Hymns are a beautiful and important part of wedding dresses ambiance and can be just as meaningful as Catholic wedding vows. However, sometimes your selection process is not as simple as just choosing your favorites. There are a few guidelines you should follow if you want to incorporate Catholic hymns into your marriage ceremony.
Selecting Appropriate Hymns
Next, you will want to make sure your songs are overall very sacred and traditional. In the Catholic Church, marriage is a blessed sacrament rooted deep in history and ritual. Again, ask a priest or Catholic Church advisor to help you in your selection process, especially if you are a new convert or not exceptionally devout in your faith.
There are some hymns that have become so prominent in our culture that we no longer associate them with just Catholic weddings. However, many of them first achieved mainstream notoriety through this sacred event, and continue to be used today. Ave Maria is one example of a frequently played song that never tires when it comes to wedding traditions processionals. There are plenty of recordings available, as well as sheet music and accompaniment tracks if you would like a soloist or choir to perform it.
Handel’s Water Music, specifically the Allegro Moderato, is another favorite. Both soothing and regal, it is a gorgeous tune for either a formal or casual wedding processional. Jesu Joy of Man’s Desire by Bach is a popular choice for Communion, as is Laudate Dominum by Mozart. When it comes to Wedding recessionals, some prefer something a little more jovial without veering too far off course, such as the Wedding March by Mendelssohn or Ode to Joy by Beethoven.
Today’s modern Catholics also mix up tradition with progressiveness, sharing their favorite pop song or other music genre as part of their nuptials. If you are unsure what wedding ceremony music is appropriate, bring a recording of the song to your priest of wedding coordinator and let them have the final say.
