No music at catholic church wedding?

I have never attended a wedding where there was no music. So I'm not sure if I would go without.

Every wedding I've attended in a Catholic Church has music and honestly I can't imagine walking down the aisle without music. I would think adding an hour for the mariachi band would work well.

Idk what to do!

I couldn't imagine having a Catholic wedding without any music. I know my church allows you to play from a CD during the ceremony. Instead of paying for live music, could that be an option?

The only options they gave me where the lady who provides the music for $325 (its a singer, pianist and violinist), or a mariachi. I'm not sure if they would let me bring a cd, because then I'd probably have to provide the speakers/stereo idk! Ugh...and I wouldn't even know what kind of music to play >.<

Ugh. This has been the most difficult thing for me. The Catholic church doesn't allow CD's because the music of mass is a prayer and thus has to be done by an actual person. I've found a lot of music on Catholicweddinghelp.com... that's been my resource for wedding stuff. Could you ask if you could cut down on costs by having part of that 325 group? A mariachi would be fine too, I guess... but I get what you're saying.

I had someone that I used to know that I asked to cantor at the wedding (I was thinking it'd be friend stuff and that I'd pay her 50-75 for her singing and have her come to the reception for her trouble...... nope she said she charges 400 for SINGING for less than an hour smh

That is cheap for three musicians at a church. I'd price out the Mariachis for the hour plus travel and see how that would work; personally, I think they would be a great surprise at the reception (we've seen this before and everyone loves it!) but I'm not sure about the church itself. But yes, you do need something.

The donation for the church is actually kind of inexpensive too, just to give you a perspective...

Thank's future mrs jkr, I'll check that website out, may come in handy. Well I just text the lady and asked her if she can refer me to someone else. She mentioned before she could do that, if she wasn't available. I'm also feeling rushed/pressured because she said she has another person looking to book her on that date and time, so I have to let her know asap. Which doesn't make sense because she is the ONLY musician besides I mariachi they allow us to hire, so she should be available to only us no?

Celia, thanks, I'm emailing mariachis now and see how much they would charge for the church, which should definitely be less because I'm seeing their prices are $200-300/hr. My mom thought the mariachi was a bad idea for church because it will definitely be a crying fest lol...

I agree that music is absolutely necessary for a wedding. That is very inexpensive for 3 musicians. We are having a string trio for the ceremony and cocktail hour and its costing just over $600 so I don't think the $325 is very much! But if you can't swing it, can you see if they will do JUST a pianist instead of all 3 musicians?

But how many hours will your trio play? This musicians are just playing less than 1 hr and not continuously. I initally wanted the mariachi at reception only, for 2 hrs and I'm sure that would have been like $600, which is fine, I think that its worth it. $325 for less than 1 hr, not worth it to me and out of budget, BUT now I'm thinking I may have no choice and will have to cough up the money.

The price isn't that much for all three of them.my church was $200 for the musician. It's your choice to be married at the church so you don't have much of a choice after that but to follow the standards they have set up for weddings. I would never think to forego music at the ceremony. especially a Catholic one since they are long.

It is not uncommon for musicians to have a starting fee, regardless of the time. (Example, $325 for up to 1.5 hours, $200 per hour beyond that.)

The scheduling, music selection, set-up, etc take the same amount of time and effort no matter how long they actually play.

It is also possible that the fee includes sound-system set up for the musicians, if your church has a sound system. The "fun" associated with church sound systems cannot be understated. (The quality, complexity, general health/maintenance status, "quirkiness" varies greatly) So, if the fee includes someone that actually knows how to use your church's system, factor that in.

I agree that the fee isn't all that much for 3 musicians. I'm paying two musicians (pianist & singer) $100 each for my Catholic wedding. Even though they'll be only actually playing less than a house, you need to factor in consultations, rehearsal time, set up and take down, etc. There's a lot that goes into the wedding.

Temme & Lori, You both are paying $125 less than my price. If I was being charged $200 I would have said yes on the spot! The $125 makes a difference, but I guess I have no choice.

Thanks for the input

Mayra, but you're getting a violinist. I'm only getting a pianist and a singer. Do you HAVE to get all three? My church has various musicians that play in addition to the pianist and the singer (saxophonist, guitarist, I think someone who plays the trumpet) but it was up to me who I picked. Maybe see about dropping the violinist.

I really think having NO music at all would be weird.

I agree Lori, I DO NOT want the mass without music. I'm going to call the lady and ask her if I can just get her (the vocalist) and the pianist.

Can you hire an outside musician? Or do you have any friends or family who play guitar or piano? I would not go without music for a Catholic ceremony. Especially the processional and recessional!

Ren, the only outside musician we can get would be a mariachi, other than that no, we have to use their musician.

When you do talk to them, make sure that you tell them it's because of the cost, NOT because you just don't want a violin. Explain that you have a budget (you can say $200 if that's what you're comfortable with) and you're stuck because the church won't let you bring in anyone else. I bet they're willing to work with you.

Thanks Lori, I will tell her that, which is the truth.