Wedding Songs

Here is a list of potential songs that can be sung at a Catholic service and/or Mass.   A Mass, as compared to a Service, is when the Holy Eucharist is shared, and is therefore a longer ceremony.   The decision whether to have a Service or Mass rests with the bride and groom, and it is recommended that you speak with your church and family.    This guide provides some guidance for both a Service and Mass (as noted in several headings), and is intended to help in the discussions with the Coordinator and Priest as it relates to music selection and the ceremony.   Music at the ceremony is intended to enrich the celebration of marriage, and generally, there are a few considerations to ensure the music enhances the wedding:

  • Don’t feel you have to have music at every quiet moment in the liturgy – Sometimes it is good to be sparing in your selections
  • Consider how many of the attendees are Catholic (or Christian) – This will help with deciding whether the congregation may be more participatory in the celebration.
  • The music below is a sample of what is available.  There is a wide body of music well suited for weddings, but because this is done as part of a Catholic service, having these songs reviewed by the Liturgical Coordinator or Priest is important.

I am happy to work with you on other ideas or suggestions you may have.   I am also including 2 examples of Wedding programs HERE and HERE that may help in the preparations.

 

O R D E R   O F    M A S S  O R  S E R V I C E

OPTIONAL RITUALS NOT REQUIRED BUT OFTEN PERFORMED

  • It is common to demonstrate the unity of the marriage either with the lighting of the Unity Candle, or place a rosary (actually 2) around the couple at communion (Known as the Lazo).  The latter is typically seen in  weddings where there is a strong Hispanic heritage.
  • Additionally, in weddings with the desire to keep the Hispanic tradition, there is also the optional ceremony called Las Arras, which is exchanging of 13 gold coins (or dimes that are spray painted gold)
  • These optional rituals are not required, since celebrating the sacrament of the Eucharist is already a sign of unity in a marriage.   If you do want to have one of these rituals, please share your intent with the Liturgical Coordinator or Priest for their agreement

BEFORE MASS (Typically 10-20 minutes before the start of the processionals)

  • Any instrumental music is appropriate, and usually, you can leave this up to the accompanist
  • Generally, the accompianist will have a set of songs they will use, but if there are special songs you would like performed, it is a nice time to consider them.  A good example could be John Michael Talbot’s Canticle of the Bride
  • Music should wrap up around 3-4 minutes before the top of the hour to begin with the processionals

PROCESSIONALS – IN ORDER

  1. Mother(s) lighting the Unity Candle.   If the decision is to include the Unity Candle, you can have the moms process down to music, light the 2 individual candles on the alter, and then sit down.  This takes about 2 minutes.   A simple, quiet song is perfect
  2. Bridesmaids – This would start right at the top of the hour (or the official start of the wedding mass).  It is important to share how many bridesmaids you will have, as well as any flower girls or ring bearers.  You would want separate music for this.
  3. Bride  – This would be after the bridesmaids have walked in, and everyone stands up.
  4. Music to consider here depends on whether there is an organist or pianist, or if you are using other instruments.   Also, some churches may have songs not acceptable, like the song most people equate to ‘Here Comes the Bride’ (Wagner’s Bridal Chorus).  Some suggestions:    Jesu, Man of Joy’s Desire and Hornpipe for Water Music, Brandenburg Concertos, Allegro, God Who Created Hearts to Love (If you want someone to sing),  Ode to Joy, Rondeau, Trumpet Tune, Trumpet Voluntary

MASS / SERVICE BEGINS

  • Priest welcomes everyone, does the sign of the cross, and begins Mass.
  • There is no need to have any of the traditional music done before the first readings (Known as the Kyrie and Gloria).
  • Once complete, he will ask everyone to sit down and listen to the readings

READINGS (Known as the Liturgy of the Word)

  • First Reading – someone will walk up and read the first reading
  • Psalm – This can be sung or spoken.     Singing the Psalm is often preferred by the priest, but it is not required, and if you want to try and include additional people in the wedding, having another reader do the Psalm may be a good option.   There are several Psalms that are well suited for the mass, and there are several versions of songs that can be done for this.
  • Second Reading – Someone will walk up and read.  When they are done, they will walk back to their seat
  • Gospel Acclaimation – This is done as a transition to the Gospel reading, and is generally sung.   There are many Gospel Acclamations that are suitable – 3 that would be good are Celtic Alleluia, Traditional Version, and Mass of Creation
  • Gospel – Read by the priest
  • Homily – Priest will do a (short) homily, and generally reflects on the couple, the purpose of marriage and the readings chosen.

MARRIAGE RITE

  • At this point, the priest will invite the bridegrooms, groomsman and couple up
  • The rite follows these steps – state intentions, exchange of vows, blessing of rings and exchange of rings
  • If the Unity Candle is chosen, this would also be when the couple uses the separate candles lit by the mom(s), and lights a single candle

OFFERTORY(If having a full mass)

(This is also considered the transition to the Liturgy of the Eucharist)

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (If having a full Mass)

  • There are 3 points that the congregation can either sing or speak the prayers:   Holy, Memorial Acclamation and Great Amen.   Typically at Sunday Mass, these are sung.   It is good to sing them if you can, but the challenge is that there is not one version that everyone knows, which means the congregation will often just listen and not participate.   This is something to discuss with the Liturgical Coordinator and the Priest to determine what is acceptable to them.
  • Our Father:  This can be sung, and especially if the other mass parts are not sung, it is a nice touch.  There is a familiar chant that everyone will know, and the priest can start this.   Here is how the melody goes
  • Lamb of God:  Another prayer that is best to sing.   Like the other mass parts, there are many versions and likely many people will not know the melody.   There is a Gregorian chant version in Latin that is very common that people will recognize and sing (And it is a short version)

COMMUNION (If having a full Mass)

  • If you choose to have the Lazo, you will be directed to kneel at the alter, and then someone (Bridesmaid generally) will wrap the rosaries around you.   You then receive communion and will stay in this position through communion.
  • At Communion, it is good to know roughly how many of the attendees are catholic, so that you can determine how long Communion will take.  Generally, you can do one song completely and there may be still a little extra time where the accompanist can continue to play that song.  Rarely do you need to plan for 2 songs, unless you are expecting more than 300-400 people receiving communion.
  • Song(s) can either be solos, only instrumental, or sung with the congregation.  If the congregation is largely catholic, it is always good to sing a song.   A few suggestions:  Pan de Vida (Great as it is both in Spanish and English for congregations with a Hispanic heritage), Here I Am, Lord, Taste and See, One Bread One Body as well as the songs from the Offertory.
  • After Communion is a great time for the Ave Maria

RECESSIONAL

  • You are home free!
  • Song selections are similar to the Processional – I would review these as well as consider what the Accompanist has typically played.
  • Generally, it is good to ask the accompanist to play one more song as it takes some time for people to leave, and it is nice to have music playing in the background.

 

Additional versions of songs to consider

When Love is Found:
Where there is Love:
Wherever you Go:
I have Loved You:
No Greater Love:
Seek Ye First:  

SOME INSTRUMENTAL SONGS 
Wedding Song
Dona Nobis Pachem
Canticle of the Turning

 

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