Baha'i Wedding Readings & Prayers on Marriage, Family, & Faith

Baha'i weddings are unique among religious ceremonies because couples only need to say 10 simple words to marry: “We will all, verily, abide by the will of God.” These short vows can be the only words in a Baha'i religious marriage – though couples must still file a marriage license signed by a recognized officiant to satisfy state civil laws. Because the Baha’i faith values individuality, and interfaith marriages are common, many couples choose to incorporate a variety of meaningful readings alongside their vows in order to personalize the ritual.

 

Below are selected Baha'i wedding readings to help personalize your celebration. Get inspired by excerpts from Baha'i writings, prayers, stories, and teachings on the themes of marriage, family, unity, and faith. 

 

Note: Baha’i marriage vows are defined in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas (The Most Holy Book), and are exchanged in front of two witnesses, approved by the Spiritual Assembly.

 

Related: Interfaith Minister Ordination for Wedding Officiants and Celebrants

 

 

Baha'i Wedding Readings

 

On Marriage and Unity

 

Reading One

“O my Lord, O my Lord! These two bright orbs are wedded in Thy love, conjoined in servitude to Thy Holy Threshold, united in ministering to Thy Cause. Make Thou this marriage to be as threading lights of Thine abounding grace, O my Lord, the All-Merciful, and luminous rays of Thy bestowals, O Thou the Beneficent, the Ever-Giving, that there may branch out from this great tree boughs that will grow green and flourishing through the gifts that rain down from Thy clouds of grace.” 

 

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

 

Note: An unofficial translation of this prayer has become very popular, though the Baha’i organization itself discourages personal translations. It begins: “O my Lord, O my Lord! These two bright moons are wedded in Thy love…” For the official text, use the above translation; for a poetic modern version, you may use this translation. 

 

Related: An Intro to Interfaith & Interspiritual Wedding Ceremonies

 

 

Reading Two

“All loving-kindness is Thine, O Thou Who art the Object of the adoration of all humankind, inasmuch as Thou hast ordained marriage to be a cause of unity amongst Thy creatures and of the exaltation of Thy Word amidst Thy people. Through its agency, Thou hast bound together the hearts and revealed the manifestations of Thy Name, the Best-Beloved. By its means, the hidden mysteries have been disclosed from behind the mount of Thy power, and earth and heaven have been illumined with the light of Thy loving-kindness.” 

 

(Bahá’u’lláh, translated from Arabic, from the compilation To Set the World in Order: Building and Preserving Strong Marriages)

 

 

Reading Three

 

“Among the people of Bahá…marriage must be a union of the body and of the spirit…for here both husband and wife are aglow with the same wine, both are enamoured of the same matchless Face, both live and move through the same spirit, both are illumined by the same glory. This connection between them is a spiritual one, hence it is a bond that will abide forever…

 

When, therefore, the people of Bahá undertake to marry, the union must be a true relationship, a spiritual coming together as well as a physical one, so that throughout every phase of life, and in all the worlds of God, their union will endure; for this real oneness is a gleaming out of the love of God.” 

 

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, from the compilation To Set the World in Order: Building and Preserving Strong Marriages)

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Reading Four

 

“Bahá’í marriage is the commitment of the two parties one to the other, and their mutual attachment of mind and heart. Each must, however, exercise the utmost care to become thoroughly acquainted with the character of the other, that the binding covenant between them may be a tie that will endure forever. Their purpose must be this: to become loving companions and comrades and at one with each other for time and eternity…

 

The true marriage of Bahá’ís is this, that husband and wife should be united both physically and spiritually, that they may ever improve the spiritual life of each other, and may enjoy everlasting unity throughout all the worlds of God. This is Bahá’í marriage.” 

 

('Abdu’l-Bahá, from A selection of extracts from the Bahá’í writings on family life and marriage)

 

 

Reading Five

 

“O ye two birds of the celestial gardens! Render thanks unto God that ye were graciously enabled to enter into matrimony with one another and wish to establish a blessed family. I too supplicate the realm of the All-Glorious that those two intimate doves may be made to warble sweet melodies in the heaven of His bounty, so that upon the twigs of the Tree of Life they may sing, in the most wondrous tones, hymns of praise and glory to the Lord of Hosts, in order that all who hearken thereunto may be moved and filled with joy and ecstasy, may be stirred by the breezes of God’s loving-kindness, may seek eternal life, and may long for spiritual rebirth. Upon you both be the glory of the Most Glorious.” 

 

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, translated from Persian, from the compilation To Set the World in Order: Building and Preserving Strong Marriages)

 

 

On Love and Faith

 

Reading Six

 

“Know thou of a certainty that Love is the secret of God’s holy Dispensation, the manifestation of the All-Merciful, the fountain of spiritual outpourings. Love is heaven’s kindly light, the Holy Spirit’s eternal breath that vivifieth the human soul. Love is the cause of God’s revelation unto man, the vital bond inherent, in accordance with the divine creation, in the realities of things. Love is the one means that ensureth true felicity both in this world and the next. Love is the light that guideth in darkness, the living link that uniteth God with man, that assureth the progress of every illumined soul. Love is the most great law that ruleth this mighty and heavenly cycle, the unique power that bindeth together the diverse elements of this material world, the supreme magnetic force that directeth the movements of the spheres in the celestial realms. Love revealeth with unfailing and limitless power the mysteries latent in the universe. Love is the spirit of life unto the adorned body of mankind, the establisher of true civilization in this mortal world, and the shedder of imperishable glory upon every high-aiming race and nation…

 

O ye beloved of the Lord! Strive to become the manifestations of the love of God, the lamps of divine guidance shining amongst the kindreds of the earth with the light of love and concord.” 

 

('Abdu’l-Bahá, from Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá)

 

 

On Family 

 

Reading Seven

 

“...The life of a married couple should resemble the life of the angels in heaven – a life full of joy and spiritual delight, a life of unity and concord, a friendship both mental and physical. The home should be orderly and well-organized. Their ideas and thoughts should be like the rays of the sun of truth and the radiance of the brilliant stars in the heavens. Even as two birds they should warble melodies upon the branches of the tree of fellowship and harmony. They should always be elated with joy and gladness and be a source of happiness to the hearts of others. They should set an example to their fellow-men, manifest a true and sincere love towards each other and educate their children in such a manner as to blazon the fame and glory of their family.” 

 

(from the Utterances of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, translated from Persian, from the compilation Family Life: A Compilation of Extracts from the Bahá’í Writings and from Letters Written by and on Behalf of Shoghi Effendi and the Universal House of Justice)

 

 

Baha’i Wedding Prayers

 

A Prayer for Gathering

 

“O Thou kind Lord! These are Thy servants who have gathered in this meeting, have turned unto Thy kingdom and are in need of Thy bestowal and blessing. O Thou God! Manifest and make evident the signs of Thy oneness which have been deposited in all the realities of life. Reveal and unfold the virtues which Thou hast made latent and concealed in these human realities.

 

O God! We are as plants, and Thy bounty is as the rain; refresh and cause these plants to grow through Thy bestowal. We are Thy servants; free us from the fetters of material existence. We are ignorant; make us wise. We are dead; make us alive. We are material; endow us with spirit. We are deprived; make us the intimates of Thy mysteries. We are needy; enrich and bless us from Thy boundless treasury. O God! Resuscitate us; give us sight; give us hearing; familiarize us with the mysteries of life, so that the secrets of Thy kingdom may become revealed to us in this world of existence and we may confess Thy oneness. Every bestowal emanates from Thee; every benediction is Thine.

 

Thou art mighty. Thou art powerful. Thou art the Giver, and Thou art the Ever-Bounteous.” 

 

('Abdu’l‑Bahá, from Bahá’í Prayers: A Selection of Prayers Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá)

 

 

A Prayer on Marriage

 

“He is God! O peerless Lord! In Thine almighty wisdom Thou hast enjoined marriage upon the peoples, that the generations of men may succeed one another in this contingent world, and that ever, so long as the world shall last, they may busy themselves at the Threshold of Thy oneness with servitude and worship, with salutation, adoration and praise. ‘I have not created spirits and men, but that they should worship me.’ Wherefore, wed Thou in the heaven of Thy mercy these two birds of the nest of Thy love, and make them the means of attracting perpetual grace; that from the union of these two seas of love a wave of tenderness may surge and cast the pearls of pure and goodly issue on the shore of life. ‘He hath let loose the two seas, that they meet each other: Between them is a barrier which they overpass not. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will ye deny? From each He bringeth up greater and lesser pearls.’

O Thou kind Lord! Make Thou this marriage to bring forth coral and pearls. Thou art verily the All-Powerful, the Most Great, the Ever-Forgiving.” 

 

(Abdu’l‑Bahá, from Bahá’í Prayers: A Selection of Prayers Revealed by Bahá’u’lláh, the Báb, and ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá)

 

 

Next Step: Add Your Favorite Reading to Your Wedding Script

 

Read to integrate your favorite quotes and excerpts into your own wedding ceremony? American Marriage Ministries offers a collection of free wedding scripts to serve as a starting place for your celebration. 

 

Then, read a real Baha’i wedding ceremony speech written by a close friend for inspiration on how to seamlessly write your own personal wedding talk (linked article is not affiliated with AMM): Giving a talk at Bahai Weddings
 

Related: Universal Love, Life, and Light Wedding Ceremony Script

 

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Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Baha'i Wedding With Help From AMM

 

Because the Baha'i faith has no designated priest or clergy, it can be difficult to find an understanding wedding officiant to legalize a Baha'i civil wedding and sign a state marriage license. That's where American Marriage Ministries can help: Ask a close friend or relative to get ordained online with AMM to perform your wedding!

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AMM is a nondenominational church providing free ordination and training for wedding officiants. We're a federally-recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization and have ordained nearly 2 million ministers across the U.S., and counting.
 

When it comes to marriage, AMM exists to fulfill a spiritual need that other institutions are not willing to, or unable to provide: access to marriage for all, regardless of religion, sexuality, or other defining traits. All we ask is that you embrace our three guiding tenets: 

 

1. All people, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation, have the right to marry.
2. It is the right of every couple to choose who will solemnize their marriage.
3. All people have the right to solemnize marriage.

 

It's important to mention: We respect the deeply-held spiritual beliefs of members of the Baha'i faith. We also recognize that current Baha'i teachings and religious laws do not allow or recognize same-sex marriages. By providing free online ordination to all who seek it – people from all faiths and backgrounds – AMM provides a trusted legal pathway for friends and relatives to officiate meaningful civil ceremonies for LGBTQ+ Baha'i couples. 

 

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Did you know? A few states have unique laws for Baha'i wedding ceremonies, including Maine (§ 19-A:658), Rhode Island (§ 15-3-6), and Vermont (§ 5144). In these states, the government recognizes special members of the community or local Spiritual Assembly to perform weddings without 'ordination.' Learn more about these unique laws by clicking on a state name.

 

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Discover More Religious Wedding Ideas & Inspiration from AMM

 

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• Catholic Wedding Readings for Your Ceremony (& How to Include Them)
   
• Christian Wedding Script with Cord of Three Strands Ceremony
   
• Muslim Wedding Vows Inspired by Quran Verses on Love & Marriage
   

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