Set in the early days of WWII, Captain Corelli's Mandolin is a story of love, passion and the human struggles of war. Its beautiful prose makes this excerpt a popular wedding reading, guaranteed to have at least one guest wiping away a tear. (Probably more. Okay, maybe the whole room...). It's romantic, real and relatable, and we've even included a free downloadable version. So get ready to feel the feels, as this one gets emotional...

Captain Corelli's Mandolin

by Louis de Bernières

Love is a temporary madness, it erupts like volcanoes and then subsides.
And when it subsides you have to make a decision.
You have to work out whether your root was so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part.
Because this is what love is.

Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion.
That is just being in love, which any fool can do.
Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident.
Those that truly love have roots that grow towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossoms have fallen from their branches, they find that they are one tree and not two.

If you want to see more beautiful readings like Captain Corelli's Mandolin then we've got you covered with our collection of wedding readings ideas for civil ceremonies. Having a religious ceremony? No fear! We've got modern bible verses too. But if you're going for more, we do recommend grabbing some tissues, it's about to get emotional...