Our Tips and Tricks for Choosing Music for Your Religious Wedding

In a Catholic wedding, music plays a significant role in enriching the religious ceremony. The musical accompaniment during a church wedding enhances the spirituality of the ceremony by embodying the sacred nature of the religious blessing. Liturgical music is typically chosen to accompany key moments of the celebration, such as the opening of the ceremony, the Eucharist, and the couple’s exit. Therefore, it is crucial to carefully select the hymns. Discover in our article which music to choose for your religious wedding.

How to Choose Music for Your Wedding Ceremony

Catholic Wedding Hymns

During a Catholic wedding ceremony, it is customary, and sometimes even mandatory in certain parishes, to choose musical accompaniment to foster reflection and spirituality. Thus, the couple can choose music during:

The bride’s entrance

The opening of the Mass

The offering

Communion (if planned)

The signing of the register (often the longest part of the celebration)

The couple’s exit

The choice of hymns must adhere to a liturgical repertoire approved by the priest. Most churches in Italy have an organ, making it one of the essential liturgical instruments. If not, the musician will bring an electronic organ. A violinist, harpist, tenor, and/or soprano voice can be added if the couple wishes. It is also possible to hire a choir. For all these musicians/singers, the wedding planner must check the artists’ availability before confirming the service.

Classical Music for Wedding Celebrations

Each church has its own musical rules. Each priest has the right to accept or reject proposed hymns. Couples cannot impose their choices. Moreover, some have a list of selected musicians and do not accept performances from external musicians. One thing is certain: only religious music is allowed in every church! No gospel, no Morricone, no Schubert’s Ave Maria… The hymns must be decided according to the priest’s decisions.

Music for Key Moments of the Ceremony

The Bride’s Entrance

To accompany the bride’s entrance into the church and introduce the celebration, here is a list of liturgical hymns typically allowed in churches:

1.Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

2.Wedding March (Wagner)

3. Canon in D (Pachelbel)

4. Sing to the Lord (Liberto)

5. Celebrate the Lord, All the Earth (Frisina)

6. Rejoice and Be Glad (Frisina)

7. Acclaim the Lord (Frisina)

Music for Communion

If you have planned a religious ceremony with a Mass, i.e., with the Eucharist, it is possible to choose a religious hymn to accompany your guests’ communion. Accepted liturgical hymns for communion include:

1. Ave Verum (Mozart)

2. Panis Angelicus (C. Franck)

3. Taste and See (Frisina)

4. Bread of New Life (Frisina)

5. This is My Commandment (Frisina)

These hymns help create an ecumenical atmosphere conducive to spirituality, even for guests who do not participate in communion.

The Signing of the Register

It is also possible to choose hymns to accompany the signing of the register, considered one of the longest moments. It is preferable to choose two acoustic pieces that can be sung by a soprano or a tenor:

1.Dove la Carità (Frisina)

2. Brother Sun, Sister Moon (also with soloist and choir)

3. Ave Regina del Cielo (Calabrese)

These hymns can also be used to accompany the couple’s exit.

Organizing the Music for Your Religious Wedding

Hiring Singers

It is entirely possible to opt for musical accompaniment by singers. It is important to choose a singer whose repertoire respects the religious music approved by the church. Also, ensure that you respect your parish’s traditions and guidelines. Do not hesitate to seek advice from your wedding planner, who can share their contact list and assist you in your choice. Additionally, the wedding planner will act as an intermediary between you and the parish if you hire our team of wedding organizers in Italy.

Considering Church Restrictions or Specific Guidelines

Some parishes impose a strict repertoire for music or instrument choices, especially for a wedding in Italy. Therefore, it is important to inquire beforehand before starting your selection of wedding hymns. The chosen music should have a sacred and respectful character within the liturgical environment. Choose music that fits the specific liturgical moment (entrance, Liturgy of the Word, communion, exit, etc.). Some churches may have specific recommendations for each part of the ceremony.