Selecting the perfect music for weddings at the Cathedral: Setting the right mood for your ceremony
The music you choose for your wedding helps to set the mood for the ceremony, but it can be a little overwhelming. The following guide is intended to help you choose appropriate music for your celebration at the Cathedral.
As your wedding will take place in a sacred space, only sacred music is permitted. It is important to choose music that you like, but please also try to choose hymns that will be familiar to the people attending your ceremony. We would strongly recommend that you listen to the suggestions below, by clicking on the titles.
At the Cathedral the standard musical resource is an organist and cantor who will lead the music before, during and after your ceremony. It is also possible to have a quartet of singers if you would like to further enhance the music at your wedding; the cost of this is available on application.
The Responsorial Psalm and Gospel Acclamation would usually be sung, led by the cantor. You will choose these at the same time you choose your readings with the priest.
Once you’ve chosen the music you would like please complete this online form. If you have any questions, please contact us at music@metcathedral.org.uk.
Suggestions for music
Entrance of the Bride:
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (from Solomon) – George Frederick Handel
Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin), popularly known as ‘here comes the bride’ – Richard Wagner
Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
Trumpet Voluntary – John Stanley
Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell
Hornpipe (from Water Music) – George Frederick Handel
La Réjouissance (from Music for the Royal Fireworks) – George Frederick Handel
Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March) – Jeremiah Clarke
Signing of the Register:
Air ‘on a G string’ (from Orchestral Suite No. 3) – Johann Sebastian Bach
Air (from Water Music) – George Frederick Handel
Gymnopedie I – Eric Satie
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Johann Sebastian Bach
Prière à Notre Dame (from Suite Gothique) – Leon Boëllmann
Rhosymedre – Ralph Vaughan Williams
Sheep may Safely Graze (from Cantata 208) – Johann Sebastian Bach
Hymns:
All creatures of our God and King
All people that on earth do dwell
Amazing grace
At the name of Jesus
Be Thou My Vision
Dear Lord and Father of mankind
Father hear the prayer we offer
For the beauty of the earth
Give me joy in my heart
God in the planning
Guide me, O thou great Redeemer
How great thou art
Immortal, invisible, god only wise
I vow to thee, my country
Jerusalem
Lead us, Heavenly Father, lead us
Lord of all hopefulness
I danced in the morning
Love divine, all loves excelling
Morning has broken
O Jesus, I have promised
O worship the King
Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven
Praise to the Lord the almighty
The King of love my shepherd Is
The Lord’s my shepherd
To God be the glory
Exit of the Bride & Groom:
Crown Imperial – William Walton, arr. Murrill
Hornpipe (from Water Music) – George Frederick Handel
La Réjouissance (from Music for the Royal Fireworks) – George Frederick Handel
Sortie in E flat – Louis James Lefébure-Wély
Nun danket alle Gott – Karg-Elert
Toccata – Theodore Dubois
Toccata (from Symphonie V) – Charles-Marie Widor
Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell
Trumpet Voluntary – John Stanley
Trumpet Voluntary (Prince of Denmark’s March) – Jeremiah Clarke
Wedding March (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream) – Felix Mendelssohn
Solo music (to be sung by the cantor):
Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Johann Sebastian Bach
Panis angelicus – César Franck
Choral Music (only possible if you’ve chosen a quartet of singers):
A Gaelic Blessing – John Rutter
Ave Maria – Bach/Gounod
Ave Maria – Franz Schubert
Ave verum – Edward Elgar
Ave verum – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Beati quorum via – Charles Villiers Stanford
Geistliches Lied – Johannes Brahms
God be in my head – Henry Walford Davies
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Johann Sebastian Bach
Laudate dominum – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Panis angelicus – César Franck
The Lord bless you and keep you – John Rutter
The Lord is my shepherd – Howard Goodall
