Resident Organist
Many church weddings have organ music, and most churches have a regular, if not a resident organist. If you wish to have your own organist or musician at your wedding, it's common courtesy to first request the permission of the resident organist.

Choice of Music
Music which was originally written for voice, flute, cello or another instrument will never sound as effective when played on the organ. You will find that music specially written for the organ will sound best. Or ask your organist to suggest other suitable pieces from his/her repertoire, from which you might select. The organist will be more than happy to discuss the programme with you. While you may have certain pieces in mind, an experienced musician will have a full repertoire and will be able to suggest suitable music. He/she may be willing to rehearse and perform a special request for you, if a printed copy of the music is available. In leaving the choice of music to the organist, the couple may be lucky as he or she may have an imaginative selection of music to suit the occasion. However you may end up hearing much of the same music heard at previous weddings. Some people wouldn't dream of getting married without "Here Comes the Bride" or Mendelssohn's Wedding March. However, there are many other suitable pieces available.

Catholic Guidelines
A published list of pieces suitable for Catholic weddings is available. It is entitled `Christian Marriage - Preparation and Celebration', and is published by the Irish Episcopal Conference. It includes many useful guidelines to help you select appropriate music for your wedding. It does not include a `Banned List' as often believed. It emphasises that each musical item must be based on an appropriate ecclesiastical text, i.e., a biblical source.

• The brochure includes:
• Preliminary notes for soloists, choirs, organists and instrumentalists.
  
• Guidelines for the selection and use of music at weddings A list of resource material, by Title, Composer, and Biblical Source.
  
• A list of Mass Settings by Irish Composers
  
• A list of relevant publications - Hymn Books, Psalms, etc.
  It is very much up to the individual priest what kind of music, if any, is allowed at all. Some priests have had bad experiences with singers or folk groups at weddings, and refuse to allow them sing. Others may object to traditional instruments or certain ensembles. Best to check this out in advance.

  Soloists & Ensembles
  If you want something special why not hire an ensemble or soloist? You'll be surprised at what a difference this can make! Your choice depends on where you live and the availability of suitable musicians, but might include:
  

  • a solo vocalist
  • a traditional player
  • an instrumentalist (+ accompaniment)
    A vocalists might be a soprano or alto (female), tenor or bass (male). You might be lucky to know of a good solo instrumentalist on woodwind (flute, oboe, clarinet), strings (violin, viola, cello), or brass (trumpet, trombone, French horn). Classically trained musicians can add a great sense of occasion to the event, helping to create a mood that varies from prayerfulness and meditation to joyous celebration.
    • Weddings have featured -
      
    • Local Choirs (or its best singers),
      
    • Chamber Groups (Trios, Quartets and Quintets),
      
    • Brass Trios or Quartets.
      The latter can produce very dramatic effects, from Procession fanfares to quiet chorale music an unforgettable experience! A group of players may be better placed in the church gallery, if possible, for better acoustic effect. Cello and Harp are a beautiful combination, as are Classical Guitar combined with other wind or string instruments.

      Folk & Trad
      There is a huge selection of traditional Irish music suitable for weddings, from slow airs to marches. These can create a rich and dignified atmosphere, and leave a lasting impression. Traditional performers include -
      

      • a solo box-accordion player
      • an uilleann pipes player
      • a traditional singer
      • trad flute and guitar
      • a combination of trad instruments
        Folk groups are a popular option at Catholic marriages. Ask your parish priest, or simply attend a folk mass at any nearby church to hear the local talent. Naturally, you'll be expected to pay a fee to the local Folk Group fund.

        Music before the Ceremony
        Before the arrival of the bride, quiet continuous background music is appropriate to set the mood while the guests arrive and take their places. This is followed by a tangible silence while the bride and her father pause before entering the church to the sound of the processional music. The photographer may give the musicians the cue as the bride is about to proceed.

        The Processional March
        The Processional or Entrance March announcing the entrance of the bride takes the form of a joyous and stately march, hornpipe or minuet. This allows the bride to move up the aisle at a very regular, restrained pace. The most popular Processional music includes -
        

        • Bach - Fugue in G Minor
        • Brahms - Theme from the St. Anthony Chorale
        • Clarke - Trumpet Voluntary
        • Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba
        • Handel - Largo or his Occasional Overture
        • Handel - Water Music
        • Mozart - Wedding March from the Marriage of Figaro
        • Purcell's Trumpet Tune and Air and Rondo from Abdelazar
        • Trad - I Have Called You Now
        • Verdi's - Grand March from Aida
        
        Special wedding and bridal marches have been composed by Wagner, Parry, and Suttle among others.

        Candle Ceremony
        The Bridal March may continue until the bride reaches the altar. Then a soloist may perform a short piece, vocal or instrumental, while the couple light the candles in this first part of the candle ceremony, then return to their places.

        Penitential Rite
        Many use this moment to introduce the sung response, with, for instance -
        A Thiarna, Dean Trocaire
        Agnus Dei or A Uain De
        or the English equivalents.

        The Responsorial Psalm
        With a choice of 5 or more of some 25 Responsorial Options available to the couple, the range of musical settings is wider still. A list of 72 settings is published in `Christian Marriage. This brief Psalm is sometimes sung, as is the Alleluia Acclamation which follows. It is possible to make a musical moment at this point with, instance, the singing of the Magnificat.

        Offertory Music
        The music at the Offertory is prayerful and meditative, perhaps some plain chant, or, for Roman Catholics, music in honour of Our Lady, such as
        A Mhuire Na nGras
        Ag Chriost an tSiol (O'Riada);
        Ave Maria - Bach/Gounod /Schubert
        Bach - Badinerie from Suite No. 2
        Salve Mater
        Salve Regina

        Music for Communion
        Music during the communion assists the reflective, quiet mood, but need not be too heavy. Old favourites include -
        

        • Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
        • Bach - Sheep May Safely Graze
        • Brahms - Behold A Rose Is Blooming
        • Franck - Panus Angelicus
        • Folk Hymn - Here I am Lord
        • Macdowell - To Wild Rose
        • Mozart - Ave Verum Corpus
        • O Riada - Ag Chriost an tSiol
        • Schubert - Ave Maria
        • Schumann - Traumeri
        • Vaughan-Williams - Chorale Prelude on Rhosymedre

        Signing of the Civil Register
        It will take the couple approx. 8-15 minutes while retiring to the sacristy to sign the Civil Register. This will possibly seem longer to the awaiting congregation, who have nothing to do. It may be more sensible to opt for instrumental music here as, at this point, the congregation likes to relax, now that the main part of the ceremony is over. Conversation is all but inevitable and a solo singer will have to battle with the excited babble! Much loved classical favourites as well-known songs and ballads can be adapted to instrumental music for the occasion, if these are permitted. Examples:
        

        • The Rose (Some say love is like a river)
        • The Cuachlainn (Traditional Irish air)
        • Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
        • Bach/Gounod - Ave Maria
        • Mozart - Laudate Dominum
        • Theme from `The Mission'
        
        It is also advisable to allow for extra music for the photo-session on the altar after signing the register.

        Recessional Music
        The music for the Recession is stately, bright, and joyous, with full volume, while the newly-wed couple walk slowly down the aisle, allowing guests time to admire them. The music should continue until the main party have left the church.
        

        • Dubois - Toccata in D
        • Fletcher - Festive Toccata
        • Handel - Fireworks Suite
        • Handel - Hornpipe from the Water Music
        • Mendelssohn - Wedding March (from A Midsummer Night's Dream)
        • Pachebel - Toccata in C
        • Smart - Postlude in D
        • Vierne - Carillon in B flat
        • Vivaldi - Spring (from the Four Seasons)
        • Walton - Crown Imperial
        • Whitlock - Fanfare

        Indoor Photo Session
        If it's raining outside, then a photo session is often organised inside the church. In such an event, music could continue to be played (if the bride so desires) maintaining an atmosphere of celebration until the guests have left the church. This may require clarification with the organist /musicians in advance, as he /she may have another appointment.

        Church Bells
        Some large churches will have a `carrion' or a full scale (or more) of bells. Modern carillons are played on a single keyboard. If so, it would be a great pity not to avail of them for after the ceremony. Ask your priest or pastor if this is feasible.

        Church Music Checklist -
        1. Decide on the type of Music you Want - Classical, Folk, Traditional, Mixed.
        2. Your music budget - how much are you prepared to spend?
        3. Decide on organist, soloist or choir, etc.
        4. Agree your music selection - bearing in mind that not all music is acceptable for the occasion, even if it's your favourite song, etc.
        5. If your musicians require amplification, are there suitable power points, etc. in the church.
        6. Decide on location of musicians in the church - prominent position near altar or as background.
        7. Payment of musicians - before or after, cash or cheque. Fees are higher if the musicians have to travel.
        8. Book your musicians 6 months in advance of your wedding date, or earlier, if yours is a summer weekend wedding.