For most religious wedding services, the officiant can provide guidance as to how many sung and/or instrumental musical pieces are typical and/or needed. For Roman Catholic services, the number of sung musical pieces will depend on whether the service is to be a simple wedding service or a full wedding Mass.
Catholic Wedding Ceremony without Mass
Prelude: You may wish to have a song sung while grandparents or groom’s parents and/or bride’s mother are being seated.
Processional: Usually instrumental
Responsorial Psalm: Sung by the soloist with refrain sung by the congregation
Gospel Acclamation: Sung by the cantor
Exchange of Vows and Rings: You may wish to have a song sung immediately after the exchange of vows and rings.
Recessional: Usually instrumental
Catholic Wedding Mass
Prelude: You may wish to have a song sung while the groom’s parents and bride’s mother are being seated.
Processional: Usually instrumental
Responsorial Psalm: Sung by the soloist with refrain sung by the congregation
Gospel Acclamation: Sung by the cantor
Exchange of Vows and Rings: You may wish to have a song sung immediately after the exchange of vows and rings.
Offertory Hymn: Sung by congregation, led by the soloist
Sanctus: Sung by congregation, led by the cantor
Memorial Acclamation: Sung by congregation, led by the soloist
Great Amen: Sung by congregation, led by the soloist
Lord’s Prayer: This may be sung or recited
Lamb of God: Sung by congregation, led by the soloist
Communion Hymn: Either a solo sung by the soloist, or a congregational hymn
Recessional: Usually instrumental
