Performing a Song at My Wedding...

I sing and play piano. Not professionally or anything. Just for fun. Music has always been that 'other thing I can kinda do' - you know, aside from the whole day job thing. My piano has been living at my parents house since I moved out years ago... So, sadly I haven't been able to play as much as I used to. And for years I've kind of felt a part of me was missing - my musical side. So one day, I was like, "Eff this. I miss playing so much. I'm gonna go buy a keyboard."

(source)

And I did.

And I love it.

I keep coming across these amazing piano love tunes - "Sky Blue and Black" by Jackson Browne, "Magic in the Air" by Badly Drawn Boy, "The Luckiest" by Ben Folds, etc. And I keep getting this crazy thought in my head that maybe I could...I don't know...dedicate a song to Mike...maybe during the ceremony or reception...by singing him a song whilst accompanying myself on piano...?

Oh, Lord. Even just the act of typing this notion out makes me nervous... Who am I kidding? I'm barely brave enough to play Christmas carols in front of my family, for nut's sake. But then there is this other side of me that gets the biggest RUSH from performing. I was an actor all through high school and college - doing musicals, sketch, short films, plays, and speech and debate. I was actually the lead in my high school musical...haha. Even got a college scholarship for it. But I pretty much stopped after college because I didn't want to deal with the nerves anymore - which is part of the reason why I gravitated toward being a writer instead. I still do sketch every once and a while at The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, but I can't shake this irrational fear of performing. Once I get over the anticipation part, I feel fine. I'm able to immerse myself into the character and not think about it. It's the whole 'waiting to go onstage' part that psychs me out... Aren't we going to be nervous enough on our wedding day? Why would I want to throw a full-fledged musical performance in front of 120 people into the mix?

Well. I think I know why. Cuz it would be cool as hell. I would KILL to attend a wedding in which the Bride or Groom plays a song for one another. I think it takes major cajones to put yourself out there like that - especially if you don't perform for a living...um...like yours truly...

While contemplating this risky venture...I said to myself, "Britt, you're only gonna do this if you find the PERFECT song - one you can sing (well enough) AND play at the same time - and one that screams 'Mike and Britt 4-eva' when you hear it." That's fair criteria, no?

Well. I *think* I found a song. One that I love. One that inspires me. One that is a love song - but the lyrics aren't 'on-the-nose' or overly sappy. One that I can play AND sing. One that reminds me how in love I am with my Michael. Shall I reveal it? I'm not sure that I really want to - because that means I have to do it then, right? Okay, okay I'll tell you one thing: the artist is Regina Spektor. The song name will be revealed if I feel confident enough to do it...I know, I'm so mean...

And hey, maybe it won't be as bad if I did it during the reception as opposed to the ceremony. I just know Mike and I will already be an emotional wreck up there saying our personal vows. Throw in a private love song performance too? Ha! Put a fork in us - WE'RE DONE.

Would you have the balls to do this? Know anyone who has? I'm also open to song suggestions if you got 'em...

(Regina image source)