Sacred Music for Weddings

The Rite of Marriage is a one of the seven Sacraments of the Church.  As such, the music chosen for your wedding should reflect the dignity of the Sacrament being celebrated.  In the presence of all the faithful, you declare your consent before God to uphold the rights and responsibilities of holy marriage for the entirety of your lives.  It is a celebration that is both joyful and solemn, and the music you will choose highlights both these aspects most beautifully and accompanies the marriage rites with due solemnity. 

Sacred music differs from the secular music of the world.  There is an appropriate place and time for secular music, but in the liturgy, we strive to imitate the life of Heaven, where we acclaim God's praises in union with the choirs of angels.   Secular love songs focus more on emotional and romantic love.  These types of songs are perfectly suited in the atmosphere of the reception. Secular songs are not permitted for the wedding.  These include popular inspirational songs from movies, stage or audio recordings. While beautiful and uplifting, they are not specifically sacred in nature, and thus, not suited for a liturgical celebration. 

It is understood that the cathedral's director of Sacred Music will plan all aspects of the wedding music, even if outside musicians are authorized.  Most weddings utilize the director as organist and a cantor that leads the assembly in ​communal singing and can also sing other sacred music pieces.  For an additional fee, a group of singers can also be arranged.  If you wish to have instrumentalists (brass, strings, other musicians), ​those can be arranged as well.  Please note that instrumentalists are outside musicians and charge fees independent of the cathedral.

​Depending on the type of wedding you're having, please follow the appropriate track to select the music for your wedding.  Audio recordings have been provided so you can listen to ​the ​selection of each piece.  The cathedral has provided a popular list of pieces that you can select from.  If you have other pieces that you would like the director to consider, that choice can be indicated on the form.