Celebrated essayist and novelist, Robert Fulghum is an American Unitarian minister, best known for his essays on finding wonder in ordinary life, most notably the best-seller All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. With over 17 million books in print in 31 languages, his works often highlights the belief that wisdom can be found in simple, childhood lessons rather than complex philosophy.

"Union" is a popular wedding reading because it is reflective of a relationship rather than just fairy-tale romance. It simply highlights the journey to marriage, honoring the promises made before the official ceremony and acknowledging the transition from friends and lovers to spouses.

Grounded in reality, this reading really acknowledges that couples have already been partners, teachers, and friends, making it feel deeply personal. Also, while initially written pre-same sex marriage, the gendered ending could easily be changed up if required.

We've created a useful and pretty print and go download of this poem below.

Union by Robert Fulghum

You have known each other from the first glance of acquaintance to this point of commitment. At some point, you decided to marry. From that moment of yes to this moment of yes, indeed, you have been making promises and agreements in an informal way. All those conversations that were held riding in a car or over a meal or during long walks - all those sentences that began with "When we're married" and continued with "I will and you will and we will" - those late night talks that included "someday" and "somehow" and "maybe" - and all those promises that are unspoken matters of the heart. All these common things, and more, are the real process of a wedding.

The symbolic vows that you are about to make are a way of saying to one another, "You know all those things we've promised and hoped and dreamed—well, I meant it all, every word."

Look at one another and remember this moment in time. Before this moment you have been many things to one another - acquaintance, friend, companion, lover, dancing partner, and even teacher, for you have learned much from one another in these last few years. Now you shall say a few words that take you across a threshold of life, and things will never quite be the same between you. For after these vows, you shall say to the world, this - is my husband, this - is my wife.

Get more gorgeous and unique ceremony reading ideas or see our list of essential wedding readings in useful categories.