Okay, folks, let’s talk about something that was a real head-scratcher for me recently: music for a Catholic wedding mass. You know, I’ve been to my fair share of weddings, but planning one? That’s a whole different ball game. And the music part? Forget about it!
So, my cousin, she’s getting married, right? Beautiful Catholic ceremony, the whole nine yards. And guess who got put in charge of figuring out the music? Yours truly. I thought, “How hard can it be? Pick a few hymns, maybe something classical, and boom, done.” Boy, was I wrong.
First off, I started by looking through the internet. I mean, where else do you even begin? I found all these websites with lists of “Catholic wedding songs.” Some of them were pretty, some were…well, let’s just say not my taste. They talked about some processional anthems and reflective communion pieces. I jotted down a few that seemed okay, but honestly, I was lost in a sea of options. They have so many choices, from traditional to contemporary.
Then, I remembered what my grandma always said: “When in doubt, ask a priest.” So I called up the church where the wedding’s taking place. I spoke to the priest there, super nice guy, by the way. He gave me a whole rundown of what’s appropriate, what’s not, and what they usually do. It turns out there are rules! Who knew?
He also mentioned that they have to give the final approval on any music choices. I had no idea, you know. I just thought you picked some songs and that was that. Turns out it’s a little more involved than that. Some websites are suggesting to ask for guidance on your favorite Catholic wedding songs from the parish priest, and they are not wrong. I am glad that I called the priest!
After that, I went back to my list. I started thinking about the different parts of the mass – the processional, the recessional, communion, all that. It’s not just about picking pretty songs, it’s about finding music that fits the mood and the meaning of each part. It is important to make sure the wedding mass is perfect, I think.
I ended up spending a whole weekend listening to different versions of hymns and instrumental pieces. I even found some recordings of choirs online to get a feel for how it might sound in a church. I also searched for some samples from other churches, like the Saint John Vianney Catholic Church in Houston, to get some inspiration.
- I made a list of potential songs for each part of the mass.
- I listened to multiple versions of each song to find the one I liked best.
- I narrowed it down to a few options for each part.
- I put together a little “playlist” to share with my cousin and the priest.
It was a lot more work than I expected, but you know what? I actually kind of enjoyed it. It was like putting together a puzzle, finding all the right pieces to make a beautiful picture. And when I finally had a list I was happy with, it felt pretty darn good.
So, if you ever find yourself in charge of the music for a Catholic wedding mass, take it from me: don’t underestimate it! Do your research, talk to the priest, and most importantly, trust your gut. And you know what? It might even be a little bit fun.
I also asked around to see if anyone has any suggestions about the music, some friends are actually really helpful, they even introduced me to a singer and a violinist. I think I will hire them, they look good.
Lessons Learned
- Don’t underestimate the music part of planning a wedding.
- Always talk to the priest before finalizing music choices.
- Do your research on traditional and contemporary songs.
- It is important to select beautiful and liturgical music.
- Be patient, it may take a lot of time!
Well, I think that’s it for my story. If you have any suggestions or experiences to share about Catholic wedding mass music, feel free to share them with me! I am always looking for new ideas.
