• Wedding Music must conform to guidelines for liturgical sacramental celebrations. It is an integral part of the Liturgy and should promote an atmosphere of prayer. Sacred music is always the proper setting for the Wedding Liturgy. Arrangements for your music must be made with Kris Swanson, the Director of Music, to ensure proper selections. 
• Each couple is required to attend planning sessions with the Director of Music.
• The couple will receive a CD of music selections and accompanying booklet to assist in selecting your music.
• The Director of Music Ministries will complete with the couple a Wedding Liturgy Planning Sheet. A worship aid (program) is optional. It is the couple’s responsibility to design and arrange for printing of a worship aide for the Wedding Mass or Liturgy of the Word service.

• It is the church’s policy that a parish musician must be present at all wedding liturgies. There is a fee charged for that service. The check should be made out to the musician, who will be assigned by the Director of Music. Outside musicians may perform only with the Director’s knowledge and approval, and must contact her at least one month in advance of the Wedding date. A list of vocalists, accompanists, and musicians is available through the Director of Music Ministries.
• It is helpful if the cantor (vocalist) and/or accompanist is of the Catholic faith and is experienced at leading a Catholic liturgy.

• The music must be sacred and have lyrics which express a Christian view of love and life, i.e., not only the human love of one person for another but also God’s love for all people.
• The music should fit the part of the ceremony in which it is used and should not cause delays in the ceremony.
• The music should be artistically good music, sacred or classical, and the text should be a meaningful fit for the sacramental moment.
• Secular music (non-sacred or popular) should be kept for use at the reception only. Instrumental classical music is appropriate during the liturgy.

• Congregational singing is strongly encouraged.
• Specific parts of the Mass should be sung by the cantor and congregation:  Psalm Response, Gospel Acclamation (“Alleluia”); Holy, Holy, Holy, Memorial Acclamation; Great Amen and Lamb of God.
• The Lord’s Prayer can only be sung as a solo if the Eucharist is not included in the ceremony.
• Solos should never be so long that they stop the movement of the liturgy.
• Recorded music of any kind is not allowed in the church.

• Preludes are appropriate as the guests are gathering and being seated to help them prepare for the communal celebration of the Wedding Liturgy. Instrumental music is encouraged (solo or ensemble) or suitable songs can be sung by a solo vocalist or a choir.    If a soloist is used, it is recommended that not more than two selections be sung.

• Devotional Song to accompany the Lighting of the Unity Candle by a soloist must be as brief as the time it takes to perform the gesture. Since this is an optional ceremony, you are free to omit it. If your Marriage is celebrated as a Wedding Liturgy of the Word (without communion), then after the Exchange of Vows and Rings or after the optional ceremony of Lighting the Unity Candle, the Liturgy is concluded with the General Intercessions, Nuptial Blessing, Lord’s Prayer, Final Blessing and Recessional. If your Marriage is celebrated within the context of Mass, then your Wedding Liturgy continues with the Preparation of the Gifts and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

• Postludes are appropriate directly following the Recessional for a short period of time only to accompany guests leaving the church with a spirit of rejoicing in praise of God’s Blessing. Instrumental music is encouraged (solo or ensemble) or suitable songs can be sung by a solo vocalist or a choir. If a soloist is used, it is recommended that only one selection be sung.

• Church policy requires that a parish sound/light technician be present at all events in the church. $75.00 is the fee charged for this service.