Wedding speech

I have been invited to make up a reading at one of my friend's wedding's.
It was quite difficult, as they don't really believe in God, but I tried my best to write something meaningful and what may be helpful to them.
They wanted it to have humour in it, but a lot of the humour was inappropriate (down playing marriage), so I added some light-hearted humour.
I took bits and pieces from books, which helped.
They are not Catholic and are not being married in a Church, but here is what I came up with:











The powerful union of marriage, provides the path for you to learn how to love another imperfect person unconditionally. It is wonderful. It is difficult. It is life changing.

Love isn't what we feel, but what we do. It is a decision and a choice, not just a feeling.

Love endures. It refuses to give up. Today you are saying to your spouse, “Even when you don’t like me – I will choose to love you anyway. Forever.” Because love never fails.

To the bride - The only time a woman really succeeds in changing a man, is when he's a baby.
And if your husband comes home, and the kids are still alive, you’ve done your job!

To the groom - Always grant the possibility that she may be right, even if you don’t believe it.
And, always hold hands. If you let go, she shops!

Love seeks understanding. When you were trying to win the heart of your spouse, you studied them. You learned their likes, dislikes, habits and hobbies. Keep studying each other, even after you are married. You are then seeking to ‘understand’ each other.

View your marriage relationship as a covenant instead of a contract. Realizing it as a covenant means, you are giving yourself to the other and committing to this marriage for life.

Strive to be selfless. We can all be selfish, but love does not seek its own. You either make decisions out of love for others or love for yourself. Being selfless, is putting the happiness of your partner above your own. Regard one another as more important than yourselves.

Marriage is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right partner.
Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That's why it's a comfort to go hand in hand!

Your life together is before you. Take hold of it and never let go. May God bless you as you begin this adventure together.