Music for
the Catholic Wedding
The music at your wedding has the power to encourage or stifle the participation of the Assembly. The norm in the Roman Catholic Liturgy is participatory music; that is, the majority of music during the Liturgy should be sung by the entire Assembly. A little planning and some thoughtful choices can make your wedding a more meaningful and joyous occasion for everyone present.
Music should be carefully chosen and should be suitable to the religious nature of the celebration. The text or lyric of a song is as important as the quality of the music. Just because a song is "sacred" doesn't mean it is liturgically appropriate at a particular point in the Mass or ceremony.
Below are suggested appropriate music for this sacred occasion. If you are having a mass, you may want to consider music for the congregation to sing.
Gathering | Presentation of Gifts |
Communion | Recessional
| Prelude | Air - Handel
Arioso - Bach Ave Maria - various composers - Schubert, Gonoud Canon in D - Pachabel One Hand, One Heart – L. Bernstein Laudate Dominum - Mozart The Gift of Love - arr. Hopson The Wedding Song - annon. |
| Processional | Allegro Moderato (from Water Music) - Handel Bridal March - Wagner Canon in D - Pachabel Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring / Bach Trumpet Voluntary – Clarke Trumpet Voluntary – Stanley Trumpet Tune - Purcell |
| Gathering - With Congregation | Here I Am Lord
Hear Us Now, Our God and Father - Hyfrydol, Roland Prichard |
| Presentation of Gifts | The Wedding Song - annon.
The Gift of Love - arr. Hopson The Bridal Prayer -Roger Copeland All I Ask of You - Weston Priory I Have Loved You - Joncas Prayer of St. Francis – Sebastian Temple Servant Song - McGarill Set Your Heart on the Higher Gifts - Warner The Irish Wedding Song - trad. The Lord is Kind and Merciful - Haugen Where There Is Love - David Haas Wherever You Go - Weston Priory With This Ring - Copeland |
| Communion | Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring – Bach
Panis Angelicus - Cesar Franck or Sacris Solemnis One Bread, One Body - Foley Servant Song - McGarill Here I Am Lord - Schutte On Eagles Wings - Joncas Gift of FInest Wheat - Kreutz Supper of the Lord - Rosania Taste and See - Moore I Have Loved You Laudate Dominum - Mozart |
| Recessional | Allegro Maestoso (from Water Music) - Handel
City of God - Schutte Joyful, Joyful We Adore You - Hymn, Beethoven Ode to Joy - Beethoven Rondeau - Mouret Psalm 19 - Benedetto Marcello Wedding March - Mendlessohn |
