Choosing Your Wedding Music
The selection of music for your wedding ceremony is a very important process, but many couples don't know where to begin. That's what we're here for! We've designed this part of our website to acquaint you with some of the best music available for the various parts of the Catholic wedding liturgy. Choosing your wedding music will take a while, so you might want to come back and visit this music page several times before you finalize your selections.
Here's what you should do to get started:
-
VISIT OUR "PLANNING" AND "MUSICIAN" PAGES
To get the best use out of this music page, it's a good idea to start by visiting our "Wedding Planning" page first, if you have not already done so. After reading the materials presented there, go to the "Wedding Musicians" page to consider the various musicians you would like to have for your ceremony. Once you have visited both of these areas, you'll be better prepared to start the music selection process here.
-
UNDERSTAND OUR MUSIC GUIDELINES
If you have not already done so, it's wise to make sure you have read our basic parish wedding music guidelines, which are found on page 16 of the "Your Wedding at SCC" booklet, available here, or by clicking on the "Your Wedding at SCC" link to the right.
-
FILL OUT THE MUSIC SELECTION FORM
You probably already started filling out the Wedding Music Selection Form when you visited the "wedding musicians" page, so at this point you should have completed the top three portions of the form with your contact information, liturgy details and request for musicians. Now, as you work through the music selection process on this area of the website, you'll want to indicate your music choices by checking the appropriate boxes in each of the sections under "Music" on the selection form. Please note that some of the items on this part of the form are for optional parts of the wedding liturgy. Be sure to check the "yes" or "no" boxes next to each of these options to let us know whether or not you are including these liturgical moments in your ceremony.
-
LISTEN TO THE MUSIC SELECTIONS BELOW
Be sure to read the explanations under each heading below for an understanding of how music works for each part of the wedding liturgy. The music selections that follow are organized in the same order in which they appear on the Wedding Music Selection Form. When you click on the "info/listen" button for each selection, a popup window will appear with background information (for instrumental pieces) and/or music texts (for vocal pieces), along with the playback controls for the listening example.
Please note that you will need Apple QuickTime installed on your computer to be able to hear our listening examples. If you need it, please click on the appropriate icon to the right.
Once each listening example has loaded, it should begin to play automatically. For some examples, this might take a moment, depending on your internet connection speed and the size of the sound file, so please be patient. You can pass the time by reading the information paragraphs and music texts!
-
SEND US YOUR COMPLETED SELECTION FORM
After you have completed all sections of the Wedding Music Selection Form, please send it to the parish music office via fax or mail. The fax number and address information are listed at the top of the form. Once the form is received, we will contact you to finalize your wedding music plans and answer any questions you might have.
It's a good idea to keep a copy of the completed form for yourself as well, in case the one you send gets lost in the mail. This will also come in handy if you are printing a wedding program for your ceremony. You can download as many copies of the form as you like by clicking here or on the "Music Selection Form" link in the right-hand margin of this page.
Happy listening!
Prelude
Prior to the beginning of the wedding liturgy, there is a
prelude consisting of about 5-10 minutes of instrumental music as guests arrive and are seated. Music during this time is usually selected at the discretion of the Director of Music and encompasses a combination of pieces that mirror the festive nature of the occasion as well as the quiet dignity of prayerful reflection. Often the prelude is comprised entirely of solo organ repertoire but the utilization of other instruments (trumpets, strings, harp, etc.) is possible as well.
Seating of Parents
Couples often wish to have the
seating of their parents highlighted and accompanied by a special piece of music. The seating of the parents takes place just prior to the procession of the wedding party, so the music should be clearly different from that of the processional. A meditative vocal solo or relatively quiet instrumental piece is usually best here. If this is desired, please choose an appropriate vocal solo or instrumental selection from the possibilities listed below, or simply leave this part blank on your Wedding Music Selection Form if you have no preference.
Click to listen and for more information.
VOCAL SOLO:
Be Thou with Them – Johann Sebastian Bach
Wedding Hymn – George Frideric Handel
Wedding Song – Heinrich Schütz
Ave Maria – Gabriel Fauré
This Love – Donald Busarow
Now with Thanksgiving – Irish Folk Tune
If you prefer instrumental music during the seating of parents instead, consider these possibilities:
INSTRUMENTAL:
Canon – Johann Pachelbel
La Grâce – Georg Philipp Telemann
Four Seasons – Winter: Largo – Antonio Vivaldi
Xerxes: Largo – George Frideric Handel
Serenade – Jeremiah Clarke (this one requires a trumpeter)
Ecossaise – Jeremiah Clarke (this one requires a trumpeter)
Processional
The
processional is usually played by the organ alone or with trumpet(s). Several wonderful possibilities are listed here. To hear the selections and to learn more about each piece, click on the "more info/listen" button next to each title. The first six pieces listed here sound great with the addition of a trumpeter or two, but they also work quite nicely with just the organ. It is customary at Saint Clement (since our main aisle is relatively short) to choose one piece of music for the entire processional.
Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Tune – Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Tune in D – David N. Johnson
Trumpet March – Jean-Baptiste Lully
Prelude to the Te Deum – Marc-Antoine Charpentier
Rondeau – Jean-Joseph Mouret:
Minuet – Jeremiah Clark
Royal Fireworks Music: Overture – George Frideric Handel
Canon – Johann Pachelbel
Rigaudon – André Campra
Sonata No. 3: Allegro maestoso – Felix Mendelssohn
Opening Hymn (optional)
Following the processional, some couples wish to have an
opening hymn sung by the congregation. It's best to choose a hymn familiar to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. If you elect to have an opening hymn, be aware that you'll need to have a printed program containing the words (and music if you wish) so everyone can join in the singing. Here are several rousing, well-known ecumenical hymns that would be familiar to a majority of those gathered for the ceremony. Clicking on a title will present you with a PDF copy of the selected hymn, which you are free to reprint in your program. Clicking on the tune name (printed in capital letters) will open a midi electronic sound sample of the hymn.
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You —
HYMN TO JOY
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty —
LOBE DEN HERREN
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling —
HYFRYDOL
Now Thank We All Our God —
NUN DANKET
For the Beauty of the Earth —
DIX
Responsorial Psalm
If there is a cantor, it is highly desirable that the
responsorial psalm be sung. If there will
not be a cantor, the responsorial psalm may be spoken, or it may be replaced by a short piece of instrumental music. The responsorial psalm follows the first reading, and there are many psalms from which to choose. Several are printed in the book
Together for Life by Joseph Champlin, which also contains readings, prayers and blessings for the wedding liturgy, and which you will probably use in planning your ceremony with your priest. Here are musical settings of all the suggested psalms, as well as a few others. If you are printing a wedding program, be sure to print the words of the psalm refrain so your guests can join in the singing.
Psalm 33 – setting by J. Robert Carroll
REFRAIN: "The earth is full of the goodness, the goodness of the Lord."
Psalm 34 – setting by Joel Martinson
REFRAIN: "Taste and see the goodness of the Lord, happy are those who trust in God."
Psalm 103 – setting by David Haas
REFRAIN: "The Lord is kind and merciful."
Psalm 103 – setting by Richard Proulx
REFRAIN: "My soul give thanks to the Lord, and bless God's Holy Name."
Psalm 104 – setting by A. Gregory Murray
REFRAIN: "The earth is full of your riches, O Lord, in wisdom you made them all."
Psalm 104 – setting by Ronald Arnatt
REFRAIN: "Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth."
Psalm 112 – setting by J. Robert Carroll
REFRAIN: "Happy are those who do what the Lord commands."
Psalm 118 – setting by Richard Proulx
REFRAIN: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice, let us rejoice, let us rejoice and be glad."
Psalm 128 – setting by James Chepponis
REFRAIN: "May the Lord bless us all the days of our lives."
Psalm 145 – setting by Marty Haugen
REFRAIN: "The Lord is compassionate to all his creatures."
Psalm 148 – setting by Robert Batastini
REFRAIN: "Let all praise the name of the Lord."
Gospel Acclamation
Before the gospel reading, an
Alleluia is always sung (except during Lent). This will be led by the cantor. (Since the
Alleluia is a standard liturgical response, it is not recorded here.) During the season of Lent, alleluias are omitted from the Church's liturgies, and the Lenten gospel acclamation "Glory to you, O Word of God, Lord Jesus Christ" is sung instead, led by the cantor.
Unity Candle (optional)
If there will be a
unity candle, it is placed on a little table right next to where you will be standing during the ceremony, so it takes very little time to light the candle. Music is not needed here.
Offertory (skip if you are not having a full mass)
If you are planning a full Mass, the liturgy continues with music during the
offertory and preparation of the altar. This usually takes very little time, so a short organ improvisation or instrumental selection is usually most effective at this point. The selection of the offertory music is usually left up to the musicians.
Acclamations (skip if you are not having a full mass)
During Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer follows next. The cantor will lead the congregation in singing the responses within the prayer. Also called
acclamations, these include the Sanctus (Holy, Holy), the Memorial Acclamation (Christ has died), and the Great Amen. These responses are taken from the standard liturgical repertoire, and are not recorded here.
Lord's Prayer
Sometimes couples ask to have the Lord's Prayer (Our Father) sung. Although this generally works well on Sundays in your local church, keep in mind that your wedding guests will likely come from several
different churches and faiths. Since this is the one common prayer among all Christian denominations, it is very important that everyone be able to join in praying it together. For these reasons, the Lord's Prayer is spoken, rather than sung, at Saint Clement wedding ceremonies.
Sign of Peace (skip if you are not having a full mass)
Since the sign of peace involves speaking and movement on the part of the congregation, and since the Lamb of God follows immediately, it is not appropriate to have vocal or choral music at this point. We will play a very brief keyboard improvisation or instrumental piece here.
Lamb of God (skip if you are not having a full mass)
The Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) is sung immediately following the sign of peace, just before communion. As with the other acclamations, musical settings of the Lamb of God are taken from the standard liturgical repertoire, and are not recorded here.
Communion (skip if you are not having a full mass)
In selecting music for
communion, couples will want to keep in mind the nature of the Eucharistic rite as a sign of the unity of everyone gathered. If you have a congregation that likes to sing, a congregational hymn would be very appropriate here. A vocal solo, a choir anthem, or a meditative organ/instrumental selection could work well here too. Please note that one piece of music is usually sufficient for communion. Here are several beautiful communion hymns with simple refrains for the congregation:
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:
God is Love – Richard Proulx
I Am the Living Bread – William Lovelock
Taste and See – Joel Martinson
Gather Us Together – Owen Alstott
Sing to the Lord – Owen Alstott
If you would like to use a vocal solo, rather than a congregational hymn, here are several well-known choices:
VOCAL SOLO:
Panis Angelicus – César Franck
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring – Johann Sebastian Bach
Ave Verum Corpus – Edward Elgar
When Love is Found – English Tune
The Call – Ralph Vaughan Williams
If you simply prefer instrumental music at communion instead, here are some instrumental selections:
INSTRUMENTAL:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring – Johann Sebastian Bach
Sleepers, Awake – Johann Sebastian Bach
Water Music: Air – George Frideric Handel
Rhosymedre – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Meditation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (optional)
If you plan on making a visitation to Mary's altar, it will take place after communion (or after the Lord's Prayer if you're not having a full mass). At this point in the liturgy, a
meditation could be sung by the vocalist or choir as a reflection of the personal, devotional prayer of the bride and groom and of the whole congregation. Music during this moment is usually a setting of the "Ave Maria" or other appropriate hymn to Mary. Here are many beautiful possibilities:
Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
Ave Maria – Bach-Gounod
Ave Maria – Gabriel Fauré
Ave Maria – Vinzenz Goller
Ave Maria – Joseph Rheinberger
Ave Maria – Antonín Dvorák
Ave Maria – Jacob Arcadelt
Hail, Queen of Heaven – Henri Frédéric Hemy
O Mary of Graces – Traditional Irish
Recessional
The wedding
recessional is usually the liturgy's most festive and joyous of musical expressions. Most often played by the organ alone or with trumpet(s) or other instruments, there are countless possibilities, including these listed here. You might notice that some of these same pieces are listed as processionals earlier on this page. That's because they can work for either the entrance procession at the beginning of the wedding or the exit recessional at the end. The only difference is that usually they're played a little faster if used here at the end. The first eight pieces listed here are quite stunning with the addition of a trumpeter or two, but they also sound great with just the organ. Please make
one selection.
Trumpet Voluntary – John Stanley
Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Tune – Jeremiah Clarke
Trumpet Tune in D – David N. Johnson
Water Music: Hornpipe – George Frideric Handel
Royal Fireworks Music: The Rejoicing – G.F. Handel
Rondeau – Jean-Joseph Mouret
Symphony No. 9: Ode to Joy – Ludwig van Beethoven
Toccata – Giambattista Martini (requires a trumpeter)
