt.

The beautiful and wise words for the poem is below, and we have also created a useful and pretty print and go download.

For Marriage by John O’Donohue

As spring unfolds the dream of the earth,
May you bring each other's hearts to birth.

As the ocean finds calm in view of land,
May you love the gaze of each other's mind.

As the wind arises free and wild,
May nothing negative control your lives.

As kindly as moonlight might search the dark,
So gentle may you be when light grows scarce.

As surprised as the silence that music opens,
May your words for each other be touched with reverence.

As warmly as the air draws in the light,
May you welcome each other's every gift.

As elegant as dream absorbing the night,
May sleep find you clear of anger and hurt.

As twilight harvests all the day's colour,
May love bring you home to each other.

Still looking for the perfect wedding ceremony reading? See our Essential List of Ceremony Readings which are broken down into categories to make it easy. Be sure to sign up to the One Fab Day newsletter and follow us on Instagram for more!