Wedding Music
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additional marriage pages
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MUSIC AT WEDDINGS:
Congratulations on your upcoming Wedding celebration! Wedding music is an important part of your celebration, so thank you for beginning to research what music you would like to have at your Wedding.
Please note that the church does not reserve your Wedding musician(s). You should contact our parish musicians to schedule them to play at your Wedding. Until you actually "book" our musicians, they will not assume they are providing music at your Wedding. Musicians should be scheduled months ahead, as their schedules are often pretty busy. Also, if you bring your own musicians, they will be able to use our organ and/or piano and a microphone. Any other microphones and needs would require them to bring their own sound system. Outside musicians should have a good understanding of the Catholic liturgy.
Music for all Weddings must be approved by our music department. Please note that musicians typically do not attend Wedding rehearsals. Your fee to the church covers 1 musician only. Regarding payment of your musician: the church will pay one musician $150 out of the fee you give to the church, regardless of any other arrangements you make with that one musician. Any additional musicians you have will need to be paid out-of-pocket by you.There are a few things to keep in mind. First, music performed in the church must be sacred music. Most classical music from classical composers, like Bach and Handel, Mozart and others from that era, is acceptable. Music that must be reserved for your reception include songs from movies, TV and popular radio songs. We aren’t allowed to perform such music in the church. Examples of songs that must be reserved for your reception includes "A Thousand Years", and "Turning Page" popular songs today from a popular movie about vampires. Another popular song is "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen. Although the title is nice, the history behind the song makes it more suitable for your reception. Pre-recorded music (cd's, tapes, tracks on laptops, etc) cannot be used. The music chosen must draw one's thoughts to God, not to a movie or TV show. Music must also be provided by live people - the use of recorded music is never allowed. Church documents guide what is and isn't allowed:
De musica sacra et sacra liturgia
Instruction on Sacred Music and Sacred Liturgy Sacred Congregation for Rites — 3 September, 1958
71. The use of automatic instruments and machines, such as the automatic organ, phonograph, radio, tape or wire recorders, and other similar machines, is absolutely forbidden in liturgical functions and private devotions, whether they are held inside or outside the church, even if these machines be used only to transmit sermons or sacred music, or to substitute for the singing of the choir or faithful, or even just to support it.
Second, as you are planning your Wedding, one of the first things you should decide is whether you will have a Wedding Mass or a Wedding Ceremony. A Wedding Mass requires much more music than a Wedding Ceremony. A singer will also be needed for a Wedding Mass.
Third, you should have your music chosen and approved months before your Wedding. In some cases, the organist and/or singer may need to learn one or more of your choices, so plenty of time will be needed.Please contact our musicians via our staff page.
Here are our recommendations for when music should be performed:
WEDDING MASS: A singer is recommended, as there is a need for more music
- Preludes: light/soft instrumental preludes can be played. Keep in mind that people often talk before the Wedding begins, and if there is music, they will likely talk louder, which will create an atmosphere that is not conducive to prayer. Therefore, only light instrumental music is recommended.
- Entrance Processional: one song, or one song for bridesmaids entrance and one song for bride. Instrumental music is recommended, as music can be added/deleted as needed depending on the location of the bridal party.
- The Gloria is sung at Wedding Masses
- Responsorial Psalm: can be sung or read
- Gospel Acclamation: should be sung
- Exchange of Rings/Lighting of Candle: it is recommended that you not have music during this time. This is a very quick process, and waiting for music to conclude can be awkward.
- Offertory/Presentation of the Gifts: Instrumental or sung music should be chosen.
- Acclamations: including the Holy Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, and Lamb of God. This should only be sung if the guests of your Wedding will participate in the singing.
- Communion: one (or two if needed) songs can be sung.
- Recessional: Instrumental is recommended, and something loud and triumphant is encouraged.
Wedding Ceremony: A singer is often not recommended, as there is only one short piece of singing needed.
- Preludes: light/soft instrumental preludes can be played. Keep in mind that people often talk before the Wedding begins, and if there is music, they will likely talk louder, which will create an atmosphere that is not conducive to prayer. Therefore, only light instrumental music is recommended.
- Entrance Processional: one song, or one song for bridesmaids entrance and one song for bride. Instrumental music is recommended, as music can be added/deleted as needed depending on the location of the bridal party.
- Gospel Acclamation: should be sung, if the organist is able to play and sing.
- Recessional: Instrumental is recommended, and something loud and triumphant is encouraged.
Music Suggestions: please visit YouTube to hear a sample of the selections below.
Entrance:
- Air on the G String by J.S. Bach
- Arioso by J.S. Bach
- Canon in D by J. Pachelbel
- Here Comes the Bride/Bridal Chorus by Wagner
- Prince of Denmark’s March by J. Clarke
- Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke
Offertory/Presentation of the Gifts/Communion: (singer required)
- Ave Maria by F. Schubert
- Ave Maria by J.S. Bach/Gounod
- Where Love is Found by Dan Schutte
- Here Us Now, Our God and Father HYFRYDOL
- God, Who Created Hearts to Love LASST UNS ERFREUEN
- Wherever You Go by Weston Priory
- When Love is Found O WALY WALY
Recessional
- Hornpipe from Water Music by G.F. Handel
- Ode to Joy by Beethoven
- Prince of Denmark’s March by J. Clarke
- Rondeau by Jean-Joseph Mouret
- Te Deum by Marc-Antoine Charpentier
- Trumpet Tune by Henry Purcell
- Wedding March by Mendelssohn
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