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Sacred music for a Catholic wedding
The following list of resources can help you choose beautiful, sacred music for your wedding. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and your priest or parish music director may have other options available.
Mass Propers
Mass propers include the Entrance Antiphon (also called the Introit), Offertory Antiphon, and Communion Antiphon.
Fr. Samuel Weber Nuptial Mass Propers
Simple English Nuptial Mass Propers (chant notation)
Simple English Nuptial Mass Propers (accompaniment)
Simple Gradual Nuptial Mass Propers
Entrance
If the procession includes the minister (priest or deacon), it is appropriate to use the Entrance Antiphon or a suitable hymn for the entrance. See below for suggestions.
If the procession only includes the bridal party, it is appropriate to use instrumental music. See below for suggestions.
Responsorial Psalm
Psalm 33 - The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Psalm 34 - I will bless the Lord at all times. (option 1)
Psalm 34 - I will bless the Lord at all times. (option 2)
Psalm 34 - Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (option 1)
Psalm 34 - Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (option 2)
Psalm 34 - Taste and see the goodness of the Lord. (option 3)
Psalm 112 - Blessed the man who greatly delights in the Lord’s commands.
Psalm 128 - Blessed are those who fear the Lord. (option 1)
Psalm 128 - Blessed are those who fear the Lord. (option 2)
Psalm 128 - Blessed are those who fear the Lord. (option 3)
Psalm 145 - How good is the Lord to all.
Psalm 145 - The Lord is compassionate toward all his works.
Psalm 148 - Let all praise the name of the Lord.
A Responsorial Psalm from the Lectionary must be chosen and may not be substituted with a different song or text. See other Responsorial Psalm text options here.
Gospel Acclamation
Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. (option 1)
Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. (option 2)
Whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. (option 3)
Offertory
The Offertory Antiphon, a suitable hymn or Marian devotion, or instrumental music may be chosen. See below for suggestions. Offertory is not included in the celebration of Matrimony outside of Mass.
Communion
The Communion Antiphon, a suitable hymn, or instrumental music may be chosen. See below for suggestions. Communion is not included in the celebration of Matrimony outside of Mass.
Suggested Hymns & Music
Strong Processionals or Recessionals
A Wedding Processional (Gerald Near) [Gray]
Allegro vivace (G.F. Handel)
Entrée (Calvert Shenk) from Maestoso
Fanfare (Jacques Lemmens)
Festival Intrada (Gary Penkala)
Festive Procession (Calvert Shenk) from Maestoso
In dir ist Freude (J.S. Bach)
Joyful Procession (Calvert Shenk) from Festive Processionals
Marche royale (Jean-Baptiste Lully)
Meine Seele erhebt den Herren (J.S. Bach)
Praise the Lord with Drums and Cymbals (Sigfrid Karg-Elert)
Processional (Calvert Shenk) from Maestoso
Processional on Westminster Abbey (Robert Wetzler)
Rigaudon (André Campra)
Solemn Processional (F.J. Haydn)
Suite gothique (Léon Boellmann)
Quiet Processionals
Aria in F (G.F. Handel)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J.S. Bach)
Saint Anthony Chorale (Johannes Brahms)
Solemn Processional (G.F. Handel)
Other Instrumental Music
Air from D Major Suite (J.S. Bach)
Allegretto (Felix Mendelssohn)
Arioso (J.S. Bach)
Chaconne for Violin/Flute, Cello and Organ (Campra / Penkala)
Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue (Johann Pachelbel)
Deck Thyself, My Soul, with Gladness (Johannes Brahms)
Elevation from Mass for the Convent (François Couperin)
Fugue in G minor (J.S. Bach)
Herr Jesu Christ dich zu uns wend (J.S. Bach)
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (J.S. Bach)
Liebster Jesu wir sind hier (J.S. Bach)
Meine Seele erhebt den Herren (J.S. Bach)
Prelude, Fugue and Variation (César Franck)
Prelude in D Major (J.K.F. Fischer) [Concordia]
Prelude on Rhosymedre (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Prière à Notre Dame (Léon Boellmann)
Sixty Devotional Pieces (Dom Gregory Murray)
Vater unser in Himmelreich (Bach, Buxtehude, Boehm, Pachelbel, Walther, Walcha)
With High Delight (Charles Ore)
Entrance Hymns
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (tune - Hyfrydol)
O Perfect Love (tune - Sandringham)
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven (tune - Lauda anima)
Now Joined by God (tune - O Herre Gott)
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow (tune - Old 100th)
Praise to the Lord (tune - Lobe den Herren)
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (tune - Hymn to Joy)
Now Thank We All Our God (tune - Nun danket)
O God, Our Help in Ages Past" (tune - Saint Anne)
Offertory and Communion Hymns
O Father, All Creating (tune - Aurelia)
Humbly We Adore Thee (tune - Adoro te Devote)
O Jesus We Adore Thee (tune - Fulda Melody)
Panis Angelicus (tune - Lamillotte)
Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless (tune - St. Agnes)
Ubi Caritas (English: Where Charity and Love Prevail)
Marian Devotion Hymns
Hail, Holy Queen Enthroned Above (tune - Salve Regina Caelitum)
Immaculate Mary (tune - Lourdes Hymn)
On This Day, O Beautiful Mother (tune - Beautiful Mother)
O Sanctissima (tune - Sicilian Mariners)
Sing of Mary (tune - Pleading Savior)
Recessional Hymns
Holy God, We Praise Thy Name (tune - Grosser Gott)
O God Beyond All Praising (tune - Thaxted)
God is Love, Let Heaven Adore Him (tune - Abbot's Leigh)
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling (tune - Hyferdol)
Choral & Solo Voice Pieces
A Nuptial Blessing (Richard Proulx)
Ave Maria (various)
Behold, Thus Is the Man Blessed (Wiliam Ferris) [GIA Publications]
Corinthians' Prayer (Stephen McManus)
Dieu! qu'il la fait bon regarder (Claude Debussy)
God is Love (Richard Proulx)
Love Song (Robert Kreutz) [World Library Publications]
O Father All Creating (David Fetler)
O God of Love (Gerre Hancock)
Psalm 128 (Robert Wetzler)
Remember Your Love for Me, O Lord (Eugene Englert)
Rise Up, My Love, My Fair One (Healey Willan)
Set Me As A Seal (John Mitcheltree) [Augsburg]
The Call/Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (Ralph Vaughan Williams)
The Gift of Love (Hal Hopson)
When Love is Found (Hal Hopson)
Wher'er Thou Goest (Hildach, G.W. Cassler)
Whither Thou Goest (Heinrich Schütz)
Whither Thou Goest/Wedding Song (Flor Peeters)
