Church Wedding Music Guide
Booking the right ceremony musician is very important to creating the perfect vibe for your wedding ceremony and your day overall. The music you choose sets the tone for the ceremony, helps to add emotional weight, and, if you do it properly, will stick in the minds of your guests for years to come. But how do you know you’ve chosen the right musician? It can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! We’ve compiled a list of ten questions to ask any ceremony musicians you’re considering to make sure they’re the best fit for you. Just follow this guide and relax in the knowledge that the ceremony musician you’ve chosen is perfect.
1. Are you available on our wedding date and for our location?
It’s important to ensure logistics line up before anything else! By asking this upfront you can cross musicians with no availability off your list.
2. Have you performed at this church/ reception venue before?
If the answer is yes – they may be able to help you with things like layout, acoustics, etc.
3. What musical style do you specialise in? Which are you most comfortable performing?
Often musicians will perform music in a wide variety of styles or genres, but will have one instrument or style they specialise in: harp, piano, trad music, etc. To find the best musician for you, it’s best to find someone who specialises in what you’re looking for.
4. Can we hear a sample or see a video of you performing?
This one is easy – if you’re booking through ChurchMusic.ie, most musicians will have a sample of their music or a performance video on their profile. You can also contact them through the website for further clips if you want to see more!
Browse performers here: Browse Church Wedding Musicians
5. Do you have a set repertoire of songs, or can we choose our own? Do you perform religious music/hymns or pop songs?
Some musicians will have recommendations for what works best for a wedding ceremony. Many will be very open to you choosing your own music, as they will understand that some songs hold a lot of meaning for different couples, but it’s always best to check to make sure you’re on the same page.
Looking for ideas? 11 Classical Church Wedding Songs
6. What parts of the ceremony do you usually cover?
Your ceremony musician is a useful source to help you decide how to format your ceremony. Which parts do you want them to sing during, and for how long? Some common examples of where music is often played during a traditional Catholic ceremony are during the entrance and exit of the bridal party, the responsorial psalm, the offertory and during communion.
7. Do you handle coordination with the priest or celebrant?
Once again, it’s important to be on the same page with communication so you’re not wasting your time. Many musicians will also offer to liaise on your behalf, making your job a little easier!
8. What’s your pricing, and what does it include? Do you offer different packages?
Musicians will have varying costs, depending on factors like how far they have to travel, if they have extra musicians playing with them, how much of your time they need, if they have to transport a bulky instrument, etc. However, many musicians will have packages available with different options so you can tailor your choice to your needs and budget.
See also: 2025 Wedding Ceremony Music Cost Guide
9. How far in advance do we need to book with you?
Many musicians will book up their schedules far in advance. As soon as your wedding day is sorted, start reaching out to musicians you’re interested in and ask this question. That way, you’ll know how much time you have to make this big decision!
10. What happens if you’re sick, or can’t attend for some other reason?
Hopefully this won’t be an issue for your big day, but it’s always good to ask about back up plans so you can have some peace of mind. Often musicians will have a replacement musician or colleague in place to take over if an emergency happens, so don’t worry!
In conclusion, picking a ceremony musician for your wedding may seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. This list of ten questions covers everything you might need to know to make sure you’re in the right place to find the right fit for you. It’s even easier with ChurchMusic.ie – with our huge directory of musicians all in one place, you’re sure to find the perfect musician for your special day.
Check it out!
Browse Church Wedding Musicians or explore more guides in our Church Weddings and Wedding Music sections.