Your perfect day

There is no rulebook when it comes to selecting your wedding sound. However, there are certain songs that work well at different times during your ceremony. Here is a snapshot of suggestions and my full repertoire can be found at the end of the page.

Just a little word on the practical elements of your song selection. It’s really important that your celebrant approves your songs choices well in advance, some dioceses are stricter than others and last minute panics aren’t our style.

Also please make sure the church is available one hour before the ceremony so our gear is set up and the sound check is done.

ENTRANCE PROCESSION

One of the most memorable moments of your wedding, the entrance procession, is the perfect time to hear a personal favourite. You can opt for either a contemporary, a beautiful religious tune or even an instrumental.

*Suggestions*

At Last – Etta James
La Vie en Rose – Edith Piaf
I Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley/Ingrid Michelson cover
Landslide – Fleetwood Mac
Someone Like You – Van Morrison
Yellow -Coldplay
Higher Love – James Vincent Mc Morrow
All I Want – U2
I Know You By Heart – Eva Cassidy
The Prayer

………………………………………..

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLES
Lighting the candles is a symbolic moment in your wedding, but it doesn’t take long (usually less than a minute) so an instrumental can work very well here.

*Suggestions*

I Giorni
Here Comes the Sun
The River Flows in You
A Thousand Years
Pachelbel’s Canon
Si Bheag Si Mhor
……………………………………….

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Responsorial Psalm occurs between the first and second reading. This can either be sung or spoken by your celebrant.

*Suggestions*

On Eagles Wings
Hiding Place
Amazing Grace
Here I Am Lord
Be Not Afraid
Set Your Heart on Higher Gifts

…………………………………………

ALLELUIA/ GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

The Gospel Acclamation occurs after the second reading and consists of a short sung musical passage.

*Suggestions*

Seinn Alleuia
Alleulia Alleuia

………………………………………….

LIGHTING OF THE MARRIAGE CANDLE

Congratulations, vows are exchanged and you are now a married couple. It is lovely to have the same piece of music which was used during the first candle lighting ceremony. However, having two different songs also works great if that is more your style.

………………………………………………

OFFERTORY

Gifts will be brought to the alter by your chosen friends and family. A short hymn can be lovely in this section of the mass.

*Suggestions*

Mo Ghra Thu
The Prayer
Ave Maria
Nella Fantasia
Ag Criost an Siol
You Are Mine

………………………………………

SIGN OF PEACE

The sign of peace is extra special during a wedding mass as your family and closest friends greet you as a married couple. A full song or instrumental works well here. However, some couples choose not to have any music.

*Suggestions*

Peace Perfect Peace
Tabhair Dom Do Lamh (Instrumental)
Fields of Gold – Eva Cassidy
All You Need is Love – The Beatles
In My Life – The Beatles

………………………………………….

COMMUNION

Communion is a very spiritual part of the mass. If you have quite a big wedding, it is also an opportunity to have a moment together as everybody else goes up for communion so these are very special songs to choose. Depending on the size of your wedding, it is quite common to select two. Consider choosing two hymns, or a hymn and a contemporary piece that has been approved by your celebrant. The hymn will always be sung first.

*Suggestions -x2 choices*

Somewhere Over The Rainbow
I Watch the Sunrise
The Clouds Veil
Down by the River to Pray
Fields of Gold
Kissing You – Desree
She Moved Through The Fair
Ave Maria

…………………………………….

SIGNING OF THE REGISTER

Again two pieces are required here. This part of the mass can have a joyous, chatty atmosphere and you and your partner will be preoccupied with signing the register so it might not be the best place to select your favourite songs just yet!

*Suggestions*

Signed, Sealed, Delivered -Stevie Wonder
Higher Love – James Vincent Mc Morrow
God Only Knows – The Beach Boys
Your Song – Elton John/ Ellie Goulding cover
All I Want – U2
Feels Like Home – Randy Newman
Let It Be – The Beatles
Lean on Me – Bill Withers
Bright Blue Rose – Mary Black

…………………………………………..

RECESSIONAL

Expect lots of clapping, cheering and celebrations so consider picking an upbeat tune to match that electric atmosphere. You will also need to select a second song that will be sung as guests exit the church and offer their personal congratulations to you.

*Suggestions*

One Day Like This -Elbow
Home -Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
Greatest Day – Take That
Everlasting Love – Jamie Cullum
You Are The Best Thing – Ray La Montagne
Lovely Day – Bill Withers
Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
Higher & Higher – Jackie Wilson
This Will Be (an Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
Ho Hey -The Lumineers
For Once in my Life

………………………………………………..

Unique, distinctive and truly personal, the beauty of civil and humanist ceremonies is that they offer a blank canvas.

The choice really is yours so instead of suggesting songs for each section, you’ll find below an overview of what happens at each part of the ceremony. From my repertoire of songs, you can choose the songs for the part of the ceremony that works for you.

PROCESSIONAL

*insert music*

OPENING WORDS

A welcome by the officiant to the couple, their family and friends.

LIGHTING OF THE INDIVIDUAL CANDLES

*insert music*

Lighting the candles doesn’t take long (usually less than a minute) so an instrumental can work very well here. As this section is quite short I can learn your favourite instrumental.

THE GIVING OF MARRIAGE

*An option of inserting music after the giving of marriage*

OPENING READING

To add to the atmosphere, as the opening reading is being read, there is the option to have a light instrumental playing in the background.

DEFINITION OF MARRIAGE

VOWS

*music optional after vows*

SECOND READING

Again, similar to the first reading, there is the option to have an instrumental playing in the background.

EXCHANGE OF RINGS

As you exchange your rings, some people opt for a nice reading while others prefer light music.

LIGHTING OF UNITY CANDLE

*insert music*

Congratulations, you are now a married couple. This part of the mass is filled with a joyous atmosphere so an upbeat piece is very appropriate here.

DECLARATION OF MARRIAGE

SIGNING OF THE REGISTER

*insert music*

This part of the mass can have a joyous, chatty atmosphere and a fun, upbeat song can work really well here. Remember though that you and your partner will be preoccupied with signing the register so it might not be the best place to select your favourite songs!

INTRODUCTION TO THE NEWLY MARRIED COUPLE

RECESSIONAL

*insert music*

Expect lots of clapping, cheering and celebrations so consider picking an upbeat tune to match that atmosphere. You will also need to select a second song that will be sung as guests exit the venue and offer their personal congratulations to you.

Party and prosecco, canapés and celebrations. Your drinks reception is a great part of the day to meet family and friends who have all come to toast you as a couple. The background music adds to this celebratory tone and this is one of my favourite parts of the day to perform.

Whether you fancy upbeat tunes or mellow ballads, I will be playing as soon as your guests arrive until they are called for dinner.

Jazz and more traditional classical tunes set a really elegant vibe whereas popular and rock songs build the atmosphere for the party that is to follow.

If I perform at both your ceremony and drinks reception it can help with your budget as I offer a special rate. And if you really like my sound, I can also provide music for the day after your wedding.