Wedding Music Samples

We are delighted to help you prepare for the Sacrament of Matrimony. We hope the music listed on this page will help you make music choices that will honor God and his central role in your life together.

We also hope that this music will uplift you and your guests, help you and them participate in the liturgy, and contribute significantly to the beauty and holiness of your wedding. May God bless you as you prepare for your life together.

Click on each linked music title below to hear a sample.

The purpose of prelude music is to set a prayerful, reverent atmosphere for your guests. These pieces can be instrumental and/or include vocals. Here are some suggestions:

• Ave Maria, Schubert
• Ave Maria, Bach/Gounod
• Goldberg Variation No. 7, Bach
• Prelude in C Major, Bach
• How Beautiful, Paris
• Arise, My Love, Warner

Processional

Parents, the wedding party, and the bride walk down the aisle to a processional piece, which is typically instrumental. You can select one piece for the entire procession, or you can select a piece for the parents and wedding party and a separate piece for the bride's entrance. Here are some suggestions:

• Aria from The Goldberg Variations, Bach
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Bach
• Canon in D, Pachelbel
• Hornpipe from Water Music, Handel
• Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke
• Rondeau from Symphonie des Fanfares, Mouret
• Impromptu in A flat, Schubert

Gathering Hymn

A gathering hymn is optional, but including an opening hymn effectively encourages participation of the entire Assembly in the liturgy. Led by the cantor, it signals that all guests are actually participants in this holy celebration. It's also a welcoming gesture to non-Catholic guests, as it unites all in one voice. Here are some suggestions:

• All Creatures of Our God and King
• Alleluia! Sing to Jesus
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
• The King of Love, My Shepherd Is

Gloria

• Mass of Creation, Haugen
• A New Mass for Congregations, Andrews
• Mass of Our Lady, Warner
• Congregational Mass, Lee

Responsorial Psalm

• Psalm 34: Taste and See, Kendzia
• Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful, Cotter
• Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful, Haugen
• Psalm 128: Blessed Are Those Who Love you, Haugen
• Psalm 145: I Will Praise Your Name, Roberts
• Psalm 148: Alaben Todos/Let All the Earth Praise, Rubalcava 

• Set Your Heart on the Higher Gifts, Warner
• Love Has Brought Us Here Together, Alonso
• Be Thou My Vision, SLANEE
• Ubi Caritas, Hurd
• When Love is Found, Wren
• Where Charity and Love Prevail, Benoit

• Mass of Creation, Haugen
• Mass for Our Lady, Warner
• Mass for the City, Proulx
• Simple Chant Mass

The Assembly should participate in the singing, led by the cantor, and the song should ideally speak of our love and unity in the Body of Christ. In general, songs in verse/refrain form work best, because the cantor can sing the verses while the Assembly sings the refrain, even while processing for Communion.

• I Am the Bread of Life, Toolan
• Make of Our Hands a Throne, Warner
• Ubi Caritas, Hurd
• One Bread, One Body, Foley
• Jesus Christ, Bread of Life, Dvorak
• All Who Hunger, Moore

Many couples choose to make a brief pilgrimage to the statue of the Blessed Mother with flowers as an offering. Typically a Marian piece is sung during this time of prayer and reflection for the couple and entire Assembly.  

• Ave Maria, Schubert
• Ave Maria, Bach
• Hail Mary: Gentle Woman, Landry

The newly married couple and wedding party recess up the aisle to festive music that reflects the joy of the moment.  The recessional is traditionally instrumental but can be a vocal piece or congregational hymn.  

• Trumpet Voluntary, Clarke
• Hornpipe from Water Music, Handel
• Rondeau from Symphonie des Fanfares, Mouret
• O God Beyond All Praising
• Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You