Hello!
If you have made your way to this form, then you are getting married at Mother of Divine Mercy Parish (Sweetest Heart of Mary). I am your music director, and I will be helping you plan and coordinate music & photography/videography!
I know that wedding planning can be a stressful process, so the purpose of this form is hopefully to keep planning your liturgy as simple as possible. Everything needed to plan a breathtaking program of sacred music can be completed here, all from the comfort of your computer or smartphone!
This first page might be a little overwhelming - don't worry, this will always be available for you to come back and refer to! Also, the selections you make and information you submit can always be updated or changed until about a week before the wedding (and even then sometimes a last minute inspiration can be included!)
As Director of Music at our parish, I will be at the center of your music planning and also to optionally provide videography services (more on that later) and coordinate with your photographers. For the "organist" fee of $300 I will provide music that you select on our magnificent pipe organ and also as a professional singer, be able to provide vocal music as well. All wrapped up in one! There may be some deposits required if we are hiring additional musicians. Otherwise, there is nothing due immediately, but it is helpful to spread out the payments, especially during Lent, and make a down payment of $100 (and then just $200 remaining for my fees). Options for that are listed at the bottom of this page, but most use Venmo (@rweiler73).
As stated on our website, please do not hire any musicians before we connect and discuss what you have in mind. It is important that this be coordinated with me, and I might even have more options for you that may save you $!
Now let's talk a few common topics:
REHEARSALS:
I do not wedding rehearsals. The rehearsal is for the wedding party and the priest to work with our top notch wedding coordinators. Keep in mind, music rehearsal cannot be a part of your wedding rehearsal at the church - by request of the volunteer coordinators in charge of making sure the rehearsal covers all it needs to so that you are ready for your wedding!
REPERTOIRE:
The online form will respond accordingly to which liturgy you select (different musical needs depending on your liturgy!) In some places, suggestions are pre-filled if you don't have any preferences. These pieces, a mix of traditional and contemporary sacred music, sound amazing on our historic organ and suit the acoustics of our grand space. Remember, you can always come back and make adjustments up until a week before the wedding!
IF YOU CHOOSE "OTHER" and enter your own title, I will need to be sure it is appropriate for the sacred space. This is how the list has grown over the years, so if you have a hymn that you love, or a particular piece of "classical" style music, don't be afraid to put it down! Just remember that part of what goes with getting married in a 130 year old traditional Catholic church is that the requirements for music are held to, and music that may even be allowed in other churches may not be approved for Sweetest Heart of Mary. I will work with you as best as I can, though, as I completely understand how personal music is and will do what I can to make your vision come true if it's possible!
Most of these pieces are interchangeable, though there are certain combinations of pieces that work particularly well during the procession, as one piece flows nicely into the other (the 3 listed, for example are all in the same key of D!)
We try our best to honor personal requests for favorite hymns, assuming they suit the parameters of acceptable and appropriate music for the Catholic Liturgy. Music associated the Holy Mass, or any liturgy in the church, must be sacred. Pop music, theatrical or film scores are to be avoided, and cannot be approved for use for weddings. Here are a few examples of songs that have been requested over the years that are not in keeping with the musical guidelines for the Holy Mass given to us by the Archdiocese of Detroit:
"Bridal Chorus" (from Lohengrin, by Wagner)
"Hallelujah" (by Leonard Cohen)
"All I Ask of You" (from Phantom of the Opera by Lloyd Webber)
Music from "Star Wars"
"Can't Help Falling in Love" (and other such contemporary pop music)
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MUSIC FEES:
DEPOSITS:
If we are bringing in additional musicians, there may be deposits required to book them. I can help you with that process once this form is submitted! Otherwise there is no required payment up front.
ORGANIST/MUSIC DIRECTOR FEE:
* $300 ($350 on Holiday Weekends), which includes the deposit is due the week before. This includes all the preparation, communication, and any planning with extra musicians that *I* hire. This is the preferred and most economical way to go!
* $300 PLUS a "per guest musician fee" up to $200 for any musicians you wish to bring in that you want me to work with.
example: You want your friend Mary to sing the Ave Maria at your wedding, and I have determined that they'll be up to the task - my fee is $350 ($400 on Holiday weekends).
example 2: You want a trumpet player and a professional soprano. I hire my best trumpet player and singer. You pay their fees, but my fee of $300 does not change.
If you are considering any more than 4 additional musicians, please contact me well ahead of time to discuss this. This is not something we do usually, but there may be reasons to make exceptions and I am open to the discussion!
The following are optional (none of these affect the organist/music director fee of $300 in any way):
Theresa's fee as Professional Soprano Vocalist (typically $250, but she only charges $200 when I'm her accompanist/organist!)
Schola Wedding Vocal Quartet ($950 - INCLUDES ORGANIST FEE and Theresa's fee)
Trumpet - typically $200, depending on the artist
Violin - typically $275, depending on the artist
String Quartet (includes violin player) - $950, depending on the artist
PAYMENT options (in order of preference):
Venmo - send to @rweiler73 (verification - 4237)
ZELLE - Attached to my phone number 248-892-4237
Cash App - send to @rweiler73
PayPal - send to "ronald.r.weiler@gmail.com" (please specify "family and friends" so I get the full amount).
Apple Pay Cash - send to 248-892-4237
While not required, it is helpful to pay a portion of the fee ahead of time. Many choose to pay $100 up front, which helps cover the planning time. This is not a "deposit" but more like a "down payjment". All fees are due TWO WEEKS before the wedding, but can be paid earlier if you wish.