St. Patrick's Music for Weddings

Since planning a nuptial musical program may be extremely challenging, this web page is intended to help simplify the process.

1. Let us know who you are

Engaged couples planning to celebrate their marriage at St. Patrick's are encouraged to contact the parish Music Ministry as soon as their date is selected. Our Music Director and parish organist, Rich Gherardi, can be reached through the parish office at (570) 296-7451 or via email at music@saintpatricksmilford.com.

2. Come see what we do every weekend

If you are not familiar enough with liturgical wedding music to make specific selections, don't worry--you're not alone! Many engaged couples have had no prior experience with this type of music. Engaged couples wishing to experience the liturgical music of our parish and understand the ritual are coridally invited to join our community at worship if they are not already doing so. In this way, an appreciation for how our marriage celebrations are shaped by our communal worship experience can be gained.

3. Meet with the parish musician

Your discussion with the parish musician includes an overview of the ritual, various options available during a wedding celebration, and presentation of some appropriate musical selections from the parish repertoire. Questions on form, content, and traditions are encouraged.

4. Make musical selections and preparations

A planning sheet can be found here, to help with this portion of your preparations. It details some appropriate times where music may be performed, and it should be completed and returned AT LEAST two months before your wedding day.

Things to consider when planning:

Engaged couples are encouraged to select hymns and psalms from the parish hymnal, and instrumental processional music from the musician's own repertoire. Our musicians do their best to honor requests for specific pieces, provided that advance notice is given, and that they follow any seasonal or liturgical requirements or guidelines.

If you plan to utilize a worship aid ("wedding program"), the Music Ministry may be able to supply you with a completed "print-ready" program for you to copy. We can also help you to secure copyright permission for any reprinted music if you plan to design your own program.

A parish Cantor (a liturgical vocalist) will be assigned to lead the Psalms, Acclamations, and any hymns or songs at your wedding. Friends and family members are welcome to join the parish staff in ministry at your wedding. In this case, it is preferable to also have a parish Cantor sing the Mass parts, since they are somewhat difficult.

Rehearsal time needed by vocalists or instrumentalists you bring in will incur a small fee, which is requested at the time such services are rendered.

Finally, congratulations on your upcoming event! A list of some suggested music titles follows below. Please do not hesitate to contact the Music Ministry with questions or comments.

Some suggested musical selections:

Processional/Recessional/Instrumental
Air from "Water Music"	Handel
Arioso	Bach
Canon in D	Pachelbel
Claire de Lune	Debussy
Hornpipe from "Water Music"	Handel
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring	Bach
Masterpiece, The	Mouret/Parnes
Prince of Denmark's March, The	Clarke
also known as "Trumpet Voluntary in D"
Trumpet Tune	Purcell
Welcome Sweet Springtime	Rubenstein
also known as "Melody in F"

Psalm Texts
The Earth is Full of Beauty	Psalm 33
Blessed Are We	Psalm 33
The Goodness of God	Psalm 34
The Lord is Kind and Merciful	Psalm 103
Happy Are They	Psalm 128

Acclamations
Celtic Alleluia	O'Carroll/Walker
No Longer Two	Haas
O God Send Your Blessing	Haas
Where There is Love	Haas

Hymn Texts
Bridegroom and Bride	SLANE
Come and Journey with Me	Haas
I Have Loved You	Joncas
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee	HYMN TO JOY
On Eagle's Wings	Joncas
Panis Angelicus	Franke/Lambillotte
Prayer of St. Francis	Temple
Servant Song, The	Gillard
We Have Been Told	Haas
When Love is Found	O WALY WALY