Weddings


So that our ensemble’s members may continue to fully meet our commitments to our families and employers, we anticipate being available to play for one wedding each month. So please contact us soon to inquire about RiteSong’s availability for your wedding day. We are grateful both for your interest and your understanding!

Even if our RiteSong ensemble isn’t available, St. Tom’s and other area churches are still blessed with lots of other quality musicians. Thanks for your interest!

–John

RiteSong was formally established in 2005 as a wedding music ensemble … although we’ve really been singing and playing side by side a lot longer. Our member musicians first began performing together in the mid-1990s every week in the choir at St. Thomas Aquinas, the Catholic Center at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana — and we’re still there every Sunday morning. Weddings are especially joyful occasions for liturgical musicians like us.

Why choose RiteSong? The value of hiring our ensemble for your wedding (rather than hiring individual performers) is in our familiarity with each other as musicians. We sing and play together frequently, and we’ve done so for years — so we know how to play to each other’s strengths. Ensemble music has depth and nuance that you may not hear with just, say, a solo voice and piano. You’re making sure that your flowers, dresses, table settings, and … well … everything! about your wedding is perfect, right? RiteSong is the way to make the music among the most cherished memories of your day! Our hope is that the enthusiasm and gratitude we feel for God’s great gifts of music and friendship will be apparent to you and your guests.

Music. We believe that a wedding is a celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage — a liturgy which celebrates the love shared between two people as well as the love that God has for them. In selecting songs for your wedding, then, remember that each piece of music should emphasize God’s love for you, your love for God, the love that your family and friends have for you and you for them, and how all of these strengthen and affirm your love for each other. As such, popular love songs are appropriate for your reception but not the wedding itself. (If you’re not sure, ask your priest or minister.) We will gladly help you select music which is prayerful and appropriate to each portion of the liturgy. It would be impossible to create an all-inclusive list of songs, so many of our favorites appear on the tabs below.

By the way, in the song lists below, “Journeysongs” refers to the green Journeysongs Third Edition hymnals which St. Tom’s began using in August 2013; these hymnals are in every pew. “Gather” refers to the Gather Comprehensive hymnal; it is no longer in the pews at St. Tom’s, but we still have access to all this music. If you don’t see a “Journeysongs” song number, we might not be able to make the songs available in printed form for your guests.

Preludes

We begin playing music approximately 15 minutes before the wedding liturgy is scheduled to begin for the arrival and seating of your guests. A mix of classical (instrumental) and vocal (sung) pieces is common, such as two vocal songs and one instrumental. Select three songs, plus “Avé Maria” as an optional fourth prelude song.

“A Nuptial Blessing” by Michael Joncas (Gather Comprehensive #870)

“Bless the Broken Road” by Marcus Hummon, Bobby Boyd, and Jeff Hanna

“Covenant Hymn (Wherever You Go)” by Gary Daigle (Gather #797)

“Gathered As One” by Paul A. Tate and Deanna Light (St. Tom’s Hymnal #21)

“God, in the Planning” by John L. Bell (Gather #868)

“Holy Is Your Name” by David Haas (St. Tom’s Hymnal #84, Gather #147)

“How Beautiful” by Twila Paris

“I Am For You” by Rory Cooney (Gather #704)

“Jésu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach

“Live In Me” by Ed Bolduc (St. Tom’s Hymnal #34)

“Love Will Be Our Home” by Sandi Patti

“Set Your Heart on the Higher Gifts” by Steven C. Warner (St. Tom’s Hymnal #46)

“The Servant Song” by Richard Gillard (Journeysongs #816, Gather #669)

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

“Wherever You Go” by David Haas (Gather #867)

“You Are Mine” by David Haas (St. Tom’s Hymnal #83, Gather #649)

“Your Love Is Extravagant” by Matt Maher

For after your guests have been seated but before the wedding liturgy officially begins: Please let us know if you’d like special music to accompany the seating of your grandmothers, mothers, and/or other honored family members. “Avé Maria” is a beautiful music choice for this moment. Alternately, they could be seated during the last prelude song or during the processional music. 

“Avé Maria” by Schubert

Processional

An instrumental piece such as the Canon, the Canon + Trumpet Voluntary combination, or the Jésu, is the traditional choice. Select two pieces, one for the bridesmaids and one for the bride. Or, select one piece for the entire wedding party.

“Canon in D” by Pachelbel (as bridesmaids enter)
/ “
Trumpet Voluntary” by J. Clarke (as bride enters)

“Canon in D” by Pachelbel

“Trumpet Voluntary” by J. Clarke

“Jésu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach

Responsorial Psalm

Select one. This is sung between the first and second scripture readings.

“Psalm 128: Blest Are Those Who Love You” by Marty Haugen (Gather #125)

“Deep Down in My Soul” by David Haas (Gather #880)

“Psalm 33: The Earth is Full of the Goodness of God (vs. 1,3,4)” by Marty Haugen (Gather #45, refrain II)

“Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful” by Jeanne Cotter (Gather #99)

“Psalm 103: The Lord is Kind and Merciful” by Marty Haugen (Gather #100)

“Psalm 145: Our God Is Compassion” by Jeanne Cotter (Gather #138)

“The People of God” by Lisa Infante Driscoll

“Psalm 34: Taste and See” by Marty Haugen (Gather #47)

“Taste and See” by Francis Patrick O’Brien (Gather #837)

Gospel Acclamation

Select one. This is the “Alleluia,” sung to proclaim the Gospel reading.

“Celtic Alleluia” by Fintan O’Carroll and Christopher Walker (Journeysongs #264, Gather #258)

“Alleluia Give the Glory” by Ken Canedo and Bob Hurd (Journeysongs #245)

Gospel Acclamation from Mass of Light (“Glory To You, O Word of God”) by David Haas  (Gather #188)

Unity Candle (if observed)

“Not For Tongues of Heaven’s Angels” (vs. 2, vs. 3, & refrain) by Timothy Dudley-Smith (Gather #623)

Preparation of Gifts (for weddings during a full Mass)

(If you will not be celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist during your wedding ceremony, this section does not apply.) The music for this moment should be timed carefully, just enough to accompany the presentation and preparation of the bread and wine.

“The Servant Song” by Richard Gillard (Journeysongs #816, Gather #669)

Eucharistic Mass Parts

(If you will not be celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist during your wedding ceremony, this section does not apply.) If your wedding will be a full Mass, the “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Memorial Acclamation,” “Amen,” and “Lamb of God” will be sung. Please choose one of the following:

“Mass of Creation” (Revised 2010 Edition) by Marty Haugen

  • “Mass of Creation,” popular since the 1980s, is familiar to most Catholics who have attended parishes where contemporary-style music is used. Here is a YouTube video (which we did not ourselves record) … The video is 14+ minutes, but you needn’t listen to all of it. To hear the portions which would be used during your wedding, skip ahead in the video to 05:30 for the Holy; 08:20 for the Memorial Acclamation; 11:10 for the Amen; and 12:44 for the Lamb of God.

“Mass of St. Ann” by Ed Bolduc

  • This is the setting we’ve been playing at St. Tom’s since late 2011. Although now very familiar to people who attend St. Tom’s, it might not be familiar to your wedding guests.

Communion

(If you will not be celebrating the Sacrament of Eucharist during your wedding ceremony, this section does not apply.) Choose one or two songs.

“Abide, O Spirit of Life” by David Haas (St. Tom’s Hymnal #3)

“Blest Are They” by David Haas (St. Tom’s Hymnal #66, Gather #659)

“I Am the Bread of Life” by Suzanne Toolan (St. Tom’s Hymnal #71, Gather #828)

“Let Us Be Bread” by Thomas J. Porter (St. Tom’s Hymnal #60, Gather #816)

“One Bread, One Body” by John Foley (Journeysongs #793, Gather #830)

“Pan de Vida” by Bob Hurd (Journeysongs #784, Gather #848)

“We Are Many Parts” by Marty Haugen (St. Tom’s Hymnal #79, St. Tom’s Hymnal #71, Gather #733)

“You Are Mine” by David Haas (St. Tom’s Hymnal #83, Gather #649)

Recessional

Select one. A festive instrumental piece is the usual choice here, but an up-tempo vocal song like “Love Has Come” is a fun option.

“Jésu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach

“Hornpipe” from Handel’s Water Music by Handel

“Trumpet Voluntary” by J. Clarke

“Love Has Come” by Matt Maher

Postludes

This is optional. We’d be delighted to play a song or two as your guests exit the church. (Much of the music listed in the Prelude tab at left would also be good during the Postlude.)

“Abide, O Spirit of Life” by David Haas (St. Tom’s Hymnal #3)

“Canticle of the Sun” by Marty Haugen (Gather #496)

“Hornpipe” from Handel’s Water Music by Handel

“Love Will Be Our Home” by Sandi Patti

“Jésu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by Bach

“Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You” by Beethoven (Journeysongs #575, Gather #528)

“Your Love Is Extravagant” by Matt Maher

Fees. Our basic fee is $500. It includes the following:

  • One vocalist
  • A pianist
  • Two additional musicians (typically performing the violin, viola & acoustic guitar, and/or flute)
  • We’ll work with you to choose the music
  • Attendance by a RiteSong member at your rehearsal 
(schedule permitting)
  • Sound equipment as needed to supplement the church’s system
  • Travel anywhere within 60 miles of West Lafayette, Indiana

Please plan to have a check (payable to John O’Malley or Karen Isaacs) or cash for our fee ready at  your wedding rehearsal or on your wedding day. (iPhone users: Apple Pay Cash is another way to pay.) Thank you!

A few more details. For music which would sound even more glorious, ask us about additional performers for $125 each. Some music selections sound especially good with violins, trumpet, clarinet, and/or a second vocalist.

If, due to schedule conflicts, fewer than our usual four ensemble members are available, our fee will be $375 (for three performers).

We can supplement your church’s existing sound system with our own mixer and microphones, if necessary (at no extra cost to you). We do need to obtain permission to use the existing amplification equipment, speakers, music stands, and piano — and we’ll gladly work with you and the church staff on those arrangements. If you need us to bring a suitable amplifier and speakers, there will be an additional charge; the amount will vary based on what gear we need for the location. Please help us make this determination at least four weeks in advance, or your guests may not be able to hear the wonderful music!

A travel surcharge (actual costs plus lodging, if necessary, with a $100 minimum) will be required for weddings held more than 60 miles from the Lafayette-West Lafayette area. We’ll gladly travel from Lafayette, Indiana to Lafayette, Minnesota or even Lafayette, Louisiana — but it’s up to you to help us get there!

FAQs. How long before the wedding begins do you start playing? We start playing at the moment your guests start arriving — typically 15 to 20 minutes before the ceremony.

How long after the ceremony do you continue to play? Five to 15 minutes is typical. Having music while you visit with your departing guests is nice. We try not to divert their attention from the newly-married couple!

Your “about us” page lists multiple people for some instruments. Who will play for us? Generally, four of our “RiteSong principals” will be scheduled to perform at your wedding. Our ensemble is blessed with many talented musicians, though, to make it all the more likely that schedule conflicts wouldn’t prevent RiteSong from being available for your wedding day.

Ensemble Extras. Add to our basic fee:

  • Additional vocalists: $125 each
  • Additional instrumentalists (add a violinist, trumpeter, and/or clarinetist to our usual viola and cello players): $125 each
  • String quartet (add two violinists): $250
  • Amplifier and speakers: Actual rental cost of any necessary gear
  • Travel beyond 60 miles of West Lafayette, Indiana: $150 or actual travel costs (including lodging, if necessary), whichever is greater

Solo Performers. RiteSong members are also available for hiring as solo performers. Here are our basic solo rates:

  • Vocalists and pianists: $150 to $200 (each) for a full Catholic Mass, non-eucharistic Catholic wedding liturgy, or other service of comparable length
  • Other musicians (each): $125

Each solo performer will negotiate his or her fee with you individually; prices may vary.

Contact Us. To reach us, please send e-mail to john@ritesong.com. We’d love to know the names of the bride and groom plus the date, time of day, and location of your wedding. We look forward to hearing from you. Congratulations! Our best wishes to you and your family as you plan this most special day.