I am currently in the process of joining the Church. My fiancee is a cradle catholic but has never been to a full wedding mass. We are meeting with our church organist next week to discuss the music for our June wedding and I know he will have some suggestions for us also but wanted to try and already have some idea of what we would want to use. Since neither one of us have any experience with this I hoped the members here would be able to offer some suggestions. Our wedding will be a full mass.
Congratulations on your engagement!!! I often do Catholic weddings in the tri-state area where I live, so here is my advice:
First - Every parish will have their requirements of what is permitted for a wedding mass or ceremony, so it is important to find that out first from the church organist. He will definitely be the first one to go to for the appropriate information.
Second - Church musicians come with various strengths and weaknesses, so it is important to be aware that some church musicians may be only comfortable playing/singing what is in their repertoire for wedding masses and may not want to learn new rep. So, I’d suggest seeing what your organist has to suggest first. Since he is an organist, he may be more comfortable playing more traditional repertoire rather than contemporary repertoire or it could be the opposite. But you can always check to see if he/she is comfortable doing both. I worked with a music director who played the organ well with the traditional rep and also did more pop-like, contemporary music and she did that well too, albeit it wasn’t what the couple wanted, apparently, which I found out later. She kind of pushed for it and they just didn’t feel like getting into a fight with her so they let her have her way. Kind of funny hearing both sides. She complained about how they wanted all this “old-fashioned” music and they complained that she just kept pushing until they gave in to quiet her since they didn’t want to have to pay a bench fee and hire a different organist.
Third - In regards to music, just make sure the music is sacred/religious or absolute music - such as instrumental organ music which do not come from any secular show like an opera, ballet, musical, secular oratorio, etc.
- You will usually have music for the processional. Some parishes only permit one processional for both the bride and bridesmaids - not two, which is often done at least in most of the parishes I’ve worked in for weddings. Some parishes will also require a hymn to sung after the processional or even a hymn for the actual processional. (All this can be asked during your meeting with the organist.)
- The psalm can be read, but it should be sung. Most parishes will have musical settings for the most typical psalms used at weddings.
- Gospel Acclamation should be sung
- Offertory would have music. Some have chosen just an instrumental, but a hymn or another sacred vocal piece could be appropriate.
- The Sanctus, Memorial Acclamations, Lamb of God should also be sung. Usually the church will have the settings they are most comfortable playing. I know in my diocese they are trying to get rid of “Mass of Creation” in the parishes, so more parishes are moving towards the “Heritage Mass” or “Community Mass” for weddings.
- Communion will also have music. Depending on how large the congregation is and will be receiving communion, you may need two communion hymns or other appropriate sacred work that goes well for communion. We needed two when we were married.
- The Optional presentation to the Blessed Mother. Most brides choose the Schubert “Ave Maria”, but some have chosen other settings of the “Ave Maria” such as the Bach/Gounod setting. We chose Faure’s setting which is simple, reverent and prayerful. Elgar also has a lovely setting. One bride chose a pretty “Hail Queen of Heaven” by Hemy which can be found in the St. Gregory Hymnal. It was simple and pretty. Any other Marian hymn would also be appropriate.
- Recessional - Usually organ instrumental, but you can easily do a hymn as well. I’ve been asked to do either “Ode to Joy” or “Love Divine, All Love’s Excelling” if they wanted a hymn to be sung by their guests.
Most don’t choose hymns, because unfortunately, most of the time, guests won’t sing at weddings - even the ones who go to mass regularly. It’s a strange thing. It all depends on the guests, though. I recently did a wedding where most of the guests either chanted all of the Latin mass parts or sang whatever the couple chose in English like the psalm. It was very nice to have that happen, especially, when you are cantoring.
