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Either scroll down the page to read the complete article or select your hymns for the drop down menu below
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Music is a vital ingredient in your church wedding service.
It sets the atmosphere and enables everyone to join
in the singing of your chosen hymns.
Most Christian wedding services include two or three
hymns. However, there is no set rule as to how many
hymns can be sung during your service although it is
uncommon to have fewer than two, or more than four.
You should be able to have any hymns of you choice sung
during your service. However, you must discuss your
preferences with your minister who's approval is needed.
Most churches have their own favourite hymn books which
may or may not contain the hymns you would like. Therefore,
when you meet with your minister, unless you know the
hymns that you would like, you should ask for copies
of the hymn books to take away. Alternatively, you may
just wish to accept your minister's recommendations.
If you are unfamiliar with any of your minister's suggested
hymns, you will be able to arrange to meet with the
church organist who will gladly play them for you.
When considering hymns for your service, you should
always bear in mind the vocal talents of your guests.
Unless they are known to be good singers, you should
avoid unfamiliar hymns and hymns with high notes. This
is particularly relevant if you will not be using the
church choir. The last thing you want is an embarrassed
silence!
To help you with your selection, we have listed belowmany
of the most popular hymns.
The following example order of service shows when hymns
are usually sung:
The Procession: Trumpet Voluntary - Clark
Introduction
Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
(full text of hymn printed)
The Marriage
The Lesson and Reading
Love Divine, All Loves Excelling
(full text of hymn printed)
The Prayers
The Blessing
The Signing of the Register
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us
(full text of hymn printed)
The Recession: Wedding March - Mendelssohn
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Please note, permission from the copyright holder will
be required to reprint the words to the hymns you choose.
Please read the Copyright Issues
section below for further information.
You can see that the first hymn is sung at the beginning
of the service, which is usually a hymn in praise of God
in whose presence everyone has assembled. The second hymn,
sung after the marriage ceremony, is in praise and celebration
of the union. The third hymn, which is usually sung after
the signing of the register, could be a hymn that speaks
of the desire that God goes with you into the future to
help you live out the vows that you have just made.
If communion is included in your service, a fourth hymn may be sung
after the sacraments have been taken.
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If you require the church organ to play your hymn music,
you need to arrange this with your minister, for which
a fee will be payable. With your minister's approval,
you may be able to have a competent friend or relative
play for you. It is also usually possible to have professional
musicians attend and play, although you will probably
need at least a quartet to give the required strength
and depth to the traditional 'orchestral' music played
during a church service. It is for this reason that a
church organ is so suitable.
For further general information about music for your wedding service, please refer
to our separate article
Music For Your Wedding
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A group of trained voices will enhance your service tremendously,
especially if the congregation size is small. As well
as ensuring your hymns are sung as intended, a choir will
encourage your guests to sing with more gusto!
If you plan on using your church's choir, for which an additional
fee will be payable, there may be availability problems if your
wedding is on a weekday, since many of the choir members may
be at work. If this is the case, you may consider hiring a professional
choir.
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Copyright exists in creative works such as hymns for 70
years after the death of the writer. During that period,
it is illegal to reproduce the works in any form without
the permission of the copyright holder (or their appointed
agent). Therefore, should you wish to reproduce the text
of a hymn in your order of service, you will need the
permission of the copyright holder for which a charge
of between £10 and £25 is usually made.
You will find details of the copyright holder at the bottom
of each hymn's page, although many of the hymns are out
of copyright due to their age.
Please note, you do not need the copyright holder's permission
if you are only singing the hymns, since a wedding is
a private function. It is only if you wish to print the
hymn words (for example on an order of service) that permission
is required.
If you still have any unanswered questions about hymns
for your church service, please post your question on
our Wedding Forum. |
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