Ukranian Catholic Wedding

[kathy91383]

I will be singing at a Ukranian Catholic wedding and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect. I am Roman Catholic and was wondering if anyone could make comparisons for me…it would be a huge help!!!

Thanks!

 

[KyivAndrew]

I will be singing at a Ukranian Catholic wedding and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect. I am Roman Catholic and was wondering if anyone could make comparisons for me…it would be a huge help!!!

Thanks!

Hi Kathy. Welcome to CAF for your first post!

Do you mean singing in church for the marriage service, or do you mean at the reception, or both?

Andrew.

 

[dvdjs]

I will be singing at a Ukranian Catholic wedding and I was wondering if anyone could tell me what to expect. I am Roman Catholic and was wondering if anyone could make comparisons for me…it would be a huge help!!! Thanks!

Are you asking what music to expect?

 

[kathy91383]

Thanks for the responses!

I’ll clarify…I’m singing four songs before the ceremony begins as preludes and then I was asked to sing Ave Maria during the presentation of flowers to the Blessed Mother. I guess what I’m wondering is:

1. Is there anything I should know about what happens at the church before the wedding ceremony begins?
2. What should I listen for so that I know to sing Ave Maria during the presentation of flowers…for instance, in Roman Catholic wedding Masses, the priest usually says something like “At this time the bride and groom would like to make a presentation of flowers to the Blessed Mother” etc and then I would know to sing. Since there will be no accompaniment of any kind I will be on my own to know when to start singing and I’m looking for some key words to listen for.
3. How long does the Ukrainian Catholic wedding last?
4. Typically I would wear an appropriate length dress and something to cover my shoulders like a sweater/cardigan…is this acceptable in the Ukrainian Catholic church?

Thanks!!!

 

[KyivAndrew]

Originally posted by kathy
I’ll clarify…I’m singing four songs before the ceremony begins as preludes and then I was asked to sing Ave Maria during the presentation of flowers to the Blessed Mother. I guess what I’m wondering is:

1. Is there anything I should know about what happens at the church before the wedding ceremony begins?

People, family, friends walk into the church and take their pews. I guess you’ll get the signal at what time to begin. And then the bridal party enters. Perhaps you will sing for the bride’s entrance into church? Is there a balcony in the church? I know during weddings, the choir or cantors or singers may be singing from the balcony.

1. What should I listen for so that I know to sing Ave Maria during the presentation of flowers…for instance, in Roman Catholic wedding Masses, the priest usually says something like “At this time the bride and groom would like to make a presentation of flowers to the Blessed Mother” etc and then I would know to sing. Since there will be no accompaniment of any kind I will be on my own to know when to start singing and I’m looking for some key words to listen for.

I may be wrong but it was always my experience that the day before the wedding the priest and the bridal party and parents would have a practice go-through at the church. If they do maybe you could go? If not just ask who you know in the bridal party if you can have a quick word with the priest before the marriage service and ask what cue you should wait for before singing. I’m sure he will be able to gesture or introduce.

1. How long does the Ukrainian Catholic wedding last?

45 minutes give or take.

1. Typically I would wear an appropriate length dress and something to cover my shoulders like a sweater/cardigan…is this acceptable in the Ukrainian Catholic church?

Sure.

Don’t know if this helps but no harm in asking priest beforehand.

 

[5Loaves]

Welcome, Kathy-

Don’t know if this helps but no harm in asking priest beforehand.

Or ask the deacon, or his wife or the priest’s wife, if they’re married. They may be more available than the priest… or not

KyivAndrew- Is the Western hymn Ave Maria something one would often hear in a Ukranian Catholic wedding, or is this maybe a “mixed” marriage, one of the parties being Latin the other EC? I’m just curious. It would not have occurred to me that you’d hear the Ave Maria in an ECC. I’m not intending any trouble here, I really am curious, it’s a real surprise to me.

 

[KyivAndrew]

Welcome, Kathy-

Or ask the deacon, or his wife or the priest’s wife, if they’re married. They may be more available than the priest… or not

KyivAndrew- Is the Western hymn Ave Maria something one would often hear in a Ukranian Catholic wedding, or is this maybe a “mixed” marriage, one of the parties being Latin the other EC? I’m just curious. It would not have occurred to me that you’d hear the Ave Maria in an ECC. I’m not intending any trouble here, I really am curious, it’s a real surprise to me.

Getting late at my end. Might check tomorrow. I think I heard the Ave Maria sung once possibly twice in the UGCC (Ukrainian Catholic Church) during a wedding (depends on whose getting married i.e.RC + UGCC , as well as on bride and groom’s wishes), but, no, it is not common, or at least not at the weddings I’ve attended where both bride and groom are UGCC or UGCC/UOC.

But I guess things might be changing.

 

[Diak]

I’ve only heard it sung when one of the newlyweds is Latin and specifically requests it; and only that at one UGCC and two Ruthenian weddings when it was used at the conclusion in this manner.

 

[Athanasiy]

Probably there is nothing more nice than Ukrainian Catholic Wedding !!

 

[Diak]

Most definitely! The crowning is always beautiful, and there are very few liturgical hymns to compare with “Ісає, ликуй” - “Dance, Isaiah”.