Wedding Liturgy & Music Planning

Click below to begin planning a wedding liturgy with a planning worksheet:

• Nuptial Mass Planning Worksheet                                       (PDF)
• Nuptial Liturgy outside of Mass Planning Worksheet       (PDF)

Wedding Liturgy Scripture Reading Options

For a list of the scripture reading options for a wedding liturgy, please click each link below:

• First Reading Options                 (PDF)
• Responsorial Psalm Options     (PDF)
• Second Reading Options           (PDF)
• Gospel Reading Options            (PDF)

At least one reading that explicitly speaks of Marriage must be chosen as the first reading, Responsorial Psalm, second reading, or Gospel reading. These readings are designated by an asterisk (*).

Wedding Music Guidelines

The music for your wedding can be both a source of great beauty and a strong unifying force to draw your guests together in prayer and celebration. Your wedding music is governed by the liturgical guidelines of the church. In general, the music for your wedding should resemble the music done for a Sunday Mass. All music selections must be sacred, in keeping with the sanctity of the sacrament.

The overall principles in selecting music are as follows:

1. In the Roman Catholic Nuptial Liturgy, every effort should be made to involve the Assembly in "full, conscious, and active participation" in the Liturgy, including elements of the music.
2. The text of the music chosen should ideally speak of the love between husband and wife as a reflection of God's love for us, his Church. Secular love songs may not be used in the liturgy.
3. A wedding liturgy is not a "wedding with concert attached." The music selection and the musicians must be servants of the liturgy, not the other way around.
4. In Roman Catholic Liturgy, we worship together, here and now. Therefore, the Church does not allow recordings, taped music, CD's, or accompaniment tracks in the Liturgy.
5. Our parish policy calls for at least one of the musicians present for a wedding to be one of our regular parish ministers of music. These musicians a prepared to act as actual ministers of music, not just "soloists." They also know the workings of the sound reinforcement system and can operate it properly to avoid audio problems.

Wedding Musicians

We have a number of excellent musicians at Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The most common musical forces for a wedding are an organist/pianist and a cantor (singer who leads the sung prayer and sings the verses of the Responsorial Psalm). However, many additional vocal and instrumental forces are available: guitar, trumpet, flute, strings (individual or ensemble), harp, SATB vocal ensembles, etc. Adding just an extra "accent" instrument or harmony vocals can add extra beauty to your ceremony. These musicians will be professionals, and their fees range from $75-$175 per person, depending on their level of training and experience. The music director can help you explore the options.

Please note that the musicians do not normally attend the wedding rehearsal. There is really no need, since they will organize their own rehearsal at a time when the church is not in use. If you insist on the musicians attending the rehearsal, an extra fee may apply.

"Guest musicians" are welcome to take part in the wedding music, but these must be approved by the Music Director, who can talk with them about liturgical music principles. Sometimes even excellent performers can be lousy liturgical musicians, so care must be taken to ensure the musicians are servants of the liturgy, and not vice versa.

Wedding Music Samples

We are delighted to help you prepare for the sacred day of your Sacrament of Matrimony.  We hope the music listed on this page will help you make music choices that will honor God and his central role in your life together.  We also hope that this music will uplift you and your guests, help you and them participate in the liturgy, and contribute significantly to the beauty and holiness of your wedding.  May God bless you as you prepare for your life together.

Click on each song title to listen!

Prelude:

About 20 minutes of sacred music; can be instrumental and/or vocal.  Purpose is to set a prayerful, reverent atmosphere for your guests.

Processional(s) and/or Gathering Hymn:

A Processional song is usually instrumental.  Can be one piece for the entire procession, but can also be one piece for the wedding party, with a separate piece for the bride’s entrance. 

A Gathering Hymn is optional. Effectively encourages participation of the entire Assembly, sending the signal that we are participants in this celebration. Particularly useful in mixed (Catholic/non-Catholic) congregations to unite us all in one voice. Cantos invites all to sing and leads the singing.

Gloria:

Responsorial Psalm:

Gospel Acclamation:

Preparation of Gifts:

Assembly hymn, instrumental selection, or silence.  A good chance to involve the Assembly in song.

Eucharistic Acclamations:

Lamb of God:

Communion:

An appropriate song or psalm.  The Assembly should participate in the singing, and the song should ideally speak of our love and unity in the Body of Christ.  In general, songs in verse/refrain form work best, because the cantor can sing the verses, while the Assembly can sing the refrain, even while processing for Communion.  In general, only one Communion song is needed.

Recessional: 

Joyous, festive music.  Usually instrumental, but can be a vocal piece or congregational hymn.

More Information

• For a worksheet to plan music for a wedding Mass, click here.
• For a worksheet to plan music for a wedding liturgy without Mass, click here.
• For information on the Roman Catholic Wedding Rite, click here.