A Bride's Song: Can She Sing At Her Wedding?

Whether or not a bride should sing at her wedding is a hotly debated topic. Some people believe that it is an inappropriate attention-grabbing move, while others think it is a beautiful way to personalise the wedding. If the bride is a professional singer, some people may be more accepting of the idea. However, it is important to consider the pressure and emotions of the day, which could impact the bride's ability to sing.

Should the bride sing at her wedding?

There are differing opinions on whether or not the bride should sing at her wedding. Some people believe that it is an inappropriate attention-grabbing act that makes the guests feel uncomfortable. They argue that the bride is already going to be the centre of attention, so she does not need to do anything extra to make herself stand out. Additionally, some people believe that the bride will already be nervous on her wedding day, so she should not add performance anxiety to the mix. Others suggest that the bride might get too emotional and cry her way through the song.

However, others argue that the bride should do what she feels comfortable with. If she loves to sing and feels that she can pull it off, she should go for it! It is her wedding, and she can choose to make it as unique as she wants. Some people also suggest that if the bride is a good singer, it can be beautiful and touch the guests.

If the bride decides to sing, there are some tips she can follow to make the performance go smoothly. She should choose her song carefully, making sure it suits her voice and is not too "trendy". She should also practice beforehand and consider hiring a voice coach to help her with song selection, arrangement, and breathing. The bride can also get her band to back her up or download a karaoke-style arrangement for her DJ to play. She can even cut the song down a bit to make it more manageable.

Overall, the decision of whether or not the bride should sing at her wedding is a personal one. She should consider her own comfort level, singing ability, and the potential reactions of her guests when making her choice.

When is the best time for the bride to sing?

There are differing opinions on whether a bride should sing at her wedding, with some people finding it awkward and attention-grabbing, while others think it's a nice touch if the bride has a good voice. If you are the bride and you do decide to sing, here are some tips on when would be the best time for you to do so:

During the Ceremony

If you want to sing during the ceremony, you could do so while walking down the aisle. However, this may be a challenging task as you will be processing at the same time, and the pressure may be too much. Alternatively, you could sing during the unity candle ceremony or sand ceremony, as this would be a meaningful moment to showcase your voice.

Before the Ceremony

You could sing before the ceremony as guests are arriving and being seated. This would be a good option if you want to get the singing out of the way and then focus on the ceremony and reception.

At the Reception

If you don't want to sing during the ceremony, you could save your performance for the reception. You could sing as a surprise for your partner, or after the toasts. However, be mindful that this may kill the flow of the evening and may be awkward for guests to watch.

Other Options

If you are worried about performance anxiety or not having the time to practice, you could pre-record a song to be played during the ceremony or reception. This way, you can still showcase your voice without the pressure of performing live. Another option is to have someone else sing for you as a gift.

Remember, it is your wedding, and you should do what feels comfortable for you. If you love to sing and feel it would add a unique and personal touch to your special day, then go for it! Adequate preparation, such as hiring a voice coach and practising for six months, will help ensure that your performance is wedding-worthy.

What are some song choices for the bride?

If you're a bride who loves to sing and you're considering serenading your partner on your big day, there are a few things you should keep in mind. Firstly, it's your wedding, so if you feel comfortable doing it, go for it! However, it's important to be mindful of the pressure that comes with performing on such an emotionally charged day. If you're nervous about performing alone, you could consider a duet with your partner or a family member.

Now, onto the song choices! Here are some suggestions for songs to sing at your wedding, depending on the style and mood you're going for:

Traditional/Classical

• "Let the Bright Seraphim" – Handel
• "Panis Angelicus" – César Franck
• "Ave Maria" – Bach/Gounod
• "Bist du bei mir" (If You Are With Me) – Bach
• "Irish Wedding Song" (Traditional)
• "Ich Liebe Dich" (I Love You) – Beethoven
• "You Raise Me Up" – Josh Groban
• "Amazing Grace" (Traditional)
• "Ave Maria" by Schubert
• "Have I Told You Lately" by Van Morrison
• "I Choose You" by Sara Bareilles
• "I Will" by The Beatles
• "If Not For You" by George Harrison
• "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder
• "We've Only Just Begun" by The Carpenters
• "When You Say Nothing At All" by Alison Krauss

Pop

• "We've Only Just Begun" – The Carpenters
• "At Last" – Etta James
• "Just the Way You Are"– Billy Joel
• "I Can't Wait" – Ben LaRue
• "All of Me"– John Legend
• "Could I Have This Dance" – Anne Murray
• "Here and Now" – Luther Vandross
• "Here, There and Everywhere" – The Beatles
• "Thinking Out Loud"– Ed Sheeran
• "From This Moment On" – Shania Twain

Broadway and Movie

• "Sunrise, Sunset" from "Fiddler on the Roof"
• "Someone Like You" from "Jekyll and Hyde"
• "Till There Was You" from "The Music Man"
• "One Hand, One Heart" from "West Side Story"
• "A Thousand Years" – Sung by Christina Perri, from "Twilight"

Should the bride hire a vocal coach?

There are many reasons why a bride might consider hiring a vocal coach before her wedding. Firstly, a vocal coach can help the bride choose the right song and guide her through the entire process, from song selection to arrangement to proper breathing techniques. They can also provide valuable input on the emotional connection between the couple, which can enhance the performance and touch the guests.

Additionally, a vocal coach can help the bride develop her own unique vocal style and improve her vocal tone, range, and freedom. This can boost the bride's confidence and reduce performance anxiety. A vocal coach can also help identify and eliminate bad habits, teach proper vocal technique, and prevent vocal strain or injury.

Furthermore, a vocal coach can offer invaluable feedback and expert solutions to vocal problems. They can help the bride improve her pitch accuracy and stay on key. With their expertise, vocal coaches can accelerate the bride's progress and help her achieve faster results.

However, it is important to note that vocal coaches focus on the performance aspects, while voice teachers focus on building proper vocal technique. Depending on the bride's needs, she may benefit from working with both a voice teacher and a vocal coach to complement each other's methods.

Ultimately, hiring a vocal coach can be a personal decision, and the bride should consider her own comfort and confidence levels when deciding whether to seek professional guidance for her wedding performance.

What are the pros and cons of the bride singing?

There are several pros and cons to the bride singing at her wedding.

Pros

• It can be a way to inject personality into the wedding.
• It can showcase the bride's talent and passion for singing.
• It can be a memorable and emotional moment for the couple and their guests.
• It can be a way to honour the bride's cultural or religious background, especially in traditional or religious weddings.
• It can be a fun and entertaining moment for the guests, especially if the bride is a good singer.

Cons

• It can be seen as attention-seeking or "showy".
• The bride might feel added pressure or performance anxiety on an already stressful day.
• It might interfere with the flow of the wedding, especially if it is not well-timed or appropriately placed in the schedule.
• It might be awkward or uncomfortable for the guests, especially if the bride is not a good singer.
• The bride's emotions might get the better of her, leading to tears or a less-than-perfect performance.
• It might be difficult to choose an appropriate song that is not too "big" or trendy.

Frequently asked questions