Ethan Walker
Music is an important part of any wedding ceremony, and this is no different for Irish Catholic weddings. While many Catholic churches will not allow non-secular music, some priests are lenient and may permit Irish music for the prelude, ceremony, and processional. Couples can choose from a variety of traditional Irish instruments, including the harp, uilleann pipes, fiddle, flute, and tin whistle, as well as vocalists to perform both liturgical and non-liturgical pieces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Music options for Catholic weddings | Wagner’s Bridal March, Air on the G String, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, Pachelbel’s Canon, Delibe’s Flower Duet, Nella Fantasia, Songbird, When You Say You Love Me, I’ve Dreamed of You, The Lark In the Clear Air, First Time Ever I, Ode To Joy, Wedding March, Largo, Trumpet Voluntary, Sheep May Safely Graze, Allegro, Arioso, Four Seasons-Spring, Arrival of The Queen of Sheeba, Hallelujah Chorus, Joyful Joyful, Fly Me To The Moon, Let There Be Love, Here Comes The Sun, Say A Little Prayer, If I Should Fall, O Happy Day, I Watched The Sunrise, Sé an Tiarna mAoire, Hiding Place, Be With Me Lord, How Can I Repay The Lord, Eagle’s Wings, Like the Deer That Yearns for Running Streams, The Lord is My Shepherd, Sing a Song To The Lord, The Song of Ruth, Amazing Grace, As I Kneel Before You, Ag Criost an Siol, A Mhuire Mhathair, I Will Be The Vine, Only A Shadow, Here I Am Lord, Deus Meus, The Servant Song, Dona Nobis Pacem, Make Me A Channel of Your Peace, Shalom, Agnus Dei, Let There Be Peace Shared Among Us, Peace Perfect Peace, May The Road Rise To Meet You, Si Bheag Si Mhor, harp music, jigs, chart-toppers from Irish artists |
| Music for Irish weddings | Harp music, jigs, chart-toppers from Irish artists, Celtic touch, traditional pieces, modern songs, sentimental songs, dance floor songs, Sinéad O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U, Old World hymns, Irish blessings, Guinness-braised beef and garlic mashed potatoes |
| Wedding customs | Superstitions and omens associated with Catholicism and Gaelic tradition, horseshoe, bell, embroidery, Celtic knotwork, Tara brooch, gold coin |
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What You'll Learn
Irish wedding music suggestions
Irish weddings are known for their music and dancing, with a rich history of traditional music to draw on. From traditional Irish wedding songs to chart-topping hits by Irish artists, there are plenty of options to choose from.
If you're opting for a traditional Irish wedding, you might want to consider a live Irish band or a harpist for the reception. Guests can dance to traditional Irish jigs and reels such as the 'Siege of Ennis' or the 'Walls of Limerick'. You could also hire Irish pipers for a truly authentic experience. For the ceremony, you might want to consider old Irish harp music, or a singer performing a beautiful Old World hymn.
If you're getting married in a Catholic church, there may be limitations on the music you can use, and it's best to check with your priest. Many Catholic churches will not allow non-secular music, but if your priest is lenient, you could select Irish music for the prelude, ceremony, and processional. You could also incorporate Gaelic Mass into your ceremony.
When choosing your wedding music, it's important to listen carefully to the lyrics. Some popular wedding songs have unfortunate associations, such as Sinéad O’Connor’s 'Nothing Compares 2 U', which is generally associated with grief and breakups.
- 'Si Bheag Si Mhor' by Turlough O’Carolan, performed on the harp
- 'The Lark In the Clear Air'
- 'First Time Ever I Saw Your Face'
- 'Ode to Joy' (Beethoven)
- 'Wedding March' (Mendelssohn)
- 'Largo' (Bach)
- 'Trumpet Voluntary' (Clarke)
- 'Sheep May Safely Graze' (Bach)
- 'Four Seasons-Spring' (Vivaldi)
- 'Arrival of the Queen of Sheba'
- 'When You Say You Love Me' (Josh Groban)
- 'I've Dreamed of You' (Barbara Streisand)
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Religious vs non-religious music
Music is an important part of any wedding, and this is especially true for Irish weddings. From walking down the aisle to late-night sing-songs, music can set the tone for the wedding day, stir up emotions, and provide insight into the couple's relationship.
If you're having a traditional Irish Catholic wedding ceremony, there may be limitations on the music you can use. Many Catholic churches will not allow non-secular music, but if your priest is lenient, you can select Irish music for the prelude, ceremony, and processional. It is also customary to have a full speech from the priest at Irish wedding receptions due to the strong religious influence in the country.
For the ceremony, you may want to consider old Irish harp music, or a traditional live Irish band for the first part of the reception. Guests typically do a traditional Irish dance such as the 'Siege of Ennis' or 'Walls of Limerick', where everyone joins in and takes over the entire dance floor. You could also have some traditional Irish music played by a live band or hire some Irish pipers.
When it comes to choosing songs for key moments, it's important to listen to the lyrics. Some popular wedding songs have unfortunate lyrics or meanings that may not be suitable for a wedding. For example, Sinéad O’Connor’s 'Nothing Compares 2 U' is generally associated with grief and breakups rather than happy moments.
For a Catholic wedding ceremony in Ireland, it is generally advised to provide at least one month's notice to prepare your wedding ceremony music requests. It is up to the couple to find a musician who can cater to their preferred style of music. Musicians and singers will usually have a repertoire list of common wedding pieces that they can play.
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Choosing a musician
Music is an integral part of any wedding, and this is especially true for Irish weddings. Irish people love music and dancing, and their weddings are often filled with music, dancing, and singing.
If you're planning an Irish Catholic wedding, there may be limitations on the music you can use. Many Catholic churches will not allow non-secular music, but if your priest is lenient, you can incorporate Irish music into the prelude, ceremony, and processional. It's always a good idea to run your music choices by your priest first.
When choosing a musician for your Irish wedding, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide on the type of music you want. Do you want traditional Irish music, chart-toppers from Irish artists, or a mix of both? You might also want to include some instrumental pieces, as these can be easily adapted and are suitable for candle-lighting ceremonies, for example.
Next, find a musician who can cater to your chosen style of music. Wedding musicians typically offer a wide variety of pieces, songs, and hymns and can perform classical, pop, traditional, or other genres. Some common options include female singers, string quartets, guitarists, and singer-harpists. If you're looking for traditional Irish music, you might consider hiring a harpist or a live Irish band.
It's recommended to provide your musician with at least one month's notice to prepare your wedding music requests. If you're unsure about the specific pieces or songs you want, most musicians will have a repertoire list of common wedding pieces they can perform.
Finally, don't forget to consider the practical aspects, such as your budget and the size of your venue. These factors may impact the type and number of musicians you can hire.
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Catholic church limitations
Music is an important part of any wedding, and this is especially true for Irish weddings. From walking down the aisle to late-night sing-songs, music sets the tone for the entire day.
If you're planning a Catholic wedding in Ireland, it's important to be aware of certain limitations on the music you can use. Many Catholic churches will not allow non-secular music, but if your priest is lenient, you may be able to incorporate Irish music into your wedding ceremony. It is advised that you run all your music choices by your priest first.
For the prelude, ceremony, and processional, you may be able to select Irish music with your priest's approval. Instrumental pieces, whether religious or not, can also be performed at any stage of the ceremony. During the candle ceremony, an instrumental piece is often preferred as these can be adapted to fit the short time it takes to light the candles.
For the reception, many Irish weddings feature a traditional live Irish band for the first part of the evening, with guests joining in traditional Irish dances.
In the past, the Catholic Church in Ireland faced oppression, particularly during the 16th Century when Penal Laws prevented priests from saying Mass and conducting the Sacrament of Marriage. Today, couples can be married outside of a church, but a private home, park, or other non-traditional location must be pre-approved.
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Irish wedding traditions
Irish weddings are steeped in beautiful tradition and culture. Couples often incorporate Celtic motifs and symbols of love into their ceremonies and receptions. Here are some of the most common Irish wedding traditions:
Music
Music is an important part of any wedding, and Irish weddings are no exception. From traditional Irish wedding songs to chart-toppers by Irish artists, there are many options to choose from. The harp and the Uilleann Pipes are popular instruments in Irish weddings, with the former being the national symbol of Ireland. Some popular Irish wedding songs include "Si Bheag Si Mhor" by Turlough O'Carolan, "The Lark in the Clear Air", and "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Other traditional Irish songs that can be played during the wedding ceremony include "Ode to Joy" by Beethoven, "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn, and "Largo" by Bach.
Dress
Irish brides of Celtic ancestry often incorporate Celtic symbols such as knots, crosses, or shamrocks into their wedding dresses through white embroidery. They may also wear a veil or headpiece with Irish lace accents. In cold weather, brides may opt for a classic bridal cloak made of wool or a combination of lightweight wool and Irish linen. Grooms traditionally wear a full formal kilt outfit, including a Brian Boru jacket, a white tux shirt with a bow tie, knee-high socks with ribbons matching the colour of their tartan, a Sporran with shamrock detailing, and Ghillie Brogue shoes.
Superstitions
Many Irish wedding traditions are tied to superstitions and beliefs. For example, the horseshoe is a symbol of luck, and it is customary for the page boy or flower girl to present an upward-facing horseshoe to the bride to contain the luck. Another ancient Celtic tradition is hand-fasting, which involves tying the wrists of the bride and groom together with rope, twine, or cord to symbolise their everlasting union. The colour blue was also considered traditional and customary in Ireland, as it represented purity. Saturdays are considered an unlucky day for a wedding, and getting married in May is believed to bring bad luck.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can play traditional Irish music at a Catholic wedding. However, it is important to note that some Catholic churches will not allow non-secular music. If your priest is lenient, you can include Irish music for the prelude, ceremony, and processional.
Some popular choices for Irish Catholic weddings include "I Watched the Sunrise", "Sé an Tiarna mAoire", "Hiding Place (Irish version – Mo Ghrá Thú)", "Be With Me Lord", "How Can I Repay the Lord", and "The Lord is My Shepherd".
Yes, you can hire musicians to perform traditional Irish music at your wedding. It is recommended to provide at least one month's notice for your wedding ceremony music requests.
It is important to discuss your music choices with your priest beforehand. Instrumental pieces can generally be performed at any stage of the wedding, while non-religious songs should be left until the register signing.
Absolutely! Irish dancing is a fun way to incorporate more Irish culture into your wedding. You can even take Irish dancing classes before your big day to really impress your guests.
