25 Beautiful Catholic Wedding Songs for Your Ceremony (2023 Updated Version)
There are very specific rules and regulations to adhere to at a Catholic Nuptial Mass. These rules cover the totality of the wedding ceremony, from the readings to the wedding script, and even the songs for Catholic weddings. And so, before deciding on certain songs for your ceremony, it is important to ask the priest as well as the church venue for some guidance. Every church has its own requirements for Catholic wedding songs. And while there might be no official list of catholic wedding songs for the ceremony, it is required that the songs be prayerful.
To ensure that you choose music that adheres to the structure of the Catholic church, we have a collection of songs for each part of a Catholic wedding.
Related Post: 99+ The Best Songs for Wedding Ceremony in 2023
The Most Favorite Catholic Wedding Songs 2023
- “Be Thou My Vision”, by Audrey Assad
- “Set Me As a Seal”, by Matt Maher
- “Thank God I Got Her”, by Jonny Diaz
- “Where Love Is Found (Holy Thursday)”, by Dan Schutte
- “A Nuptial Blessing”, by Michael Joncas
- “Beloved, Arise”, by Sarah Hart
- “The Marriage Prayer”, by John Waller
- “Companions on the Journey”, by Carey Landry
- “Yes I Will”, by Vertical Worship
- “Music for the Royal Fireworks: La Réjouissance”, by George Frideric Handel
A Quick Overview of Selecting Catholic Wedding Songs
Anyone who was raised with a Catholic upbringing remembers the music connected to the services. Though not as energetic as some religious music, the best Catholic songs have a way of connecting the audience with a higher power.
Each song usually contains references to the power and love of the Lord, which can be the perfect message for some couples to send when tying the knot. Since there are several key moments within a traditional Catholic wedding ceremony, you’ll need to select a song for each of these important moments.
The processional tune for the wedding is usually the most uplifting of all the music played. This song welcomes the couple, the officiant, and the rest of the wedding party into the venue.
After this, music for the pre-homily is usually meant to invoke a more solemn mood. The post-homily and recessional portion of the ceremony should contain songs with a celebratory feel about them to emphasize the excitement of the moment.
Song Requirements
As mentioned, the Catholic church puts a number of restrictions on what songs can and cannot be used during a service. This means you can’t simply look on the internet for whatever songs you would like.
No matter how religious the tune might seem, it needs to be approved by the church’s music minister and adhere to whatever guidelines the particular church has put forth. Building a close relationship with the music minister can help you understand the requirements for Catholic wedding ceremony songs.
These days, it is much more common for ministers to work with couples to find a compromise with music. Instead of turning a couple away, the minister may agree to learn new songs as long as they fit the guidelines of the church. This means the music must be prayerful in nature and have a specific connection to Catholic teachings. However, don’t be surprised if the minister denies your request.
A List of Popular Catholic Wedding Songs
While the wedding ceremony itself is not usually lengthy, you want to make sure you pick enough songs to cover the key moments. This includes any additional moments included in your wedding.
If you’re putting emphasis on moments like the lighting of the unity candle, the presentation of gifts, or communion, you absolutely need music for these events. Look over this Catholic mass songs list to get a feel for popular options for the reflection song, gathering song, and more.
- “Arioso”, by J.S. Bach
- From: Cello Song
- Artist: Julian Lloyd Webber, John Lenehan
- Released: 1986
- Genre: Classical
Most Favorite Lyrics: “The me nobody knows/Just what it’s like, nobody sees/If they could just walk along in my shoes for a while/Then they could see just what it’s like”
- “Panis Angelicus”, by C. Franck
- From: Panis Angelicus
- Artist: C. Franck
- Released: 1872
- Genre: Classical
Most Favorite Lyrics: “May the Bread of Angels/Become bread for mankind/The Bread of Heaven puts/All foreshadowings to an end/Oh, thing miraculous!”
- “Trumpet Tune”, by Henry Purcell
- From: Trumpet Tune
- Artist: Henry Purcell
- Released: 1700
- Genre: Classical
- “Trumpet Voluntary”, by J. Clarke
- From: A Choice Collection of Ayres
- Artist: Jeremiah Clarke
- Released: 1981
- Genre: Classical
- “Ave Maria”, by Beyoncé
- From: I Am… Sasha Fierce
- Artist: Beyoncé
- Released: 2008
- Genre: R&B/Soul, Pop, Holiday
Most Favorite Lyrics: “You are my Heaven on earth/You are my hunger, my thirst/I always hear this voice inside/Singing Ave Maria”
- “House of Love”, by Amy Grant
- From: House of Love
- Artist: Amy Grant
- Released: 1994
- Genre: Pop music, Gospel music, Contemporary Christian music
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Now when the house is dark/And you’re all alone inside/You’ve gotta listen to your heart/And put away your foolish prideThough the storm is breaking/And thunder shakes the walls/Love with a firm foundation/Ain’t never, never, never gonna fall”
- “Love Has Come”, by Matt Maher
- From: The End and the Beginning
- Artist: Matt Maher
- Released: 2001
- Genre: Classical
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Word of God enthroned, dwell in us forevermore/Love has come to show the way/Halleluiah, peace be with us/Love has come to show the way”
- “Point To You”, by We Are Messengers
- From: We Are Messengers
- Artist: We Are Messengers
- Released: 2016
- Genre: Contemporary worship music, Contemporary Christian music, Christian rock, Pop rock, Soft rock, Sunshine pop, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “I can’t forget from where I’ve come/And what my heart’s been rescued from/Yeah when they ask me who/I owe my whole life to/I point to You/I point to You”
- “Air from Suite in D (Air on the G String)”, by J.S. Bach
- From: Air On The G String
- Artist: Johann Sebastian Bach
- Released: 1731
- Genre: Classical
Most Favorite Lyrics: “But all I wanna, do now is hold you close and tell you the way I’m feeling it’s like you got, you got a hold on me/I can’t go on like this”
- “Be Thou My Vision”, by Audrey Assad
- From: Inheritance
- Artist: Audrey Assad
- Released: 2016
- Genre: Christian music, Gospel, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise/Thou mine Inheritance, now and always/Thou and Thou only, first in my heart/High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”
- “La Rejouissance”, by Handel
- From: La Rejouissance
- Artist: George Frideric Handel
- Released: 1749
- Genre: Classical
- “Give It All”, by We Are Messengers
- From: We Are Messengers
- Artist: We Are Messengers
- Released: 2016
- Genre: Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Make me more than I can be/You are everything I need/My joy, my joy”
- “Commitment”, by Sanctus Real
- From: Run
- Artist: Sanctus Real
- Released: 2013
- Genre: Pop, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “I’m with you, through any kind of weather/I’m with you, sunny days or disaster/I still do, and it’s never gonna matter/What we’re going through, cause we’re in this together”
- “We Say Yes”, by Housefires
- From: We Say Yes
- Artist: Housefires
- Released: 2017
- Genre: Gospel, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “We say yes, God/We accept the invitation to Your love/We say yes, God/You and You alone can have it all”
- “Wherever You Go”, by David Haas
- From: Wherever You Go
- Artist: David Haas
- Released: 1993
- Genre: Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Wherever you stay, I will stay; your people will be my people. Wherever you die, so will I die with you in the arms of God!”
- “Amazing Grace”, by John Newton
- From: The Promise
- Artist: Il Divo
- Released: 2008
- Genre: Christian hymn
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.”
- “Be Thou My Vision”, by Audrey Assad
- From: Inheritance
- Artist: Audrey Assad
- Released: 2016
- Genre: Christian music, Gospel, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: ““Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise/Thou mine Inheritance, now and always/Thou and Thou only, first in my heart/High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.”
- “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, by Chris Rice
- From: The Living Room Sessions
- Artist: Chris Rice
- Released: 2001
- Genre: Hymn, Folk music, Gospel, Pop, Jazz, Singer-Songwriter, Rock, Folk, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it/Prone to leave the God I love/Here’s my heart, oh, take and seal it/Seal it for Thy courts above”
- “O God Beyond All Praising”, by Gustav Holst
- From: O God Beyond All Praising
- Artist: Gustav Holst
- Released: 1982
- Genre: Hymn
Most Favorite Lyrics: “our humble service bring, and whether our tomorrows be filled with good or ill, we’ll triumph through our sorrows”
- “God is Able”, by Hillsong
- From: Forever Reign
- Artist: Hillsong Worship
- Released: 2012
- Genre: Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “God is with us/God is on our side/He will make a way/Far above all we know/Far above all we hope/He has done great things”
- “Haven’t Even Kissed”, by Moriah Peters
- From: I Choose Jesus
- Artist: Moriah Peters
- Released: 2012
- Genre: Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “I didn’t think we could get here/Now I’m believing before we met/The world said I was dreaming”
- “Thank God I Got Her”, by Jonny Diaz
- From: Let It Fly
- Artist: Jonny Diaz
- Released: 2014
- Genre: Contemporary Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Even when I don’t understand/Thank God I got her/I know she’s making me a better man”
- “This Is Love”, by New Wine Worship
- From: This Is Love
- Artist: New Wine Worship
- Released: 2019
- Genre: Pop
Most Favorite Lyrics: “All of me/I give my life to You, receive this offering/It’s all I have but You deserve my everything/Forever I will sing”
- “Angle –”, by Casting Crowns
- From: Come to the Well
- Artist: Casting Crowns
- Released: 2011
- Genre: Contemporary Christian, Christian rock
Most Favorite Lyrics: “Maybe I’m crazy but I’m praying/That an angel will love me/An angel will love me”
- “More Than You’ll Ever Know”, by Watermark
- From: All Things New
- Artist: Watermark
- Released: 2000
- Genre: Gospel, Christian
Most Favorite Lyrics: “And you’ll never know what it means to me/Just to know you’ve been on your knees for me/Oh, you have blessed my life”
When you’re looking to personalize your wedding through music, it is important to make sure you are covering all your bases. In order to wed within a Catholic church, you need to adhere to all of the rules set forth.
Give yourself the opportunity to review the specific regulations for which Catholic wedding songs you are allowed to use in your ceremony. With a bit of time and research, you’ll be ready to invoke the classic, religious experience you desire.
FAQs
How many hymns in a Catholic wedding?
3 hymns usually are sung in a Catholic wedding. The first hymn begins after the vicar or priest’s welcome, and the second comes after or along with the signing of the register. When the final blessing is completed, the last hymn will come.
How do you choose music for a Catholic wedding?
There are three criteria for choosing Catholic wedding music. The songs should be prayerful, accessible, and beautiful. For prayer, the songs in a Catholic wedding must help the assembly to pray and to give thanks to God for your marriage. Additionally, the songs should be accessible in order for the assembly to be able to sing along. And for the final criteria, you should choose a song which fits the local culture and the taste of many people. The skill of the musicians who sing or play the songs is equally important to make them more beautiful.
Can you play any song at church for a wedding?
Yes, you can play a song at church for weddings. However, you should pay attention to the limitations at the church before playing songs.
Can you have non religious music at a Catholic wedding?
You’re not allowed to use non religious music since this is a Catholic wedding, and the whole thing of this wedding should be easily identifiable as prayer. For sure, you can ask your pastor or music minister whether a song passes the “prayer” test.
Can we use recorded music in our wedding?
You can’t use recorded music in a Catholic wedding except there are no musicians available for the wedding. Since the whole thing of a Catholic wedding is a prayer, including music. Every prayer should come from the person who is offering it. If using recorded music, your Catholic wedding will no longer make sense.
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