Top Non-Religious Wedding Readings for a Meaningful Sierra Foothills Ceremony
Quick Answers
Pick one reading (two max) and keep it under ~90 seconds for maximum impact and minimum restlessness.
The best secular readings sound like you: partnership, resilience, laughter, chosen family—no scripture required.
Pro move: give your officiant a written “no religious language” note so nobody improvises a surprise prayer.
Planning a smaller day? A micro wedding keeps the focus on the moment (and yes, the wine).
Why readings matter (even if you’re “not reading people”)
A great non-religious wedding reading does one job: it puts words to what everyone’s feeling—without sounding like a corporate mission statement. In our Sierra Foothills corner of the world (hello, vineyard breeze, golden hour, and the occasional “is that a wild turkey?”), readings also help set the tone: grounded, heartfelt, and very you.
If you read our guide on building a meaningful secular ceremony, you’ll recognize the throughline: structure stays “wedding-y,” language becomes personal. This post is the plug-and-play part: the readings.
How to choose the right non-religious reading (fast)
Use this 3-question filter:
Do you want poetic, funny, or cinematic?
Do you want “romance” or “real life partnership”? (Both can be romantic, one just includes Tuesdays.)
Who’s reading it?
Best friend = heartfelt or lightly funny
Parent/sibling = tender, reflective
Officiant = concise, grounded, story-forward
Length rule: one reading is plenty; two max. (This is a wedding, not a TED Talk marathon.)
Top non-religious wedding readings (organized by vibe)
1) The nature-loving, quietly devastating option: Mary Oliver
Why it works: Clear language, big feeling, zero preachiness. Perfect if you want “meaningful” without sounding formal.
Best for: Outdoor ceremonies on a ceremony lawn, especially at golden hour.
How to use it: Choose a short excerpt (a few lines) and let the silence do some work.
2) The “love is a daily practice” classic: “Touched by an Angel” by Maya Angelou
Why it works: It frames love as transformative and brave—without any religious framing required.
Best for: Couples who want warmth, reverence, and a little punch-in-the-feels.
Tip: Assign this to a strong reader (Angelou deserves confident delivery).
3) The modern, honest partnership lens: bell hooks on love (from All About Love)
Why it works: Direct, values-based, and excellent for couples who want love described as action—not just vibe.
Best for: Humanist/secular ceremonies, or anyone who wants “we choose this every day” energy.
Copyright note: Use a short excerpt; don’t reproduce long passages.
4) The romantic-but-not-sappy favorite: Pablo Neruda (select poems/excerpts)
Why it works: Lush imagery and devotion—great if you want your winery setting (estate vines, rolling hills) to feel like part of the poetry.
Best for: Twilight ceremonies, candlelight, or barrel room vibes.
Tip: Choose an excerpt you truly love; Neruda is intense (in a good way).
5) The literature flex (that still lands): Jane Austen
Why it works: Smart, sincere, and a little witty—without trying too hard.
Best for: Bookish couples, or anyone who wants elegance without religious tradition.
How to use it: A short, romantic excerpt is more powerful than a long paragraph.
6) The “we’re a team” reading: Neil Gaiman, All I Know About Love
Why it works: Simple, contemporary, and centered on commitment that feels real—not performative.
Best for: Laid-back couples who want heart without the Hallmark soundtrack.
Copyright note: Keep it short.
7) The poetic, not-too-precious option: E.E. Cummings (selected secular love poems)
Why it works: Iconic, lyrical, and familiar to guests in a “ohhh, this one” way.
Best for: Short ceremonies where you want one beautiful moment and then: celebration.
8) The “we built a life” option: A personal letter you write
Why it works: Nothing beats specificity. Your actual story > any book excerpt.
Best for: Couples who want intimacy and authenticity (especially in micro weddings).
Format that works:
3–5 sentences: what you admire
2–3 sentences: what you promise
1 line: why today matters
9) The pop-culture wink (done tastefully): A short excerpt from your shared favorite
Think: a line from the book you both reread, a movie quote you both can’t quit, or a poem you found together.
Why it works: It’s instantly personal—guests learn something about you.
Rule: Choose something that still sounds good out loud and out of context.
10) The winery-specific slam dunk: A “what we believe about love” paragraph
This is the DIY reading mentioned in our ceremony planning post—and it’s wildly effective.
Why it works: You can make it secular, modern, inclusive, and exactly your tone.
Template (steal this):
“We believe love is…” (values)
“We believe marriage is…” (daily practice)
“We believe community is…” (chosen family support)
“Today, we…” (the choice)
Where readings fit in a non-religious ceremony (simple flow)
If you want a ceremony that still feels classic (processional → vows → rings → pronouncement), tuck the reading here:
Welcome / context
Your story
Reading (one)
Declaration of intent
Vows
Rings
Pronouncement
That structure stays smooth, meaningful, and on-time.
Make it feel “Sierra Foothills” (without forcing it)
Readings hit extra hard when the setting supports them. If you’re hosting in the Sierra Foothills—Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, or out toward Sacramento wine-country day trips—lean into nature, grounded language, and warmth. Think: vineyard views, oak trees, barrel room glow, and a toast waiting on the other side.
Want to see how different ceremony setups look (ceremony lawn vs. indoor vibes)? Browse the Naggiar winery wedding photo gallery:
Planning your ceremony at Naggiar (the practical part)
If you’re building a secular ceremony and want it to flow cleanly with the rest of the day, start with packages and logistics first—then pick your reading.
Exploring something smaller? See micro wedding options.
Ready to talk dates/timing? Submit your wedding inquiry.
Pro tips
Choose one reading and let vows carry the emotional weight.
Give your reader a printed copy + big font + a backup copy.
Have the officiant introduce the reading with one sentence about why you chose it.
If you want a unity moment, keep it under 90 seconds (wine box ceremonies are very “winery appropriate”).
Common mistakes
Picking a reading that looks nice on a page but sounds weird out loud. (Read it aloud. Always.)
Letting someone improvise “spiritual” language you didn’t want—be clear in writing.
Using three readings “because we couldn’t choose.” Choose. Your guests will thank you.
FAQs
Q1: What are the best non-religious wedding readings?
A: Short poetry (Mary Oliver, Angelou), brief literature excerpts (Austen, Gaiman), or a personal letter/values paragraph written by you.
Q2: How long should a wedding reading be?
A: Aim for 45–90 seconds. One reading is ideal; two max.
Q3: Can we use song lyrics as a secular reading?
A: Yes, but keep it brief and check copyright rules. Often it’s better to paraphrase the idea or use a short excerpt.
Q4: Who should read it?
A: Whoever can deliver it clearly without turning it into an inside-joke roast. Best friend, sibling, parent, or officiant all work.
Q5: How do we keep the ceremony fully non-religious?
A: Decide what language you don’t want (prayer, scripture, blessings) and give the officiant a written note plus an approved script.
