NOTE:

Please be patient while all the media clips on this page load!

This Page is under periodic construction as we update our sound clips and performer information;

if you notice inconsistencies or problems, and they do not resolve within a few days,

please feel free to send an email to weddingmusic@oldstpats.org to let us know!

Gathering Rites

1a. Prelude – INSTRUMENTAL SELECTIONS

Prelude music will usually start 15 minutes before the wedding liturgy begins. Depending on the instrumentation you choose for your wedding (i.e., piano, strings, flute, harp, trumpet, etc.), this part of the liturgy can be creatively planned by the music ministers present by intertwining classical and contemporary instrumental pieces with vocal pieces suggested in the next section. Below are some specific instrumental selections that would be appropriate. If you would like to choose specific pieces, I encourage you to “YouTube” these titles to hear them individually.

Depending on which musicians you hire for your wedding, some of these selections may work better than others. Most of the time, couples prefer to have the musicians present select the instrumental pieces that would be most appropriate. In that case, just indicate “Musician’s Choice” on your final planning form.

* These pieces require certain instrumentation. These particular instruments are noted.

All others can be performed with a variety of combinations of instruments, including just solo piano.

1b. Prelude and Seating of Mothers or Parents - VOCAL SOLO SELECTIONS

Below are appropriate vocal selections that can be intertwined with instrumental selections either chosen from the list in the prior section or left to the musicians to decide. Some of these selections are also appropriate for different parts of your wedding ceremony where indicated (i.e. Communion, Preparation of Gifts, etc.). The reverse is also true: almost any song appropriate for any other part of the wedding can be used quite appropriately as a prelude, thus giving couples the opportunity to include more pieces of music than there might be places in the liturgy in which to situate them. Often a final prelude piece is chosen especially for the seating of the couple’s parents or close family.

1c. Processional Music (for Bridal Party and Bride)

Processional music expresses the festivity and the custom at weddings has been to use only instrumental music at this time.

You may want to choose only one piece for the entire procession, or (most commonly) you may want to choose one for the procession of the wedding party and one for the procession of the bride.

Selections for procession are always instrumental; please do not select songs not listed below.

1d. Gathering Song (Optional)

Just as we do at a regular Sunday mass, you may choose to sing a Gathering Song. This is a beautiful way to unite the hearts and voices of your friends and family gathered to celebrate this important day. It is an optional choice in your wedding ceremony and tends to work best with a well-known tune and a singing assembly! In addition to these, there are other appropriate songs of praise, gathering, or thanksgiving that could be used. You MUST have a worship aid with the music printed for us to do a Gathering Song. While a beautiful way to begin liturgy, it's not required and not often used.

Liturgy of the Word

The responsorial psalm and gospel acclamations are the essential musical elements of the liturgy of the word; both are fundamental moments for assembly song, enabling the congregation to participate in the proclamation of the word. With the leadership of a cantor and with music suited to this event and congregation, even the most diverse assembly will be able to join in song. Remember that psalms lend themselves well to several moments of the liturgy (i.e. they can also be sung during prelude or communion).

2a. Responsorial Psalms

2b. Gospel Acclamations

Keep in mind that the Gospel Acclamations during the season of Lent do not use “Alleluia”as part of the text.

We’ll be happy to offer some suggestions for Lent.

Celebration of Marriage

3a. Unity Candle (Optional)

A recent popular addition to the marriage rite has been the lighting of a “unity candle” from two smaller candles, which are then extinguished. If the unity candle is used, the brevity of this ritual suggests that it may be best accompanied by instrumental music. If a vocal selection is desired, care should be taken to make sure it is not too long to balance well with this fairly brief ritual; the selections indicated below can all be appropriate for this short rite. A selection of "Musician's Choice" is also very appropriate here since the moment is so short.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

** For those celebrating the rite of marriage OUTSIDE of Mass (no Communion), skip to “Concluding Rites.”

4a. Preparation of the Gifts

Music in Catholic Worship has this to say of the preparation of the gifts and altar: “The purpose of the rite is to prepare the bread and wine for the Eucharist. It consists very simply of bringing the gifts to the altar” (#46). Since this is a brief ritual action, if any instrumental music or song is used here, it should be brief and end when the preparation is over.

4b. Mass Parts (Holy, Memorial Acclamation, Amen, Lamb of God)

The acclamations of the Eucharistic prayer – Holy, Memorial Acclamation, and Amen – are the assembly’s primary way of participating in this great prayer of thanksgiving. The responses should be those that allow full participation of the community present. Thus, mass parts sung primarily at Sunday celebrations should be used. The Mass of Creation (by Marty Haugen) is arguably the most recognized mass setting, not only at Old St. Patrick’s, but also across the country. Chances are that your guests will be familiar with this setting.

4c. Greeting of Peace

Concluding Rites

5a. Prayer to the Blessed Mother (Optional)

Following communion, there is an option to offer a prayer in front of the Blessed Mother. This can be done alone, though often the bride is accompanied by her mother, her new husband, or a friend. If you have selected this to be part of your ceremony, a Marian piece of music (most typically a setting of the Ave Maria) is used during this time.

5b. Recessional and Postlude Music

You may optionally choose two here – a recessional for the bridal party and a postlude for the exiting of your guests.

One choice would also be appropriate, where the musicians can extend the piece of music to cover the amount of time needed.

The Final Step…

Once you've made all of your final music choices from the wedding music fair or from this website, please complete the OSP Wedding Music and Musicians Request Form.

When all this information is received, we will begin the process of booking your musicians for you, and a confirmation of all selections, musicians hired, and further instructions will be emailed back to you within a few weeks.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at weddingmusic@oldstpats.org with any questions you may have; remember that we are here to help make this as easy a process as possible for you.

Please include the time and date of your wedding, as well as both your names, in the subject line of all correspondence with the Music Office.

Return to Wedding Music Home