When you’re planning a Catholic wedding ceremony, you know that your wedding day means more than a party and gifts.

The wedding liturgy of a Catholic ceremony is spiritually significant and is the basis of your commitment as partners in life, love, and faith. That’s why Catholic wedding songs are so meaningful.

You may need approval on Catholic wedding songs, but don’t worry! We did the work for you and found the best Catholic wedding songs for your big day.

Key Takeaways:

• We’ve curated a list of Catholic wedding songs ranging from traditional to contemporary for your wedding liturgy and ceremony recessional.
• Ask for final approval and guidance on your favorite Catholic wedding songs from the parish priest who is marrying you.
• Recommendations include time-honored hymns like “Ave Maria,” as well as beloved classics by Mozart, who happens to be Pope Francis’s favorite composer.
• For meaningful wedding gifts, see 31 Inspiring Catholic Wedding Gifts For The Happy Couple.

Here are the best songs for your Catholic wedding ceremony!

Processional Catholic Wedding Songs

Here are unforgettable Catholic wedding songs for your wedding processional.

We based this list on our personal choices and wedding experts who’ve selected the best wedding processional songs.

“Canon in D” – Pachelbel

When it comes to wedding music, Pachelbel’s “Canon in D” is a time-honored classic that has been a top Catholic wedding song for decades.

“Wedding March” – Felix Mendelssohn

The “Wedding March” is also another lovely classic that is played at both Catholic weddings and other weddings in a formal setting or house of worship.

For a wholesome experience, consider a piano or organ solo.

“Lohengrin: Treulich geführt (Bridal Chorus)” – Richard Wagner

The “Bridal Chorus” is traditionally a great choice for the professional at a Catholic wedding.

“This Is the Day” – Scott Wesley Brown

Lyrics you’ll love: “This is the day that the Lord hath made/And I’m so glad He made you/With each rising sun you are here by my side/You are more than a dream come true”

“Arioso” – J.S. Bach

Any composition by Bach is a great choice, and the soft classical piece “Arioso” is a favorite with many couples.

“Gabriel’s Oboe” – by Ennio Morricone

Ennio Morricone is another legendary composer, and “Gabriel’s Oboe” is a sentimental piece for the bride’s entrance into the church.

“Meditation from “Thaïs”” – Jules Massenet

This is one of the most heartwarming classical pieces to ever exist, so why not use it as a processional song?

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” – Robert Robinson

Lyrics you’ll love: “Here’s my heart/Oh take and seal it/Seal it for thy courts above”

This 18th-century hymn by Robert Robinson is a popular choice—and a classic tear-jerker—for your wedding processional.

“Air (Water Music Suite No. 1 in F major)” – Handel

This is a lively yet soothing piece that’s long been associated with weddings; a great pick for a Catholic processional.

Catholic Wedding Liturgy Songs

The most beautiful backdrop to a Catholic wedding liturgy is a delicate melody as you recite your vows.

Here are our top picks for Catholic wedding liturgy songs!

“Ave Maria” – Schubert

“Ave Maria” is a traditional song that remains hugely popular for Catholic weddings.

This song is the perfect background music for wedding vows.

“Trumpet Tune in C Major, ZT 697″ – Peter Hurford and Michael Laird Brass Ensemble

Have this piece played by a solo organist and watch the magic unfold. Goosebumps!

“Bless Our Love This Day” – Vince Ambrosetti

This beautiful song has all the main ingredients for a classic Catholic wedding song.

Enjoy the heartfelt lyrics, a lovely melody, and a slow, calming tempo.

“Be Thou My Vision” – Audrey Assad

“Be Thou My Vision” is a contemporary option that still appeals to devout Catholics, and it’s generally approved to be heard in most parishes.

Lyrics you’ll love: “Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart/Naught be all else to me, save that thou art/Thou my best thought, by day or by night/Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light”

“The Prayer” – Josh Groban and Charlotte Church

Lyrics you’ll love: “I pray you’ll be our eyes/And watch us where we go/And help us to be wise/In times when we don’t know/Let this be our prayer when we lose our way”

“Hail Mary, Gentle Woman” – Carey Landry

Lyrics you’ll love: “Gentle woman, gentle woman/Quiet light, quiet light/Morning star, morning star/So strong and bright”

“Salut D’Amour” – Edward Elgar

Written for the piano and violin, “Salut D’Amour” would be a wonderful symphonic addition to your ceremony playlist.

Communion Catholic Wedding Songs

The sacrament of communion is one of the spiritual gifts of a Catholic wedding.

Here are some of our favorite songs to use during communion at your wedding.

“Prayer of Saint Francis” – Sebastian Temple, Michael Ward, and Dr. Martin Neary LVO

This is a very traditional option you should consider for communion.

Lyrics you’ll love: “Lord make Me an instrument of Your peace/Where there is hatred let me sow love/Where there is injury, pardon/Where there is doubt, faith/Where there is despair, hope/Where there is darkness, light/Where there is sadness, joy.”

“Psalm 91 (On Eagle’s Wings)” – Michael Joncas

Lyrics you’ll love: “And He will raise you up on eagles’ wings/Bear you on the breath of dawn/Make you to shine like the sun/And hold you in the palm of His hand”

“On Eagle’s Wings” is a world-famous song that many people associate with the presentation of communion.

“Canticorum Iubilo” – G. F. Händel

This traditional song with Latin verses is the holiest of songs played during communion at a Catholic wedding.

“A Nuptial Blessing” – Michael Joncas

Lyrics you’ll love: “May God bless you, hold, and keep you/May God’s mercy shine on you, guide your work, and guard your resting, keep your love forever new”

“Love Will Never Fail (I Corinthians 13)” – The Porter’s Gate ft. Leslie Jordan

Lyrics you’ll love: “Love is patient, love is kind/It has no arrogance or pride/It seeks the good of others first/It keeps no record of wrong or hurt”

“For the Beauty of the Earth” – John Rutter

Lyrics you’ll love: “For the beauty of the earth/For the glory of the skies/For the love which from our birth/Over and around us lies/Over and around us lies/’Lord of all, to Thee we raise/This our joyful hymn of praise”

Recessional Catholic Wedding Songs

As the ceremony comes to an end, most couples pair their exit with a song that has a more upbeat tempo than the processional piece.

“Organ Fantasie in F” K. 594 – Mozart

Well-known organists like Bob Swift recommend the “Allegro” movement as a wedding recessional.

One note: have your organist adjust the key slightly in the final harmonic cadence to major.

“Ode to Joy” – Beethoven

“Ode to Joy” is a classic that people have used in many settings.

Its slightly faster rhythm and lively composition should fill you with joy as you step away from the altar.

“La Rejouissance” – Handel

Another Handel masterpiece, “La Rejouissance” is an essential song in Catholic weddings, and the tempo sounds amazing when played by a string quartet.

“Come and Journey With Me” – David Haas

Lyrics you’ll love: “Come to the song, come to the dance/Bring all you are, And all you can be/Come with your voice, come with your heart/Come and journey with Me/Come and journey with Me”

“Minuet in G Major, WoO 10, No.2″ – Beethoven

Everyone loves a touch of Beethoven at the end of a wedding ceremony, right?

This minuet is recognizable and joyous, not to mention it was written by one of the greatest musicians of all time!

“Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43″ – Rachmaninoff

This is another fast-paced classic that you may want to exit the church to.

It should certainly set the tone for what’s to come at the wedding reception!

Reception Catholic Wedding Songs

As you enter your wedding reception and are surrounded by guests and gifts, you can enjoy beautiful love songs that still reflect your faith.

Generally, you don’t need approval on Catholic wedding songs for your reception either!

“Because You Loved Me” – Celine Dion

Lyrics you’ll love: “You were my strength when I was weak/You were my voice when I couldn’t speak/You were my eyes when I couldn’t see/You saw the best there was in me”

The heartwarming lyrics and soothing music of this song make it a great choice for while everyone’s having dinner.

It’s a beautiful background music piece that’ll make you feel as if you’re resting on a cloud!

“Can You Feel the Love Tonight” – Elton John

You don’t have to be a hardcore Lion King fan to appreciate this musical masterpiece!

Lyrics you’ll love: “There’s a calm surrender/To the rush of day/When the heat of a rolling wind/Can be turned away/An enchanted moment/And it sees me through/It’s enough for this restless warrior/Just to be with you”

“Hallelujah” – Leonard Cohen

A hugely popular option, “Hallelujah” is a firm favorite in the wedding world!

Lyrics you’ll love: “Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord/That David played, and it pleased the Lord/But you don’t really care for music, do you?/It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth/The minor falls, the major lifts/The baffled king composing Hallelujah”

“Love Will Be Our Home” – Sandi Patty

Lyrics you’ll love: “Wherever there is laughter ringing/Someone smiling, someone dreaming/We can live together there/Love will be our home”

“The Wedding Song (There Is Love)” – Noel Paul Stookey

Lyrics you’ll love: “He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts/Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part/The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain/For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name/There is Love, there is Love”

“Over the Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

Lyrics you’ll love: “Somewhere over the rainbow/Bluebirds fly/And the dreams that you dream of/Dreams really do come true-ooh-ooh”

This upbeat and joyful ukulele rendition of “Over the Rainbow” is so lighthearted and cheerful; it’s a great reception choice!

First Dance Catholic Wedding Songs

There’s a wide selection of songs that match the overall theme of spirituality at your Catholic wedding.

“Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley

Lyrics you’ll love: “Take my hand/Take my whole life too/For I can’t help falling in love with you”

Everybody loves “Can’t Help Falling in Love”. Its lovely lyrics and their elaboration on true love make it the right choice for a couple’s first dance.

It’s a classic romantic song that’s been used for this stage of a wedding for years, so why not?

“The Lovers’ Waltz Duet” – Molly Mason and Jay Ungar

Your first dance song doesn’t have to include words to give you all the chills, and this touching violin duet can promise you just that!

“Perfect Symphony” – Ed Sheeran and Andrea Bocelli

Lyrics you’ll love: “Baby, I’m dancing in the dark with you between my arms/Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song/When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath/But you heard it, darling, you look perfect tonight”

A much-appreciated twist to Ed Sheeran’s original “Perfect,” Andrea Bocelli himself lends his beautiful voice.

So, if you’re not already planning to play “Perfect” in your first dance, consider surprising the wedding guests with this beautiful version instead!

“A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri

Lyrics you’ll love: “I have died every day waiting for you/Darling, don’t be afraid/I have loved you for a thousand years/I’ll love you for a thousand more”

With its deep lyrics, soothing melody, and calming music, “A Thousand Years” is a popular choice for the first dance at weddings.

“Commitment” – Sanctus Real

Lyrics you’ll love: “I wanna finish the life we started/I wanna be two old beautiful souls that stayed with it/And in those times our feelings fade I’m gonna give you the one thing/That makes all the difference/Commitment”