There is a reason couples reach for Scripture on their wedding day. Not as decoration or religious formality — but because they sense, even before the full weight of marriage has made itself known, that what they are beginning is larger than the two of them and will require something larger than the two of them to sustain it. The vows are a beginning. The love is real. But the covenant needs a foundation that holds through the seasons that don’t look anything like the wedding day — and Scripture has been providing that foundation to marriages for thousands of years, through circumstances that would have broken anything built on less.
That’s exactly what this collection of wedding Bible verses is here to offer. You’ll find the best Scripture verses for wedding ceremonies, vows, programs, and speeches — on covenant love that chooses daily, on the marriage that reflects Christ and the Church, on patience and kindness and not keeping score, on the cord of three strands that does not quickly break, and on the God who was present at the first wedding in the garden and has never stopped caring deeply about the ones that followed. Choose the ones that speak most truthfully to the marriage you are beginning. Write them into the ceremony. Let them be the first words spoken over the union — because the words chosen on the first day have a way of becoming the ones the marriage returns to on every hard day that follows.
JUMP TO:
Before the Day Even Begins — What This Moment Is Actually About
- “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1 (NIV)
- “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Matthew 19:5–6 (NIV)
- “That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24 (NIV)
- “The Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.'” — Genesis 2:18 (NIV)
- “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother, and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.” — Genesis 2:24 (NASB)
- “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” — Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)
- “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
- “Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.” — Proverbs 19:14 (NIV)
- “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV)
- “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” — Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV)
- “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.” — Song of Solomon 6:3 (NIV)
- “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” — Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV)
- “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” — James 1:17 (NIV)
- “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” — Psalm 37:4 (NIV)
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV)
- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV)
The One That Was Written for This Moment — 1 Corinthians 13 in Full
- “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” — 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NIV)
- “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
- “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” — 1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV)
- “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
- “It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
- “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” — 1 Corinthians 13:6 (NIV)
- “It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” — 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV)
- “Love never fails.” — 1 Corinthians 13:8 (NIV)
- “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; we see only a partial picture. Then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” — 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)
- “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
- “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” — 1 Corinthians 13:7 (NLT)
- “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4–5 (ESV)
- “It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)
- “It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” — 1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)
- “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)
What You’re Promising Each Other — Vows the Bible Already Wrote
- “Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.” — Song of Solomon 8:6 (NIV)
- “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned.” — Song of Solomon 8:7 (NIV)
- “Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried.” — Ruth 1:16–17 (NIV)
- “I am my beloved’s and he is mine.” — Song of Solomon 6:3 (NIV)
- “My beloved is mine and I am his.” — Song of Solomon 2:16 (NIV)
- “You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride; you have stolen my heart with one glance of your eyes.” — Song of Solomon 4:9 (NIV)
- “How beautiful you are, my darling! Oh, how beautiful!” — Song of Solomon 1:15 (NIV)
- “I belong to my beloved, and his desire is for me.” — Song of Solomon 7:10 (NIV)
- “His left arm is under my head, and his right arm embraces me.” — Song of Solomon 8:3 (NIV)
- “Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth — for your love is more delightful than wine.” — Song of Solomon 1:2 (NIV)
- “I have found the one whom my soul loves.” — Song of Solomon 3:4 (NIV)
- “Your love is better than wine.” — Song of Solomon 1:2 (ESV)
- “His banner over me was love.” — Song of Solomon 2:4 (ESV)
- “As a lily among brambles, so is my love among the young women.” — Song of Solomon 2:2 (ESV)
- “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” — Song of Solomon 2:10 (ESV)
- “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” — Song of Solomon 6:3 (ESV)
The Marriage God Had in Mind — What Husband and Wife Were Made to Be to Each Other
- “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” — Ephesians 5:25 (NIV)
- “In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.” — Ephesians 5:28–29 (NIV)
- “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” — 1 Peter 3:7 (NIV)
- “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” — Proverbs 31:10–11 (NIV)
- “She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” — Proverbs 31:12 (NIV)
- “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” — Proverbs 31:25 (NIV)
- “Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: ‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.'” — Proverbs 31:28–29 (NIV)
- “Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth.” — Proverbs 5:18 (NLT)
- “May you always be captivated by her love.” — Proverbs 5:19 (NLT)
- “An excellent wife is the crown of her husband.” — Proverbs 12:4 (ESV)
- “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord.” — Ephesians 5:22 (NIV)
- “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” — Ephesians 5:33 (NIV)
- “The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.” — Proverbs 31:11 (ESV)
- “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” — Proverbs 31:30 (NIV)
- “Do everything in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (NIV)
- “Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.” — Ephesians 5:2 (NIV)
Verses for the Ceremony — Scripture That Belongs at the Altar
- “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
- “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” — Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
- “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” — Psalm 133:1 (NIV)
- “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” — 1 John 4:7 (ESV)
- “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” — 1 John 4:16 (ESV)
- “We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
- “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
- “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” — Colossians 3:14 (NIV)
- “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” — Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
- “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (NIV)
- “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 15:13 (NIV)
- “So they are no longer two, but one flesh.” — Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
- “What God has joined together, let no one separate.” — Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
- “For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge.” — Ruth 1:16 (ESV)
- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.” — Numbers 6:24–25 (NIV)
- “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.” — Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
Building a Home Together — What the Foundation Has to Be
- “By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” — Proverbs 24:3–4 (ESV)
- “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” — Psalm 127:1 (ESV)
- “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” — Joshua 24:15 (NIV)
- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” — Matthew 7:24–25 (NIV)
- “Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV)
- “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 (NIV)
- “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” — Romans 12:15 (NIV)
- “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:2–3 (NIV)
- “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” — Philippians 2:3–4 (NIV)
- “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
- “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)
- “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
- “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
- “Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife.” — Proverbs 17:1 (NIV)
- “The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.” — Psalm 84:11 (NIV)
- “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord.” — Proverbs 18:22 (NIV)
Love Rooted in God — Why This Marriage Is Bigger Than the Two of You
- “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” — 1 John 4:7 (NIV)
- “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” — 1 John 4:10–11 (NIV)
- “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” — 1 John 4:12 (NIV)
- “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 (NIV)
- “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NIV)
- “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” — John 13:34 (NIV)
- “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13 (NIV)
- “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” — John 15:12 (NIV)
- “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” — Romans 8:38–39 (NIV)
- “The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: ‘Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.'” — Jeremiah 31:3 (NKJV)
- “He has taken me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” — Song of Solomon 2:4 (NIV)
- “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” — Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)
- “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” — 1 John 4:18 (NIV)
- “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” — Ephesians 3:17–18 (NIV)
- “May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love.” — Ephesians 3:17 (AMPC)
- “God is love.” — 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
For the Hard Days That Come After the Beautiful Day
- “Love is patient, love is kind.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
- “It keeps no record of wrongs.” — 1 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV)
- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
- “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” — Ephesians 4:26–27 (NIV)
- “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” — Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)
- “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)
- “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” — Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)
- “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” — Romans 12:18 (NIV)
- “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.” — Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
- “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
- “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” — Romans 8:28 (NIV)
- “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” — Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 (NIV)
- “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” — Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
- “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
- “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.” — 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NIV)
- “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” — Proverbs 3:3 (NIV)
Prayers and Blessings to Speak Over This Marriage
- “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. And may he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father.” — 1 Thessalonians 3:12–13 (NIV)
- “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” — 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 (NIV)
- “May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 15:5–6 (NIV)
- “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” — Ephesians 3:20–21 (NIV)
- “May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” — Psalm 20:4 (NIV)
- “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:24–26 (NIV)
- “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” — Ephesians 3:16–17 (NIV)
- “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.” — Ephesians 3:17–18 (NIV)
- “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” — Philippians 1:2 (NIV)
- “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth.” — Proverbs 5:18 (NIV)
- “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.” — Psalm 90:14 (NIV)
- “This is what God has joined together, let man not separate.” — Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
- “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” — Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
- “May you be blessed by the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” — Psalm 115:15 (NIV)
- “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” — Philippians 4:23 (NIV)
The Last Word at Every Wedding — Joy, Celebration, and What God Says About This Day
- “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” — Psalm 100:1–2 (NIV)
- “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
- “He brought me to the banquet hall, and his banner over me is love.” — Song of Solomon 2:4 (NLT)
- “I will rejoice greatly in the Lord, my soul will exult in my God; for He has clothed me with garments of salvation, He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” — Isaiah 61:10 (NASB)
- “Rejoice with those who rejoice.” — Romans 12:15 (NIV)
- “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” — John 10:10 (NIV)
- “When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.'” — John 2:3, 7–8 (NIV)
- “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory.” — John 2:11 (NIV)
- “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” — Revelation 19:7 (NIV)
- “Blessed are those invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” — Revelation 19:9 (NIV)
- “The Lord your God will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” — Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
- “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17 (NIV)
- “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” — Psalm 34:8 (NIV)
- “I thank my God every time I remember you.” — Philippians 1:3 (NIV)
- “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” — Revelation 22:20–21 (NIV)