Christian Wedding Songs

Church and Ceremony Wedding Music

Although many Christian couples recite their vows at a church ceremony, many clergy will officiate at other sites, such as a beach or a park. Although your choice of music may differ depending on both the ceremony locale and the formality of you wedding, pre, post, and during- ceremony music will typically be more subdued than reception music. Christian couples may choose music selections praising God, celebrating His creation of marriage, favorite Christian songs about love, a beloved family or traditional church hymn, or some other choice.

It may surprise some couples that one of the most common traditional wedding songs is actually not permitted in some parishes. The Bridal Chorus, also known as Here Comes the Bride by Richard Wagner (1848) is a common processional song. This song was written for Wagner's opera Lohengrin which has a pagan story line - perhaps the reason for its controversy.

Fortunately, there are many other Christian music choices for the processional and wedding ceremony. You'll want to consider songs for:

• Processional prelude
• Processional music
• Worship song, solo, or other mid-ceremony music
• Recessional music

Medium tempo hymns or worship, Christian wedding, or love songs are great for a pre-ceremony or prelude music. For the processional, a slower tempo song that focuses on the love between a bride and groom as part of God's design works well. During the ceremony sermon, a worship or praise song by the congregation about God's love or a praise or Christian love song sung by a soloist can be the perfect touch. For other events during a ceremony that might require music, such as a candle lighting memorial or other activity, a more somber song or Christian instrumental might be most appropriate.

Following are some popular Christian wedding songs that may be appropriate for wedding ceremonies.

• Something Beautiful - Newsboys
• When God Made You - Newsong
• I Will Be Here - Steven Curtis Chapman
• For You - Michael W. Smith
• "How Beautiful" - Twila Paris
• Without Love - Stacie Orrico
• Household Of Faith - Steve & Marijean Green
• Your Love Broke Through - Rebecca St. James
• Give Me Forever ( I Do ) - John Tesh
• By Heart, By Soul - Avalon
• Household Of Faith - Steve Green
• Above All Things - Phil Keaggy

Christian Reception Songs

Romantic first dance.

The Christian wedding songs you choose for your ceremony will likely be more subdued, while the reception is the place for high energy Christian dance mixes, contemporary Christian music, and more love songs. If you're employing a band, discuss their repertoire in advance to ensure they have the songs you want. With a Christian DJ, you may be able to compile various songs and artists that you want played for specific events at the reception, such as the first dance, mother-son, and father-daughter dance.

Some contemporary Christian songs you may want to consider as music for your reception include:

• Made To Love - Tobymac
• So Long Self - Mercyme
• We Live - Superchick
• Dead Man (Carry Me) - Jars Of Clay
• Alive - Rebecca St. James
• Lifesong - Casting Crowns
• Strong Tower - Kutless
• I Will Call Upon The Lord - Disco Saints
• Wherever We Go - Newsboys
• Every Move I Make - Fusebox
• Shackles (Praise You) - Mary Mary
• Kiss Me - Sixpence None The Richer

A new trend in wedding ceremony music that Christian music lovers can take advantage of is an iPod powered reception. Download the Christian music you want for the big day onto your iPod and either rent or use the speakers at the reception site. This is an easy and affordable way to get exactly the songs you want played, however, be aware that iPod music works best in small to medium locations and you'll need to get a tech-savvy friend or relative to monitor the music and keep things running smoothly.

Resources for Christian Wedding Songs

Still stuck for ideas on your music selections? Try some of these Christian song resources for more inspiration.

• Rhapsody.com: Browse a list of popular Christian love songs and listen to them free.
• Amazon.com Christian Wedding Music: Browse these music titles submitted by a music-loving Christian bride.
• Worhsip Music.com: Peruse this list of Christian, traditional, and instrumental wedding selections.
• Air 1: This popular Christian radio stations offers streaming broadcasts and shows lyrics to songs being played to help you make your picks.
• CCM Radio Magazine Website: Browse by genre or select from hundreds of Christian artists for great worship, praise, and love songs for your wedding..