Poems have been quoted for centuries in love letters and ceremonies to say what we mean better than we could say it. When we read a poem, we will often feel that the writer has said something that is true for everybody, true for us, even though we may never have thought of it before. Wedding guests are there to feel the miracle of love between you and your fiance, and a poem that adds to this live experience always uplifts the effect.
As you begin your search for the perfect wedding program poem, think about the most romantic moments in your relationship with your fiance. In some cases, there may have been an actual romantic wedding program verses involved: a well-written song or card, or a poem given by one of you to the other. Or perhaps what bonded the two of you together initially was mutual love for an eloquent person, tradition, era, or culture. Romantic poems are everywhere, sometimes where we don't expect or even recognize it.
If you don't have hard material to work with, stick with your memories. Think beyond the obvious ones -- your most romantic moment may have been as simple as having breakfast together. It may even have been a moment apart, when you thought of your fiance and had the sudden revelation that you were in love. Hold these images and feelings in the back of your mind as your touchstone when you look through poetry. You will know you have found a good one if it strikes a chord with those memories.
There are of course a plethora of love poems available on the internet and in anthologies. You could enjoy spending many hours browsing. On the other hand, the bulk could be overwhelming and even frustrating if you can't find the quality you're looking for. It might be a good idea to start with some of the classics and work from there. Popular poets are after all popular for a reason; and some of them have endured many centuries of competition.
Shakespeare's sonnets are among the most universal and recognizable of love poems. They are also generally short enough to include more than one, if you are having trouble choosing. The Sufi mystic Rumi is currently the world's best-selling poet, with several books of love poems available. His popularity shows his relevance and understandability for modern readers. Those of Christian faith might find inspiration in the long speech about love in 1 Corinthians. For a more modern reference, Pablo Neruda is another crowd pleaser.
Of course, with all this poetic inspiration at your disposal, you may decide to write your own poem. A personal expression never fails at a wedding, so don't be shy. You're the one with the memories and feelings you are looking for. A personal poem would certainly be a precious keepsake for the remainder of your lives together.
Whether it's your own or a quote from one of the masters, a poem is a classy and touching way of personalizing your wedding program.
