Saturday, December 31, 2011

Hiring a singer- Should I ask Aunt Jillian/Cousin Becky/my best friend to sing at my wedding?

The short answer-
Probably not.

The long explanation-
I've worked with many brides who wish to have a friend or family member sing for their wedding Mass. It's only natural to want to have special people surrounding you on this most special day, and the ministers at your wedding Mass are no exception. But these situations almost always lead to much anxiety and in some cases hurt feelings.
It usually goes something like this. In a flurry of emotion, the bride asks her close friend or family member (or sometimes distance acquaintance) to sing at her wedding. The chosen individual has a nice voice, but doesn't have experience singing for Catholic Masses. As the date draws nearer and it becomes apparent that there is a lot more to fulfilling the role of the cantor than was first thought, everyone begins to stress out. Many times, a professional cantor with experience ends up being hired anyway to lead the congregational singing and keep the ceremony proceeding smoothly.
Even in cases where a friend or relative has sufficient experience as a cantor, asking them to fill this role in your wedding prevents them from being able to fully enjoy the day, as they will, no doubt, be preoccupied with the task at hand.

So my best advice: employ the services of a professional cantor. Ask your friend to sing just one song if you really think it would be a meaningful addition to the liturgy. You will be much less stressed, they will be better able to enjoy the day, and the ceremony will go more smoothly.

--- Luke Bartolomeo has also written a more detailed overview of the parts of a Catholic Wedding and how music relates to them. Best wishes in your preparations!

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