Readings enhance your wedding ceremony in Italy in many ways. First of all, they give a personal touch to the feelings you want to express. Secondly, they break the rhythm of the standard ceremony wording. Finally, they give your guests a chance to come up and dedicate a personal moment to the two of you.

Choose readings from Italian literature

Make the readings in your wedding ceremony in Italy shine with the Italian spirit by adding literature from the classics.

One of Italy’s most famous poets is Dante Alighieri, author of the Divine Comedy. His epic, three-volume narrative is one that all Italians learn by heart in high school. The story takes the reader through Hell, Purgatory and Heaven with Dante’s ideal woman, Beatrice as your guide.

He wrote the following poems for her, here we have translated the excerpts into English.

Io mi senti’ svegliar dentro a lo core

Io mi senti’ svegliar dentro a lo core
Un spirito amoroso che dormia:
E poi vidi venir da lungi Amore
Allegro sì, che appena il conoscia,

Dicendo: “Or pensa pur di farmi onore”;
E ’n ciascuna parola sua ridia.
E poco stando meco il mio segnore,
Guardando in quella parte onde venia,
[…]

E sì come la mente mi ridice,
Amor mi disse: “Quell’è Primavera,
E quell’ha nome Amor, sì mi somiglia”.

I Felt a Loving Spirit Suddenly

I felt a loving spirit suddenly,
past a long slumber, in my heart arise;
from far away then Love I seemed to see,
so glad, I could his face ill recognize.

He told me, “Do your best to honor me,”
and laughter in each word I did surmise.
With my lord there, I was still eagerly
watching his steps, when I, to my surprise,

[…]

And—here is what I am reminded of—
Love said, “That one is Spring, and she
resembles me so much, since her name is Love.”

Tutti li miei penser parlan d’Amore

Tutti li miei penser parlan d’Amore;
E hanno in lor sì gran varietate,
Ch’altro mi fa voler sua potestate,
Altro folle ragiona il suo valore,
Altro sperando m’apporta dolzore, 5
Altro pianger mi fa spesse fiate;
E sol s’accordano in cherer pietate,
Tremando di paura che è nel core.
Ond’io non so da qual matera prenda;
E vorrei dire, e non so ch’io mi dica: 10
Così mi trovo in amorosa erranza.
E se con tutti voi’ fare accordanza,
Convenemi chiamar la mia nemica,
Madonna la Pietà, che mi difenda

All of My Thoughts Can Only Speak of Love

All of my thoughts can only speak of Love,
greatly endowed with such variety
that one compels me all his might to see,
madly another does his valor prove,
another makes me hope as well as grieve, 5
and still another brings but tears to me:
on begging but for pity they agree,
such are the fears that in my heart still live.
Thus, with no subject wherefrom to commence,
I wish to speak, and know not what to say, 10
in such a lovely labyrinth am I!
And if for peaceful living now I sigh,
invoke I must my only foe today—
my Lady Mercy in my sole defense

 

Adding a reading to your wedding ceremony in Italy, especially if your Italian wedding celebrant is authentic, creates an unforgettable moment that your guests will remember forever!