Weddings are one of the most significant milestones in a person’s life, symbolizing the union of two people in love. They are often celebrated with great joy, surrounded by family, friends, and a sense of community. One of the most powerful ways to express the deep feelings of love and friendship at a wedding is through poetry. Poems have the ability to capture the essence of human connection, offering not just beautiful words but also timeless sentiments that resonate deeply with couples and their loved ones.
Throughout history, many poems have been written that explore the themes of love, friendship, and companionship—ideal for weddings. These works have been recited at countless ceremonies, and their words continue to inspire generations. In this article, we explore twelve of the most famous poems about love and friendship, each accompanied by an analysis that highlights their relevance to weddings and the lifelong bonds they celebrate.
The 12 Most Famous Poems About Love and Friendship for Weddings in History
1. “Sonnet 18” by William Shakespeare
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimmed;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimmed;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade
Nor lose possession of that fair thou owest;
Nor shall Death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st;
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives my love, and this gives life to thee.
William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 18,” often referred to as “Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer’s Day?”, is one of the most iconic poems about eternal love. The poet compares his lover to a summer day, noting how the lover surpasses nature’s beauty in many ways. However, unlike the fleeting nature of a summer day, the love expressed in this poem is eternal. This piece is perfect for weddings, as it eloquently expresses the idea of love enduring beyond time—one of the fundamental hopes of marriage.
The timeless beauty of the language and the promise of everlasting affection make this poem a common choice for couples who want to highlight the permanence of their love in the face of time and circumstance.
2. “i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)” by E.E. Cummings
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear;and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear no fate(for you are my fate, my sweet)
i want no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it’s you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you.
E.E. Cummings’ “i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)” is a celebration of love that transcends distance and time. The poet’s use of lowercase letters and unique punctuation mimics the unorthodox and all-encompassing nature of love itself. This poem suggests that love is so deeply intertwined that two people are inseparable, even when apart. The couple’s love becomes a shared experience of unity, and each person carries the other within their heart.
For a wedding, this poem speaks to the deep emotional and spiritual connection that marriage fosters. It beautifully emphasizes how, in love, two people become one—an essential sentiment for couples embarking on their journey together.
3. “The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer
It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for, and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.
It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.
“The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer is a poem that speaks to the desire to know and be known on a deeper level. It asks profound questions about life, love, and authenticity. Unlike other poems focused on romantic love, this one emphasizes the importance of understanding the depths of the other person—something that is crucial in marriage.
For weddings, “The Invitation” is perfect for couples who want to highlight their commitment to loving each other fully and authentically, facing life’s challenges and joys with mutual support.
4. “Love’s Philosophy” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean,
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In one another’s being mingle—
Why not I with thine?
In this romantic and lyrical poem, Percy Bysshe Shelley explores the idea that love is the natural force that connects everything in the universe. He uses natural imagery—fountains, rivers, oceans, and winds—to demonstrate how love unites all things, and then extends this idea to the bond between two lovers.
For a wedding, “Love’s Philosophy” is a beautiful reflection of how the union of two people is part of the larger, divine pattern of life. The poem emphasizes harmony, mutual connection, and the seamless joining of two lives.
5. “A Red, Red Rose” by Robert Burns
O my Luve’s like a red, red rose
That’s newly sprung in June;
O my Luve’s like the melodie
That’s sweetly played in tune.
As fair art thou, my bonnie lass,
So deep in love am I;
And I will love thee still, my dear,
Till a’ the seas gang dry.
Robert Burns’ “A Red, Red Rose” is one of the most famous love poems in the English language. The poet compares his love to a beautiful red rose and a sweet melody—symbols of timeless beauty and harmony. The poem is a declaration of unwavering love, with the narrator pledging his love until the end of time.
This poem is perfect for weddings, as it symbolizes both the beauty and endurance of love. Its simplicity and sincerity resonate deeply, making it an ideal choice for couples who want to celebrate their commitment to each other.
6. “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s “How Do I Love Thee?” is perhaps one of the most well-known expressions of love in literature. It answers the question of how deep and all-encompassing love can be. Through a series of comparisons, Browning expresses love in both the most grand and the most everyday moments, illustrating that love is both extraordinary and intimate.
For weddings, this poem speaks to the profound and enduring nature of marital love, making it a perfect choice for couples who want to highlight the many ways in which love sustains and enriches their lives.
7. “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.
While not a typical love poem, Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken” is often chosen for weddings because of its reflection on choices, paths, and the journey of life. The poem speaks to the decision-making process and the idea of forging a unique path with a partner.
For a wedding, “The Road Not Taken” represents the commitment of choosing one another over all other possibilities. It’s a beautiful metaphor for the lifetime of choices that a couple will make together.
8. “The Art of Marriage” by Wilferd A. Peterson
The little things are the big things.
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say “I love you” at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
“The Art of Marriage” is a modern poem that distills the essence of a successful marriage into a series of simple, yet profound principles. It emphasizes the importance of the everyday acts of love that sustain a relationship.
This poem is an ideal addition to wedding ceremonies as it serves as a guide for couples on how to nurture their love and relationship over the years. It highlights that love is not just a feeling, but a practice—something to be cultivated daily.
9. “To My Dear and Loving Husband” by Anne Bradstreet
If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
Anne Bradstreet’s poem expresses an intimate and unbreakable love between husband and wife. The poet praises her husband and the perfection of their love, asserting that their union is the ideal. The idea that they are two halves of a whole, with their love elevating their lives, resonates deeply in the context of marriage.
This poem is a perfect choice for couples who wish to celebrate the profound bond they share and emphasize the unique beauty of their relationship.
10. “Sonnet 116” by William Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove:
O no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests and is never shaken;
It is the star to every wandering bark,
Whose worth’s unknown, although his height be taken.
Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 116” is a reflection on the steadfastness and unshakable nature of true love. It describes love as something that does not change with circumstances or time. True love, according to Shakespeare, is a constant and guiding force.
For a wedding, this poem is a fitting reminder of the enduring commitment that marriage symbolizes—an unchanging love that endures through all trials and tribulations.
11. “A Marriage” by Mark Twain
“A marriage makes of two fractional lives a whole;
It gives to two purposeless lives a work,
And a hope, and a joy. It gives to two
Incompetent lives a shared, experienced power.
And it is the love of the two united in purpose,
And in the things they do together.”
Mark Twain’s “A Marriage” humorously, yet profoundly, touches on the concept of unity and the purpose marriage brings. Twain’s recognition that marriage is not just about love but about creating a shared life with goals, joys, and challenges, makes this poem incredibly relatable for couples.
For weddings, this poem highlights the transformative power of marriage, not only as a romantic union but as a partnership that enhances and elevates both individuals.
12. “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 on, you are only two people,
With the possibilities of the world before you.
“Union” by Robert Fulghum is a celebration of the shared journey that begins with a decision and unfolds with limitless possibilities. The poem speaks to the significance of commitment and the journey ahead, full of hope and potential.
For weddings, this poem is perfect for couples looking to reflect on the moment they chose one another and the exciting future they will build together.
Conclusion
In conclusion, love and friendship are the bedrock of any lasting marriage. These twelve poems, each renowned for their exploration of these themes, offer timeless wisdom and beauty that can enrich a wedding ceremony. From Shakespeare’s sonnets to modern reflections on love’s depth, these poems not only enhance the wedding experience but also offer lasting insights into the nature of love and companionship. Each poem serves as a beautiful reminder that marriage is both an emotional and spiritual journey, built on love, mutual respect, and unwavering commitment.
