Liturgical Music for Wedding Ceremonies
One important detail to attend to concerning your wedding ceremony is the choice of music. This should be done at least four weeks in advance of the wedding date so that the music can be adequately prepared and arrangements can be made for special music or soloists if desired.
Below is a sample of music for various parts of the Wedding Liturgy. This will help facilitate the planning of your wedding ceremony at St. Michael Parish, allowing you to select musical choices at your leisure and with the input of friends and family. This is intended as a list of suggested music. If you are interested in including music in your Wedding Liturgy that is not included in the list below, please inquire with the Director of Music.
Under no circumstances is secular or popular music to be played in church. The appropriate time for these more current selections is at the wedding reception following the ceremony.
Please use the Wedding Liturgy Planning Form to indicate your music selections.
Processional Music
This is music to which the bridal party, including the bridesmaids and ushers, maid of honor, flower girl, ring bearer, bride and her father (or other escort) processes. The practice of having one piece of music for the bridal party and another for the bride is not permitted; only one musical selection is allowed for the processional.
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J. S. Bach)
“Canon in D” (Johann Pachelbel)
“Air from Suite No. 12” (C. F. Handel)
“Trumpet Voluntary” (Jeremiah Clarke)
“No Shade So Rare” (G. F. Handel)
“Entrée Nuptiale” (Henry Smith)
“Bridal Chorus” (Richard Wagner)
“Majestic Processional” (Mark Williams)
Responsorial Psalm
Between the Old and the New Testament scripture passages is a responsorial psalm set to music.
Psalm 34: Taste and See (Gather Hymnal 45)
Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful (Gather Hymnal 89)
Psalm 128: Blest Are Those Who Love You (Gather Hymnal 111)
Psalm 145: Our God is Compassion (Gather Hymnal 122)
Preparation of the Altar
The preparation of the altar for the Liturgy of the Eucharist is a time during which you may choose an additional selection of music, either vocal or instrumental.
“The Gift of Love” (text paraphrased from Corinthians 13)
“Panis Angelicus” (César Franck)
“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” (J. S. Bach)
“Canon in D” (Johann Pachelbel)
“Air from Suite No. 12” (C. F. Handel)
“No Shade So Rare” (G. F. Handel)
Communion Songs
The two hymnal used at St. Michael Parish offer many selections for communion hymns. If you feel there is a communion hymn which many people attending your wedding will know and enjoy singing that is not listed below, please inquire with the Director of Music. Consider also the following selections:
Take and Eat This Bread (Gather Hymnal 606)
Let Us Be Bread (Gather Hymnal 585)
You Satisfy the Hungry Heart (Worship Hymnal 736)
I Am the Bread of Life (Worship Hymnal 738)
Recessional Music
This is music to which the bride and groom walk out of the church after the ceremony, followed by the wedding party.
“The Rejoicing” (Charles Callahan)
“Finale from Concerto No. 5” (G. F. Handel)
“Wedding March” (Felix Mendelssohn)
“Trumpet Voluntary” (Jeremiah Clarke)
“Cornet Voluntary” (John Travers)
“Processional for a Joyful Day” (Dale Wood)
“Toccata in F” (Dietrich Buxtehude)
“Hornpipe from Water Music” (G. F. Handel)
“Processional on Hymn to Joy” (Beethoven)
“Convocation” (Charles Callahan)
Please use the Wedding Liturgy Planning Form to indicate your selection of music for various parts of the Wedding Liturgy.
For a sample of readings from Sacred Scripture for Catholic wedding ceremonies.
To return to the Sacrament of Marriage page.