Mackinac Island Harpist ~ Wedding Music at Mission Point Resort

I love playing for weddings on Mackinac Island!  Everyone is so friendly and relaxed that it has made every wedding I've been the harpist for come together so smoothly.  Last Saturday, I played for the ceremony of Jessica and Michael at the gazebo on the grounds of Mission Point Resort.

Jessi chose me as her harpist because my extensive repertoire list allowed her the creative freedom with her music to bring together her Australian/Jewish - and classically trained musician - family with Michael's American/Lutheran one.  There is nothing like music for bringing families together and for celebrating different heritages!  She wanted to be sure that all of her guests would hear something they would recognize and appreciate.

Although Jessi is originally from Australia and Michael is from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, they met while they were both living in Hawaii.  Their friends and family traveled from all over the world to attend their Mackinac Island wedding.  It's a perfect place for a getaway, family reunion, and wedding all wrapped up together! 

As guests gathered at the gazebo on the shores of Lake Huron, I played several folk songs and classical pieces, including "The Lark in the Clear Air," "Dedication," "Prelude in C," "Finlandia," and the "Jupiter" theme from The Planets.

For the processionals of the bridal party and bride, I was joined by Derek, a friend of the bride who has a degree in vocal performance, as he sang Ben Folds' "The Luckiest" to harp accompaniment.  When you have a sung processional, rather than a purely instrumental version, it can be tricky to time everything so that you don't have to stop in the middle of a verse or other awkward spot.  At the rehearsal the night before, they had worked out the timing and lyric cues for the wedding coordinator to send the bridesmaids down the aisle.  Apparently, everyone actually walked at the same speed, because it worked out perfectly! 

Once the officiant presented the newly married couple, Derek and I again collaborated on the recessional.  This time, it was the Peter Gabriel version of "The Book of Love" from the movie Shall We Dance.  I kept playing postlude music as the guests walked across the lawn, through the receiving line, and on to the tented reception.

Having played for several Mackinac Island weddings, I've become very good at getting the harp around the island!  If you are planning a wedding here, please contact me at 1-877-HARP-578 or visit my website ~ Mackinac Island Wedding Harpist ~ for more information.  I'd love to add harp music to your romantic and magical Mackinac Island wedding!