Musical Accompaniment For A Christian Wedding Ceremony
The organ is a true icon of Christianity and the majority of churches will have an organ as well as a dedicated organist. Before you dismiss the organ as old fashioned or out dated, imagine the impact it could bring to Wagners Bridal March or Mendelssohns Wedding March. The organ captures the essence of a Christian wedding ceremony so go along and listen to the organist at your chosen church before you make a decision.
Another long held tradition in the Christian faith is the church choir. The hymns and songs you choose will be given added energy and zest when your guests are backed by a choir, so consider including them as part of your wedding ceremony. The choir can also perform a piece on their own while you are signing the register.
If you would prefer to have outside musicians providing the musical accompaniment for your wedding ceremony, most churches are very open to that, especially if you want friends or relatives of you or your fiance to provide the music. Just make sure the musicians in question are able to practice in the church and to check out the equipment and acoustics beforehand.
The Best Christian Ceremony Songs
Let Us Break Bread Together
Sample Lyrics:
Let us break bread together on our knees,Let us break bred together on our knees When I fall on my knees,With my face to the rising sun,O Lord, have mercy on me.
Let us drink the cup together on our knees,Let us drink the cup together on our knees When I fall on my knees,With my face to the rising sun,O Lord, have mercy on me.
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Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
Words: St Francis of Assisi, adapted by Sebastian Temple Music: Sebastian Temple
Why it’s a good choice:
This lovely paraphrase of the prayer of St Francis offers hope, peace and Gods love.
Background:
This lovely and most widely known Christian prayer for peace, with its broadly inclusive language, has been very frequently set to music. The most well-known hymn version is this one, written in 1967 by the South African songwriter, Sebastian Temple. It has become an anthem for the Royal British Legion and is regularly sung on State and National occasions.
Lifesong By Casting Crowns
“Let my lifesong sing to you
Let my lifesong sing to you
I want to sign your name
To the end of this day
Lord led my heart was true
Let my lifesong sing to you”
A special song which sings of God praise. It’s important to acknowledge the faith that led you to the moment you are right now on your wedding day.
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The Day Before You Matthew West
Lyrics you’ll love: “On the day before you, I was ready to settle for less than love and not much more/There was no such thing as a dream come true/But that was on the day before you/Now you’re here and everything’s changing/Suddenly life means so much”
In this sweet gospel love song, singer Matthew West describes what his life was like before he met his partnerâand how much better it is now that he’s found love. The inspirational song feels straight out of a fairy-tale thanks to its touching lyrics.
When God Made You Newsong
Lyrics you’ll love: “Now that I have found you I believe/That a miracle has come when God sends the perfect one/Now gone are all my questions about why/And I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life”
NewSong is a famous Christian rock group. In the years since their 1981 debut, the band has gone on to release multiple hits, including ‘When God Made You,” which features Natalie Grant. The lyrics of “When God Made You” are nothing short of beautiful, as are the slow tempo and peaceful piano instrumentals.
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Christian First Dance Songs
The reception begins where you and your newly wedded spouse will take the dance floor for your first dance. You want to keep it Christian with a mega-dose of romance. Well, youre in luck because weve found some of the best Christian wedding first dance songs. See the line-up below.
A Bit Of Christian Marriage History
Those of Christian faith believe marriage is a sacrament given from God. Marriage is the foundation of the family. When couples marry in the church, they profess their love before God and the community.
Each Christian denomination has different rules and traditions when it comes to marriage. Are you considering a Christian ceremony? Make sure you understand all the requirements.
Most churches require some sort of pre-marriage counseling. The Catholic Church sometimes calls this Pre-Cana counseling.
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Wedding Hymns: 36 Classic Hymns For Your 2022 Ceremony
Published date: 26th January 2021 | Author: Hollie Bond
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Contents
Having a church wedding and looking for the perfect songs to sing during the ceremony? From traditional to more modern options, here are 36 of the best wedding hymns, plus some brilliant options for religious classical music.
When it comes to personalising your religious wedding ceremony, wedding hymns are a really good place to start. Unlike a lot of the compulsory elements that make up a church wedding, you have a lot of choices when it comes to the hymns and can pick songs that reflect your personalities or what youre feeling about getting married. Church ceremonies are traditionally longer than civil ceremonies and can involve a lot of talking, so wedding hymns are a good way to keep the pace, keep guests involved and inject a bit of fun into the proceedings.
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I Love You Benita Jones
Lyrics you’ll love: “I lift you up and I magnify your name/That’s why my heart is filled with praise/My heart, my mind, my soul belongs to you”
In “I Love You ,” Benita Jones croons proudly and passionately about her faith. The song’s steady, uplifting beat makes it incredibly versatile. Consider using it as a processional song or a cocktail hour song.
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The Best Christian Wedding Songs
I will praise you, by rebecca st. household of faith by steve green how great thou art by carrie underwood give me a lifetime by anthem lights amazing grace by andrea bocelli Any way you want it | journey the last song on this list of fun recessional wedding ceremony songs is from a band from san francisco who has one of the greatest rock voices.
The 46 Best Christian Wedding Songs Of All Time
If youre planning a Christian wedding, you have probably already picked the church. In fact, youre likely already imagining the pews filled with elegantly dressed family and friends.
But, have you picked out what type of music you want to play at your wedding? There are so many great worship songs that speak to your faith whilst giving your special day a fresh and contemporary feel!
To help you get inspired, we put together a list of the most popular song choices that are sure to fill your special day with faith, love, and worship.
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This Is Amazing Grace By Phil Wickman
Lyrics: This is amazing grace/This is unfailing love/That You would take my place/That You would bear my cross/You lay down Your life/That I would be set free/Oh, Jesus, I sing for/All that Youve done for me/ Who brings our chaos back into order/Who makes the orphan a son and daughter/The King of Glory, the King of Glory
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us
Words: James Edmeston Music: Friedrich Filitz
Why it’s a good choice:
A lovely hymn, perfectly suited for a wedding as it asks for guidance and protection from God.
Background:
This well-known hymn was written by the English Anglican architect and hymn-writer, James Edmeston. It was first published in 1821.
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I Will Be Here By Steven Curtis Chapman
The story behind this song written and sung by Steven Curtis Chapman is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. He wrote this track after his parents divorce as a reassurance to his wife that no matter what, he will be there for her. The song talks about the promises to go through life together even when times get hard.
Christian Wedding Processional Music
Choosing the right music for each phase of your ceremony and reception is probably the number one priority when planning your wedding. The music will set the tone of the entire wedding.
You will want the music you choose to reflect not only who you are as a couple but also how you feel about each other and your Christian faith.
As a Christian couple, it is even more important to ensure that you select music that is glorifying to the Lord and reflects your relationship with him. Carefully selecting each song that will be played during your wedding ceremony is a big job and can consume much of your time.
Finding Christian music that you can relate to is not as hard as it used to be due to the variety of Christian artists. There are so many great traditional, as well as contemporary, Christian songs that it should be easy to find some music that will be appropriate for your special day.
I have taken a lot of the work out of searching for your wedding music by compiling a list of Christian songs from many different artists that are appropriate for each of the different phases of your wedding.
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The Best Gospel Wedding Songs
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- Wedding SongsWhether in readings, vows, speeches or as inspiration for your first dance, weve found the best love song lyrics for your wedding day
Amazing Love Fred Hammond
Lyrics you’ll love: “You hold me like no one else//And you love me in spite of myself/”
“Amazing Love” is from Fred Hammond’s 2012 album, “God, Love & Romance.” In the spiritual song, Hammond serenades his partner and sings passionately about his everlasting love. The dazzling instrumentals, gorgeous harmonizing and steady beat make for an amazing first dance song.
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Love Never Fails By Brandon Hearth
“Love is the river than flows through
Love is the arms that are holding you
Love is the place you will fly to
Love never fails you”
At the end of the day, the only true and meaningful emotion in this world is love. Whether it’s with your partner, your parents, or children, acknowledging your love in unbreakable and strong is a powerful sentiment.
Give Me Joy In My Heart
Traditional Author Unknown
Why it’s a good choice:
With its upbeat nature and joyful rhythms, this lovely hymn asks for the joy, peace and love that we need if we want to follow Jesus.
Background:
This is a traditional Christian hymn author unknown and is based on the parable of the ten virgins.
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Recessional Songs For Christian Weddings
There have been various renditions throughout the years, each offering their own distinct take on this lovely tune. Our collection of songs is just a helpful resource for brides and grooms planning their big day. Some christian songs can offer a fun and exciting walk down the aisle as husband and wife.
How To Pick The Best Christian Song For Your Wedding
Choosing songs for your wedding can be a difficult task. It is hard to choose which songs mean the most to you that you want to include on your special day.
Discuss the song options with your partner and family. If there are any special songs that they have in mind, include them on your wedding day. If your wedding is being ordained by a Christian religious leader who is special to you and your partner, discuss the music options with them to see if they have any suggestions.
There are different Christian wedding songs for different parts of your wedding. We have compiled a list of the best Christian songs for your ceremony, processional, recessional, reception, mother and son dance, and father daughter dance.
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Civil Ceremonies And Wedding Hymns
Can I Have Wedding Hymns At A Civil Ceremony?
Unfortunately, in the United Kingdom, you can only have wedding hymns at a religious church wedding. If youre religious but have opted for a civil ceremony youll have to forgo any hymns youd hoped to sing as civil ceremonies have to be secular in nature in order for them to be legal. In fact, you cant have any religious terminology or connotations at all in a civil ceremony including in songs you sing, readings and even music that you have playing in the background.
Youll have to run everything past your Registrar, who has the authority to reject any of your choices. Some can be particularly strict and ban anything that includes religious words like angels although these days this is less common. But its important to think about the religious origins of any music before you set your heart on it at your civil ceremony for example, you couldnt walk down the aisle to Bachs Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring or Schuberts Ave Maria at a civil ceremony.
Are There Any Flexible Alternatives?
Humanist and independent celebrants are able to be much more flexible when it comes to including religious content, so if you really want to include a wedding hymn and for religion to be a part of your ceremony but arent planning on a church wedding, this might be a route to consider.
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Amazing Grace By Il Divo
Amazing Grace is definitely one of the most popular Christian songs even among the non-religious. There have been various renditions throughout the years, each offering their own distinct take on this lovely tune. The classical male quartet croons with their sultry vocals in their rendition of this song with a message of forgiveness and redemption. It is one that looks forward to a new beginning and is hence appropriate for a wedding as the couple begins their new life together.
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Sigh No More By Mumford And Sons
“Love that will not betray you
Dismay or enslave you,
It will set you free
Be more like the man you were made to be
There is a design
Of my heart to see
The beauty of love as it was made to be”
While some may not think of Mumford and Sons as a Christian band, many of their songs speak to love and faith in God. “Sigh No More” sings to the fear of opening up to love, and assuring that when you do open up for love it’s the most beautiful thing and will set you free.
Old Old Oldies But Goodies
When we say old, we mean itsome from hundreds of years ago. Many of the lyrics are translated directly from the Bible , and others are hauntingly evocative classical pieces. They have stood the test of time and are especially poignant when used as worship songs for weddings.
Youre probably pretty familiar with this one. Jesus taught His disciples this prayer , and Andrea Bocelli and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir set it to a beautiful melody.
Sample lyrics:
Schuberts name for this melody is actually Ellens Dritter Gesang . The inspiration was a play, not a prayer. At a point in the original version, Ellen prays to the Virgin Mary, which is the inspiration for the Roman Catholic prayer Ave Maria becoming adapted to this music.
Sample lyrics:
Ave Maria, gratia plena. Maria, Gratia plena. Ave, ave dominus, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus. Benedictus Fructus Ventris Ventris tui, Iesus.
Working as a captain of a slave ship, John Newton experienced an epiphany during a severe storm and converted to Christianity. He later became a priest and an abolitionist. He wrote Amazing Grace in 1772, and today, the song is one of the most recognizable melodies in the English-speaking world due to its message of Gods mercy and forgiveness of past sins.
Sample lyrics:
Sample lyrics:
Sample lyrics:
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