Silly Love Songs

“Some people just can’t get enough of silly love songs” sings Paul McCartney and the Wings and it is definitely true at weddings. The whole event is usually taking place to the soft strains of various love songs specially chosen by the couple to enhance the romantic mood. Usually these love songs have special significance to the bridal couple or are among their favorites.

Admittedly, though, it can get a little sappy. It can be really trying when the song selection includes songs like Olivia Newton John’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You” or the classic “The Nearness of You”. Then again, what can you do? It is the way the bride and groom feel and it is their time so you’ll have to grin and bear it and enjoy dancing with your partner.

On the other hand, you might get lucky and the bride and groom might actually have a wider selection of music prepared, some of which might even have a faster beat and allow dancing. They might actually get you singing and swaying, hopping, jiving and boogieing the night away even if the words are actually expressions of love still - yes, not all love songs are ballads.

One way to avoid getting stuck in the silly love song mode is to help the bride and groom create their playlist. Help them find music that does express how they feel but won’t lull the guests to sleep or drown you all in sappy romantic syrup. There are millions of songs available there is sure to be some that meet your standards.

If you love music you know that the arrangements can be changed to spice up an old song. You still keep the tune and melody true but you make the song unique. This is something that the band that the bride and groom hired can do to make these love songs seem less sticky yet still be wonderful songs everyone will enjoy. This will require however that you give the band advance notice so that they can rehearse and prepare for the change in the music.

Generally, though, people don’t mind the silly love songs. It is nice to know that some of us do indeed find love and fall in love. It seems silly only because we know that sometimes it can be like waiting for the sky to fall and none of us like waiting for the nearly impossible. We all know though that when it happens, there is nothing like it and we too become sappy and happily drown ourselves, and everyone around us in the romantic mood created by these love songs.

Some songs that are great choices to have at a wedding:

• I Only Have Eyes For You
• The Gift by Jim Brickman
• That’s All I Ask of You from the Phantom of The Opera
• The Way You Look Tonight
• What A Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong

The rest of the songs will really vary depending on the particular taste of the bride and groom. We can all just hope that it won’t all be silly love songs.

All About Love Songs

When choosing music for your wedding there are so many choices, it can be bewildering. Some want to go with classics. Others want to push the limits of the sound barrier. It can be a toss up between what you want and what your church or reception venue will allow (if there are any restrictions).

Most places of worship prefer music that is focused on God or on the sanctity of the sacrament of matrimony. Your minister or priest or rabbi may have some music that they will recommend. They may also suggest that you confer with the choir on your selections.

A song that appeals to most people is the song “That’s All I ask of You” that comes from the Phantom of the Opera. Usually it is used as the bride walks down the aisle. The words of this song is apt for many as they convey the sentiment of the wedding vows, especially the part where it goes:

Say you’ll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me, each night, each morning
Say you love me
You know I do
That’s all I ask of you

Yet another favorite song for weddings that also begins with the word all comes from the movie the Three Musketeers. There is no greater gift of love than loyalty, unswerving and unshakeable. It makes for more solid relationships which is something that every couple prays for. It makes a particularly poignant touch when played as the groom offers what he has to his bride (depends on your religion).

A favorite first dance since it first came out in the movie Footloose is the song “Almost Paradise” sung by Anne Wilson and Mike Reno. It is a beautiful and romantic song that expresses how many lovers feel. The first two verses speaks for a lot of lonely people who are thankful to have found the gift of love:

I thought that dreams belonged to other men
Cause I each time I got close it falls apart again
I feared my heart would beat in secrecy
I faced the nights alone
Oh how could I have known
That all my life I only needed you

98 Degrees’ song “I Do (Cherish You)” is one of the most appropriate wedding songs created in the nineties. A bit sentimental, but then who isn’t at weddings. To have some man express such sweet sentiment is a joy to the heart of the woman he has chosen to share his life with. Who wouldn’t want to hear their groom say:

I do cherish you
For the rest of my life
You don’t have to think twice
I will love you still
From the depths of my soul
Its beyond my control
I’ve waited so long to say this to you
If you ask me do I love you this much
I do

Of course you won’t want all the music at your wedding to be slow songs. You will definitely need a few to get everyone in a party mood. Just don’t forget to listen to the words of the songs you choose not just the melodies. That will save you from unpleasant surprises at your party.

Pay Attention To The Lyrics

Everyone has favorite music for weddings. Outside of the typical wedding march, all other songs are chosen by the couple for their nuptials. The music enhances the mood of the wedding, so you want it to be a perfect match.

Some couples make the mistake of choosing a song because the singer is one of their favorites and it seems mellow enough. Then one they stop and listen, they realize that on their wedding day, they’re playing a song about heartbreak. Talk about mismatch.

A modern favorite for the father and daughter dance is the song Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle. It is a beautiful song about a father and how he feels as he recalls watching his daughter grow up. Each night she would give him little kisses before she’d nod off to sleep. The song says: “With all that I’ve done wrong, I must have done something right to deserve her love every morning and butterfly kisses at night.”

The song Unforgettable by Natalie Cole and her father, Nat King Cole, is a favorite for the first dance. Isn’t it so true for the newlyweds? You married the person who was most unforgettable to you. Best of all, as the Coles sing it: “That’s why darling, it’s incredible that someone so unforgettable thinks that I am unforgettable too.” How’s that for a romantic touch?

Looking for a great song to end your party with? Try the song by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes called I’ve Had the Time of My Life. It’s a beautiful song taken from a wonderful movie. It starts slow but builds up to a great rhythmic beat that will get your guests up on the dance floor. Plus they leave your party singing: “I’ve had the time of my life and I’ve never felt this way before and I swear it’s so true and I owe it all to you.”