Congratulations
on your forthcoming nuptial ceremony! 

Music is an extremely important part of Catholic worship, and at Saint Mary Cathedral we are especially proud of our music program. Our musicians are held to the highest professional and performance standards and will make a meaningful and memorable contribution to the prayerful and joyous atmosphere of your nuptial ceremony. 

Consultation

Couples will be instructed to schedule a music consultation for their wedding. 

All couples are expected to schedule a meeting no later than six weeks before the wedding date
through email. The contact information will be provided after the date/time have been finalized.

All music will be selected at the consultation; it is preferable that only the bridal couple attend.   Wedding planners and professional coordinators are asked to refrain from attending.  

Prior to the meeting, couples should be familiar with this Wedding Music Guidelines document.  Accessing the “Appropriate Wedding Music” document (referenced below) prior to the consultation may be helpful, the Organist will review your music options and make appropriate suggestions at the meeting.  

Wedding Music

Catholic wedding ceremonies are celebrated either outside of a Mass (Liturgy of the Word service - no Liturgy of the Eucharist) or within a  Mass (Celebration of the Holy Eucharist). A ceremony outside of a Mass will last approximately 30 minutes, while a full Mass lasts approximately one hour, depending on the number of communicants and the ceremony’s pacing and flow.

Portions of the ceremony for which music is appropriate and desirable are: 

• Prelude
• Seating of the Family
• Wedding Party Procession
• Entrance of the Bride
• *Gloria
• Responsorial Psalm (sung only if a cantor is present) 
• Gospel Acclamation
• *Offertory (vocal solo)
• *Sanctus 
• *Agnus Dei 
• *Communion (vocal solo)
• Presentation to the Blessed Mother (optional, usually a vocal setting of Ave Maria)
• **Additional Vocal Solo(s)
• Recessional 

Only sacred music performed in a traditional, classical style may be used during the wedding ceremony.  

Click here to see “Appropriate Wedding Music” for Saint Mary Cathedral
If you are members of the Cathedral parish, you are aware of the high caliber of music we enjoy. 
If you are new to the Cathedral, be assured that the best musicians in Central Texas are available for your ceremony.  We are equipped to provide wedding music that has been favored by many generations of bridal couples.
Because of our musical strengths and because of the value we place on this sacred ceremony, secular music and those selections in a contemporary, casual style are not possible.  

Music Fees: 

The wedding fee charged by the Cathedral includes the services of one organist and aone vocal soloist (cantor) who will be paid directly by the Cathedral for providing sacred music for your wedding. 

• The organist provides prelude, processional, and recessional music, and accompanies the liturgical responses and vocal solos. 
• The vocal soloist sings the Responsorial Psalm, liturgical responses (if a full Mass) and two or three solos. 

Couples requesting additional or outside musicians, singers, music:

We strongly recommend that only the professional staff employed by the cathedral be engaged to perform at your wedding.  The User Fee originally paid for your wedding has been alloted for one musician and one cantor, no adjustments or discounts. 
 

• After your wedding date has been scheduled and paid in full, couples will be instructed on which music coordinator should be contacted.
  • Carefully discuss the details of your requests with your music coordinator.
    • If additional music, musicians, instrumentalists or singers are desired, your Music Coordinator will discuss the options available to you, the couple.

 

• Any and all changes, additions or contracting of musicians or singers MUST BE                 PRE-APPROVED 2-months prior to your wedding date with the Cathedral      music coordinator.
  • Saint Mary Cathedral is proud of the superior ability of our musicians. The following services can be arranged for your wedding through the Cathedral's Music Coordinator: (Fees vary but are generally $300 per performer.)
    • The  Schola Cantorum (full choir) 
    • Additional instrumentalists (i.e. trumpet, violin) 
    • A professional quartet - (at a fee of $900 )
      • The quartet may be heard at the 9:30 a.m. Sunday Mass. 

 

• Any and all changes, additions or contracting of musicians or singers outside of the wedding fee you have paid  WILL INCUR ADDITIONAL FEES  from Saint Mary Cathedral.
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Any pre-approved outside musicians must perform in accordance with the musical standards upheld by the Cathedral. 
  • NO ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE regarding the User Fee that was paid to have your wedding at Saint Mary Cathedral. 

 

• ABSOLUTELY NO "SURPRISE" MUSICIANS OR SINGERS will BE ALLOWED to perform on the day of your wedding.

 

• AFTER APPROVAL:  FULL PAYMENT for changes/additions are due 2-months before your wedding.

We are thrilled that you will celebrate your unity in the beauty of the Cathedral and enriched  by the musical offerings of our staff.  Please know of our prayers for a long, happy life together.