The descant they did at Princess Diana’s funeral was actually very nice and the music itself is not a particular favorite of mine. There are a couple of different arrangements to St. Francis’s prayer. Allen Pote is one and then there is one by Rutter, which I think is also nice:
I personally wouldn’t choose it for a wedding mass, but it’s up to the couple and the music director/priest helping them. I associate the hymn with funerals.
Is there another hymn that emphasizes 1) peace and harmony between men and 2) unity in Christ that you might consider?
For Hymns:
Thanks!
You’re welcome! And, duh, forgot to add, any arrangement of The Prayer of St. Francis. The text is beautiful.
Your parish organist should be able to give you suggestions and recommendations and it is polite to consult with him. You should not choose music to appease non-Catholics—it is a Mass, right? Well, there are liturgically appropriate hymns, use them. Again, please talk to your parish music director/organist for guidance, not us.
We’re planning to do outside of Mass.
I hope it all goes beautifully and perfect—and don’t try to appease anyone, it’s your wedding, not theirs
:bigyikes::bigyikes::bigyikes::bigyikes::bigyikes::bigyikes::bigyikes::bigyikes:
I know it was their contemporary and kids choir who performed yesterday. I couldn’t help but singing along. On a Saturday Mass, the organist played “All I Ask Of You” right before Mass.
I think these are very nice choices. Instead of identifying your processional as Jupiter since that was for his tone poem and not just “absolute music”, perhaps use “O God Beyond All Praising”. I am partial to your processional since it is what I used for my processional when I got married.
You have very nice taste. 
Holst, himself, had the music adapted for use in hymns… originally for “I Vow To Thee My Country”. I think Zadok The Priest is awesome, too, but it’s better when you have a really good choir suddenly break out in song, rather than just an instrumental.We were going to wait until next year but decided why not have it this year instead!I think these are very nice choices. Instead of identifying your processional as Jupiter since that was for his tone poem and not just “absolute music”, perhaps use “O God Beyond All Praising”. I am partial to your processional since it is what I used for my processional when I got married.
For my personal taste, I’d only change “I Have Loved You”, but it’s a pretty hymn and I know other people like it.
This is so exciting!!! Is the wedding day close?
Aww!!! That’s wonderful!!!
When we were married almost 10 years ago, no one I knew used it. I can count on one hand how many have used it in the past 10 years and I do weddings almost every weekend during the wedding season. None of the weddings I have ever cantored chose it. I saw it done at a royal wedding (I believe in the Netherlands… don’t quote me on it, but it was a royal wedding) and two weddings posted on YouTube. Now, your wedding. Depends on your budget. I would definitely keep the organ, especially if you want your guests to sing the mass parts and the hymn. Strings are beautiful, but be sure to audition them because they can be pricey, since you might be paying $200+ per player, which is fair because you are paying for expertise and their time, preparation, etc., BUT it all adds up. If you are going to spend the money, make sure they are good and have experience with the liturgy or at least have someone there to walk them through. The organist could probably do that. I love working with string groups. It can add a lovely texture to the music when added to the organ.
I like “Gift of Love” for the offertory as well. I sing it a lot for weddings and that is where we usually place it.