There are going to be a few shocks at each wedding ceremony, but few have the emotional effect that you’re about to see.

Shane and Rachel McNally exchanged vows in St. Joseph’s Church in Carrickmacross, Ireland. The traditional wedding proceeded smoothly, but after the vows, the bride and groom’s guests revealed a secret they had been keeping for five weeks. The event began when a guest unexpectedly rose from the crowd and began to sing.

Hannah O’Brien, a friend of the happy couple, is also a member of Starling Blue, a four-part female singing ensemble. Hannah anticipated that Shane and Rachel’s wedding audience would include many excellent singers and musicians, so she planned a surprise performance that proved to be the perfect wedding present for her pals.

“I realized that there were going to be plenty of singers and musicians attending the wedding and saw the opportunity to do something special for the happy couple who love music,” Hannah told me.

Hannah and Starling Blue planned covert rehearsals in the weeks before the big day. The abrupt and stunning sound of “Stand By Me” brought both Shane and Rachel to tears when their time arrived.

The guests stood up one by one and sang their way to the front of the church. Wedding photographer Ray Yore captured video of Shane wiping away tears during the song, as Rachel fanned her face to maintain her makeup. Even Rachel’s father joined in the serenade!

The film, difficult to watch without getting wet, quickly gained popularity after its online upload. Ray recalled that it was a wonderful surprise that brought everyone to tears. “It was a great homage to the bride and groom.

“I’ve never seen anything like this done before, and I’ve been to many weddings,” Ray joked on Facebook. We must admit this is one of the most beautiful and unique wedding tributes we’ve seen. This song is usually an emotional favorite, but how they surprised the delighted couple is especially unforgettable.

Grab a Kleenex and watch the video for yourself below, and please share.