A line from a film you both love can say what a poem cannot. It makes guests smile, it feels like the two of you, and it takes ten seconds. The catch is that most film and TV scripts are under copyright, and a full speech is rarely as moving out of context as it is on screen.
So this guide gives you the short lines that work, the scene they come from and how to use each one. We keep quotes brief on purpose. Read the line, say where it comes from, and let the rest of the ceremony carry the weight.
Quick guide: all 9 readings by speaking time. Tap a column heading to sort.
| # | Reading | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jerry Maguire (1996) | 25 sec |
| 2 | Love Actually (2003) | 30 sec |
| 3 | The Princess Bride (1987) | 25 sec |
| 4 | Notting Hill (1999) | 35 sec |
| 5 | Up (2009) | 25 sec |
| 6 | Casablanca (1942) | 20 sec |
| 7 | Titanic (1997) | 20 sec |
| 8 | 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) | 25 sec |
| 9 | Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813) | 40 sec |
Movie Lines That Work In A Ceremony
Jerry Maguire (1996)
The lines: "You complete me" and "You had me at hello." Jerry says the first at the end of the film, and Dorothy's reply is the second.
How to use it: a sentimental pair that guests will recognize at once. Have your reader say both, one after the other, then pause. It works as a lead-in to the vows.
Love Actually (2003)
The line: "To me, you are perfect." It is written on a cue card that Mark holds up outside Juliet's door, in the film's best-loved scene.
How to use it: print it on a card and have a friend hold it up during the ceremony, or read it as the close of a longer reading. It also works as a sign at the reception.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The line: "As you wish." Westley says it whenever Buttercup gives him an order, and the film reveals that it means "I love you."
How to use it: a good close for a reading about service and devotion, or a line the couple say to each other. Fans of the film will fill in the rest.
Notting Hill (1999)
The scene: near the end of the film, Anna tells William that she is just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her. It is one of the most quoted declarations in romantic comedy.
How to use it: have the reader describe the moment in a few words, then say it plainly in their own language. It suits a couple who share a love of the film.
Up (2009)
The line: "Thanks for the adventure. Now go have a new one." Ellie writes it in her adventure book for her husband Carl.
How to use it: a gentle choice for a couple who plan to travel, and for a reading about gratitude. It is also fitting at a second wedding.
Casablanca (1942)
The line: "Here's looking at you, kid." Rick says it more than once to Ilsa. In the same film, "We'll always have Paris" is the line people remember.
How to use it: a toast, or a quote on a program cover. It suits a couple who like classic film.
Titanic (1997)
The line: "You jump, I jump." Jack says it to Rose on the ship's deck.
How to use it: a short, playful pledge of loyalty. Say it as a joke before a serious reading, or use it as a sign at the sweetheart table.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
The line: "not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all." It ends Kat's poem about the person she says she hates, which turns out to be about someone she loves.
How to use it: a good closing line for a funny reading. See our funny wedding readings for more with this mix of laughs and sincerity.
A Full Reading From A Classic Novel
Some of the best "screen" romance started on the page, and the older books are in the public domain. That means you can read the whole passage and print it.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)
Mr. Darcy's first proposal to Elizabeth Bennet is one of the most famous declarations in English. This is the line from the novel.
"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
How to use it: a reader can say it in full, about fifteen seconds, as a romantic opening. Elizabeth refuses him at first, so it suits a couple with a sense of humor about their own story.
More Film And TV Readings On This Site
Our guide to non-religious wedding readings includes a section of passages from films and TV, with shows and films such as The Wedding Singer, Friends, Sex and the City, The Notebook, Grey's Anatomy and When Harry Met Sally.
How To Use A Film Or TV Quote Well
- Keep it short. A line or two works. A long speech can drag when it is read without the music, the actor and the scene.
- Say where it comes from. One sentence of setup ("This is from the film we watched on our first date") makes the quote personal.
- Pair it with something of your own. A movie line followed by a short original reading, such as one from our short wedding readings, gives the moment more weight.
- Know your audience. A line that depends on a show half the room has not seen will not land. Choose a film that most guests know.
- Credit the source in print. If you print a quote in your program, add the title and year. For anything longer than a line or two, check the rules of the rights holder.
- Check with your officiant. A religious ceremony may not allow a secular quote. Save it for the reception, where it works as a toast.
Movie And TV Reading Questions
Can we read a movie quote at our wedding?
Yes. Reading a short line aloud at a private ceremony is common. If you plan to print a long passage in a program or put it in a wedding video, check the rules of the rights holder.
How long should a movie reading be?
Short. A single line, or two or three sentences, takes under fifteen seconds. If you want a longer reading, use it with a poem or a public domain passage.
Can we use a movie quote as a vow?
Some couples do. A line such as "You had me at hello" can be a playful closing line after personal vows. Most couples keep the main vows in their own words.
What about TV shows?
The same rules apply. Choose a short line or a short speech, say where it is from and check it fits the ceremony. Our non-religious readings list several TV sources.