Weddings

at Kirk in the Hills

6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

~Matthew 19:6 (NRSVUE)

NOTE: Kirk in the Hills is replacing its sanctuary organ and beginning in January 2027, no activities will be scheduled for the sanctuary. This includes worship services, weddings, funerals, and memorials.  There are two other spaces that will be available: Cedarholm Chapel for groups smaller than 80 and the Kirk Refectory, which can hold up to 180.

The Sacred Worship of Weddings

At Kirk in the Hills, weddings are joyful occasions for the worship of God and the celebration of love for the couple to be married. We understand that our building and campus make a beautiful setting for weddings; however, we are first and foremost a community of faith designed to support parishioners on their spiritual journey through Worship, Formation and Mission. Therefore, we reserve the use of the church and grounds for those who meet the following criteria:

  • The bride or groom must be an active, worshipping member of Kirk in the Hills for at least one year prior to the wedding date.

                                                          – OR –

  • The bride or groom must be a baptized Christian and the child or grandchild of a current contributing and active member of Kirk in the Hills. No other relationships will be considered.

We take marriage very seriously at Kirk in the Hills. “Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family” (Book of Order, W-4.0601).

A wedding service is a worship service, and, therefore, we approach each wedding with the same level of thoughtfulness and sanctity as a worship service on Sunday morning. We do not acknowledge the latest fads or fashions, preferring to honor God and God’s people with a traditional service that is classic and timeless.

If you meet the above criteria and wish to marry at Kirk in the Hills, please proceed to the Wedding Inquiry Form (link below) and complete the application. Once your application is received, reviewed for accuracy and approved, a Kirk staff member will contact you to set up an initial appointment with one of our pastors.

Photography Note: We receive many requests from couples being married elsewhere to take wedding photos on our grounds. We understand why you might wish to do so; however, the privilege of wedding photography is reserved for those couples being married at Kirk in the Hills.
WEDDING INQUIRY FORM
Kirk Refectory
Kirk Sanctuary
Cedarholm Chapel at the Kirk

Music for Weddings

Welcome to the Kirk's Wedding Music Listening Section

wedding music samples on the app
We’ve prepared this page to help you choose organ music for your wedding ceremony.
The music is arranged in four groups A. Grand and Glorious; B. Joyful and Celebratory; C. Light and Cheerful; and D. Soft and Lovely. You will want to choose a variety of selections from more than one category.

Music for a typical wedding:

  • Prelude Music – 10 to 20 minutes, usually chosen by the organist to complement your selections
  • Seating of the Parents – choose a piece from group C or D
  • Procession of the Attendants – choose one selection from category C (or another category if you wish)
  • Procession of the Bride – choose one piece from group A or B
  • Recessional (as the bride and groom exit the church) – music from category B is most appropriate.

Other musical elements, such as congregational hymns, vocal solos, or ideas for organ music not on this list, can be arranged through our Associate in Music.

A. Grand & Glorious

1. Trumpet Voluntary (Jeremiah Clarke): the quintessential wedding processional

2. Trumpet Tune in D major (David Johnson): an alternative to the Trumpet Voluntary

3. Overture from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (Handel)

4. Theme from “Jupiter” (Holst)

5. Hornpipe, from “Water Music” (Handel)

B. Joyful and Celebratory

6. The Rejoicing, from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (Handel): great for the recessional

7. Rigaudon (Campra)

8. Trumpet Tune (Purcell)

9. The Heavens Declare the Glory of God (Marcello)

10. Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

C. Light and Cheeful

11. March from “Judas Maccabeus” (Handel)

12. St. Anthony Chorale (Brahms)

13. Gavotte (Handel)

14. Prelude to a Te Deum (Charpentier)

15. Air, from “Water Music” (Handel)

16. Jesus, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)

17. Autumn, from “The Seasons” (Vivaldi)

D. Soft and Lovely

18. Rhosymedre, or “Lovely” (Vaughan Williams)

19. Air from Orchestral Suite No. 3 (Bach)

20. Arioso (Bach)

21. The Peace, from “Music for the Royal Fireworks” (Handel)

22. Canon in D (Pachelbel)

23. Gymnopedie No. 1 (Satie)

Thank you for listening!