Jesus said, "Follow me."
You will need to choose entry and exit music, hymns and music to be played during the signing of the registers. We have flexible organists (not that they are bendy, but they can play most things!)
The traditional entry music is The Brides Chorus from Lohengrin by Wagner. The traditional exit music is The Wedding March from A Midsummer Night's Dream by Mendelssohn. However, you are also free to choose your own selections.
You will see a selection of hymns below. Normally couples choose two hymns, but if your wedding is very small or you all hate singing, then you don't have to have any.
At the end of the service you and your spouse (yes, you'll be married at this point) will sign the registers. You will need to choose two witnesses that are over 18 years of age and these witnesses will also sign the registers (couples usually choose their fathers for this). This can all take a few minutes so usually, some music is provided. You can choose to have a friend sing or play, or you can choose a piece of music for the organist to play. Alternatively, you can let the organist choose something appropriate.
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
to His feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like thee His praise should sing?
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise the everlasting King.
Praise Him for His grace and favour
to our fathers, in distress;
praise Him still the same for ever,
slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Glorious in His faithfulness.
Father-like He tends and spares us;
well our feeble frame He knows;
in His hands He gently bears us,
rescues us from all our foes.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Widely as His mercy flows.
Angels help us to adore Him;
ye behold Him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before Him;
dwellers all in time and space.
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise Him! Praise Him!
Praise with us the God of grace.
Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847)
God of all living
Father we praise you,
Full of thanksgiving
For so much love;
Now in this wedding
Come down among us,
Pour out your blessing
Heavenly Dove.
Perfect Companion,
God’s gift of marriage
One true communion
Help on life’s way;
May we be mindful
In need and plenty,
May we be faithful
Every new day.
With love’s true splendour,
Father delight us,
Each giving honour,
With faithfulness;
And may the sharing
Of this sweet union,
Deepen our caring
With tenderness.
May there be children
Fruit of our loving,
True men and women,
With faith beside;
Grant us your keeping
In all our future,
Your love caressing
Bridegroom and bride.
Give me joy in my heart
keep me praising
give me joy in my heart, I pray
give me joy in my heart
keep me praising
keep me praising till the break of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King of kings.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King.
Give me peace in my heart
keep me resting
give me peace in my heart, I pray
give me peace in my heart
keep me resting
keep me resting till the break of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King of kings.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King.
Give me love in my heart
keep me serving
give me love in heart, I pray
give me love in my heart
keep me serving
keep me serving till the break of day.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King of kings.
Sing hosanna, sing hosanna
sing hosanna to the King.
All things bright and beautiful,
all creatures great and small,
all things wise and wonderful,
the Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,
each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colours,
He made their tiny wings.
All things bright …
The purple-headed mountain,
the river running by,
the sunset, and the morning
that brightens up the sky;
All things bright …
The cold wind in the winter,
the pleasant summer sun,
the ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.
All things bright …
He gave us eyes to see them,
and lips that we might tell
how great is God almighty,
who has made all things well
All things bright …
Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-95)
Words coming soon!
Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us –
for we have no help but Thee,
yet possessing every blessing
if our God our Father be.
Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us:
all our weakness Thou dost know:
Thou didst tread this earth before us,
Thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert Thou didst go.
Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy:
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.
James Edmeston (1791-1867)
Love divine, all loves excelling,
joy of heaven, to earth come down:
fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
all Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love Thou art;
visit us with Thy salvation,
enter every trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe Thy loving spirit
into every troubled breast;
let us all in Thee inherit,
let us find Thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning,
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver,
let us all Thy grace receive;
suddenly return, and never,
never more Thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve Thee as Thy hosts above,
pray, and praise Thee without ceasing,
glory in Thy perfect love.
Finish then Thy new creation:
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see Thy great salvation,
perfectly restored in Thee:
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before Thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise.
Charles Wesley (1707-88)
O Jesus, I have promised to serve Thee to the end;
Be Thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle if Thou art by my side,
Nor wander from the pathway if Thou wilt be my Guide.
O let me feel Thee near me! The world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear;
My foes are ever near me, around me and within;
But Jesus, draw Thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.
O let me hear Thee speaking in accents clear and still,
Above the storms of passion, the murmurs of self will.
O speak to reassure me, to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen, Thou Guardian of my soul.
O let me see Thy footprints, and in them plant mine own;
My hope to follow duly is in Thy strength alone.
O guide me, call me, draw me, uphold me to the end;
And then in Heaven receive me, my Savior and my Friend.
The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want;
He makes me down to lie
in pastures green; He leadeth me
the quiet waters by.
My soul He doth restore again,
and me to walk doth make
within the paths of righteousness,
e’en for His own name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through death’s dark vale,
yet will I fear none ill;
for Thou art with me, and Thy rod
and staff me comfort still.
My table Thou has furnished
in presence of my foes;
my head Thou dost with oil anoint,
and my cup overflows.
Goodness and mercy all my life
shall surely follow me;
and in God’s house for evermore
my dwelling-place shall be.
Francis Rous (1579-1659)
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