Helpful Hints for the Marriage Ceremony Music

There are no hard and fast rules as to the amount of church music to have at your wedding ceremony. Below are some options you might like to consider when making a decision about church music. I would normally play some music (background) while guests are arriving for 15 to 20 minutes before the marriage ceremony.

Below is a link to a Word format Mass booklet that you can use as a template, this can be formatted and edited to suit your own details.

It is available for download Mass Booklet

• Entrance Hymn
• Lighting of Candle (usually a short instrumental piece)
• Responsorial Psalm (Between the 1st and 2nd readings ...optional)
• Alleluia (to greet the Gospel...optional)
• Gospel
• Homily
• Rite of Marriage
• Lighting of Nuptial Candle (usually  a short instrumental piece)
• Prayers of the Faithful
• Offertory (Music)
• Holy Holy (Music)
• Proclamation of Faith (optional)
• Amen (end of consecration..optional)
• Declaration of Peace (optional)
• Communion (usually two pieces required)
• Signing of Register (usually a couple of pieces required)
• Recessional (Music)

It is important to check with your priest about your music ideas. During the mass ceremony priests like to have religious music, and perhaps at the end or the signing of the register, more contemporary music can be used.