Wedding Vows & Ceremony Discussions

Group Sing-Along at Ceremony

I love the idea of having guests sing along to a song on the guitar near the end of/after the ceremony. At my cousin's wedding, everyone sang "Keep on the Sunny Side," and at my mom's wedding, everyone sang "You Are My Sunshine." I'm having trouble coming up with a song for my own wedding. It needs to be something most people know and have a theme of happiness or love. So far, my only idea is "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles, but it's kind of tough for a sing-along. Any ideas?
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Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony

  • Unless this is a super incredibly well-known family tradition in your circle, I would skip this at all costs.

    My stepdad "surprised" DH & I with a sing-along toast at our reception ("Love and Marriage"), and we nearly died of embarassment. Some guests participated (after many drinks. Liquid Courage.) but the pictures show that a lot of guests found it really, REALLY awkward judging by the expressions on their faces.
  • One of my friends did this with a song from her church. A lot of people sang along, but I personally felt really uncomfortable b/c I didn't know the words. I agree with MS. Unless it's completely expected that you do it, I'm not a fan. 
    What did you think would happen if you walked up to a group of internet strangers and told them to get shoehorned by their lady doc?~StageManager14
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  • Yeah no. We won't even be singing hymns because a good number of our guests (including ourselves) are not Christian. Unless it's truly a family tradition, I'd nix it.

  • I agree with others.  I would be pretty horrified to be asked to participate in this, honestly.
  • DItto PP. This is horribly awkward for your guests.
     
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  • This could be potentially awkward if it wasn't an expected family tradition.

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  • ok am i the only one who wouldnt' mind this? lol
    then again, my family loves to sing.  and at one point during christmas mass, the preist had the entire congregation singing 'when i'm 64' by the beatles.  it was actually really neat.

    that being said - could you use the same song your mom did? kind of a 'mother daughter' tradition?
    my only other idea would be: cant help falling in love -- Elvis Presley
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:f45c237d-c8cf-48fd-a17c-7e22a0c60f08">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]ok am i the only one who wouldnt' mind this? lol then again, my family loves to sing.  and at one point during christmas mass, the preist had the entire congregation singing 'when i'm 64' by the beatles.  it was actually really neat. that being said - could you use the same song your mom did? kind of a 'mother daughter' tradition? my only other idea would be: cant help falling in love -- Elvis Presley
    Posted by gymbugmj2k[/QUOTE]

    <div>I know! I'm surprised at how many people advised against it. Then again, everyone is different. It's not a family tradition, but it was a huge success at both my cousin's and mom's weddings! Also, since my family and close friends who will be attending are not shy in the least and most love to sing, I still plan on doing this. I'm not entirely opposed to doing You Are My Sunshine, but would like something a little more personal to me. Thanks for your encouragement :) </div>
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  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:436c8c1b-3c67-4f6a-aaf9-76f2f657ba35">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony : I know! I'm surprised at how many people advised against it. Then again, everyone is different. It's not a family tradition, but it was a huge success at both my cousin's and mom's weddings! <strong>Also, since my family and close friends who will be attending are not shy in the least and most love to sing, I still plan on doing this.</strong> I'm not entirely opposed to doing You Are My Sunshine, but would like something a little more personal to me. Thanks for your encouragement :) 
    Posted by ClaireyBee[/QUOTE]

    It has nothing to do with being shy, trust me. DH & I are definitely not shy, but stepdad's surprise singing at our reception made us feel awkward and embarssed in front of our guests. Many of our guests likely felt awkward, which is the last thing we wanted. Of course, no one said anything directly to us.

    Certain things just simply don't belong at weddings, and sing-a-longs fit that category.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:8a1c7dc4-b1e5-4c6a-a531-10c07f4cff1a">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony : It has nothing to do with being shy, trust me. DH & I are definitely not shy, but stepdad's surprise singing at our reception made us feel awkward and embarssed in front of our guests. Many of our guests likely felt awkward, which is the last thing we wanted. Of course, no one said anything directly to us. Certain things just simply don't belong at weddings, and sing-a-longs fit that category.
    Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]
    Thanks for your input! Fortunately, weddings are as different as the brides who plan them and we all get to make our own rules (or break them, as the case may be)! I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one and I'll hope for the best :) 
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  • Not everyone would know the words, but The Rainbow Connection" comes to mind. A different Beatles song could be "When I'm 64".  Are you familiar with Cat Stevens, "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out?  It's not wedding related, but lots of fun.  And, I know I'm showing my age, but "The Wedding Song" by Paul Stokey is beautiful.

  • edited January 2013
    Why not print the song lyrics in the program that way people who might not know the exact words can sing along and then pick a song that "most" people would know if they heard it?

    Song Suggestions:
    Mr. Blue Sky- Electric Light Orchestra click me for lyrics
    Here comes the sun- The Bealtes click me for lyrics
    Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows - Lesley Gore click me for lyrics
    ETA: Walking on Sunshine- Katrina And The Waves click me for lyrics

    Good luck!
  • itzMSitzMS member
    First Answer First Anniversary 5 Love Its First Comment
    edited January 2013
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:36d6f302-1bec-4568-83e9-613a3ddfd288">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]<strong>Not everyone would know the words</strong>, but The Rainbow Connection" comes to mind. A different Beatles song could be "When I'm 64".  Are you familiar with Cat Stevens, "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out?  It's not wedding related, but lots of fun.  And, I know I'm showing my age, but "The Wedding Song" by Paul Stokey is beautiful.
    Posted by mobkaz[/QUOTE]

    Exactly the point of everyone who said it's awkward to have a sing-along. <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-laughing.gif" border="0" alt="Laughing" title="Laughing" />

    Why would you want guests to feel awkward and left out not knowing a song or not wanting to sing when some people sing a song out loud?

    It's one thing if you hire a cantor or choir to sing...but putting guests in the position of joining in song is not polite and incredibly awkward.

    If the OP's family likes to sing, why don't they rehearse a song ahead of time and stand up with the guitar at the end and sing the recessional?

    ETA: I must not be "most people" because I've never heard of the songs that mobkaz and Fluffy mention. I certainly wouldn't feel any more encouraged to sing along with printed lyrics.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:515757ea-bc3d-481b-a597-1bd9a16d0036">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE] ETA: I must not be "most people" because I've never heard of the songs that mobkaz and Fluffy mention. I certainly wouldn't feel any more encouraged to sing along with printed lyrics.
    Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]

    <div>I honestly apologize for picking songs that made you feel left out; I thought those were a wide enough variety but I'll try to think up some others. No one should be forced to sing at the wedding but OP made it clear that she's going this route so I was just trying to help. I apologize to any other readers who were alienated by my post/song suggestions.</div>
  • ElcaBElcaB member
    First Anniversary First Comment First Answer 5 Love Its
    edited January 2013
    Printing the song lyrics on the back of the program was exactly what I had planned! Thanks for the suggestions!
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  • Why would you want guests to feel awkward and left out not knowing a song or not wanting to sing when some people sing a song out loud?
    I do not have to participate in something to enjoy it.  I would not necessarily feel "left out" if I was not familiar with a song.  I have been party to several cultural/religious/academic events that were unfamiliar to me.  It made me feel neither awkward or left out.  I left the experience either entertained, enriched, or enlightened.



    ETA: I must not be "most people" because I've never heard of the songs that mobkaz and Fluffy mention. I certainly wouldn't feel any more encouraged to sing along with printed lyrics
    Fluffy---for better or worse, I knew 3 out of your 4 songs.  Walking on Sunshine is a great choice!  I really wanted to suggest "Sweet Caroline", but wasn't sure it was as appropriate for a ceremony as it is for belting out at a reception.

  • Well, as a guest I find sing-alongs to be really awkward.  I don't have a great singing voice, and it's just not what I'm there to do.

    I strongly advise you to skip it.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:d47d117c-98d6-4ff0-a490-a2ce73617791">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]Why would you want guests to feel awkward and left out not knowing a song or not wanting to sing when some people sing a song out loud? I do not have to participate in something to enjoy it.  I would not necessarily feel "left out" if I was not familiar with a song.  <strong>I have been party to several cultural/religious/academic events that were unfamiliar to me.  It made me feel neither awkward or left out.</strong>  I left the experience either entertained, enriched, or enlightened. ETA: I must not be "most people" because I've never heard of the songs that mobkaz and Fluffy mention. I certainly wouldn't feel any more encouraged to sing along with printed lyrics Fluffy---for better or worse, I knew 3 out of your 4 songs.  Walking on Sunshine is a great choice!  I really wanted to suggest "Sweet Caroline", but wasn't sure it was as appropriate for a ceremony as it is for belting out at a reception.
    Posted by mobkaz[/QUOTE]

    Comparing cultural/relgious/academic events to a group sing-along at a wedding is apples to oranges.

    Being a worldy person in no way correlates with being OK with immature things like sing-alongs to Beatles songs at a wedding.
  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:865701e7-9612-4d98-89de-9039c4bcbf01">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony : Comparing cultural/relgious/academic events to a group sing-along at a wedding is apples to oranges. Being a worldy person in no way correlates with being OK with immature things like sing-alongs to Beatles songs at a wedding.
    Posted by itzMS[/QUOTE]

    <div>
    </div><div>I have no idea why you would correlate cultural/adademic/religious events with "worldly people".  I am far from worldly, but can certainly appreciate attending the wedding of a faith that differs from mine, or attending a dissertation defense of a family member.  </div><div>
    </div><div>And although you clearly find sing-alongs beneath your personal taste, that in and of itself does not qualify it as "immature".  That is merely your opinion.  Perhaps you should inform all those who purchase tickets to another sing-along, The Messiah, an oft sold out show, the error of their immature ways.</div><div>
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  • Oh come on! Is everyone really that self-concious that they can't sing along to a simple folk song or a Beatles song? Even if you don't know it to begin with, you'll pick it up by the second or third verse. Lighten up and sing along!


  • In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_ceremony-ideas_group-sing-along-at-ceremony?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:10Discussion:481273f1-ef0e-4776-ba6e-2404e9aac679Post:fbc5f432-ef8f-4c81-a09f-53dedb5e324d">Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Group Sing-Along at Ceremony : I have no idea why you would correlate cultural/adademic/religious events with "worldly people".  I am far from worldly, but can certainly appreciate attending the wedding of a faith that differs from mine, or attending a dissertation defense of a family member.   And although you clearly find sing-alongs beneath your personal taste, that in and of itself does not qualify it as "immature".  That is merely your opinion.  <strong>Perhaps you should inform all those who purchase tickets to another sing-along, The Messiah, an oft sold out show, the error of their immature ways.</strong>
    Posted by mobkaz[/QUOTE]

    Well while I don't necessarily agree that participating in sing-alongs is immature, comparing an event where people go in KNOWING and WANTING to participate in a sing-along vs. being expected to do so at an event where that typically doesn't happen (like a wedding) is comparing apples to oranges. This does not make your point at all.

    OP, no it isn't poor etiquette to do this, but I would just think long and hard about it. Likely no one will come up to your face and say, "boy, that was awkward" but that doesn't mean they didn't feel that way. It's not exactly the same as singing a quick Happy birthday to someone. You're asking them to sing a longer, 3+ minute song, and even if you put the lyrics on paper, unless you also give them sheet music AND every guest knows how to read music, guests who haven't heard the melody before still will be confused. Plus those who don't want to participate will sit there awkwardly not singing but feeling like they should. Again things to consider.


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  • I vote skip this as well because it just seems way too awkward.   But if you insist:

    Don't Stop Believing --- Journey.   Folks go crazy for some Journey.

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