No music at catholic church wedding?

Ask her to work with you. Many times they are able to do that. In my situation I had to donate $1000 to use the church (I'm not a member) and $200 for the music but didn't have to use their organist. I had a good friend who plays organ for a cathedral across the state who played my wedding. No cantor and it was just fine without singing. Maybe they can reduce the rate if you only need 1 musician?

Maybe rynney, but she mentioned that there is another person looking to book with her on the same date and time, so I'm sure she will prefer to go with her if they are paying her full amount. Which I mentioned before I don't think it makes sense that we are only to use her, but she could potentially not even be available as there is other people from different churches booking with her.

Mayra, I'd chat with the mariachi group and see what they ate able to do for a Catholic service. They may be willing and able to play in a more "churchy" style for the ceremony and save the more fun style for the reception. Though I know that the music considered "church music" varies a lot along different areas and cultural groups!

This thread makes me very grateful that the singing for my Mass will be done by a high school friend and my godmother!

Chrissy, yes be glad you don't have to deal with this!

As for the mariachi playing at church, it is very common within our culture (mexican), I just have to find a right one that has a significant amount of experience performing there and they feel comfortable. I've been looking at youtube videos of mariachis playing at masses and it sounds very nice.

I misunderstood. If she's the only one allowed from the church to play/sing/dance at the organ/piano and is booked by another church then wouldn't you be able to book someone else? That's what I was getting at-are you allowed to book outside options aside from mariachi band that may be less expensive?

I'm paying $150 for my organist and I'm not sure yet what the soloist is going to cost me.

Based on the info the office told me when I booked, no. Anything in regards to music has to be booked with her only. Then they recently told me if I'd like, I can get a mariachi. I left her a voicemail earlier, I'm waiting on her call back. If she doesn't want to work with me then maybe she can refer me to someone else, MAYBE that is okay since i'm still going thru her idk.

Have you looked to see in the classifieds to see if any students of music might be looking to play a wedding for cheap so they can beef up their portfolio?

My church doesn't provide an organist but they did refer us to someone who has played several weddings there. She's charging us only $150.

You could probably go without music throughout a Catholic mass like the mass parts, the psalms, and MAYBE at communion. But when you're walking down the aisle both at the beginning and end of the ceremony, it would be really weird without any music. Most churches have a speaker hook-up for an ipod or something if you didn't use musicians? But you'd have to have someone in charge of pressing play and stop and regulating volume, all that stuff. Also, it depends on the church, but many Catholic churches don't let you play secular music...like it had to be Christian songs because so much of the mass is built in the prayer of the music. Again, it depends on if your Catholic ceremony is a full mass or just the vows...

Also, a lot of churches give you like a recommended musicians list that you can choose from? It's just so weird that they're only giving you one option to choose from...

Sorry this is so long!

I personally don't think a mariachi band is not appropriate for a church wedding ceremony. have you tried looking on gigsalad.com or anything like that? i hired a violinist for my ceremony for 125. also, the church is charging you tons of money and don't even provide music smh.

Thanks everyone.

I spoke with the lady and she suggested just using her (the singer) and the pianist for $200, I think that's perfect so I said yes and that's what I'll be having. She said it should sound nice even without the violinist.

I've been to one wedding without music, and it was very awkward. Everyone felt the need to be dead silent or whisper. I would definitely have music. Maybe you can work with the church to lower the price?