Wedding at Allerton Park ~ Harp Music in Monticello, Illinois

On Memorial Day weekend, Michelle and Jim were married in the Sunken Garden at Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois.  Located just south of Champaign, this park is a very popular venue for weddings!  The bride and groom opted to extend the prelude music, and invited guests to come half an hour before the ceremony was to begin and listen to the harp.  With so many of the guests arriving extra early (even though it was really hot outside!), the wedding was able to start right on schedule.

With the high temperatures that Saturday, it was crucial that the harp be placed in the shade.  When it gets too hot, the glue that holds the wood joints of the harp together begins to soften, and this can cause permanent and irreparable damage to the instrument.  It's my baby, and I need to protect it!  The only available shade when I arrived was directly behind where the ceremony took place.  Even though I had to adjust the harp a couple of times to stay out of direct sunlight, it worked!

Michelle requested that I play all popular music - nothing classical or traditional.  The music she chose for the ceremony included:

• Seating of Families:  "Memory" from Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Wedding Party Processional:  "Someone to Watch Over Me" by George Gershwin
• Bride's Processional:  "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Unity Sand:  "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
• Recessional:  "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

After the recessional, they served a champagne toast in the garden.  The popular harp music continued as guests toasted the couple and took pictures before heading off to the reception.

Throughout Central Illinois, I have provided harp music for hundreds of wedding ceremonies and receptions.  For more information on having a harpist for your own wedding, please visit my website ~ Central Illinois Wedding Music.  I'd love to work with you and customize the music for your event!

Client Review ~ Harpist for a Wedding in Naperville, Illinois

"We had a very classic wedding in mind, and Devon's playing was the finishing touch to make it perfect. We set things up with her through her webpage, and everything went very smoothly. She was always prompt, personable, and attentive in her responses."

~Stacy, Bride


Wedding at Naper Settlement
Naperville, Illinois
February 29th, 2012

Tippecanoe Place Wedding ~ Reception Harp Music in South Bend

Harp music is not just for wedding ceremonies ~ you can bring the elegance and romance of the instrument into your reception as well!  Elizabeth and Brano celebrated their wedding at Tippecanoe Place in South Bend, Indiana.  The former Studebaker mansion, it has been converted into a fine dining restaurant that also hosts weddings and banquets.

As guests entered the lobby, they were greeted by harp music.  Elizabeth requested that I play a variety of music, encompassing the classical, popular, jazz, and Celtic genres.  Servers passed margaritas and appetizers, and the guests were able to tour the mansion at their leisure.  The wedding party was introduced as they descended the grand staircase into the lobby.  During toasts & speeches, the groom especially thanked members of his family who had come all the way from Croatia to be there for the wedding.  I continued playing through dinner service in the dining rooms on the main level. 

One of my favorite moments of the night was being approached by a bride whose wedding Jeff played for a couple of years ago ~ just upstairs in the 3rd floor ballroom!  It's wonderful to hear our clients' fond remembrances of their wedding music, and Jeff and I are so grateful to have been such an important part of the weddings of so many wonderful couples.

Planning a wedding reception?  Having a harpist is the perfect finishing touch!  Visit my website, South Bend Harpist, for more information and to contact me about pricing and availability.

Fort Wayne Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony at St. John's Lutheran Church

Cary and Amber's wedding day started with a bit of hitch.  Unfortunately, the bride forgot her slip, which caused a delay.  No worries for the guests, because the harpist came more than prepared to provide enough prelude music while they waited for the ceremony to begin!

Once everyone was in place and set to go, I began by playing "Til There Was You" from The Music Man for the entrance of the families.  The bridesmaids' entrance was accompanied by "Can't Help Falling in Love."  For the bride's entrance, she came down the aisle to "Canon in D."

During the ceremony, I played "Unchained Melody" for the lighting of the unity candle.  I played the Etta James song "At Last" for the bride and groom as they recessed down the aisle for the first time as a married couple.

Even with the delayed start, I still had more than enough music for postlude as the guests were excused.  Both the prelude and postlude included a mix of classical and pop music, including songs such as "Your Song" by Elton John, "Love Story" by Taylor Swift, and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz.

If you would like more information about having a harpist for your wedding, please visit our website, Fort Wayne Wedding Music.

Client Review ~ Wedding Ceremony & Cocktail Hour in Bloomington, Illinois

I found Devon by chance through a Google search and I couldn't be happier with her services! She is extraordinarily talented. I loved how she turned our contemporary wedding music into something more than I could have ever expected. If you are thinking of using her, I highly suggest you do! I don't regret it in the least. She really exceeded my expectations.

~Cassie, Bride

Wedding at the DoubleTree Hotel
Bloomington, Illinois
April 21st, 2012

South Bend Indiana Wedding Music ~ Harp, Violin & Cello Trio

In front of a packed house (they even had to set up extra chairs in the aisles, balcony & lobby!), Sarah and Ben were married at Immanuel United Methodist Church in South Bend, Indiana.  For their May 12th ceremony, they booked not only me as their harpist, but a trio of harp, violin & cello. 

Harp & violin is our most popular duet, and adding the cello gives the whole group a deeper and fuller sound.  Especially with a large guest list (this wedding was well over 300), an ensemble like this really makes an impact, and guarantees that, no matter how far back they are seated, all of your guests will be able to hear the music for your ceremony!

The trio played a half-hour prelude as guests arrived, and when we were given the cue that the family was lined up and ready to enter, we switched to Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" for their processional.  The bridal party followed to "Canon in D."

When Sarah booked with us, she was originally interested in having non-traditional music.  When it came time for her to make her selections, she changed her mind and opted for the famous "Here Comes the Bride."  It's important to choose musicians who are versatile and have a wide-ranging repertoire of options ~ you may change your mind several times throughout the planning process! 

The unity candle was lit to "Meditation" from Massenet's opera Thais.  This is one of my favorite pieces to play with a violinist, as the melody just soars!  The pairing of the harp with the sustaining string instruments works perfectly here.  A cousin of the groom played the organ and sang for the Lord's Prayer and communion.  The recessional was also traditional:  Mendelssohn's "Wedding March."  The newlyweds came back into the sanctuary after the recessional, and dismissed their guests individually as the trio continued postlude music. 

No matter how large or small your wedding, the harp (or a larger ensemble along with a harpist) can provide all of the music for your ceremony!  Visit my website ~ South Bend Wedding Music ~ for details.

Davenport Wedding Reception ~ Harpist in the Quad Cities

Although Lauren & Mosah were married earlier this year in Florida, her parents also hosted a reception back at home for family and friends in Davenport, Iowa.  Everyone gathered at the Davenport Country Club in the Quad Cities for cocktails, dinner and harp music!

With the beautiful weather, the cocktail hour was held outside on the patio.  I began to play in the ballroom when everyone came inside for the dinner service.  A slideshow of pictures from the wedding in Florida played in the back of the room throughout the evening, and there was also a special presentation of "growing up" pictures of the bride & groom that was put together by the bride's brother and set to music.

The pieces I played ranged from classical to Broadway to Top 40.  This included:

• Spring from The Four Seasons
• Air from Water Music
• The Wedding Song (There is Love)
• Time of Your Life
• Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof
• Marry Me
• Close to You
• Evergreen
• Embraceable You
• Someone to Watch Over Me
• When I Fall in Love
• Time After Time
• Our Love is Here to Stay from An American in Paris
• Unchained Melody
• Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie
• A Whole New World from Aladdin
• Longer (a special request from the Mother of the Bride as it was played at her wedding)

To close the night, I finished with "What a Wonderful World."  The harp isn't limited to just classical music!   People love hearing songs that are familiar, but with the twist of the presentation on the harp.  To find out more about including harp music in your event plans, visit my website ~ Quad Cities Wedding Harpist.

Quad Cities Harpist ~ Wedding at Lavender Crest Winery, Colona

Cassie & Keiji had a beautiful wedding at Lavender Crest Winery in Colona.  Located just outside the Quad Cities, this Colona winery is a lovely setting for both a ceremony and reception.  The weather held for the outdoor ceremony at the gazebo and, overlooking the grapevines, they exchanged their vows the afternoon of May 5th.

Guests were greeted with harp music playing as they took their seats.  Once I received the cue from the officiant that everybody was ready to begin, I transitioned to "King William's March" for the seating of families and the entrance of the wedding party.  Cassie's processional was "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  This piece is a wedding favorite, and a wonderful choice if you don't want the traditional "Here Comes the Bride"!

Instead of a unity candle or sand ceremony, the bride & groom wrote love letters to each other and placed them in a personalized box along with a bottle of their favorite wine.  They hammered the nails into the lid (with a hammer decorated in the wedding colors!) and signed their marriage certificate as I played the third movement of "Spring" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.  They will open the box on their 5th anniversary.

As the bride, groom, and their wedding party exited the ceremony, I played "Trumpet Tune" for their recessional.  The music continued until all of the guests were inside the banquet hall for the reception.

Throughout the Quad Cities, I provide harp music for wedding ceremonies and receptions.  You can find more information on having a harpist for your wedding at my website ~ Quad Cities Harpist.  Happy planning!

Springfield Illinois Harpist ~ Wedding at The Rail Golf Course

Jessica & Ed had their wedding and reception at the Rail Golf Course in Springfield, Illinois. The location and the day were ideal for an outdoor wedding. The sky was blue and beautiful, the guests were seated in the shade, and the temperature was just perfect at the start of the ceremony.

The bride selected a mix of traditional and popular music for the ceremony.  For the bridesmaids and flower girls, the music was a "Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella.  The bride came down the aisle to the traditional "Here Comes the Bride."  Her recessional choice was "Love Story" by Taylor Swift.

If you are planning an outdoor wedding ceremony in Springfield, Illinois, please visit our website, Central Illinois Wedding Music.

Chicago Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony & Reception in Orland Park

Sandy and Eric had a beautiful April day for their wedding in Orland Park!  The ceremony took place at the historic Twin Towers Chapel, and the reception followed at the Silver Lake Country Club.  I was the harpist for both the ceremony and the cocktail hour of the reception.

As guests gathered in the chapel, the prelude consisted of mostly classical songs plus "Goin' to the Chapel" as the final song before the processional.  The families of the bride and groom entered to "Canon in D" and as the aisle runner was pulled by the bride's sons, I switched to "Trumpet Tune," the piece that continued through the entrance of the groom and the officiant.  Sandy opted for the traditional "Bridal Chorus" for her processional.

During the ceremony, the bride and her sister lit a candle in memory of their parents, with light harp music in the background.  The couple and their children also participated in a sand ceremony, combining all six jars of sand into one larger vase for display in their home.  As they did this, I played an instrumental version of "One Hand, One Heart" from West Side Story.  When her part was complete, the groom's daughter, Amy, sang the piece with harp accompaniment.  Following the vows and ring exchange, Amy and I did another selection, "The Wedding Song"  by Paul Stookey.

For the recessional, the couple exited to "Trumpet Voluntary."  When they reached the back of the chapel, I faded out the music so their guests could hear them ringing the steeple bell.  Once that was concluded, I resumed the music for their families to exit.  Then it was off to the reception!

Having harp music for your cocktail hour is the perfect way to extend the ambiance the music creates at the ceremony into the celebration.  The room at Silver Lake Country Club overlooked the golf course, and was decorated in rich gold tones.  The fireplace was burning and was a welcome sight as the day got colder!   The music for the cocktail hour was a variety of popular, jazz, and Broadway songs.  I love to play pieces that people recognize ~ especially ones they don't expect to hear on a harp!

If you are planning a wedding in the Chicago area, visit my website (Chicago Wedding Harpist) for more information on having a harpist for your ceremony and reception.