Congratulations on your upcoming wedding at St. Paul Cathedral. This page is intended to provide you with the details necessary to prepare, in conjunction with the Cathedral Musicians, the music for the sacramental celebration of your wedding.

This site contains:

• the basic principles to which the cathedral must adhere;
• an outline and explanation of the various musical elements of the liturgy;
• a selection list of musical choices for the liturgy;
• a wedding music worksheet on which you may write down your music selections;
• musical resources that the cathedral is able to supply, and related fees;
• an explanation of guest musicians� policy, fees and schedule for rehearsals with guest musicians.

Several important points:

• The services of a cathedral organist are included in the wedding fee that you have paid to the cathedral.
• The Cathedral Music Staff is required to maintain the principles set forth in the Church's Documents on the Liturgy, as well as those outlined in the Diocese of Pittsburgh's "Music for the Wedding Ritual: A Guide for Planning".
• Music preceding and throughout the public celebration of the Sacrament must be that which befits the Church's teachings, and must be perceived as prayer.
• Due to their secular nature, the cathedral is prohibited from using 'The Bridal Chorus', and 'The Wedding March'.
• Please be aware that many web sites are devoted to music for weddings, however, few of these web sites are required to meet the basic needs that are set forth for music in sacramental celebrations.
• Music composed for stage and screen would not be considered that which exhibits the traits of Sacramental Music.
• Any questions regarding the suitability of music can be discussed with Cathedral Musicians.

The following format is an outline of the musical elements of a Wedding Liturgy. These are the areas for which musical choices/selections need to be made.

{In the case in which your wedding is a Ceremony only (no Eucharist),
the Preparation of the Gifts, Eucharistic Acclamations, and Communion are omitted.}

The following list of compositions should be considered suggestions for use during your Wedding Liturgy. This list is not exhaustive, yet should serve as an example in your planning.

Processional/Recessional Music

1. Trumpet Voluntary - Jeremiah Clarke
2. Rigaudon - Andre Campra
3. 'Hornpipe' from the Water Music Suite - George Frideric Handel
4. 'The Rejoicing' from the Fireworks Suite - George Frideric Handel
5. Psalm XIX - The Heavens Declare the Glory - Benedetto Marcello
6. 'Rondeau' from the Symphony of Fanfares - Jean Joseph Mouret
7. Trumpet Tune in D - Henry Purcell
8. Trumpet Tune in D - John Stanley
9. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring - Johann Sebastian Bach
10. Canon in D - Johann Pachelbel
11. Ode to Joy - Ludwig von Beethoven
12. Processional Allegre - Gary Cornell
13. Prelude to a 'Te Deum' - Marc Antoine Charpentier
14. 'Finale' from Symphony I for Organ - Louis Vierne
15. 'Toccata' from Symphony V for Organ - Charles Marie Widor

Vocal Solos



16. 'Alleluia' from Exsultate Jubilate - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
17. Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
18. Be Thou With Them - Johann Sebastian Bach
19. The Call - Ralph Vaughan Williams
20. The Gift of Love - arr. Hal Hopson
21. The Greatest Gift - James Marchionda
22. Jesus, Tender Shepherd, Lead Us - Johann Sebastian Bach
23. Laudate Dominum - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
24. Lord, May Their Lives Be Lived in You - J. Robert Carroll
25. Love is the Sunlight - Donald Busarow
26. My Heart Ever Faithful - Johann Sebastian Bach
27. O Perfect Love - Joseph Barnby
28. Panis Angelicus - Cesar Franck
29. Prayer of St. Francis - Sebastian Temple
30. The Wedding Hymn - George Frideric Handel
31. Where You Go - S. Mary Callahan

Responsorial Psalms



32. Psalm 128: Blest Are Those Who Love You
33. Psalm 118: This is the Day the Lord Has Made
34. Psalm 148: Praise the Lord from the Heavens, alleluia!
35. Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful
36. Psalm 34: Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord

Gospel Acclamation



37. Gospel Acclamation - Chant Alleluia
38. Gospel Acclamation - Celtic Alleluia

Eucharistic Acclamations
(Holy, Holy, Holy; Memorial Acclamation, Amen):



39. Community Mass - R. Proulx
40. Mass of Creation - M. Haugen
41. People's Mass - J. Vermulst

Lamb of God



42. Latin Chant
43. Holy Cross Mass - D. Isele

Lighting of the Unity Candle



44. La Grace - G. Telemann
45. 'Air' from the Water Music Suite - G.F Handel
46. 'Air' - J.S. Bach

*Hymns for Assembly
(*Hymn singing is not required, however, you may choose to invite
your guests to sing a hymn at the Preparation of the Gifts.)
(The numbers listed are from the Worship Hymnal located in the cathedral pews.)

Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - #588
Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You - #525
Now Thank We All Our God - #560
Where True Love and Charity Are Found - #598
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty - #547
Praise and Thanksgiving - #682
For the Beauty of the Earth - #557
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow - #669
All People That On Earth Do Dwell - #669
We Gather Together - #760

Please click here for a print version of the Wedding Music Worksheet.

• The "Wedding Rehearsal" which you have scheduled through the Cathedral (usually the day before your wedding) is NOT a rehearsal for musicians, but rather for the members of your wedding party.
• Please be in touch with the Cathedral Music Office approximately three months prior to your wedding in order to finalize the musical details surrounding your wedding.
• The Cathedral maintains a staff of professional singers who are accustomed to functioning in their role in the vast acoustic of St. Paul's. We suggest, based on your musical needs, that through us you engage the services of one of our staff cantors/vocalists. Employing a Cathedral Cantor eliminates the need for a guest musician rehearsal fee.
• Wedding couples sometimes desire the use of other instruments, such as trumpet, violin, etc. Again, we are fortunate to have the services of many fine instrumentalists who are experienced in their role during the sacramental celebration. We are ready to advise you, and to be responsible for contracting with, communication to, and rehearsing with all of our musicians.
• Trumpet Player, Violinist, or flute - approximately $165.00 Professional instrumentalists fees vary depending upon the individual involved. Several of our instrumentalists are regular performers with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Carnegie Brass, and the Pittsburgh CLO. If desired, larger musical ensembles can be provided by the cathedral; i.e. String Quartet, Brass Quartet, Trio, etc. Fees for these ensembles vary depending on the musical requirements. Details may be arranged with your organist.