Ludlows At Catholic Weddings: Are They Allowed?

Music is an integral part of a wedding ceremony, and The Ludlows, from Legends of the Fall, is a popular choice for couples. However, when it comes to Catholic weddings, there are specific guidelines and rituals that are typically followed. While non-liturgical music is generally not permitted during the liturgy, instrumental music is allowed before the ceremony as guests arrive and are seated. This music should be selected in consultation with the Director of Liturgy and Music, who is responsible for determining the suitability of musical selections within the context of Catholic wedding liturgy. Instrumentalists may be used with approval and must be experienced in Catholic wedding music.

Ludlow as a wedding venue

St Laurence's Church in Ludlow, Shropshire, England, is a beautiful and historic setting for a wedding. The church, established in the 11th century, is a Grade I listed building and has been described as the "cathedral of the Marches". With its impressive architecture, including a 157-foot tower, fine stained glass windows, and medieval choir stalls, it provides a majestic backdrop for wedding ceremonies.

As a premier venue in Ludlow, St Laurence's Church offers a sacred and serene space for couples to exchange their vows. The church can accommodate a large number of guests, making it ideal for couples with a big wedding party. The parish church is also a popular visitor attraction, drawing 70,000 visitors each year.

For those seeking a Catholic wedding, St Laurence's Church may not be the ideal venue as it is a Church of England parish church. However, Catholic weddings typically follow specific traditions and rituals, such as the Nuptial Mass, exchange of rings, and concluding blessings, which can be incorporated into a wedding ceremony at St Laurence's Church.

Alternatively, Ludlow offers other wedding venues such as Trojan Park and Cathedral Park, which provide outdoor spaces for more intimate and nature-inspired weddings. These parks offer scenic backdrops for wedding ceremonies and receptions, with the latter including a platform and amphitheatre for more structured events.

Whether choosing the grandeur of St Laurence's Church or the natural beauty of Ludlow's parks, couples can find a unique and memorable setting for their special day in Ludlow. With careful planning and personal touches, each venue can be tailored to create a dream wedding.

Instrumental music at Catholic weddings

Instrumental music is an important part of Catholic wedding ceremonies, adding to the festivity and solemnity of the occasion. The guidelines for choosing music for a Catholic wedding are outlined by the leadership of the Catholic Church, and the priest conducting the wedding will guide the couple through the process. The music selected should be liturgical, deriving its context from scriptural and liturgical sources.

The parish Director of Liturgy and Music is responsible for approving all music and musicians chosen for the ceremony. Instrumentalists such as trumpeters, violinists, flutists, and harpists may be used with the approval of the music office. Only experienced instrumentalists who are part of the church's music program may play at weddings. These musicians are familiar with the specific acoustical demands of the liturgical space and work regularly with the presider, cantor, and other instrumentalists. Couples may also engage independent musicians and ensembles, but these must be pre-approved by the Director of Liturgy and Music.

The wedding liturgy includes several opportunities for instrumental music:

• Prelude: About 15 minutes of instrumental music as guests arrive and are seated. This is usually selected by the organist and may include other instruments such as the trumpet, flute, or harp.
• Seating of the Generation: A special piece of music, usually a meditative vocal solo or a relatively quiet instrumental piece, to accompany the seating of the couple's parents and/or grandparents.
• Processionals: Played by the organ alone or with trumpets. Two pieces may be selected: one for the procession of the wedding party and another for the bride. Alternatively, one piece may be used for the entire procession.
• Offertory: A short organ improvisation or instrumental selection during the preparation of the altar.
• Meditation to the Blessed Virgin Mary: An instrumental piece, usually "Ave Maria," played by the organist while the bride places flowers on the shrine of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• Recessional: The liturgy's most festive and joyous musical expression, usually played by the organ alone or with trumpets or other instruments.

In addition to these specific moments, instrumental music can also be incorporated throughout the liturgy to enhance the celebration.

When planning instrumental music for a Catholic wedding, it is important to work closely with the parish Director of Liturgy and Music to ensure that all selections and musicians are approved and in line with the liturgical guidelines of the Catholic Church.

Hymns at Catholic weddings

When it comes to choosing hymns for a Catholic wedding, it's important to select songs that are prayerful and align with the solemnity and sacredness of the occasion. Consulting with the priest, the church venue, and the music director is crucial to ensure the chosen hymns meet the specific guidelines and regulations. Here are some ideas for hymns that can be included in a Catholic wedding:

Prelude Hymns:

• "Ave Maria" – A timeless hymn invoking the Virgin Mary’s intercession, perfect for setting a peaceful, sacred tone.
• "How Great Thou Art" – A powerful hymn that celebrates God’s majesty and reflects gratitude and reverence.
• "Amazing Grace" – A beloved gospel song about redemption and grace, creating a moving spiritual atmosphere.
• "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" – A hymn that praises God’s faithfulness and offers a message of trust and love for the couple’s future.
• "Blessed Assurance" – A joyful gospel song about salvation and trust in God, adding an uplifting, celebratory feel.

Processional Hymns:

• "Arioso" by Johann Sebastian Bach – A popular favourite from the renowned composer J.S. Bach, known for its magnificent melody.
• "Panis Angelicus" by Franco Corelli – Derived from the hymn "Sacrissolemniis", this piece adds a solemn touch to the bridal procession.
• "This is the Day" by Scott Wesley Brown – A classic wedding song that has remained relevant in Catholic weddings since the 1970s.
• "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by Robert Robinson – This hymn is best presented by a simple soloist and can evoke strong emotions.
• "In Christ Alone" by Keith Getty – A modern Christian song with an Irish melody that may require approval from the music minister.

Communion Hymns:

• "Amazing Grace" by Traditional – A timeless hymn with a powerful message of redemption and grace, perfect for solemn reflection.
• "How Great Thou Art" by Carrie Underwood – This rendition captures the awe and reverence of God’s greatness, making it fitting for communion.
• "In Christ Alone" by Keith & Kristyn Getty – A contemporary hymn highlighting Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, offering profound expression during communion.
• "Here I Am, Lord" by Dan Schutte – With heartfelt lyrics and an uplifting melody, this hymn invites worshippers to respond to God’s call.
• "Blessed Assurance" by Alan Jackson – Alan Jackson’s version exudes a sense of assurance and peace in God’s promises, creating a comforting atmosphere.

Recessional Hymns:

• "Ode to Joy" by Ludwig van Beethoven – A recognisable tune with religious lyrics and flexible instrumentation.
• "La Rejouissance" by George Frideric Handel – This song has a jubilant tempo perfect for the wedding recessional and works well with instrumentalists.
• "This is the Day (That the Lord Has Made)" by M. Joncas – This version captures the celebratory feel and tempo for the conclusion of the service.
• "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" by Chris Rice – The upbeat version of this hymn is ideal for the recessional, while the soft version can be used for communion.
• "O God Beyond All Praising" by Gustav Holst – This grand hymn is best performed by a choir or a group of singers to create a powerful statement.

Traditional Catholic Wedding Hymns:

• "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" – An uplifting hymn expressing joy and gratitude for God’s love and blessings.
• "Here I Am, Lord" – A hymn signifying a willingness to respond to God’s call and dedicate oneself to serving Him.
• "Ave Maria" – A timeless and reverent hymn honouring the Virgin Mary and seeking her intercession.
• "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" – This hymn celebrates God's surpassing love and invokes His blessings upon the couple.
• "Panis Angelicus" – A Eucharistic hymn reflecting on the sacred presence of Christ in the Eucharist and invoking His grace.
• "Be Thou My Vision" – A prayerful hymn seeking God’s guidance and wisdom, asking Him to be the centre of the couple’s lives.
• "Holy, Holy, Holy" – A hymn glorifying the Holy Trinity and inviting reverence and awe in God’s presence.
• "Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven" – A hymn of praise and adoration for God’s greatness and His steadfast love, acknowledging His reign.
• "Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring" – A beautiful hymn expressing the desire for Jesus’ presence and joy in the couple’s hearts and journey.
• "All Creatures of Our God and King" – A hymn praising God’s creation and inviting all creatures to join in worship and thanksgiving.

The Catholic wedding liturgy

The Introductory Rites

The wedding liturgy begins with the entrance procession, where the priest, ministers, and wedding party make their way into the sanctuary while the assembly stands and sings the entrance song. The priest then greets the assembly, and the people respond. The Gloria is sung, followed by the Opening Prayer or Collect.

The Liturgy of the Word

This part of the liturgy includes two or three readings, a Responsorial Psalm, and the Gospel Acclamation, usually the Alleluia. The first reading is from the Old Testament, followed by the psalm and the second reading from the New Testament. The priest or deacon then proclaims the Gospel, after which the assembly sits. The priest or deacon delivers a homily based on the Scripture readings, Church teaching on marriage, and the couple's relationship.

The Celebration of Matrimony

The priest addresses the couple and asks them a series of questions, known as the Questions before the Consent, to ascertain their intentions and commitment. The couple then exchanges their marriage vows, declaring their consent to be married. The priest affirms their consent and leads the assembly in an acclamation. This is followed by the Blessing and Giving of Rings, where the priest blesses the wedding rings, and the couple exchanges them.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Preparation of the Gifts, where the altar is prepared, and the gifts of bread and wine are brought forward by the bride and groom or someone else. The priest then leads the Eucharistic Prayer, and the assembly offers three acclamations: the Sanctus, Memorial Acclamation, and the Lord's Prayer. The couple then approaches the altar, and the priest offers the Nuptial Blessing. Holy Communion is distributed, beginning with the newly married couple.

The Conclusion of the Celebration

The presider, usually a priest, concludes the liturgy with a solemn blessing over the married couple and the congregation. The recessional then takes place, with the couple, wedding party, ministers, and presider processing out of the church, often accompanied by music.

The Catholic wedding ceremony

The ceremony begins with introductory rites and an opening prayer by the priest, who greets the wedding party and guests and asks for God's blessings. The priest then leads everyone in the sign of the cross. If the couple has chosen to include a Nuptial Mass, the priest will lead the guests in a hymn, usually "Gloria". The Liturgy of the Word follows, comprising several readings from the Old and New Testaments, recited by the priest, family, or friends. The congregation stands for the gospel reading and remains seated for the others. The priest then delivers a homily, reflecting on the readings and marriage.

The Rite of Marriage is the heart of the ceremony, where the couple stands before the priest to declare their consent and exchange vows and rings. The priest blesses the rings, and the couple places them on each other's fingers, completing the ceremony. The priest may invite the couple to exchange a kiss at this point or during the sign of peace.

If the couple chooses to include a nuptial mass, the ceremony takes on the feel of a Sunday mass. The altar is prepared for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, or communion, with special family members or friends assisting in the offertory. The priest delivers the Eucharistic prayers, and the congregation kneels. The Lord's Prayer is recited or sung, and the newlyweds kneel before the altar to receive their nuptial blessing. The guests may extend their silent blessings to the couple. The sign of peace is then exchanged between the wedding party and guests, who shake hands and say, "Peace be with you".

Communion follows, representing the Last Supper. Only Catholics may partake in communion, but non-Catholic guests may come forward for a blessing or remain seated/kneeling and silently express good thoughts for the couple. The priest offers a final prayer or concluding rite, blessing the couple and the congregation. The priest then dismisses the assembly, and the recessional takes place in reverse order of the processional, usually to a song chosen by the couple.

Frequently asked questions