Most people automatically think of having a wedding poem read during their ceremony. This is of course a great way to express your unique love story to your guests. But what are some other ways to incorporate a commissioned, custom wedding poem into your wedding plans? Here are some ideas:
- On your wedding website: Wondering what to write about yourselves on your website? A custom (non-cheesy!) poem about who you are as couple can be a great focal point for your home page. In the poem, I can focus on how you met, a place you love, or your wedding venue. See my Wedding Poem Questionnaire for more details.
- On save the dates: A custom wedding poem would be a lovely and unexpected addition.
- As part of your invitation: You could include the poem beautifully printed as an enclosure card, or include a line or two on the actual invitation.
- As a ‘day of’ wedding gift: Unsure what to get your partner as a gift the day of the wedding? A custom poem is such a personal, thoughtful gift that your partner will cherish for decades. You could even have it framed so he or she has something to unwrap – your photographer will also get some great photos of them reading it that morning!
- Sewn into wedding dress or lapel: A twist on the tradition of incorporating an heirloom or something of sentimental value into wedding clothes.
- On wedding signage: Instead of a quote about love, why not have your very own custom poem on display for your guests? Or as the backdrop to your ceremony?
- On the wedding program: At my own wedding, I included my own “Epithalamium” (wedding poem) on the back of the wedding program.
- Written out on wish paper and released to the sky: Wish paper is such a whimsical addition to any aspect of your wedding – I can imagine doing this as part of your ceremony, or even sending your poem into the air on your first year anniversary!
- Included in vow books: Having your vows and your poem printed side by side will make a beautiful wedding heirloom.
- As part of the table design: Who says flowers have to be the centerpiece? At this wedding a poem was placed at every table setting. I’ve also seen poems printed on table runners.
- Read as a voiceover for your wedding video: Your poem will take on cinematic significance when used as voiceover in your wedding video. This is one of my favorite ways I’ve seen couples use their wedding poem!
- In your wedding album: I included my own wedding poem on the last page of my album, right after the picture of my husband and I waving to our guests from the back of a boat as we sailed off into Long Island Sound.
- As a wedding gift: If you know someone getting married and want to get them an unconventional gift, consider commissioning a poem for them. I have a separate questionnaire I can send you to fill out about the couple.
- Included in your thank you’s: Have you poem printed as personalized thank you cards, or include it as an insert. Can’t you see friends and family putting the poem on their fridge, or in a place they put keepsakes?
- In a wedding announcement: This may be especially important now as wedding guest lists are pared down because of Covid. A mailed custom poem is a personal way for friends and family who couldn’t make it to your wedding to still feel remembered and involved. Eloping? A custom poem could also be a unique way to let everyone know after you elope!
- As an “after the wedding” poem: I think more people should consider this option. So many wonderful, unexpected things happen on your wedding day (it rains, or it snows, or you all end up swimming in your clothes in the ocean at sunset). A poem written for you after the wedding can preserve these moments for all time. The “after the wedding” poem can also be a great way to connect with guests who couldn’t make it because of Covid.
- As a framed canvas print: You know you’ll frame your wedding photos, why not your poem as well? Quotes as wall art seem have been so popular these past few years – you can easily get it made into a canvas on websites like Etsy, Society 6, or Minted.
- As a tattoo: Maybe? Choose a line or the whole poem and get matching tattoos! I love looking through these literary quote tattoos as examples.
Keep in mind that none of these will work very well if you have a cheesy, sing-songy, cringeworthy poem – there are so many bad wedding poems out there! I promise a high quality, specific, non-rhyming poem written in a contemporary literary style (I have been widely published in the top literary journals in the US). I promise a poem that is completely specific to who you are as a couple. Check out these sample poems to see if I’d be a good fit for you!
What are some ways you have (or plan to) incorporate a wedding poem into your celebration? Anything that’s not on this list? I’d love to see photos!