Greek Orthodox Wedding with no Music

Re: Greek Orthodox Wedding with no Music

• Jen4948 member

  

  February 2017 edited February 2017

  Why is that particular church the only possible venue for your ceremony? Is your ceremony required to take place inside a church?
  
  If it isn't, I'd consider finding another location for your ceremony that allows you to play the kind of music you'd prefer. Otherwise, if that church is your only option, I'd skip the music altogether if you'd rather not have chanters or a choir.

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• CMGragain member

  

  February 2017 edited February 2017

  WalkerTexasWedding said:

  I hope someone out there can help me!  I am Greek Orthodox and my fiance and I are getting married in my church in October, but the priest of the church we are using does not allow ANY music during the ceremony.  When I say no music, I mean no instruments on recorded music.  He will only allow chanters or a choir, a capella.  We tried switching churches but unfortunately this is our only option.  Have any other brides run into this situation and if so, what did you do?  Having a sole chanter or even a choir sing with no music gives a somber, almost funeral like feel to the ceremony in my opinion.  I just don't know what to do about procession/recession hymns to make it not feel so somber.  Ideas??  Thank you!! 

  You say that you are Greek Orthodox?  I do not understand why this is news to you.  The Greek Orthodox vocal only music rule has been in force for centuries.  I am sorry if this doesn't meet your expectations, but their church, their rules.
  In the Greek Orthodox church, as you must already know, marriage is a Holy Sacrament, just like the Mass.  Their rules are very strict.  A marriage in a Roman Catholic Church would be recognized by the Greek Orthodox Church, but you would need a Catholic priest to go along with this plan.
  
  PS.  I was privileged to attend a Mass in an Eastern Orthodox Church in Estonia.  I thought it was beautiful, spiritual, and not at all funereal.
  

  

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• SP29 member

  

  February 2017

  If it is a requirement of your marriage service, then there is nothing you can do about it. Chose one of the options you have (chanters or choir), or if you don't like those options, no music at all.
  

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• lovesclimbing member

  

  February 2017 edited February 2017

  Many churches and even secular venues have rules that brides don't like. You either have to accept the rules or go somewhere else with different rules. The church we got married and had the reception in did not allow dancing. We were disappointed, but we didn't want to/couldn't go anywhere else (budget), so we didn't dance. Am I still disappointed about it? A little. But more in an "aww, it would have been nice to have a first dance" way, not an "I'm so upset we couldn't have a first dance" way. Brides have come in here posting about how their secular venue does not allow anything to be thrown (rice, birdseed) or to have petals on the aisle. You either play by their rules or go elsewhere. 
  
  It sounds like you're hoping to have people tell you ways to persuade the church to bend the rule for your wedding, but I highly doubt you will get any responses that will work. 
  
  ETA: Are there any other restrictions? Do you have to stick to certain types of music or certain songs? I have heard lots of beautiful a capella music that is not at all somber (pentatonix, anyone?). There are also lots of beautiful hymns that are very upbeat. 

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• ernursej member

  

  February 2017

  I would look at a capella options. I've heard lots of a capella groups that sound so lovely. Find out the list of approved songs and then start searching for a group.

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• OurWildKingdom member

  

  February 2017

  ernursej said:

  I would look at a capella options. I've heard lots of a capella groups that sound so lovely. Find out the list of approved songs and then start searching for a group.

  A college or university would be a great place to start.

  

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• levioosa member

  

  February 2017

  I used to be part of a choir that would do acapella songs that were appropriate for church, and still upbeat.  Even the formal songs did not sound "somber" unless they were meant to be that way (like a requiem) or serious hymn.  We used to do church weddings all the time.    

  
  

  
  

  

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• banana468 member

  

  February 2017

  Why not talk to the priest to see what is often done?   Does the parish have a choir?  I know when I got married in our Catholic church DH and I picked organ music from a CD.   Is it possible that they have something similar?   Could you attend a wedding to witness? 

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