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Expert August 2020

Catholic Wedding Music

Sarah, on February 28, 2020 at 6:38 AM Posted in Wedding Ceremony 0 6

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Long post ahead: First, let me start by saying I am a music teacher so music is super important to me. I am not catholic but FH is. We met with the Priest last night and I inquired about the music (meeting with my pianist this evening). He said it doesn’t necessarily need to be sacred or a hymn but it needs to be respectful and (preferably) sacred. His exact words were “for example, Eric Clapton doesn’t belong in our church”.

So I’m only doing instrumental music...at first, I thought I’d come down the aisle to A Thousand Years (instrumental). It’s safe. Clean, not out of place. But now, I’m starting to second guess. Does anyone have any suggestions? Right now I’m considering “when I say I do” by Matthew West or “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle for the processional...no clue for recessional.
Also note: Canon in D is out! Beaten to death in my opinion and can’t bring myself to do it.

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6 Comments

Latest activity by Sarah, on February 28, 2020 at 5:35 PM

Master July 2021
Rebelle Fleur · on February 28, 2020 at 7:55 AM
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I think the song you chose is appropriate ... he probably won’t even know who the artist is or what song it is. Just present it to him as the instrumental. It’s a perfectly clean song about love.
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Veronica · on February 28, 2020 at 9:17 AM
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Does someone from the church have to approve the choices, i.e. do you have to report them to the church prior to the wedding? If so, I would just be prepared that anything you pick that is not explicitly sacred could ultimately get vetoed. That is a fairly vague guideline and seems to give them a lot of leeway to say no to things. I would suggest the following: Sheep May Safely Graze (piano solo example here ), an upbeat arrangement of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring ( example here ), or a piano solo of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing ( example here ).
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Expert August 2020
Sarah · on February 28, 2020 at 9:36 AM
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No, he didn't say we'd have to have it approved. This is a very small catholic church ( like we will be maxing it out at 130...), no deacons, no one "in charge" of weddings and he's very laid back. He just asked me to be respectful and mindful that it is a place of worship. Thanks for the suggestions, I will listen to them!
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Expert August 2020
Sarah · on February 28, 2020 at 9:43 AM
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That's what FH said as well. I am just nervous about it and want to be sure I am not offending anyone unintentionally. Thanks for your reassurance!
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Dedicated October 2020
Mary · on February 28, 2020 at 4:49 PM
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Hate to break this to you, but most Catholic churches are not going to approve of secular music being played during the ceremony. Classical pieces must have roots in Christianity. Instrumentals of secular music are not going to pass muster, including "A Thousand Years".
The only areas where you could get away with playing instrumentals of secular music are the prelude and the post-recessional, because those are outside of the ceremony.
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Expert August 2020
Sarah · on February 28, 2020 at 5:35 PM
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Thank you for your input...I’d tend to think the same but on two occasions the priest has said it doesn’t have to be sacred as long as it “sounds like it belongs in a church”. I understand (especially as a musician) that classical music had roots in the church. Almost all music started sacred which is how we can get away with teaching sacred music in the public schools. My point is to take it from something less “pop culture” to something a little closer to the church. He didn’t say it needed to be approved or anything just asked us to not do “Eric Clapton, AC/DC or anything similar”.
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