This past year brought unconventional twists on our traditions. To say that 2020 was crazy is nothing when you think about weddings in 2020. As a few of my brave friends found ways to tie the knot last year I struggled with how to bless them. These 36 Bible verses for wedding blessings were what I used to shower encouragement worthy of the marriage commitment.
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Wedding Blessings From The Bible
There are so many blessings in the Bible that it was the first place I thought to look for wedding blessings. The Bible is filled with advice on love and unity as well as peace and commitment. In fact, I would say the Bible is the authority on love and marriage. Repeatedly Scripture commands us to love others well.
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1 Corinthians 13:1 ESV
These Bible verses for wedding blessings touch on the topic of love and can be applied to every area of married life.
Why Should We Read Bible Verses At A Wedding?
Before we dig into the Scripture for weddings we have to address a question many people will ask. Why read Bible verses at a wedding at all?
Interestingly, wedding readings from the Bible are used in Christian and secular weddings alike. The truth is, the Bible is considered an authority on love and marriage by many in our culture and has been for centuries.
The most common Biblical text read at weddings comes from 1 Corinthians 13 and outlines the way people should show love to each other.
“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NASB
Related: 13 Powerful Ways to Show 1 Corinthians 13 Love in Marriage
Inviting God into the Marriage
The Bible is read at weddings because it is considered an authority on love and commitment. However, there are other reasons. Inviting God into your marriage to bless and protect you is commonplace in Western culture.
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3 ESV
God initiated the institution of marriage and still has a purpose for it today. Since God created the very idea of marriage it only stands to reason that inviting Him into your marriage will bring blessings.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Related: 10 Biblical Reasons for Marriage that Still Apply Today
Bible Verses for Wedding Blessings
Wedding blessings are made at several points throughout the wedding, the reception, rehearsal dinner, and at other times throughout the occasion. If you are looking for a general blessing for one of those times this is my favorite scripture for weddings.
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; and the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 ESV
If however, you are looking for something more specific, see the categories below.
What Scripture is The Marriage Vows?
Many couples write their own wedding vows but still include Scripture. Traditional marriage vows include some variation of these two wedding readings from the Bible.
“Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 ESV
The idea of leaving your father and mother often features toward the beginning in some way. It brings with it the idea that there will be unity in this new family being created. Unity brings blessing! The marriage vows often end with some variation of this Bible verse.
“What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:9 ESV
Related: 38 Bible Verses About Love and Marriage
Wedding Blessings for Love
As weddings are a time to celebrate the love of the happy couple, wedding blessings highlighting that love is very popular. It is difficult to narrow down what the Bible says about love, but these are some of the more popular Bible verses for wedding blessings of love.
“Enjoy life with the wife whom you love” Ecclesiastes 9:9 ESV
These scriptures for weddings can be used in the vows or as a toast in the reception or rehearsal dinner. They are easily adaptable and encouraging!
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18 ESV
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV
Related: 16 Characteristics of a Godly Wife
Selfless Love Scripture for Weddings
I enjoy sharing deeper verses at weddings because it is a good reminder that love is selfless. Now, at the wedding, they will remember this principle, but I always pray it is something that they remember every day. Selfless love lasts a lifetime!
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV
Selfless love is like a seal and every day they will see their wedding rings and be reminded of that seal. This is a beautiful verse to bless the happy couple with.
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death.” Song of Solomon 8:6-7
Love can be the force that binds us together for a time, but it is a choice and we have to choose it, again and again, our whole lives. It is when we chose to love that we live in harmony.
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:14 ESV
Wedding Blessings for Unity
Weddings are all about love and unity, but we tend toward the love side of them. Bible verses about unity are a great way to bring balance and blessing to the couple.
“But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mark 10:6-9 ESV
The Bible clearly states that marriage unites a couple. The idea is repeated over and over. The old family is changed and a new family is formed. In fact, the couple change in the process becoming one in ways they never dreamed of.
“He answered, “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Matthew 19:4-6 ESV
The unity that comes from marriage is a blessing. Two are better than one in many ways. This Scripture for weddings highlights that blessing.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 ESV
Wedding Blessings for Companionship
We’ve seen that weddings celebrate love and unity, but I love to think long term. Companionship is a blessing of marriage that can not be overstated. The Bible is clear that we needed this so why not bless the couple by reminding them?
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” Genesis 2:18 ESV
Wedding readings from the Bible make clear that we reflect our creator. He is relational just as we are and thrives on companionship. In this way, we remember and remind everyone there that this life is a small part of the bigger story of God in our lives.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply” Genesis 1:27-28 ESV
That bigger story is that we all need God in our lives. Yes, two are better than one and we are blessed with unity and companionship through marriage, but it’s not enough. When we invite God into our lives we have a third party fighting for our marriage! Victory and happily ever after is on the other side of that combination!
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV
Wedding Blessings about Respect and Submission
At first, you might be shocked to see this Scripture for weddings about submission and respect, but just stick with me. Whether we like or dislike the words, they are Biblical and when embraced they bring blessings you can’t imagine.
“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” Colossians 3:18-19 ESV
Submit and respect often go hand in hand. They are both a choice we make. The choice to submit in marriage is more about choosing to obey God, submit to God than to submit to your husband.
“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word” Ephesians 5:22-33 ESV
Wedding Blessings To Inspire Hope
There are times we just want to share hope with the ones we love. These are verses that don’t fit into another category but bring such hope I had to include them.
“I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:1-3 ESV
Faith, hope, and love are three pieces we need for contentment in life. Marriage is a beautiful time to remind others of those. The couple is choosing love but will need faith and hope to see the commitment through.
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV
Finally, I thought this would better fit the category of hope than love. Yes, it speaks to love but more to the choice to love no matter what. That brings hope to me knowing that love often fades. We can renew that love with hope anytime.
“Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.” Song of Solomon 8:7 ESV
Related: 17 Encouraging Psalms of Hope When Things Seem Out of Control
What Do You Say In a Wedding Blessing?
Have you ever been tasked with a wedding speech? How do you say a wedding blessing? I’ve thought of how to share these Bible verses for wedding blessings and decided to split them into four groups.
- Scripture for wedding blessings to the groom
- Bible verses for wedding blessings to the bride
- Scriptures you can write on a wedding card
- Strong wedding blessings
Scripture for Wedding Blessings To The Groom
When the wedding blessing is to the groom I always want to say remind him of the blessing of his new wife. A wife is a blessing, according to the Bible and this is my favorite verse on that topic.
“He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” Proverbs 18:22 ESV
Earlier we touched on the topic of submission in marriage. The Bible is not sexist. There are also commands given to the husband to love his wife. I feel this is usually just glossed over so often I feel compelled to add it to any wedding blessings.
“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” Colossians 3:19 ESV
Not only are husbands to love their wives well, but they are also to show them understanding. This is not just a command, but a command with a consequence. It is important for husbands to understand that God cares how they treat His daughters.
“Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7 ESV
Bible Verses for Wedding Blessings To The Bride:
When giving a wedding blessing to the bride there are also things I feel compelled to include. It is easy to think that love will always shine and life will be perfect forever. However, when love does fade, we need to be reminded of how to show that love we chose.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV
It is also important for a wife to be reminded that she is a blessing. God loves His children and yet we so often lose our identity and drift along aimlessly. This is my favorite verse to share to encourage wives to never forget they are a blessing.
“House and wealth are inherited from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” Proverbs 19:14 ESV
What Message Can You Write In a Wedding Card?
Cards are a great place to add Bible verses for wedding blessings. They are read and tucked into albums to be read again and again. This is a perfect place to share things that will encourage the couple even years from the day of the wedding.
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
Reminders to love, and to choose love, are great for wedding cards. When the couple read them on the wedding day they will smile, but years later they will read them with fresh seasoned eyes and be reminded. Love is a choice we make every day.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1
It is also a great time to remind them that God is their provider. All too often we set unrealistic expectations that lead to idolatry. We need firm reminders of who God is and who our spouse is.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 ESV
Wedding cards are a great place to remind the couple that even if they go through hard seasons God is there. Not only is God there, but He will take care of them and bring good from the hard.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 ESV
And in the midst of the hard times, we need each other. We need to keep encouraging each other and lifting each other up. It is one of the best blessings of marriage; companionship, love, and unity through the good and the bad of life.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” Hebrews 10:24 ESV
Related: 38 Encouraging Bible Verses to Encourage One Another Daily
Strong Wedding Blessings to Take Marriage Seriously
This section might seem a bit extreme, but I am the extreme kind of friend. As a person who has been divorced, I never take marriage lightly and I don’t want others to either. Marriage is a serious covenant that should be taken as such. Don’t go into it with an exit strategy!
“For the man who does not love his wife but divorces her, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless.” Malachi 2:16 ESV
I also caution couples about guarding themselves against the temptations of infidelity. Pornography, inappropriate friendships, sexting, and the like are the norm in our culture. We must be intentional to guard our marriage against those things and more.
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” Hebrews 13:4-7
Whether you are sharing some of these 36 Bible verses for wedding blessings in person or in a card they are sure to encourage! Over this past year, as I had to be creative to bless friends getting married virtually I found these Scripture for weddings about love and unity are my favorite. However, the wedding readings from the Bible can also bring great inspiration!
How will you use these Scriptures for wedding blessings?
in HIM, Tiffany
