St. Christopher’s Music Ministry shares in your joy over your upcoming wedding. We are honored to help you plan the music for your happy event.
What to do first:
The first step in planning music for your wedding is to contact our parish Coordinator of Music, JP Bailey. It is never too early to begin to plan for your ceremony, but you should contact JP at least six months before your wedding.
When you talk with JP, he will explain what happens during a Catholic wedding and where music fits into the celebration. He will discuss the selections available to you and create an outline of music that can be used for your wedding. You do not have to have specific songs in mind before you contact JP; he will be able to provide you with suggestions for your wedding. However, if you already have some ideas for your wedding, you should be prepared with that list.
You will also discuss the musicians available for your wedding. Weddings at St. Christopher’s have a Vocal Soloist (cantor) and Organist for the wedding. These musicians come from our parish. It is possible to use other musicians in addition to the organist and cantor. That is something you can discuss with JP.
Music for Catholic Weddings:
The Catholic Church requires that all music used in Catholic worship must reverently reflect the sacred prayer that is being celebrated. Music perceived as “secular” (non-sacred) by our culture may not be used in Catholic worship. Music for a Catholic wedding with a Mass also includes music for the sung texts of the Wedding Liturgy.
If you plan to use musicians from elsewhere, your musicians will also be required to observe the Catholic Church’s music requirements. Therefore, you will need to plan this music with the Music Coordinator for him to review before your wedding. A more complete explanation of what is appropriate music, where music can be placed in a Catholic wedding, and lists of typical music selections can all be found in the Wedding Music Information document in the document tab to the left.
The normal structure of a Wedding Liturgy is as follows:
WEDDING SERVICE AND MASS:
Entrance Procession
Gathering Hymn – (sung)
Greeting by the Priest/Deacon
Gloria – (sung)
Opening Prayer – Priest/Deacon
First Reading (Old Testament) by a Reader
Responsorial Psalm (sung)
Second Reading (New Testament) by a second Reader
Alleluia and Verse (sung)
Gospel Reading by priest or deacon
Homily – Priest/Deacon
Exchange of vows and rings
Prayer of the Faithful by a Reader
Nuptial Blessing
NUPTIAL MASS: (add these parts)
Preparation of Gifts (sung)
Mass Parts: -Sung
Eucharistic Prayer Communion Prayer – Priest
Sign of Peace
Communion Hymn (sung)
[Dedication of flowers to Our Lady - optional]
Nuptial Blessing
Recessional