Church Ceremony Music

br2015

I was hoping I might be able to get some suggestions for church music. Our priest has said we can have whatever we want & it doesn't have to be religious. We want to keep the music appropriate though obviously. Has anyone any suggestions? We are having a singer and a piano player. We like Norah Jones forever young and the voyage by Christy Moore (not sure where to use them in the mass though). Also Liam Lawton Clouds Veil is nice.

I would really appreciate your suggestions as we only have a few weeks to go - thanks!

chocaholic04

We had our wedding 2 months ago, we went a little different with our church music. We had a violin and cello, most of the music was instrumental. The music may not be appropriate for some but it was what suited us. Here was our selection -
entrance - canon in d
lighting of the candles - tabhair dom do lamh
response - ag criost an siol
gospel - alleluia
offertory - reflection (Christina Aguilera) instrumental
communion - may it be (enya) instrumental
- game of thrones theme
signing of the register - nella fantasia
recessional - he's a pirate (Pirates of the Caribbean)

Here Comes The Trio

Our priest has said we can have whatever we want & it doesn't have to be religious. We want to keep the music appropriate though obviously. Has anyone any suggestions? We are having a singer and a piano player. We like Norah Jones forever young and the voyage by Christy Moore (not sure where to use them in the mass though). Also Liam Lawton Clouds Veil is nice.

You'll generally need music for the following places:
Entrance: The Mass hasn't started yet so you should be allowed have whatever music you like here, something meaningful with a nice kind of tempo to walk to is ideal.
Lighting of the Separate Candles: Something very short is perfect here, the piano might just play it by themselves, or just one verse of a song is ideal.
Responsorial Psalm: You could use Clouds Veil here (or songs like Mo Ghrá Thú and Eagles Wings are also very popular)
Alleluia is optional: You can have Seinn Alleluia or Celtic Alleluia but your singer should have some suggestions for this.
Lighting of the Marriage Candle: This is after "you may kiss the bride" and can be the same as the earlier one, or a different part of the same song, or a different song.
Offertory: As the gifts are being brought up, religious/ traditional examples include Ag Críost an Siol, A Mhuire Mhathair, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring etc.,
Sign of Peace: This is 2 mins of background music, I wouldn't put a very loud or fast song here.
Communion: (2 pieces) Although this is still in the Mass, it's a more relaxed part of the ceremony so you may get away with more popular music here. You'll be served first and can actually sit back and listen here so it's a great place to choose your favourites.
Signing of the Register (2 pieces): The Mass is technically over now so something more contemporary would be great here, just bear in mind you may be in the sacristy (this doesn't happen so much any more, the Register is usually kept to the side of the altar) or with the photographer so you may be slightly distracted when this music is being played.
Recessional (Exit): Something lively!

There are other parts of the Mass (eg Ár nAthair, Gloria etc) that some singers might sing but what's above should have you covered. Regarding suggestions, I find it hard to suggest music as there are thousands of potential songs, but I would keep the middle parts of the mass (Offterory, Sign of Peace and Communion) traditional/sacred, and you can relax after the signing of the register, and even Communion and include some more popular stuff. We have list after list on our website of all the music past couples chose, and all a template with some of the most popular choices, if that's any good to you. Hopefully your singer will have some suggestions, based on what songs they prefer to sing etc., best of luck anyway!!

An Bhanríon

Have you looked up the websites of people who sing for weddings? A lot of those websites have examples of songs that can be used at different times in the mass. Just google 'wedding singer ireland' or something like that and various websites of wedding singers will pop up. The sites also list the places in the mass where it is normal to have music, so you can work out how many tunes / songs you need.

If you are not working from such a list, the main thing to think about is what is happening at the various stages of the mass. Procession at the beginning won't be too fast. Procession at the end will be more lively and celabratory. Offeratory and communion should be joyous but solemn because they are significant parts of the mass. Signing of the registery can be something that isn't so solemn because it's not part of the mass - maybe a song you both really like.

As regards songs that aren't religious, I suggest reading through the lyrics before you decide on them for sure. Some songs sound totally lovely, but the sentiment is unrequited love or the death of a lover or something, which is not exactly what you want at your wedding!

As somebody suggested above, talk to your singer and pianist. They should be able to suggest things. That is part of their job, after all....

br2015

Thanks a million that is so so helpful, I have spoken to my singer and she has given some suggestions but I will want to add one or two songs too. Thanks again, I am enjoying spending all my free time on utube!!

br2015

As regards songs that aren't religious, I suggest reading through the lyrics before you decide on them for sure. Some songs sound totally lovely, but the sentiment is unrequited love or the death of a lover or something, which is not exactly what you want at your wedding!
.[/QUOTE]

This is obviously the most important thing when choosing a wedding song so it is top of my agenda for songs. I have ruled out Make you Feel my Love due to the line "I know you haven't made your mind up yet!"

Thanks!

emzolita

As a singer, these are a few of my faves to sing.
Feels like Home,
SongBird,
Clouds Veil,
One Day Like This,
One Love,
All I Want is You,
True Colours,
A thousand Years,
All you Need is Love,
Signed Sealed Delivered

emzolita

br2015 wrote: »

As regards songs that aren't religious, I suggest reading through the lyrics before you decide on them for sure.

Haha defo, I sang Phil Collins In the Air Tonight once.... the first bit sounds lovely and romantic, then the First verse ...

"Well, if you told me you were drowning
I would not lend a hand
I've seen your face before my friend
But I don't know if you know who I am
Well, I was there and I saw what you did
I saw it with my own two eyes
So you can wipe off that grin,
I know where you've been
It's all been a pack of lies"


Akwaarrrrddd