*indicates required fields
* Wedding Date (MM/DD/YY):
*Wedding Time:
11 AM
1 PM
3 PM
*Type of Wedding Liturgy:
Wedding Mass with Communion
Wedding Ceremony without Communion
*Number of People in Bridal Party:
*Number of children in procession, if any:
*Groom's First and Last Name:
*Groom's E-mail:
*Bride's First and Last Name:
*Bride's E-mail:
* Will the Bride be taking her husband's last name?
If you have an established married address, please list it here:
*What is the first and last name of your Best Man?
*What is the first and last name of your Maid of Honor?
*Presider's First and Last Name:
*Presider Phone Number:
*Presider Email:
* Will the presider be at the rehearsal?
*Will you have a Unity Candle?
*Will have a dedication to the Virgin Mary?
* Will your reception be held on the Lake Shore Campus of Loyola University?
*Will you provide your own floral arrangements for the area on either side of the tabernacle?
Prelude Prior to the beginning of the wedding liturgy, there is a prelude consisting of about 15 minutes of instrumental music as guests arrive and are seated. Music during this time is selected at the discretion of the Director of Music and encompasses a combination of pieces that mirror the festive nature of the occasion as well as the quiet dignity of prayerful reflection. Often the prelude is comprised entirely of solo organ repertoire but the utilization of other instruments (trumpets, strings, harp, etc.) is possible as well.Seating of Parents and Processionals Couples often wish to have the seating of their parents highlighted and accompanied by a special piece of music. The seating of the parents takes place just prior to the procession of the wedding party, so the music should be clearly different from that of the processional. A meditative vocal solo or relatively quiet instrumental piece is usually best here. If this is desired, please choose an appropriate vocal solo or instrumental selection from the possibilities listed below.
The processionals are usually played by the organ alone or with instruments.Choose three selections.
VOCAL SOLO
INSTRUMENTAL:
* Opening Prayer
These are your options for opening prayers at the beginning of the liturgy, please choose one:
* First Reading from the Old Testament
Choose one from the list below:
* Responsorial Psalm
The responsorial psalm follows the first reading, and there are many psalms from which to choose. If you are printing a wedding program, be sure to print the words of the psalm refrain so your guests can join in the singing. Choose one from the list below
* Second Reading from the New Testament Choose one from the list below:
* Gospel Reading Choose one from the list below:
* Prayers of the Faithful Choose one from the list below:
Unity Candle (optional)
If there will be a unity candle, it is placed on a ceremonial pillar in the area to the left of where you will be standing during the ceremony, so it takes very little time to light the candle. The music chosen for this point in the service serves the action itself and is limited to the time it takes to light the candle and for the couple to return to their places. Shorter pieces are suitable at this point in the liturgy, or an instrumental improvisation will be played if no choice is made.
Offertory (skip if you are not having Communion) In a Ceremony with Communion, the Mass continues with music during the offertory and preparation of the altar. This usually takes very little time, so a short organ improvisation or instrumental selection is usually most effective at this point. The selection of the offertory music is left to the musicians.
Lord's Prayer Sometimes couples ask to have the Lord's Prayer (Our Father) sung. Although this generally works well on Sundays in your local church, keep in mind that your wedding guests will likely come from several different churches and faiths. It is the one common prayer among all Christian denominations and it is very important that everyone is able to join in praying it together. For these reasons, the Lord's Prayer is spoken, rather than sung.
Communion
Skip the following if you are not having Communion In selecting music for communion, couples will want to keep in mind the nature of the Eucharistic rite as a sign of the unity of everyone gathered. If you have a congregation that likes to sing, a congregational hymn would be very appropriate here. A vocal solo, or a meditative organ/instrumental selection could work well here too. Please note that one piece of music is sufficient for communion. Here are several beautiful communion hymns with simple refrains for the congregation:
CONGREGATIONAL HYMN:
If you would like to use a vocal solo, rather than a congregational hymn, here are some well-known choices: VOCAL SOLO:
Prayer After Communion Choose one from the list below:
Meditation to the Blessed Virgin Mary (optional) If you plan on making a visitation to Mary's altar, it will take place after communion (or after the Lord's Prayer if you're not having a full mass). At this point in the liturgy, a meditation could be sung by the vocalist as a reflection of the personal, devotional prayer of the bride and groom and of the whole congregation. Music during this moment is usually a setting of the "Ave Maria" or other appropriate hymn to Mary. Here are many beautiful possibilities:
* Final Blessing Choose one from the list below:
* Recessional The wedding recessional is usually the liturgy's most festive and joyous of musical expressions. Most often played by the organ alone or with trumpet or other instruments, there are countless possibilities, including these listed here. You might notice that some of these same pieces are listed as processionals earlier on this page. That's because they can work for either the entrance procession at the beginning of the wedding or the exit recessional at the end.Please make one selection.
Cantor preference, further questions and/or comments:
*Please confirm your E-mail Address: