# Need song suggestions for a wedding. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 3, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150 "2010-05-03T15:15:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2010, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/1 "2010-05-03T15:15:26Z")
I just got asked to sing a song at a friend’s daughter’s wedding. The bride has no particular song in mind…she wants me to pick. I haven’t sung at a wedding before, and haven’t been to a wedding in years, so I don’t know even where to begin. I’m sure she doesn’t want the Ave Maria…I’m sure she’s thinking more along the lines of We’ve Only Just Begun. But that was sung at MY wedding in 1979…she might want something more current. So I turn to the Dope for suggestions. I’m an alto, so all Carpenter’s stuff is well within my range. What are the songs people are singing at weddings these days? ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/2 "2010-05-04T00:07:55Z")
So fat the only suggestion I’ve gotten is from my accompianist, who suggested Grow Old Along With Me. The choir director at my church has got nothing… ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/3 "2010-05-04T00:12:55Z")
_Get Low_. ---
**Author:** ![janis\_and\_c0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/janis_and_c0/32/21_2.png) [@janis\_and\_c0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janis_and_c0)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/4 "2010-05-04T00:52:17Z")
Bryan Adams _Everything I Do_ Jim Croce _Time in a Bottle_ Berlin _Take my Breath Away_ Bette Midler _The Rose_ Peter Paul and Mary _The Wedding Song (there is Love)_ Areosmith _Angel (Or Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing)_ The Bangels _Eternal Flame_ John Denver _Annie’s Song (Or Sunshine on my Shoulders)_ (can you tell I’ve been planning _my_ wedding? XD) We’re probably going with Guns and Roses’ _Patience_ ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/5 "2010-05-04T02:17:02Z")
We got married in October, and since we’re blessed with a few talented musical friends, we had great music. During ceremony: [Living of Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CIcWrCAl_c) by the Avett Brothers Recessional: A slower duet version of [I melt with you](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuN6gs0AJls) done with an acoustic guitar and a ukulele. First wedding dance: At Last, the same as interpreted by everyone. So we had one folk/country, one punk/new wave and one standard, but they all meant something to us and it worked for us. Ask the bride and groom for suggestions of things meaningful to them, and then rearrange the song as needed? ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/6 "2010-05-04T02:51:39Z")
You said something about the _Ave Maria_; will this wedding be an RC church? If so, you’re stuck with sacred music, I’m afraid. You didn’t say what kind of accompaniment you’d have, but if secular music is ok and you have a piano or accoustic guitar, _When I’m Sixty-four_ is a sweet one. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/7 "2010-05-04T12:28:50Z")
> [@Queen\_Tonya](#): > > Ask the bride and groom for suggestions of things meaningful to them, and then rearrange the song as needed? The bride has NO suggestions…she just wants the wedding to plan itself! Which is exactly what MY daughter said to me about her upcoming wedding…“I just want the wedding fairy to come in and do everything” !!! I will be singing during the ceremony (Methodist) so it needs to be appropriate to a church service, but not necessarily religious in theme. And the United Methodist definition of appropriate is pretty broad! I like At Last…that kind of standard is my strong suit, if I have one. It probably should be something most people will recognize. ---
**Author:** ![Drain\_Bead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47774/32.png) [@Drain\_Bead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drain_Bead)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/8 "2010-05-04T12:49:17Z")
[From This Moment On – Shania Twain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Lp2uC_1lg) [Such Great Heights – Iron and Wine](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKGHkBComjM) (cover of the Postal Service, but this is one of those where the cover is better) [Come Away With Me – Norah Jones](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbjZPFBD6JU) [I Could Not Ask For More – Edwin McCain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS6HsYHRDGQ) ---
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/9 "2010-05-04T13:42:43Z")
I second “Grow Old With Me.” It’s nicely understated, appropriate for a church, and it’s recognizable to most people. Other suggestions: “In My Life” - The Beatles “Have I Told You Lately” - Van Morrison ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/10 "2010-05-04T13:55:14Z")
Are you male or female? It could skew the suggestions. I’ll second “From This Moment” by Shania Twain and add “Let’s Never Stop Falling In Love” by Pink Martini. I really like “They Don’t Know About Us” by Tracey Ullman, but decide for yourself if it’s appropriate. Some good ones on the **Mona Lisa Smile** soundtrack, including “My Secret Love” and “In the Heart of Every Girl.” ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/11 "2010-05-04T14:14:31Z")
As it turns out, it doesn’t matter, but: > [@missred](#): > > You said something about the _Ave Maria_; will this wedding be an RC church? If so, you’re stuck with sacred music, I’m afraid. Uh, no, not at all (says the guy who had John Lennon’s “Grow Old With Me” sung at his wedding, which did take place in a Catholic church). Try Joey Gregorash’s “Together”, found at [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idJJwiJ0EzY](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idJJwiJ0EzY) ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/12 "2010-05-04T14:17:46Z")
My favorite wedding song choice is In My Life by the Beatles. We aren’t having a dancing type of reception and our music comes pre-chosen as part of our wedding package so I won’t get to use it unfortunately, but I highly recommend it for others. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/13 "2010-05-04T14:46:40Z")
I like [You Picked Me](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaCRVxCxX0A) by A Fine Frenzy and also [Again](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wJXgqkvB9s) by Bruno Mars. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2010, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/14 "2010-05-04T15:07:25Z")
Echoing **janis\_and\_c0** ’s suggestion of N. Paul Stookey’s [Wedding Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1v84WKC6Pg) (Youtube video), which he wrote for Peter Yarrow’s wedding, and which **Skulldigger** and I used at ours. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/15 "2010-05-05T01:40:10Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Echoing **janis\_and\_c0** ’s suggestion of N. Paul Stookey’s [Wedding Song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1v84WKC6Pg) (Youtube video), which he wrote for Peter Yarrow’s wedding, and which **Skulldigger** and I used at ours. My brother sang it at my wedding in 1979…is it still popular for weddings? ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/16 "2010-05-05T02:33:14Z")
How about Adam Sandler’s [I wanna grow old with you](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_f_NB3-MFA&feature=related)? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/17 "2010-05-05T07:42:34Z")
Well, I am sure if you sang, “You’re Having My Baby…” she would quickly regret not having picked out songs herself. Perhaps you could mention that as a potential song, and watch how fast she becomes interested in that song list after all. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/18 "2010-05-05T15:04:54Z")
> [@DMark](#): > > Well, I am sure if you sang, “You’re Having My Baby…” she would quickly regret not having picked out songs herself. > Perhaps you could mention that as a potential song, and watch how fast she becomes interested in that song list after all. Follow it up with my favorite wedding song, “She’s No Lady (She’s My Wife),” which includes a snippet of the wedding ceremony itself: Preacher asked her, and she said “I do.” Preacher asked me, and she said, “yes, he does, too.” Preacher said, “I pronounce you 99 to life. Son, she’s no lady, she’s your wife.” Love that song. I did manage to convince a friend to have it for their first dance song; it was awesome. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/19 "2010-05-05T15:10:00Z")
> [@](#): > > N. Paul Stookey’s Wedding Song I think the use of this largely went out of fashion by the mid 80s, and rightfully so…it sounds soooo maudlin… My opinion, sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 5, 2010, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150/20 "2010-05-05T15:14:19Z")
Go with _Simple Man_, and sing it to the groom. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-song-suggestions-for-a-wedding/538150.md?page=2)