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

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

I can't decide if this is weird, or genius!
I'm having a civil wedding ceremony. At a religious wedding, hymns are sung. So, at mine I'd love to choose a song that the vast majority of guests will know (and I'd provide the lyrics anyway!) to sing along to!
If you'd enjoy this, what song would you go with as a fun, but still fitting for a wedding, tune?

I’d like this too but given a lot of experience, employ at least one person to lead the singing - maybe one instrumentalist and two singers?

Maybe Daisy, Daisy for me.

This is lovely, I hate singing hymns!

I love singing. Not that I'm good at it. So I'd love this.

I'd say it might be a good idea to advise in advance of the singalong with the song in question. And state it's of course optional.

Just so people don't feel embarrassed if they really can't sing or don't feel confident. Or don't know the song at all until the day.

Yes! We had one at our wedding and it was great, everyone loved it. We had Elvis I can't help falling in love with you. Make sure you print the words in the order of service.

YANBU at all

I find it very dog in the manger that churches won’t allow hymns to be sung in civil weddings. To me hymns are cultural heritage from eg school assemblies as much as religious. But that’s an aside.

Beatles songs? I wanna hold your hand is easy to sing

Chapel of Love

Better Together

I’m Yours

I wanted to hate this idea but actually I don’t … I think it’s lovely!

Decide on your era.
Rick Ashley, never gonna give you up,
As said Elvis,
Beatles, love, love me do,
Cher, Shoop shoop song
You want something that doesn't take good singing voices.

Great idea but definitely try to choose a classic that most people will know the words to, give forewarning , print the words and get a “lead singer”, either a confident guest who can sing or pay someone.

It's the "civil" bit that doesn't allow hymns (or religious readings) not churches.
Churches are happy for you to sing hymns whenever you like!

Whatever you choose, have one or two people to lead.

I agree with the person who noted that church hymns are not allowed. I think they should be, better that than those who have had church weddings and never set foot in one otherwise.

Bohemian Rhapsody

Scaramouch, Scaramouch, will you do the Fandango?

Beach Boys - God only knows (what I'd be without you). Although the opening line of "I may not always love you" might be awkward

Isn’t that…normal? You think you came up with it? I’ve sung at every civil ceremony I’ve been at. “All you need is love” and “It must be love” spring to mind.

This has just reminded me that we sang 'Consider Yourself' from Oliver! at my uncle's funeral 😲

Everyone sang with gusto...

For a wedding something with a really good chorus I think, so that at least people can blast that bit out, even if they don't feel so confident with the verses. I think it's a lovely idea (I really love singing in groups)

It’s easy to think that pop songs are easy to sing. In general, a lot of them aren’t. Some of us are still recovering from the crowd attempting All You Need Is Love at the Millenium Dome. That definitely goes for God Only Knows, it’s really complicated. Even if the song is simple, if the best-known recording is done in a complex way some people will try and copy the recording.

Going to the Chapel is a better one. Here Comes the Sun isn’t too bad either. Sweet Caroline?

We did this!!! Friend played guitar so he did a spot and we encouraged everyone to join in - we did Wonderwall

I'd absolutely love that as a guest. I've always thought if I got married I'd have a singalong to Especially for You, the women could sing Kylie's part and the men sing Jason's.
Be My Baby would be another good choice. Anything that would work as a first dance song and is fun/easy to sing to would work.

Might be too religious in that it mentions a grateful prayer but Thankful Heart form Muppets Christmas Carol is a fabulous song imo and I'm not religious at all.

Not really wedding related but there's nothing like Sweet Caroline to get everyone joining in. It's always synonymous with happy and joyful gatherings .

Ah I love this! i used to sing in a pop choir and always thought I’d ask them to come along and sing if I married again. Getting everyone to join in would be lovely. Could you maybe organise a local amateur choir to lead the singing and add harmonies to make it sound a bit more tuneful and less like school assembly?!

We did this. It is ine of my fave wedding memories. Go for it

Well it looks like I’m in the minority but I’ve always hated this and I’ve been to a few civil ceremonies where you’ve been expected to sing a fun pop song. I’m really sorry but I find it cringey but then I hate enforced fun and jollity

Take a Chance on Me by Abba?

500 miles?