Weddings
Thank you for considering ANTHEM for your wedding day. We have extensive experience singing at weddings, in a range of styles from traditional hymns with an organ accompaniment to fully robed gospel choir with keyboard and tambourines, to a vast genre of popular songs all hand picked for your needs. References are available on request. It is essential you are happy with the style and content of the music that you choose for your wedding and if you would like some guidance or suggestions, why not check out our Sample Wedding Music Lists.
Wedding FAQs
The following responses to Frequently Asked Questions may assist you in choosing what you want for your big day. Of course if you have any other questions please Contact Us.
The comments below are based on the service structure for a traditional Catholic/Church of Ireland wedding, but can easily be amended for other forms of weddings or blessings.
How many singers would I want for my wedding?
This all depends on what style of music you have chosen, and the size of the church. A small church may need only a few singers. A wedding in a larger church will generally need require 8-10 singers to achieve the full choral or gospel choir sound. Unless otherwise specified, there will be a minimum of ten singers at a ANTHEM wedding, with accompanist, normally on a piano, or on the full church organ if this is available and requested. As part of our professional service, our Musical Directors will visit the church you intend to get married in to test the acoustics, and to suggest an appropriate number of singers, and their location within the church. We supply our own amplification. We will then sit down with you to discuss our recommendations and agree the style of music and choir numbers.
How many songs do I need for my wedding?
If you are having the full wedding mass, you generally need around 8-10 songs would typically be chosen. This number of songs can equally be provided for a wedding where no Communion occurs. Somewhat uniquely we encourage choral accompaniment for the entrance (processional) and exit (recessional). We also have “emergency” songs on hand in case there may be a delay during the ceremony. We find that a ceremony filled with music adds considerably to the enjoyment of the service, relaxes both the happy couple and the guests, and sets the tone for the rest of the day. We have included some Sample Wedding Music Lists here but check out our Repertoire page for some more ideas. As we are versatile group, if you have a favourite song or piece of music we can typically accommodate most requests.
Based on a wedding Mass, the songs would generally occur as follows:
- – Processional (Entrance)
- A full choral song to accompany the bride up the aisle
- – Lighting of the candles
- A short piece (sung or instrumental)
- – Psalm
- – Offertory
- – Sign of Peace
- As the bridal party typically share the sign of peace with both families, this piece can be an enjoyable musical moment of reflection
- – Communion
- (The number of pieces depends upon the number of guests/communicants)
- – Reflection
- This can be a good time to have a special song that means something to you or your families.
- – Signing of the Register
- (The number of pieces depends upon the time to be taken – a delay can occur if you wish to have photographs taken whilst signing the Register)
- – Exit
- A full choral number as you both walk out of the church.
We also sing all the smaller sections throughout the service if required – for example the Gospel Alleluia, The Lord's Prayer (Our Father), the Acclamation, and the Sanctus (Holy Holy).
I wouldn't have a clue which songs to pick....would I?
It's amazing how many couples tell us that they never realised how important the music at their wedding was for them, or how the music at their ceremony made the whole day for them. Perhaps this is because the importance of the wedding music is so underestimated, and needs to be experienced. It is essential that you choose your pieces in consideration of the atmosphere you want to create on the day. Do you want traditional hymns that most of the congregation might join in with played on the church organ? Or a soft reflective piece that has great meaning to you both, maybe played with only a flute accompaniment? A classical favourite, such as Panis Angelicus or Ave Maria? Or do you want the no holds barred Gospel experience from the word go, complete with dance, claps, and tambourines! Once you know what mood you want to set, our Musical Director will be able to provide you with a huge list of songs that we know work to ensure that mood is created. You will be amazed that, with a little prompting, maybe with reference to our Repertoire and Sample Wedding Music Lists, you will easily pick your own music.
Can I request a song that's not listed in your repertoire?
Of course you can. The repertoire on the ANTHEM website isn't exhaustive by any means but is intended to give a flavour of the type of stuff we can perform. There may be a special song that you would like to have at your wedding. Keep remembering this is YOUR big day so you can have what you want...within reason! We are always delighted to sing requested numbers, but also will advise you where we consider that a particular song might not work.
Can I have any music I want at my wedding?
As far as we're concerned we will perform anything you like! However, it is important to remember that this will be a religious ceremony, if occurring in a church. It's therefore up to you to ensure that your priest is happy with your choice of music. It's also worth considering whether your guests would also be comfortable with your choice if it's too much on the edge. We would recommend that the mass ceremony itself generally includes more sacred or spiritual pieces, regardless of what style they are sung in. However, we can then let loose on the rest!
Would the choir be visible?
This depends on the logistics of the church, and your own preferences. You might wish to have a traditional choral service with the choir in the choir stalls, or in the gallery, next to the organ. But it's a great visual spectacle for you and your guests to have a fully robed Gospel choir dancing at the altar, and literally leading an interactive service.
How much do you charge to sing at weddings?
This very much depends upon the location of the wedding, the number of singers you require, and the number of songs to be performed. For an individual guideline quote, please fill your your details in the Contact Us Section. However, the final fee will be agreed with you, following confirmation of all the details of the ceremony, including number of singers and songs, and venue. Do note that ceremonies located outside the Dublin area will include a travel charge.