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The following is a breakdown of the musical portions when it is celebrated within a Mass. (Click this link for the Wedding Music form.) For a Ceremony (no Eucharist) that is celebrated outside of a Mass, omit the sections with an asterisk*. Once you have completed the form scan and email it to tom.manguem@holynameparish.com.
Prelude Music begins about 15 minutes before the wedding liturgy, a variety of festive classical music is played and/or sung as the guests are seated.
A. Seating of the Mothers: A special vocal or instrumental piece may be chosen to honor mothers of the bride and groom. Often a hymn to the Blessed Mother is chosen to liken their mothers’ loving care to the Virgin Mary’s maternal love.
B. Processional Music: Music for the processional is most often an instrumental piece. A stately trumpet tune or march is the most effective. The addition of trumpets or other instruments can help to highlight the solemnity and the festivity of the moment.
C. Responsorial Psalm: The psalm is sung by the cantor with a congregational response. Songs, which are not psalms, or based on psalm text, should not be used during this part of the liturgy.
D. Gospel Acclamation: The “Alleluia” is a joyful acclamation, which prepares the assembly to the Gospel. We usually sing a setting that is both familiar and festive, such as the Celtic Alleluia.
*E. Preparation of the Gifts: As the gifts of bread and wine are brought forward and prepared at the altar, a vocal or instrumental piece may accompany the action.
*F. Eucharistic Acclamation: The “Holy, Holy,” “Christ has died,” Great “Amen,” and the “Lamb of God” are sung at weddings at Holy Name. Marty Haugen’s Mass of Creation or Richard Proulx Community Mass are used most often.
*G. Communion: Vocal or instrumental music that highlight the communitarian aspect of the Eucharist should be chosen. One or two pieces may be selected depending on their length.
H. Recessional: The recessional, like the processional, is usually an instrumental piece. It should round off the celebration of the liturgy and act as a festive “send off.”