It’s so easy to get caught up in the pretty images, details and practicalities of planning a wedding that we can forget about the marriage part beyond the big day and the deep and meaningful stuff such as the love, companionship, compromises and lifelong promises we make to each other.

So I thought it’d be lovely to share some ceremony readings on Bridal Musings every now and again. Mainly because I found it quite depressing searching for ceremony readings and poems about love and marriage then being directed to really ugly or overly lovey dovey websites!

I hope the non-religious ceremony readings/poems I feature will be a welcome additional source of inspiration for you…

Today, I’m sharing a short and sweet classic wedding ceremony reading by an unknown author called ‘Blessing of the Hands’

{Photo by Hannah of Funky Photographers}

But first, here’s an interesting excerpt I came across while researching {aka Googling} hand blessings here:

‘Many cultures have different ways of blessing the hands of the bride and groom.

In Thai ceremonies, for example, the couple kneels as elder, married relatives pour blessed water from a conch shell onto their hands and offer words of blessing. In the ancient Celtic tradition of hand-fasting, the couple’s hands are literally tied together to symbolize spiritual and physical unity as prayers and blessings are recited.

In any tradition, a hand blessing is a ritual that is meant to draw you closer to one another…

Hands are considered to be a connection to the heart, and a hand blessing symbolically brings two hearts together.’ {by Rev. Laurie Sue Brockway}

With that in mind, let’s get onto the blessing ~ which is often read before the exchanging of rings at wedding ceremonies:

Blessing of the Hands by Rev. Daniel L. Harris

These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.

These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.

These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.

These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.

These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and tears of joy.

These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children.

These are the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.

These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.

And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.

How wonderful…

Anyone planning on using this as a ceremony reading? I hope you’ll find this feature useful, please do share your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you.

Elizabeth x