Music and reading selection for weddings should represent love for each other, God

By JULIE KEANE, Globe staff reporter
February 10, 2005

Engaged couples looking to plan the liturgy for their wedding should seek the guidance of their parish priests and pastoral liturgists and musicians.

"The nice thing about parish musicians and liturgists is they do lots of weddings," said Michael Willis, director of worship. "They know what is good and what works."

Willis said the first step to planning the liturgy is talking with the parish pastor.

"Usually the pastor will give you a packet with suggestions for reading and music selections," said Willis. "Most parishes will give you a sample list of things they like to do in the parish."

When looking for music choices, couples should remember the Mass should look like a Sunday liturgy. The music during the wedding should be sacred.

"What couples should not do is look at weddings that took place in other non-Catholic churches and assume those things are appropriate," Willis said. "The music should be scared music. The music should represent the Christian conception of what marriage and love is and the music should give praise and glory to God."

Couples can also ask for a list of readings that are appropriate for weddings. There is usually a synopsis that is offered of the reading. After reading the synopsis, couples can look up the entire reading and choose the one that seems to best fit their relationship with each other and with God.

Willis said there should be the traditional two readers for the Mass. He recommends using readers who actually read for Mass actively.

"I think the main thing that couples should know is that they do not have to know it all," Willis said. "They can trust that the pastor, the pastoral associate and the music person will give them great suggestions."

Willis' advice to couples is to use recommended readings and music along with allowing enough time to plan out the liturgy. Planning the liturgy takes patience and time along with help from the parish pastor.

"Couples should not wait until the last minute," Willis said. "It is better to use the musicians that are a part of the parish or the parish recommends rather than for sentimental reasons trying to get someone to do music at your wedding that might not be capable of doing it."

Willis said couples should also remember the sacred aspects of the liturgy when planning for their special day.

"I would encourage couples to remember that when they have a wedding in the church, it's because they believe God plays a role in their relationship," said Willis. "When they plan their wedding liturgy, that aspect should be strongly portrayed in the things they do."