Preliminary Note
Couples planning their weddings might wish to print out this document.
Once you have arranged a date and time with the Parish Office,
please contact the organist to make specific wedding music arrangements.You are welcome to download this document in paper form.
It is available in two formats: (1) Word for Windows (.doc) (2) Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)
To read and print the Adobe file, you need Acrobat Reader® software,
which is available at no charge by clicking on the icon below.
Click here to download this document in Adobe format (.pdf file).
Click here to download this document in Word format (.doc file).
Preludes to the WeddingIt is customary to have 15-20 minutes of instrumental music played before the wedding begins. This music assists in welcoming guests as they enter the church, and helps to set a festive mood. The following table contains some suggestions for appropriate music.
Composer Title Bach Shorter preludes and fugues Bach Trio sonatas Bach Concertos based on works of Vivaldi and others Bach Jesu, Joy Bach Sheep May Safely Graze Bach Air on the G String Bach Pastorale in F Bach/Gounod Ave Maria Boellmann Minuet Boellmann Priere a Notre Dame Bossi Allegretto Handel Minuet (Berenice) Handel Movements from the Water Music Handel Movements from Music for the Royal Fireworks Handel Movements from the organ concertos Handel Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Sweelinck Balletto del Granduca Sweelinck Unter der Linden grüne Vaughan Williams Rhosymedre
As the Wedding Begins
Processional music (instrumental)
A few moments before the wedding begins, an usher will be sent to check with the bride and her party that all is ready. The usher returns to the Sacristy and informs the witnessing priest that this is so.
The groom and his attendants leave the Sacristy, process into the church, and take their positions along the right-hand side of the main aisle. Music (generally a very brief improvisation) accompanies this short procession.
When the groom, his attendants, and the witnessing priest are in their positions, there is a momentary pause in the music. The priest invites the guests to stand. This is the signal for the bride's procession to begin, and for the processional music to commence.
Customs associated with the bridal procession vary a great deal from church to church. At Holy Rosary Cathedral it is customary to treat the procession of bridesmaids and bride (together with flower girls, etc.) as a single procession. It is also customary, therefore, to have one piece of music to accompany the entire bridal procession, though if desired the music can become more dramatic as the bride begins making her way up the aisle.
As noted, the music commences as the procession begins, and concludes as bride and groom meet before the priest.
It is strongly recommended that this processional music be instrumental rather than vocal. The words of a sung composition are not effective at this point: people's attention is focused on the bride, groom, and others in procession.
Composer Title Archer Cantilene Bach Concertos based on works of Vivaldi and others Bach Jesu, Joy Boellmann Minuet Charpentier Prelude to the Te Deum Clarke Prince of Denmark's March Handel Movements from the Water Music Handel Movements from Music for the Royal Fireworks Handel Allegro Maestoso Handel Largo (Xerxes) Mouret Rondeau Pachelbel Canon in D Purcell Trumpet Tune
Opening hymn (optional)After the procession is complete, an opening hymn may be sung if desired. It should be something that everyone can join in singing; a vocal solo is not appropriate at this point. See Catholic Book of Worship numbers 625 - 634 (or any hymn of praise in the book: see the index) for possible selections. Please note that Catholic Book of Worship is readily available to your guests in the pews.
Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Word at a wedding generally involves the following elements:
The First Reading
The Responsorial Psalm
The Second Reading
The Gospel Acclamation
The Gospel
The Homily
Of these elements, both the Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation can be sung by cantor and guests, accompanied by organ (or piano). If they are not sung, the Psalm is read by the person reading the First Reading, and the Gospel Acclamation is omitted.
Many appropriate psalm texts and musical settings are available in the Catholic Book of Worship III. Among these are:
Psalm text
CBW number
Refrain
Ps 25
16
To you, O Lord
Ps 126
22
The Lord has done great things for us
Is 12
25
Sing and shout for joy
Ps 89
27
Forever I will sing
Ps 98
29B
All the ends of the earth
Ps 33
33
Happy are those who fear the Lord
Ps 67
36
O God, be gracious and bless us
Ps 33
47
May your love be upon us
Ps 19
51
Lord, you have the words of everlasting life
Ps 103
52
The Lord is kind and merciful
Ps 34
55
Taste and see that the Lord is good
Ps 33
77
The earth is full of love
Ps 16
94
Show us, Lord, the path of life
Ps 67
105
Let the peoples praise you
Ps 96
117
Proclaim the wonders of the Lord
Ps 103
130
The Lord is compassion and love
Ps 92
143
It is good to give thanks
Ps 89
148
Forever I will sing
Ps 33
168
Happy the people the Lord has chosen
Ps 145
184
The Lord is close to all who call him
Ps 19
188
The precepts of the Lord give joy
Ps 128
191
May the Lord bless us
Ps 90
194
Fill us with your love, O Lord
Ps 145
204
I will bless your name
Ps 128
208
O blessed are those
Ps 97
222
The Lord is king
It is important to have the responsorial psalm sung by someone trained to do so and familiar with the style and purpose of cantorial singing. If the psalm is not sung, it is typically recited by the person who reads the First Reading.
Gospel Acclamation
If not sung by cantor and congregation, this acclamation is omitted. If sung, the following settings are appropriate for a wedding:
CBW
Composer
247
Isele
248
Gregorian chant
249
Murray
254
Berthier
256
Haugen
257
Peloquin
549A O'Carroll/Walker
The Exchange of Vows and Rings
There is no music for this part of the rite.
If a candle-lighting ceremony is desired, quiet (usually improvised) instrumental music accompanies it. The candle-lighting ceremony is less than a minute in length, and is therefore not an appropriate place for a hymn or other sung composition.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Please note that at some weddings the Liturgy of the Eucharist is not celebrated. Please consult with your witnessing priest on this matter.Presentation of the Gifts
At a wedding, the Presentation of the Gifts is generally a brief part of the liturgy, typically occupying less than a minute and a half. It is therefore customary to have a brief (often improvised) organ or instrumental interlude at this point. A brief eucharistic hymn for cantor and congregation is also appropriate if desired.
Eucharistic AcclamationsThese can be sung by cantor and congregation if desired. If preferred, they can be spoken by all rather than sung.
Holy
278A Dufford 280A Isele 283A Somerville Memorial Acclamation
279C Haugen 283B Somerville Great Amen
279D Haugen Lord’s Prayer
At weddings, the Lord’s Prayer is nearly always said rather than sung. If it is to be sung, see the settings at 287 (Somerville) or 299F (Gregorian). Again, it is important that all present at the liturgy are able to participate in the singing or reciting of this text. It is not appropriate for a soloist.
Lamb of God
288 Somerville 293 Isele
During Communion
A eucharistic hymn can be sung by cantor and congregation. For appropriate choices, see Catholic Book of Worship nos. 595 - 611.
Alternatively, the cantor can sing an appropriate solo. Any song of praise is appropriate, as are musical works with close links to the eucharistic theme, such as César Franck's Panis Angelicus.
The Signing of the Register
This is the spot (approximately 3 minutes in length) for a vocal solo or a more substantial instrumental solo. Favourites here are various settings of the Ave Maria (Hail Mary, Full of Grace) by Franz Schubert, Bach/Gounod, the Wedding Hymn by Handel, and others, as well as classics such as Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach or less well known pieces such as O Love be Deep by Walter MacNutt. It is also possible to sing a congregational hymn at this point: see Catholic Book of Worship numbers 625 - 634 for several appropriate selections.
The end of the ceremony
Closing hymn (optional)
Before the wedding party begins to leave the Cathedral, a closing hymn may be sung if desired. It should be something that everyone can join in singing; a vocal solo is not appropriate at this point. See Catholic Book of Worship numbers 625 - 634 (or any hymn of praise in the book: see the index) for possible selections. Please note that Catholic Book of Worship is readily available to your guests in the pews.
Recessional
As the wedding party leaves the Cathedral, an instrumental (not vocal) piece is played. As with the Processional, everyone's attention is focused on the newly married couple as they leave the building; the words of a hymn or song are not effective here. Instrumental music for the recessional is typically grand and festive, taking advantage of the rich sound of Holy Rosary Cathedral's organ.
Composer Title Bach Various preludes and fugues Bach In Thee Is Joy Buxtehude Toccata in F Charpentier Prelude to the Te Deum Clarke Prince of Denmark's March Dupre Prelude and Fugue in B Gigout Grand Choeur Dialogue Handel Allegro Maestoso Mathias Toccata Giocosa Marcello Psalm XIX - The Heavens Declare Purcell Trumpet Tune Vierne Final (Symphonie I) Widor Toccata (Symphonie V) Notes
As a rule, musicians do not attend the wedding rehearsal. They rehearse separately. If you have your own soloist, rehearsals will be arranged by agreement between her or him and the organist.
If you wish to engage a soloist, the organist can recommend trained singers experienced with the Cathedral's large acoustical environment.
Microphones for soloists are not available in the organ loft.
The Cathedral Choir can, by special arrangement, sing at weddings. Contact the choirmaster at least two months in advance for further information.
Special requests for vocal music must be accompanied in advance by legitimately published copies for both the soloist and the organist. The use of photocopied music is illegal.
Prerecorded music is not permitted in liturgical celebrations, including weddings, at Holy Rosary Cathedral. For more information, consult the Snowbird Statement on liturgical music.
Finally, please ensure you have contacted the organist with the date, time, and other details of your wedding, together with any other information you might have.
Return to the Cathedral Music homepage
Information on the organ in Holy Rosary Cathedral
Helpful planning information: wedding pages at St Ignatius, San Francisco
Helpful planning information: wedding pages at St Patrick's, Ottawa
