St. Marys Wedding Music Worksheet Logo

  • WEDDING MUSIC PLANNER

    PDF planner available upon request.
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  • Deadlines, Guidelines, and Restrictions

    Please read through these deadlines and Music Selection Guidelines prior to completing this form. You are welcome to complete actions ahead of the dates below. Contact your music minister for questions and exceptions.

  • DEADLINES:

    IMMEDIATELY: Schedule Minister Consultation Call. If you haven't done so already, set up a consultation call with your St. Mary's music minister to discuss your vision for your wedding and go over action items and guidelines for preparing your nuptial celebration. During this call, you will also discuss fee schedule, protocol for booking outside musicians, and determine best musician fit based on availability and vision. Begin listening to hymns and musical pieces to determine your preferences.

    5 WEEKS OUT: Finalize Music. Schedule follow-up meeting with your St. Mary's music minister to begin filling in music selections to support the readings you have chosen. Finish booking process. Schedule additional consultations as needed.

    3 WEEKS OUT: Submit Music Planner. Final Deadline for any changes. This will ensure that your musicians have time to prepare your selections.

    3 WEEKS OUT: Submit Payment. Suggested. Please coordinate exact payment terms with your music minister. 

  • MUSIC SELECTION GUIDELINES:

    Although couples usually have wide latitude in choosing the music for their wedding ceremony, the pastor and music minister may "veto" your selections for practical or liturgical reasons. In a sense, the whole Church participates in your wedding liturgy, so it's important to ensure that the music is prayerful. The Church offers three criteria for liturgical music that should be applied to your choice of wedding music:

    1. Is it prayerful? The purpose of any Catholic liturgy, including a wedding liturgy, is to give glory to God and to sanctify (make holy) the worshipers. Your wedding music should reflect that purpose; in other words, it should help the assembly to pray and to give thanks to God for your marriage. The criteria of prayerfulness is one reason why popular music—including some of the "classic" wedding marches taken from secular operas—is often not permitted.

    2. Is it accessible? In other words, will the assembly be able to sing along? In Catholic worship, the assembly (everyone attending the wedding) is not an audience, passively watching events unfold at the altar. Catholic liturgy calls on the assembly to actively participate in the prayer of the Church, including its sung prayer. Doing so is one of the most powerful ways your friends and family can express their love and support for you and your spouse.

    3. Is it beautiful? Beauty is a window onto the divine (Catechism #32), so it is not surprising that the Church calls for the music used in its worship to be beautiful. This criteria is obviously somewhat subjective, depending on personal tastes and local culture. Whether your music is beautiful or not may depend less on the particular selection than on the skill of the musicians who sing or play it. A hymn that seemed ho-hum the first time you heard it in church might have great potential in the right hands.

    Your music ministers have vast resources at their fingertips and can help you make appropriate selections that fit your vision.

  • Music Selection Worksheet

  • MUSIC SUGGESTIONS

    Need help figuring out what to choose? Check out Kimberly's Song Suggestions for popular options for each part of your Nuptial Ceremony or Mass.

    Have a hymn in mind that isn't on the list? Need more guidance? Email kimberly.tosti@gmail.com to set up a call. 

  • PRELUDE

    Musicians generally play 10-15 minutes worth of music prior to the wedding while your guests are seated. Most musicians already have music ready to fill this time - usually instrumental. However, you may submit special requests (Instrumental or Sung) to be played should you desire. Requests will need approval by your music minister to ensure they meet Church guidelines. 

  • PROCESSIONAL

    Typically 1 or 2 instrumental pieces played while parents are sat and for the bridal party and bridal entrance. Timing depends on the number in your party. Depending on the number in your party, you can either have...

    (2) pieces (one for wedding party/mothers, one for bride) or

    (1) piece for all entrances with a climactic point for the bridal entrance

    Want a sung hymn instead? Instead of an instrumental entrance, you are welcome to choose a sung hymn during your entrance, similar to a normal Sunday Mass. Simply add your selection to the Bridal Entrance box below. 

    Please note, St. Mary's does not allow use of Mendelssohn's Wedding March or the Lohengrin Wedding March (Here Comes the Bride) for Catholic weddings. CLICK HERE to learn why.

  • RESPONSORIAL PSALM/GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

    The Psalm and Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia) are sung between the readings. Text is chosen from the Together for Life book provided to you by your St. Mary's wedding coordinator. Your music minister will choose a musical setting that best matches the text you have chosen.

  • RECESSIONAL

    A Lively piece either sung or played as instrumental as the bride, groom, and the wedding party departs. Please note, St. Mary's does not allow use of Mendelssohn's Wedding March or the Lohengrin Wedding March (Here Comes the Bride) for Catholic weddings. CLICK HERE to learn why. 

    • Continue to this section if you are having a Full Mass 

    • Mass Ordinary (Mass Setting)

      The musical arrangement of the regular parts of the Mass including Gloria, Holy (Sanctus), Lamb of God (Agnus Dei), etc. Music minister will choose a setting based on your other selection. However, if you prefer a specific setting, add the title (ie. Mass of Spirit and Grace) and composer (Manalo) - or include a link in the title box. 

    • OFFERTORY/PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS HYMN

      Sung while the gifts (wine and bread) are presented to the priest and the altar is prepared for the consecration and communion. It is recommended that this hymn be sung by all gathered, and therefore be accessible to all.

    • COMMUNION HYMN

      Sung while the assembly receives communion. Duration depends on how many receiving Catholics will be attending your wedding. It is recommended that this hymn be sung by all gathered, and therefore be accessible to all.

    • Meditation/Prayer to Mary

      Sung or instrumental piece intended to facilitate prayer following communion. Can be Marian, especially if the couple is presenting flowers to Mary. 

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