Office of Worship

Wedding Planning Home / Wedding Liturgy Planning

Sacred music for a Catholic wedding

Mass propers

INTROIT / ENTRANCE ANTIPHON

May the God of Israel join you together; and may he be with you, who took pity upon two only children: and now, O Lord, make them bless thee more fully.  
Blessed are all they that fear the Lord; that walk in his ways.  Ps. 127:1 / Tobias 7:15 and 8:19

Psalm

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord (Psalm 33)
I will bless the Lord at all times (Psalm 34)
The Lord is kind and merciful (Psalm 103)
Happy are those who do what the Lord commands (Psalm 112)
Happy are those who fear the Lord (Psalm 128)
The Lord is compassionate to all his creatures (Psalm 145)
Let all praise the name of the Lord (Psalm 148)

other settings may be used, provided the texts are taken from the Lectionary, not simply a "Song" based-on scripture.

Gloria & Mass Setting (at Mass)

Common congregational settings known by the parish are encouraged for participation.  It is common that congregational singing at weddings, however, is challenging.  If a choir or even small ensemble can be utilized, beautiful choral settings may be sung.

Offertory and Communion

See hymns, instrumental and choral music below.  Common themes are LOVE, DEVOTIONS TO MARY, EUCHARIST.
Secular songs, including music from the radio, movies, etc. are not permitted at Mass.

Acclamation at The Reception of Consent (NEW!)

After the Vows are given, the Priest/Deacon receives the consent, ending with the following words:

"...what God joins together, no one may put asunder."

A suitable acclamation then follows, taking care that the congregation can respond:

Communion Antiphon

Behold, thus shall every man be blessed that feareth the Lord: and may thou see thy children’s children: peace upon Israel.  Ps. 127: 4 and 6

other settings may be used, provided the texts are taken from the Lectionary, not simply a "Song" based-on scripture.

Organ and Instrumental Music

   Processionals and Recessionals -

   Strong Processionals or Recessionals

"A Wedding Processional" (Gerald Near) [Gray]
"Allegro vivace" (G.F. Handel)
"Entrée" (Calvert Shenk) from Maestoso 
"Fanfare" (Jacques Lemmens)
"Festival Intrada" (Gary Penkala) 
"Festive Procession" (Calvert Shenk) from Maestoso 
"In dir ist Freude" (J.S. Bach)
"Joyful Procession" (Calvert Shenk) from Festive Processionals 
"Marche royale" (Jean-Baptiste Lully)
"Meine Seele erhebt den Herren" (J.S. Bach)
"Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals" (Sigfrid Karg-Elert)
"Processional" (Calvert Shenk) from Maestoso 
"Processional on Westminster Abbey" (Robert Wetzler)
"Rigaudon" (André Campra)
"Solemn Processional" (F.J. Haydn)
"Suite gothique" (Léon Boellmann)

   Quiet Processionals

"Aria in F" (G.F. Handel)
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (J.S. Bach)
"Saint Anthony Chorale" (Johannes Brahms)
"Solemn Processional" (G.F. Handel)

   Preludes, Offertories & Communion Music -

"Air from D Major Suite" (J.S. Bach)
"Allegretto" (Felix Mendelssohn)
"Arioso" (J.S. Bach)
"Chaconne for Violin/Flute, Cello and Organ" (Campra / Penkala) 
"Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue" (Johann Pachelbel)
"Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness" (Johannes Brahms)
"Elevation" from Mass for the Convent (François Couperin)
"Fugue in g minor" (J.S. Bach)
"Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend" (J.S. Bach)
"Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (J.S. Bach)
"Liebster Jesu wir sind hier" (J.S. Bach)
"Meine Seele erhebt den Herren" (J.S. Bach)
"Prelude, Fugue and Variation" (César Franck)
"Prelude in D Major" (J.K.F. Fischer) [Concordia]
"Prelude on Rhosymedre" (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
"Prière à Notre Dame" (Léon Boellmann)
"Sixty Devotional Pieces" (Dom Gregory Murray)
"Vater unser in Himmelreich" (Bach, Buxtehude, Boehm, Pachelbel, Walther, Walcha)
"With High Delight" (Charles Ore)

Hymns

"Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (tune - Hyfrydol)
"O Perfect Love" (tune - Sandringham)
"Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" (tune - Lauda anima)
"Now Joined by God " (tune - O Herre Gott)
"Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow" (tune - Old 100th)
"Praise to the Lord" (tune - Lobe den Herren)
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" (tune - Hymn to Joy)
"Now Thank We All Our God" (tune - Nun danket)
"O God, Our Help in Ages Past" (tune - Saint Anne)

Vocal & Choral Music

"A Nuptial Blessing" (Richard Proulx)
"Ave Maria" (various)
"Behold, Thus Is the Man Blessed" (Wiliam Ferris) [GIA Publications]
"Corinthians' Prayer" (Stephen McManus) 
"Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder" (Claude Debussy)
"God is Love" (Richard Proulx)
"Love Song" (Robert Kreutz) [World Library Publications]
"O Father All Creating" (David Fetler)
"O God of Love" (Gerre Hancock)
"Psalm 128" (Robert Wetzler)
"Remember Your Love for Me, O Lord" (Eugene Englert) 
"Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One" (Healey Willan)
"Set Me As A Seal" (John Mitcheltree) [Augsburg]
"The Call/Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life" (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
"The Gift of Love" (Hal Hopson)
"When Love is Found" (Hal Hopson)
"Wher'er Thou Goest" (Hildach, G.W. Cassler)
"Whither Thou Goest" (Heinrich Schütz)
"Whither Thou Goest/Wedding Song" (Flor Peeters)

Gregorian chants, Hymns, and other God-centered songs are also appropriate for Weddings and can serve as Vocal Solos.