Whilst those of us old enough to remember the sixties might have thought weddings would become obsolete for all but the faithful, they still seem for the majority of us to be the benchmark, the gold standard of a relationship.

This symbol of love, commitment and sacrifice between two people, albeit for most, no longer mirroring the union between God and His Church, endures. Others have found other words with which to celebrate, share and state their love, their spiritual and emotional commitment in front of family, friends and the wider world.

This wide-ranging and inclusive volume contains some of the most beautiful verses ever created in the English language from some of its greatest classic poetical voices including Shakespeare, John Donne, John Keats, Edna St Vincent Millay and Sara Teasdale.

Whether conventional, convenient or gimmicky, love is the theme and the feeling and used to offer the vows without focusing on the religious but still providing the personal and universal of that very mysterious emotion, love.