Wedding Music Selections

As bride and groom-to-be, you are beginning one of the most exciting journeys in your lives. Your marriage liturgy at All Souls Catholic Church will be your point of departure for this journey. In order to help make this a memorable occasion for you, your families, and your guests, this information will assist you in understanding about and selecting music that will create an atmosphere that reflects the sacrament as a celebration, uniting God and you in a new relationship.

Music and its role in Liturgy

The Marriage Rite is a liturgical celebration, a sacrament of the church. As in any liturgical setting (i.e., Mass), the music is to be chosen with care and discrimination. Since in the liturgy the assembled people of God join with the bride and groom in asking God’s involvement and blessing as a new home is established, the music should accentuate the reverence of the liturgy. 

The texts and music should contribute to the worship atmosphere of the service. The selections should be of a musical quality. The texts should correspond to the themes which are inherent in a Christian marriage liturgy (e.g., God=s love for the church displayed through Christ,) forming the foundation for the love a man and woman share.  God=s involvement and blessing petitioned for the marriage; the praise of God necessarily expressed when Christians rejoice. 

For that reason, operatic selections, art songs, along with popular and theatrical love songs, are inappropriate.  While they are being used frequently in marriage services, their texts extol romanticized or secular ideas about love and marriage and, therefore, detract from the worship of God.

Music Restrictions

1. All Souls Church follows all musical and liturgical guidelines set by the Diocese of Orlando. 2) Usage of pre-recorded tapes or CDs is not permitted whether for music during seating of guests, processionals/recessionals, or to accompany any vocalist. This in keeping with the musical and liturgical guidelines set by the Diocese of Orlando. 
2. When and if the Lord’s Prayer is sung, we only use arrangements in which every person present can participate. If you feel it is necessary to have a solo version performed (such as the Malotte setting), this can be included in the music selected for the seating of your guests prior to the liturgy. 
3. The music used prior to and during the Service/Mass must be the same in nature as that which would be used in any Mass. Additionally, the songs must be in keeping with Catholic theology. Secular songs are to be used during the reception. 
4. You are not limited to the selections that appear in this booklet. Should you prefer something else, please feel free to make this preference known at the consultation. However, you will need to obtain such if it is not in my music library.