With bigger decisions out of the way, it was time to think about the (more important) details: our ceremony. Lucky for us, civil ceremonies in the UK come with pre-written vows, which we simply plan to extend by including a French translation. A civil ceremony doesn't involve too much more beyond the vows and a signing of the register. The standard government-issue ceremony checklist only includes a few decisions for us to make, including choice of reading (which we're keeping a surprise) and musical selection.
For once, those wedding blogs served a purpose. (Normally I just go there to drool, and I leave them wondering how anyone finds so much free time and spare cash.) I pored over them for song ideas. We quickly agreed on our first processional song: Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Things got trickier when looking for a second processional song for the bride's entrance. We thought it would add symmetry to use a French song but, true to form, the French just don't enjoy singing about happiness. Heartache, melancholy, or existential questioning? Seek no further. But a modern Frenchman singing about a positive romance? I scoured French wedding blogs only to discover that they mostly use English-language love songs in their processionals, whether or not they understand the lyrics.
Eventually, the tag team of Google and youtube led us to a song by Debout Sur le Zinc called "La Déclaration" whose lyrics are really charming, all about committing to, and finding home in, each other. Luckily enough, a recent cover by Les Frangines was calm and sweet enough to actually be able to use when walking down the aisle.
Which brings us to the recessional song. My favorite wedding blog, apracticalwedding.com, suggested just the thing, hailing from England and fitting for a proper Brightonian wedding: "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness.
And with that, we'll be ready for the party to begin!
For once, those wedding blogs served a purpose. (Normally I just go there to drool, and I leave them wondering how anyone finds so much free time and spare cash.) I pored over them for song ideas. We quickly agreed on our first processional song: Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
Things got trickier when looking for a second processional song for the bride's entrance. We thought it would add symmetry to use a French song but, true to form, the French just don't enjoy singing about happiness. Heartache, melancholy, or existential questioning? Seek no further. But a modern Frenchman singing about a positive romance? I scoured French wedding blogs only to discover that they mostly use English-language love songs in their processionals, whether or not they understand the lyrics.
Eventually, the tag team of Google and youtube led us to a song by Debout Sur le Zinc called "La Déclaration" whose lyrics are really charming, all about committing to, and finding home in, each other. Luckily enough, a recent cover by Les Frangines was calm and sweet enough to actually be able to use when walking down the aisle.
Which brings us to the recessional song. My favorite wedding blog, apracticalwedding.com, suggested just the thing, hailing from England and fitting for a proper Brightonian wedding: "I Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness.
And with that, we'll be ready for the party to begin!
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