To want a singalong in my (civil!) wedding ceremony?

www.instagram.com/reel/DKVCsNHsBiA/?igsh=YW9yZjhtMGhzeW53

Clearly going against the grain here but I would hate this as a guest and would probably just mime along and hope it ended quickly

Do it!!! This is SO much fun and truly shows your personalities xx

I'm another one who would love this. We are a family of singers though and whether at weddings, christenings or funerals there's a very rousing chorus!
Whatever you choose, make sure you check that the verse is singable. The verse of Sweet Caroline is quite a dirge even though the chorus is a banger. And choose something that definitely ends with a final pop, rather than just petering out.
If you have a backing track and a few good singers who've had a chance to practice beforehand, it should sound great.

That's half true.
You are not allowed any religious content in a civil ceremony because the Church of England (back in the day) wouldn't allow it.

I agree. A performance of a song that you find particularly meaningful by a musician as part of the ceremony would be lovely.

@Clearinguptheclutter you can after the registrar has gone.

OP why don’t you just get a wedding singer to sing during the ceremony the same as you would if it was a church ceremony .

No religious content of any kind is allowed in a civil marriage ceremony. When the legislation was originally going through the House of Lords, the bishops who sat there refused to countenance it, understandably in my view.

I would hate this too, sorry. I don't sing and enforced 'fun' is cringey.
Most people can't sing, so a group of crap singing noises might not necessarily enhance your day.

Hymns are sang slowly because people can't keep up with normal speed songs.

See also Happy Birthday - should be fast and upbeat but is a dragged out dirge.

nope never been to church

You absolutely can not do a religious hymn after the ceremony in a civil venue

I don’t think a phobia of singing is that unusual but you must have been to a church service at some point. What did you do then? Singing is not compulsory.

I love singing hymns, one of the reasons I opted for a church wedding (it’s also cheaper than a hotel or fancy venue). If choosing a secular song the trick is to make sure that the notes are in a range most people can sing in their octave of choice (a3 to c4 ish is achieved by most) and easy to follow if you don’t know it - that’s the beauty of hymns, so easy to sing, at least traditional ones. Having at least a few people who can sing to lead it helps or use a backing track with words

My sister had 500 miles (Proclaimers), it was absolutely amazing. Agree that you need a couple of people to lead it though - my BIL has some people with good voices who he primed to get it going - but when it did, it was Epic.

I should clarify that it was a very informal ceremony from start to finish. Might not be the right choice for some venues.

If you have the right soundtrack they will spontaneously sing along without the awkwardness of it being just them.

I'm not into singalongs so I wouldn't be doing this.

"Definitely "Bring Me Sunshine". Everyone knows it,"

Never heard of it so not everyone.

It's not the 'norm' for a civil ceremony in the UK, that's why OP is asking, but it's definitely the norm to sing hymns in a church wedding.

I hadn't realised other cultures didn't have an equivalent.

It must be a cultural thing. I’m not in the UK and have never been to a wedding where the guests sang.

I don’t necessarily hate the idea, but some of the songs suggested here seem nothing short of bonkers for a wedding. I can’t decide if you’re all being sarcastic/ironic or just having a laugh.

I would love this op.

I don't live in the UK, but I've never been to a wedding where the audience has joined in for a singalong during the ceremony. It sounds awful and cringeworthy to me!

I'm a wedding registrar for civil weddings. I've had this a few times, and these are my thoughts.

• You need to consider the backing music- is someone playing an instrument, or you using music from a streaming service, or with no music at all? You may need to test the sound levels. Does the venue allow singing? (if for example, you are in a registry office, the noise might interrupt other weddings going on at the same time, depending on the number of guests you have and the volume they create).
• Whatever music you choose, make it short. If it's the registry office, you might only have a set amount of time for the entire wedding, and it would be a shame to miss out or have to cut another part of the ceremony.
• Some people will sing, some people will be mortified. Either way the registrars will have to stand there awkwardly waiting for everyone to finish before they can carry on with the ceremony.
• Personally, and this is only my individual choice, I would do any singing parts after the legal ceremony and during the celebration part (particularly easier when people have a drink in their hands!)

I've been to a civil ceremony where we were all handed the words of Let There Be Love by Nat King Cole, which seemed lovely in theory. In practice it was a terrible mumble, despite everyone having the words and limped through to the end, it was a total cringe fest.

If you're going to do it, choose something rousing and lively, that everyone knows, and pre-warn and nominate a several people who can lead the way and cover any gaps if people don't show much gusto.

Definitely "Bring Me Sunshine".

Everyone knows it, it's such a happy song and the sentiment is perfect for a couple starting life together.

I now want to get married again so I can do this.

I'm sorry to hear that. I imagine it makes life quite difficult sometimes.