If you are planning on getting married in 2010 then congratulations! Marriage is a beautiful thing, and in the days we are living in, so are weddings. If you are Catholic and getting married this year, then you may not know how you should plan the music for your wedding. It can be a little confusing, but with a little help you will have no problems at all.

First, you need to pick some prelude music. This is the music that will be played as your guests arrive to the ceremony. Usually people opt for classical music like Canon in D, Four Seasons, Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Ave Maria, and others. You only need about 20 minutes worth of prelude music. You can also hire a musician, i.e. a pianist, organist or string quartet, and let them make their own suggestions.

Next, you should choose the song that you are going to march down the aisle to. This song should be a religious song, although some priests will allow you to get away with a secular song. Check with the priest first though! "Here Comes The Bride" is a common choice, but its context should be considered before a choice is officially made.

Next you will need a brief song for the lighting of the unity candle. A common and popular choice is the song "Flesh of My Flesh" or "In This Very Room". Both are beautiful numbers and fit appropriately into this context. If you are not having a full mass, then the only other song you need to worry about is the song you will walk out to. "The Wedding March" of course is appropriate and used in nearly every wedding. If however, you are having a full mass, then you will want to consider reading on.

The next song you will need to pick is the offertory song, or the song that is played as the gifts are brought to the altar. During this time, a song like "The Prayer" would be appropriate. You could also include one of the aforementioned songs in its place.

The Communion hymn follows and can be chosen from out of your church's hymn book. Popular song choice at this point in the mass include "Taste and See", "One Bread, One Body", "Gift of Finest Wheat" and others.

If you would like to have a special song sung after Communion at meditation then that is acceptable. Again, depending on the priest, you may or may not be allowed to have secular music (non-religious) music sung at your wedding, so keep that in mind when making your song selections.

As mentioned above you can opt to end with "The Wedding March". Planning music for you Catholic wedding can be simple and easy. The most important thing is that you understand what your priest will or will not allow and make adjustments as necessary. Most importantly though, plan early!