WEDDINGS AT THE SACRED
Choosing the music for your Wedding service can seem a daunting task but with a little thought, it will make your ceremony even more memorable.
Please read these notes carefully
and do contact us if you are unsure about anything.
You must discuss initial arrangements with the officiating priest (are you having a nuptial mass, agree readings, prayers etc). An organist is automatically booked when the wedding is confirmed in the parish diary. Then:
And now, the slightly smaller print!
Guest organists and other musicians: if
you wish to have your own organist or other musicians to lead the service, they
must be approved by the Director of Music. The Sacred Heart organ is
a large and historic instrument and any visiting organist must be experienced
and competent. To protect the livelihoods of our musicians, the basic
fee must still be paid; permission
for a guest organist or other musicians who replace the 'in-house' organist
cannot be granted unless this is agreed.
We
do not permit the hiring of outside musicians other than those booked by the
Director of Music.
You may have family or
friends who have offered to help with the music on your special day. This can
be arranged with the Director of Music but
remains at his discretion. Please be certain that singers or
instrumentalists are of a good standard -
this is a big building to fill! Be sure they are comfortable with the style
of music you want (we have had unfortunate experiences in the past). The higher
rate of £130 is payable to the organist assuming that any rehearsal is arranged
on the day itself. If extra rehearsals are required with the organist (apart
from before the ceremony on the day), we have to charge £50 per rehearsal.
Use
of CD's and other pre-recorded material:
it is the policy of the Parish Priest not to allow the use of secular music in
Divine Service, in the same way that religious music is not allowed at civil
ceremonies. If you wish to use any pre-recorded material, approval must be
obtained from the Parish Priest first and then the Director of Music. As a
general rule, the use of pre-recorded material is strongly discouraged and its
use cannot replace musicians hired for the service.