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by BERN MORLEY
When you get married, there are a thousand and one decisions to make.
Church or Beach?
Chicken or Lamb?
Peach Taffeta or Puce Lace?
Stretch Hummer or Cinderella Carriage?
Fireworks or Latin Dancers?
There is one area I, as a young bride over ten years ago, struggled with. My wedding song. *The* Song. The one where you walk down the aisle (if applicable) or into the ceremony to and people sob because it’s just so emotional. Or the song you dance to and enchant all the guests with the loving scene they are collectively witnessing.
So what in the hell was going on when I was originally thinking of using this?
It’s a song about animals. And Cannonballs. And television freak shows. Was I intending to shimmy up the carpet to a petrified Phil? Throw in a few fist pumps? I also vividly remember discussing this choice with my two best girlfriends and they gave me the thumbs up. Perhaps they were just agreeing with their clearly unhinged friend for fear of reprisals. We all know how Brides can get.
In fact, a couple of years later we went to a wedding that was held at a very flash golf course. It was a bit bizarre really, because I wasn’t at all close to the bride and groom and Phil had not even laid eyes on them before the wedding day. I think it was a conscience invite because I had recently started working with her after being an acquaintance for years. We all waited, course side, for the bride to arrive. She turned up on the back of a Harley, gracefully removed herself and then the song started. The song that would accompany her up the “aisle. It was this.
Oh yeah. But hey, it was their choice and it fitted in well with them sitting on individual thrones all night and requesting the company of their guests by appointment only. I shit you not.
Luckily for me, somewhere between becoming a Savage Garden Junkie and walking in to my wedding ceremony I had an epiphany. It was like the common sense gods slapped me on the back of the head and told me to get off myself.
From memory I was listening to a lot of Jeff Buckley at the time, so am unsure how I came up with this, but on a very rainy day in June, 1999, I walked into to greet my husband to be, to this song:
What was the song you chose or would choose for your wedding?
Comments
303 Comments so far
Since i had control over all the wedding preparations and all my husband had to do was turn up (not that he minded that arrangmenent) lol he just asked me if he can pick the wedding song. I didn’t know until the moment the song was supposed to be played which song it was going to be and was quite freaked out that he may screw up. The song was a song dedicated to me. He had gone to a studio where he told them our story, my favourite songs and from that they had composed and recorded a song that was all about us and our love. The control freak in me had to admit that hubby did that better than i would have done it
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Down the aisle to Roberta Flack “First Time I saw Your Face” – pretty super soppy. First dance Sade “Your Love is King”, still love it. Can’t remember any of the other music – oops !
If I was getting married now John Legend would have to feature somewhere, love his music.
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Walked in to a friend of mine singing “the only exception’ by Paramore
After the vows we greeted the guests to “You make my dreams come true’ by Hall & Oats (from 500 Days of Summer). Was lots of fun
Signed the register while two friends sang “I give you my heart” by Hillsong
And we danced together to Adele’s version of Bob Dylan’s “Make you feel my love”.
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I love that Hall & Oates song! It’s my ringtone!
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i have thought of using paramores the only exception for my wedding. i love paramore
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Walk down the aisle: ‘The Wedding Song’ by Angus & Julia Stone (the lyrics are so beautiful) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbQBEHCEDfQ
First Dance: ‘Lucky’ by Jason Mraz (ft. Colby Caillat) (it tells our story)
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Holy shit-I have never heard The Wedding Song. It stopped me in my tracks and made me cry!
It’s on my list… along with
-The Luckiest-Benfolds
-Home-Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros
-First Day of My Life-Bright Eyes
-I love Found you in the Dark by City and Colour too
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P-Daddy brought a portable CD player to the hospital the night I had LittleDude, just so he could play First Day of My Life.
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Our waltz was to “The luckiest”.. Love it!!
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The Wedding Song was my first dance <3 it!
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Also, I love love love this! So pretty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsGd0t41Jhw
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Walk in to “The ship song” Nick Cave (I still cry if I hear it)
Exit “I love her so” The Ramones
Bridal Waltz “Can’t get enough of your love baby” Barry White
Fathers speech “Little Ray of Sunshine” Brian Cadd (This one teared the whole room up, I have golden hair & middle name is Rae Dad always says I was named after he heard this song)
All songs that made us smile or had special meaning so will never forget it!
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Amazing choices!
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Love Nick Drake- walked down the aisle to Northern Star.
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Ours was ‘Bus Ride’ by Alex Lloyd. The lyrics go:
If you want to take the world on I will
Be right there beside you
But if you want to sleep the whole day through I will
Be right there beside you
Close runners up were anything by Neil Finn, but my husband isn’t a fan.
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love that song, evokes travelling memories for me
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Haha that comment reminds me of Jasper off the Simpsons “Oh the elehant song! Reminds me of elephants..”
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too funny…. should have read that out aloud before typing hey! It actually reminds me of walking around Stanley Park for hours in Vancouver with my now extinct CD walkman on…good memories; great song!
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We picked newer versions of some old songs. We figured if they were songs that had lasted this long, people would still probably know them in another 20 years or so.
Walking down the ailse we had: Love Me Tender by Norah Jones
Signing the certificate: I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Bono and Frank Sinatra
Leaving the ceremony we had: Come Fly With Me by Michael Buble
First Dance was: The Way You Look Tonight by Tony Bennett
I still love our choices <3
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Walking down isle – happy ever after in your eyes by Ben Harper
Signing registry – somewhere over the rainbow by Israel kamakawaleole
After ceremony god only knows by the beach boys
First dance the blower daughter by damien rice
Left th3 building to float on by modest mouse
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nice! We had a Ben Harper song for our registry; “Beloved”
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We played ‘Somewhere over the rainbow’ by Israel k too. I just love that song, makes me cry every time.
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Wife walked in to “Clare de lune”, a piano-only version.
Signed registry to the band playing “Deciphering Me” by Brooke Fraser
Walked out to “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and the Waves
Entered reception to “Smile” by Pete Murray
Danced to “Without You” by Brooke Fraser
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Shania Twain – From This Moment
Ronan Keating – This I Promise You
The Lion King – Can You Feel The Love Tonight
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Our first dance was “you were there” by southern sons LOVE this song
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Our wedding video has a montage wrap up of our whole day to that song! Beautiful!
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All brides are nervous, right?
So are grooms of course, but they don’t have to walk up the aisle or whatever.
So….The Chicken Dance for the aisle-walk!
It makes everyone smile. The bride will be grinning, and have a happy bounce in her step. The guests will definitely get twitching feet/hips/shoulders, and great smiles.
It’s SUCH an ice-breaker.
And a wedding is a happy occasion, right?
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Up aisle: Even When I’m Sleeping – Leonardos Bride
Signing register: Amazed – Lonestar
Back down aisle: Happy – Wendy Matthews
First dance: Come Rain or Come Shine – Eric Clapton & BB King
It was 2002, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it!!!
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Oh I love Even When I’m Sleeping. Bern
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I went to a wedding years ago where the bridesmaids were quite big girls.
When they were announced and walked into the reception, the DJ played “Baby Elephant Walk”……….
It was one of those “OMG, I can’t believe he’s done that, where the hell do we look” kind of moments for all of the guests.
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NO!
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I went to a wedding once where there was a significant age difference between the bride and groom. The ceremony plans changed at the last minute so the reception venue threw together a ceremony at the eleventh hour, including music. The song they played as the much younger bride walked down the aisle was Sinatra’s “You Make Me Feel So Young”…
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Walked down the isle to The Badger by The Tea Party and 1st dance to Faith No More’s version of This Guy’s In Love With you. Still adore both songs 10 years later.
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Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.”
I know. Lame, isn’t it?
And as we were leaving the church –Purcell’s “Trumpet Voluntary.”
That one’s kind of triumphant!
Sad.
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Hey, nothing wrong with classical music. In fact, I think sometimes it can be the most beautiful. No lyrics required
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Just googled ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor’. Many lols! Makes me think of vampires or something
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Walked in to an instrumental of a whole new world from Aladdin.
First dance was Michael Buble, that’s all
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My husband chose ALL of our wedding music and I didn’t know about it till the day. I walked up the aisle to ‘Today’ by Joshua Radin and ‘Cold Desert’ by Kings of Leon for our first dance. Many brides wouldn’t leave that responsibility up to their husbands-to-be but mine totally nailed it, bless him!
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I want my wedding dance to be to ‘Kissing You’ by Desree. (sp?). I hung onto that one for about ten years!
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I walked down the aisle to Yellow – by Coldplay
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It had to be you! It was one of our favourites.
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I walked down the isle to Pachelbel Canon. Traditional. First dance was Bryan Adams “Everything I do I do it For You”. Ah the memories………..
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another pachelbel cannon fan here, my walk down the garden song!!
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It’s just so classy. Ava Maria is also a fave of mine and we played that at the prelude.
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Sorry but I haaaate Pachelbel’s Canon. I find it a dirge at the best of times – the best bit is towards the end, long after the bride is at the altar and the organist has finished playing – and have been to so many weddings where it’s been played.
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Snap! I walked down the aisle to Pachabel’s Canon too. And since discovered that its in every tv wedding. But 12 years later it still moves me to tears (good tears) even if it’s a sappy soap opera wedding.
And we had Ave Maria play whilst signing the register. It was our concession to a hymn to have at our Catholic Church wedding. It was at our family church but my husband is atheist so we went for the “Catholic light” version rather than the full nuptial mass extravaganza.
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A couple of choices
This I Promise You – Ronan Keating
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uHvGtoDOfk
Shania Twain – From This Moment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-Lp2uC_1lg&ob=av2n
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Oh no! I thought that song was about cannibals (not canonballs). I could picture them running through the jungle with the wind in their hair etc Will have to rethink the whole thing…
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A couple of choices
Ronan Keating – This I Promise You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uHvGtoDOfk
Shania Twain – From This Moment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=a-Lp2uC_1lg&feature=endscreen
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My friend used to say she’d walk down the aisle to ‘Still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ (U2)!! Thought it was hilarious but of course on her big day she went for something romantic.
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We had “Luckiest” by Ben Folds
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My cousin had that song, too. I read the lyrics and loved it. Unfortunately I didn’t get to hear the song because I was outside as part of the bridal party, the music wasn’t turned up loud enough and by the time someone realised they had to give us a cue to come in, it was nearly over!
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oh that was a shame! they are just beautiful lyrics x
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I want that song!!
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Aisle: A whole new world – from Aladdin (I am a Disney freak)
Certificate: Green Eyes by Coldplay
Leaving the church: Sweetest thing by U2
Wedding dance: Angels by Robbie Williams (cheesy I know, but it was the last song played on the first night we met)
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I had “when I fall in love” by Nat King Cole.
Still tears me up. Still married after 17 years.
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OMIGIDDYCHRIST!! What an awesome wedding song Bern! This is now going to be the first walzt song of my imaginery wedding.
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All our songs were chosen because they make us smile and were happy and vibrant. Oh except the first dance song which has been my favourite song since a little girl watching dirty dancing.
Walk up aisle song: Shouldn’t you oughta be in love – Dave Dobbyn (NZ legend)
Certificate signing: Here comes the sun – Beatles
Song where everyone comes up and hugs you (not sure what the official title is) : You’ve got the love – Florence and the machine
Reception entrance: Home – Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
First dance: These arms of mine – Otis Redding
LOVE everyone one of them and am certain in 50 years time I’ll still be smiling when I hear them.
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I LOVE your Florence song and Home so much! I want both of them in my (at the moment non existent) wedding! They are so happy and fun! I had thought of Home as the after ceremony song (it’s so sweet and happy, and such meaningful words-you’re my best friend! etc), but I like your idea!! Might have to listen to your others now!
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I had shouldn’t you ought a be in love for my walk up the aisle too! Best song ever:)
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I walked in to The Forrest Gump Suite
Signed to one of my bridesmaids singing At Last
Walked out to The More I See You (big band version)
First dance was to Loving you (you now the one- la la a la la…… Do do do do o do….. Ahhhhhhh!)
I might go and watch my wedding video!!
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Just remembered- my sister had Al Green – Let’s Stay Together…. Still makes me smile when I hear it!
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Groovin Slowly by John Butler Trio was our bridal waltz song.
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Same here!
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Love Is Blindness, by U2. Sounds totally inappropriate to walk down the aisle to, I know, but I chose it for that message. Love IS blindness. It’s madness to commit yourself to one person only for life, to promise to always love them and always be true. It’s crazy. It’s insane. But you love them so much you do it anyway.
(Also, my mother wanted Pachabel’s Canon. This was my polite way of reminding her it was our wedding
)
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Oh, and we walked out to “I’m a Believer” (pre-Shrek. Yep, we’re THAT old). It was my husband’s choice and a surprise for me on the day. He is not a sentimental man, but the lyrics and his sniffy nose said it all
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I walked down the aisle to Coldplay ‘green eyes’ and we had our first dance to Bernard Fanning’s ‘Watch over me’. Tim chose them and it was his only contribution to the wedding as groom (oh and showing up and all that). He wasn’t all that interested in colours or flowers but he took the song choice VERY seriously- hundreds of songs were considered and carefully whittled down. He organised a close friend to play them on guitar and sing them. They are great songs and I love them even more now because he was so careful to pick the right songs that he felt exemplified us.
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I have been to so many weddings with cheesy songs so I have thought a lot about this.
I want to walk down the aisle to Sweet Thing by Van Morrison, I want Burn Your Name by Powderfinger to play when we sign the certificate and I want my first dance to be to my favourite song of all time, Let’s Get It On by Marvin Gaye.
My sister is walking down the aisle to You’ve Got a Friend in Me by James Taylor which I thought was a great choice too.
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I want to walk down the aisle to Sweet Thing by Van Morrison too! It’s so powerfully emotional and beautiful.
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I know what I wouldn’t use any more, even though I love it – the ‘Promenade’ theme from Mussorgsky’s ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’. I recommended it to both my sister and my best friend, they both used it, and they both ended up divorced!
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No “our song”. Lunch time reception at a winery with an amazing classical guitarist………….still gets compliments after 19 years
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Lots of inspired and inspiring choices here. We’re still choosing….
We once went to a wedding where the first song was the Venga Boys ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, I want you in my room’…..Hhmm, not such an inspired choice.
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Up the aisle: She Moves in Mysterious Ways – U2
Signing the register: Are You Gonna Be My Girl – Jet
Back down the aisle together: Darth Vader’s Imperial March – John Williams
First dance: We’re In This Together Now – Nine Inch Nails.
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We entered our reception to Michael Buble ‘for once in my life’ and our first dance was Josh Groban ‘When you say you love me’ It still gives me goosebumps.
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Aisle: be my husband by nina simone (got a friend to edit out the bits about cooking & sewing!)
Back down the aisle: come together by primal scream
Wedding waltz: ladies and gentleman we are floating in space by Spiritualized
Love all those songs!
Although our friend performed ‘sweetie’ by josh rouse at our wedding for us & I now consider that our wedding song, it was such a sweet song!
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First time – Whiter shade of pale by Procul Harum. A neighbour’s daughter asked if she could play it for us in the church and we felt we coudlnt say no. Um – not to be mean but it was like a Wiggles version….she was too young to ‘get’ pathos….
Second – my half sister playing Ave Maria on the flute.
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I LOVE whiter shade of pale. I first remember hearing it in the TV miniseries ‘Vietnam’. Nicholas Eadie hands Nicole Kidman a record and as his plane takes off that song plays. Gosh, the things you remember when you think of music!
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This was the hardest part of wedding planning as we have completely different tastes in music.
I walked down the aisle to Train’s Marry Me, and we walked up the aisle to Carrie Underwood’s Ever Ever After. We danced to Edwin McCain’s I’ll Be. I won out with the music, which surprised everyone who knows us as a couple!
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When it comes to weddings, girls win out on pretty much everything. No surprises there.
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theme from Ice Castles as i walked down the “aisle” (got married at the zoo so there was no aisle really), Peter Gabriel “In your eyes and ben Lee “gamble everything for love” for the registery signing. “Boom Boom Boom (lets go back to my room!) for after we were announced hubby and wife , which made everyone chuckle, and “As” by George Michael and Mary J Blige for our first dance. Loved them all!
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Seal – Kiss from a Rose
Maybe a bit morbid but we loved it – still do and cried when Team Seal sang it on the Voice
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I’m 21 and I want this as my (eventual) wedding song… I also teared up when it came on the voice!
Glad I’m not the only one
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I walked down the aisle to “Everloving” by Moby – by fluke, it timed itself perfectly so that I was walking down the aisle when the song hit its crescendo, and peetered out when I reached my husband. We walked out to a song by a Brisbane indie band called Tonjip. I think one of the band members wrote it for his wedding – starts out with gorgeous timpanis and triumphant sounding trumpets, then busts into a solid indie groove. With lyrics like “Has anyone ever told you/ I think you are a walking miracle/ formed from hands divine/ you are one of a kind/ couldn’t be more beautiful”, we couldn’t resist using it!
The best bit about those 2 choices? I rarely hear them used at other weddings (and I’m a wedding photographer now, so I go to a LOT!).
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Aisle: all you need is love by The Beatles
Certificate: The Glory of love (from Karate Kid, hubby’s choice!!)
Wedding dance: Beautiful in my eyes, Joshua Kaddison.
Garter: bringing sexy back, Justin Timberlake
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Over 20 years ago we had the music from the movie The Mission, the scene where, I can’t remember his name, is going over the waterfall. I loved it. We then danced to Elvis’s version of Caught in a Trap, mainly cause he didn’t want the Fine Young Cannibles version, which was popular at the time.
We have since separated and if I ever marry again I would love to walk down the aisle to Johnny Cash’s “I love you because” which is just the most perfect love song in my opinion!!
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