1. Choosing the Wedding Location and Type of Wedding
The first step in choosing the music for your wedding is deciding what type of wedding you are going to have and where you are going to have it. Some examples:
The type of ceremony you have depends on what music you will need to pick. The exact requirements should be discussed with the person who will preside over your wedding far in advance. Some examples of the various ceremonies and the music needed for each are as follows:
- A Wedding Mass in a Catholic church - Celebrated by a Priest (may be assisted by a Deacon)
- A Wedding Ceremony in a church - Celebrated by a Minister, Priest, or Deacon
- A ceremony not in a church - Celebrated by a Justice of the Peace, Minister, Priest, or Deacon
- A destination ceremony - often at an exotic local (Caribbean, Hawaii, etc.) and officiated by a local Justice of the Peace or an officiant of your choosing (you will usually have to pay transportation costs for this person)
- A Justice of the Peace wedding in a county or municipal office - No music is needed for this type of ceremony
- A wedding at a Synagogue, Temple, or Mosque [sorry for the inconvenience, but no information available for this type of wedding]
The type of ceremony you have depends on what music you will need to pick. The exact requirements should be discussed with the person who will preside over your wedding far in advance. Some examples of the various ceremonies and the music needed for each are as follows:
Wedding Ceremony
Prelude
Atmospheric music 1/2 hr before the start of wedding Seating of the Mothers Processional: Entrance of the Bridal Party Entrance of the Bride Exchanging of Vows Meditation: (Optional) Lighting of the Unity Candle Signing of Register (UK) Recessional: Exit of the Wedding Party Postlude When there is movement (people moving to/from various locations as part of the ceremony), some light organ/piano or instrumental filler music may be played to fill the gap. Usually the organist/musicians will choose this music, but you are perfectly welcome to include something you would like.
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Catholic Wedding Ceremony
Prelude
Atmospheric music 1/2 hr before the start of wedding Seating of the Mothers Processional: Entrance of the Bridal Party Entrance of the Bride Liturgy of the Word: Responsorial Psalm Gospel Acclamation Exchanging of Vows Meditation: (Optional) Lighting of the Unity Candle Devotion to the Blessed Mother Recessional: Exit of the Wedding Party Postlude |
Catholic Mass (Option 1)
Prelude
Atmospheric music 1/2 hr before the start of wedding Seating of the Mothers Processional: Entrance of the Bridal Party Entrance of the Bride Liturgy of the Word: Responsorial Psalm Gospel Acclamation Exchanging of Vows Liturgy of the Eucharist: Presentation of the Gifts/Offertory Hymn or Solo* Mass Parts (Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, Lamb of God) # Communion Hymn or Solo* Meditation: (Optional) Lighting of the Unity Candle Devotion to the Blessed Mother Recessional: Exit of the Wedding Party Postlude * If you are using solo music for the Presentation of the Gifts/Offertory or at the distribution of Communion, be sure to select music that is appropriate for these times. It is most appropriate to use a song of religious nature (especially a song that has the Eucharist as the topic or theme).
Always check with the music director or the Celebrant to see if what you have chosen is appropriate. |
Catholic Mass (Option 2)
Prelude
Atmospheric music 1/2 hr before the start of wedding Seating of the Mothers Processional: (2 options)
Liturgy of the Word:
Responsorial Psalm Gospel Acclamation Exchanging of Vows Liturgy of the Eucharist: Presentation of the Gifts/Offertory Hymn or Solo Mass Parts (Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Great Amen, Lamb of God) Communion Hymn or Solo Meditation (Optional): Lighting of the Unity Candle Devotion to the Blessed Mother Recessional: (2 options)
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* For a printable version of these guides see the Wedding Ceremony Music Planners *