Hymns for your wedding

Hymns are a traditional part of church weddings and there are so many to choose from. Whether you opt for a popular tune, or something different, there’s a hymn to suit different parts of the service.
A traditional hymn board inside a church

There are usually two or three hymns sung during a wedding service. The first is sung near to the beginning and helps everyone to feel that they are together in this place for a special purpose.

The last hymn comes right before the final blessing, and reflects a mood of celebration and joy.

Another hymn is included sometimes whilst the paperwork is being signed, or just after. If you can find hymns that are familiar to your guests and are easy to sing, it will encourage everyone to join in.

The vicar or the organist at the church where you are to be married, (or Directors of Music in some of the larger churches), will be pleased to help you decide. The capabilities of the organist and the type of organ they have in church need to be taken into account, so do seek their opinion even if you have already decided which hymns you’d most like to have.

Some churches have a choir which can be present at your wedding and help lead the hymn singing. Some choirs can also sing a suitable piece by themselves during the service, such as when you are signing the Register.

To help you get started, here’s a list of some of the most well-loved church wedding hymns. You can click to view the lyrics, and listen to a small extract of each.

All Things Bright And Beautiful
Amazing Grace
As Man And Woman We Were Made
At Cana’s Wedding Long Ago
Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord
Come To A Wedding
For The Beauty Of The Earth
Give Me Joy In My Heart
God In The Planning And Purpose Of Life
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
Jerusalem
Lead us Heavenly Father
Lord And Lover Of Creation
Lord Of All Hopefulness
Lord Of The Dance
Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
Morning Has Broken
One More Step Along The World I Go
O Praise Ye The Lord!
O Worship the King
Praise My Soul The King Of Heaven
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty
Tell out my Soul
That Human Life Might Richer Be
The Grace Of Life Is Theirs
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
The Lord’s My Shepherd
We Pledge To One Another