This information should be filled out by the BRIDE AND/OR GROOM only. All questions and contact regarding music are the responsibility of the couple. Other family or friends may assist you, but the couple needs to directly correspond with the music director to be certain your preferences are correctly relayed.
St. Patrick follows the guidelines of the Diocese of Rockford, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and those promulgated by Roman Congregations. The excerpt below outlines the criteria for selecting appropriate music according to the Wedding Music Guidelines for the Diocese of Rockford.
After reading the explanation below, please fill out the form to register and begin the music planning process for your Wedding Liturgy at St. Patrick. Complete this step if it is more than two months before your wedding, otherwise skip to Step 2 and complete the Wedding Details form.
We ask that you pay all fees at least TWO WEEKS before the wedding date. You may mail them to the parish or drop them off. Please contact Katie Speiden, Director of Music Ministry, at [email protected] with any questions. The parish fees are:
The following information is from the Diocese of Rockford’s Wedding Guidelines
Liturgical Music for the Sacrament of Matrimony
Music is an integral part of the liturgy of the Sacrament of Matrimony. Provision should be made that all the people are involved at the important moments of the celebration and that the same general principles of planning worship and judging music are employed as at other liturgies, and that the liturgy is a prayer for all present.
Your organist and cantor should be parishioners who are trained music ministers and familiar with our churches, sound systems and music repertoire.
The selection of music used in weddings is to reflect the understanding that this ritual is an action of the assembly which, like all Catholic ritual, expresses and forms the faith of those gathered to celebrate.
Therefore, in the Diocese of Rockford the following norms are to be observed:
Music is integral to the celebration of Liturgy. The choice of music should follow the musical, liturgical and pastoral norms as set forth in Music in Catholic Worship and Sing to the Lord published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. It must also be in keeping with Roman documents and local Diocesan Guidelines.
Non-liturgical or secular music selections, in any form of musical presentation, are not allowed before a wedding as preludes, at any place during the celebration of marriage, or after the ceremony as postludes.
The choices of liturgical music should be such that they enable the gathered assembly to participate fully in the rite. No part of the liturgical ritual of the Sacrament of Matrimony which is communal in nature is to be given to a soloist to perform.
The Pastor is to approve and authorize the use of proper liturgical music for all weddings, whether he or another priest or deacon functions as the witness of the marriage. If you have any questions, please contact the Director of Music Ministry at [email protected]