Rock Island Harpist ~ Quad Cities Botanical Center Wedding

 

If you would like an outdoor wedding, but don't want the weather to spoil your plans, then an indoor botanical garden or conservatory is the perfect place for your ceremony!  You have the natural beauty of the flowers and plants, but don't need to have a Plan B in place if it rains (or it's too hot, or too cold...).  It also makes it possible to have the feeling of an outdoor wedding during the winter months.

This ceremony took place at the Quad Cities Botanical Gardens in Rock Island, Illinois.  Located right on the Mississippi River, this venue is a hidden gem!  The ceremony was inside the Sun Garden, but the weather was nice enough to allow for guests to wander outside and take pictures in their other gardens.  The waterfall that usually runs was turned off so that the guests would be able to hear the officiant (and the harp!).

They started right on time, with the maid of honor and the bride entering to "Hymne" by the Greek composer Vangelis.  This is a beautiful piece with a new-age style, and makes a perfect romantic and non-traditional wedding processional.

During the ceremony, the bride requested that I play Handel's "Aria" from Rinaldo for a moment of reflection.  It's a good idea to have time during your ceremony when you can just stop, take a breath, and try to remember the moment.  It all goes by so quickly!

For the recessional, she opted for the third movement of "Spring" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.  I continued the postlude music until all of the guests had left the garden.

I am available to provide harp music for weddings and receptions throughout the Quad Cities, and would love to speak with you about including a harpist in your plans!  Visit my website, Quad Cities Wedding Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for details, availability, and to receive a customized quote for your event.

Charleston, IL Harpist ~ Open House at Heritage Woods

Not every event we play for is a wedding!  Last Thursday, I was hired to provide background music on the harp for a ribbon cutting and VIP open house for Heritage Woods in Charleston, Illinois.  This is a new assisted living facility, and the community really came out to support the new business and tour the building. 

They had me set up the harp in the library, which is on a balcony that overlooks the main lobby and entrance.  From there, the harp music could be heard by everyone who entered.  Some were a little surprised when the tour brought them upstairs, and they realized the music was live, rather than a recording! 

From open houses to client appreciation dinners to trade shows, the harp is an excellent way to delight and impress your guests, clients, and potential customers. 

Jeff and I are harpists available throughout the Midwest, and we'd love to work with you!  Visit our website, Corporate Harp Music, or call 1-877-HARP-578 to discuss the specifics of your event and how a harpist can be the perfect final touch!

Notre Dame Harpist ~ Corporate Reception Music

Thinking about entertainment for your clients or an employee party?  The harp can be a perfect fit for many functions.  This past week, I had the opportunity to provide background music for a client reception at the Joyce Center on the campus of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.

The event was to thank the clients of Indiana Trust and gave the employees a chance to mingle and interact with their customers.  The harp provided a perfect background for the event, as I played a great mix of classical, Celtic, and popular pieces.  The range of selections included pieces from Bach and Handel to the Beatles and Sting.

If you are interested in having the harp for your next event, visit our website, South Bend Harpist.  With the holidays around the corner, dates are filling quickly.  Contact us soon to reserve Devon, me, or both of us as the harpist for your event!

Terre Haute Harpist ~ Wedding in Robinson, Illinois

Planning an outdoor wedding near the end of October is always a gamble.  Fortunately, the 22nd was a perfect fall day ~ comfortable temperatures and not a cloud in the sky!  Elizabeth and Jameson really couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to celebrate their wedding ceremony at the Quail Creek Country Club in Robinson, Illinois.

Located in south-central Illinois, Robinson is about an hour from Terre Haute and close to the Indiana border.  Quail Creek was the setting for the ceremony and reception, and also has cabins available for guest accommodations.  It's a one-stop shop!  The ceremony was set up facing a lake close to the cabins where the bride and groom were getting ready.

The wedding colors of dark purple and lime green were present in the flowers over the arch, the petals and kissing balls lining the aisle, and the sashes on the last row of chairs.  For the entrance of the groom's mother and the bridal party, I played "Marry Me" by Train.  The bride selected the traditional piece ~ "Bridal Chorus" by Wagner ~ for her processional.  After the short & sweet ceremony, the newlyweds exited to "Love Story." 

Guests were transported from the ceremony to the reception in golf carts.  As they made their way through the receiving line, I continued the harp music with a variety of popular love songs and light classics. 

Planning a wedding in the Terre Haute area?  I'd love to provide the music for your ceremony and reception!  Visit my website, Terre Haute Wedding Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for more information or to receive a quote for your wedding.

Peoria Harpist ~ Wedding Music at Pine Lake Golf Club, Washington

This past Saturday turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day for an outside wedding! The ceremony was located just outside the 18th green of Pine Lakes Golf Course in Washington, Illinois, under the shade of several trees. Other than a bit of strong wind, the couple couldn't have dreamed of a better day for their October wedding.

For the seating of the grandparents, the song "Falling Slowly" was selected. The wedding party entered to "Canon in D."  For her entrance, the bride selected "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts. Before the ceremony began, the couple honored those who couldn't be with them to share in their ceremony, by having the grandmothers light lanterns that would later be used to light the unity candle. During this time, I played the hymn "Be Thou My Vision."

The music selected for the unity candle ceremony was "Can't Help Falling in Love."  Once the couple was announced and the first kiss was had, the bride and groom exited to the Styx song, "Come Sail Away."  Their getaway vehicle was, appropriately, a golf car sporting a "Just Married" sign!

For outdoor and indoor weddings, the harp is an excellent choice.  If you would like more information about having harp music for your Peoria area wedding, visit our website, Peoria Wedding Music.

Battle Creek Harp Player ~ Music for an Anniversary Party

Being a wedding harpist is a fantastic!  As a harpist, I get to provide something unique for a couple's ceremony, and it is something that not to many people get the chance to do.  With that being said, often times we get the chance to play for anniversary parties as well.

Playing for weddings is truly fun, but getting to play for a couple's 40th wedding anniversary party when they still show such love and devotion to each other, is an honor.  Nothing is more moving and heartwarming to see a couple who cannot wait for the next 40 years of marriage!

For Bob and Cheryl, they celebrated their anniversary with a nice dinner and lots of guests at the Battle Creek Country Club.  During the two and one-half hour event, I provided a nice mix of classical and popular music, such as "Let it Be," "Fields of Gold," "Prelude in C," "Falling Slowly," "Minuet in G," and more.

The harp can be the perfect background music for any type of party!  If you would like more information about having harp music for the next event you are hosting, please visit our website Battle Creek Harpist.

Chicago Harpist ~ Downers Grove Wedding Music

This was my first time playing at Esplanade Lakes in Downers Grove, and it's an amazing location!  With a ballroom that overlooks a lake, it was the perfect setting for a sunset wedding ceremony.  Lots of windows allowed the guests to enjoy nature, without the uncertainty of an outdoor wedding in October!  The black and gold of my Laurel Leaf harp blended perfectly with their fall color theme.

 

As guests arrived, I played a variety of contemporary and popular songs, ranging from "My Heart Will Go On" from Titanic to the 1960's hit "I Love How You Love Me."  When I got the signal that it was time for the seating of the parents, I switched to "Bless the Broken Road," followed by the Taylor Swift song "Love Story" for the bridesmaids' processional.  The bride entered to Pachelbel's "Canon in D."

During the ceremony, I played "Because You Loved Me" as the couple lit the unity candle and presented roses to their families.  The recessional concluded the ceremony with another Taylor Swift favorite ~ "You Belong with Me."  While I was playing the postlude, the mother of the bride thanked me, saying that she had wanted a harpist for her own wedding, and was thrilled when she found out her daughter had hired me!

The harp is so elegant and versatile, I can provide music for both traditional and non-traditional weddings.  Anywhere in Chicago, and throughout the suburbs, I would love to be your harpist!  Please visit my website, Chicago Wedding Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for details on including the music of the harp in your wedding day.

Southern Illinois Harpist ~ Wedding Music at Wesley UMC, Charleston

Ingrid and Ted's wedding ceremony was held at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Charleston, Illinois, right next to Eastern Illinois University's campus.  The day couldn't have been any more perfect as the couple had amazing weather (sunny and mid 60's), the location provided a fantastic coordinator and sound technician, and the had lovely harp music!

Ingrid had selected a nice mix of classical and popular pieces to be played during the prelude and ceremony.  As guests were arriving, I was providing background music that ranged from "Aria from Rinaldo" by Handel to "Let it Be" by The Beatles.  When it was time for the ceremony to begin, the song choice was Bach's "Arioso" for the entrance of the families.  The bridal party entered to a combination of "Wedding March" and "Prelude in C" that the bride had requested.  For her entrance, Ingrid selected Pachelbel's "Canon in D."

During the ceremony, the couple chose to take part in the lighting of a unity candle.  For this part of the wedding ceremony, I played "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts.  Finally, it was time for the introduction of the couple and their recessional.  The couple exited the ceremony to Handel's "Hornpipe" from Water Music.

If you would like more information aobut having harp music for your Charleston wedding ceremony, visit our website, Southern Illinois Harpist.

Chicago Wedding Harpist ~ Ceremony at the Allerton Hotel

Jennifer and Manuel's wedding was in the heart of downtown Chicago at the Allerton hotel.  The ceremony was on the 23rd floor, so guests were treated to some amazing views of the city and the Magnificent Mile.

As the guests arrived, I played a mix of classical and popular music, such as "Fields of Gold," ""Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music, "Minuet in G," and "Aria" from Rinaldo.

For the flower girls and bridesmaids, I played "Trumpet Voluntary."  The bride came down the aisle to "Canon in D."  The bride and groom exited the ceremony to "Wedding March" followed by "Ode to Joy" and "King William's March."

As the guests were leaving to head to the reception, I continued to play a mix of classical and popular pieces, such as "Trumpet Tune," "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, and "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles.

If you would like more information about having a harp at your Chicago wedding, please visit our website Chicago Wedding Harpist.

Port Huron Wedding Music ~ Ceremony at Fore Lakes Golf Club

When Krista contacted me about being the harpist for her wedding, she only had one "must-play" song ~ she wanted to walk down the aisle to "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  Other than that, she left the rest of the ceremony music up to me!

Krista and Doug's ceremony and reception were held at the Fore Lakes Golf Club in Kimball, Michigan (just west of Port Huron).  They were blessed with a perfect fall day for their outdoor ceremony on the lake!  As I was setting up and tuning, one of the golfers teeing off next to the ceremony site had some choice words after his ball splashed into the water.  The on-site coordinator made sure that tee times were adjusted to that there would be no disruptions during the ceremony!

 
As guests arrived and took their seats, I played a variety of classical pieces ("Prelude in C," "Arioso," "Romanza").  The bride and groom each had two attendants, and the music for their entrance was "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach.  Of course, "Canon in D" for the bride!

The ceremony focused on the vows that the couple had written to one another.  They have had a difficult year with Doug's health issues, but their love really shined through, and there were plenty of tears among their guests.  Once they were pronounced husband and wife, they left the gazebo to "Pavane Style Renaissance," and guests began their exit to "Great Day."  Postlude music continued the upbeat vibe with more classical harp pieces.

In Port Huron and throughout eastern Michigan, the harp can provide the music for your entire wedding.  For more information, you can visit my website:  Michigan Wedding Harpist.  I look forward to hearing from you and working with you to create beautiful and elegant music for your wedding!

Valparaiso Harpist ~ Wedding Music at the Valparaiso Country Club

Debra was planning her Indiana wedding from Texas, so we made all of the plans for her wedding music by email.  With lots of sound clips on my website, it makes it easy to plan long-distance!  She originally booked just solo harp, but added a violinist as we got closer to her date. 

The ceremony was held at the Valparaiso Country Club in Northwest Indiana.  The room where the ceremony took place overlooked the golf course, and the guests just had to walk down the hallway to get to the reception. 

As guests were arriving, we played a variety of harp and violin duets, both classical and popular music.  The bride and groom each had one attendant.  The maid of honor had been the bride's friend since 3rd grade, and the father of the groom also served as his best man.  For their processional, we played "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach, followed by Pachelbel's "Canon in D" for the bride.  During her speech at the reception, the bride joked that her father had been very emotional during her sister's wedding five years ago, but he gave her a little shove down the aisle! 

For the unity candle ceremony, we played "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, and the recessional was "King William's March."  We played all of the guests out of the room, then followed them to the banquet center where we continued with joyful background music for the cocktail hour. 

Planning a wedding in Valparaiso?  I can provide harp music for your ceremony and reception, and can also work with other musicians to create the perfect sound for your wedding.  Please visit my website, Valparaiso Wedding Harpist, to contact me!

Harp Music in Mishawaka ~ Beutter Park Wedding Ceremony

Amanda and Adam had the perfect fall day for their outdoor wedding ceremony at Beutter Park.  Just outside of downtown Mishawaka, and right on the St. Joseph River, this is a beautiful venue for a wedding ceremony.  The bride and groom first heard me play for a friend's wedding (also at Beutter Park last summer!), and booked me to provide the music for theirs as well.

The prelude was primarily popular songs, including:

• At Last by Etta James
• Bella's Lullaby from Twilight
• Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King
• Collide by Howie Day
• Come Away with Me by Norah Jones (the bride's special request)
• Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach
• Only Time by Enya
• Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin
• What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong

When I got the signal for the families to be seated, I played Pachelbel's "Canon in D" for their entrance.  The bridesmaids, escorted by the groomsmen, processed to "With a Little Help from My Friends" by The Beatles.  The junior bridesmaid and ring bearer took the road less traveled, and came down the side of the guests, rather than the center aisle.  Good thing I was watching closely for them!  They were followed by the bride, who entered the ceremony to the traditional "Bridal Chorus" by Richard Wagner.

As they were introduced, the recessional began - "One Love" by Bob Marley - the groom's special request.  Even things you might not think of when you imagine harp music ~ I can usually make them work!  The postlude continued with upbeat, popular music:

• All You Need is Love by The Beatles
• I'll Be by Edwin McCain
• You are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis
• Your Song by Elton John

Whether you are imagining traditional or contemporary music for your wedding ceremony, the harp can bring your vision to life.  Please visit my website, Mishawaka Wedding Harpist, for information on having harp music at your wedding ceremony (and reception, too!).

South Bend Harpist ~ Bendix Woods Wedding Ceremony

This past Saturday's wedding for Dawn and Richard at Bendix Woods Park in St. Joseph County, Indiana was in a perfect spot on a perfectly beautiful day. The wedding ceremony was located at the Glen Bauer Pavilion area of the park. 

The maid of honor and the best man entered the wedding area to Canon in D.  The bride came down the aisle to Only Time.  During the wedding, the couple took part in a unity sand ceremony.  While the bride and groom were pouring the sand, I played All I Ask of You.  For the bride and groom's exit, Spring, First Movement was played.

While the couple stood at the back of the seating area to greet wedding guests, I played a variety of classical and popular postlude music such as Trumpet Tune, King William's March, Time to Say Goodbye, and Fields of Gold.

If you would like information about having harp music at your Bendix Woods Wedding Ceremony, please visit our website, South Bend Wedding Harpist.

Indiana Wedding Harpist ~ International Friendship Gardens

I first met Rachel and Thomas at a bridal show a year ago in Schererville, Indiana.  They were planning a fall wedding at the International Friendship Gardens in Michigan City, IN, and booked within a week of the show!  They chose to have a harp & violin duet provide their ceremony music.  This is definitely one of my favorite ensembles ~ the violin provides the soaring melodic line over the lush harmonies of the harp.

After a week of non-stop rain, the first of October was cool but dry.  The gardens have a permanent tent for weddings, so you can still have an outdoor wedding, even if rain is falling!  Fortunately, although the grounds were muddy (an extra challenge when you have to push a harp across the grass!), the area under the tent was dry.

The harp & violin music started about half and hour before the ceremony was scheduled to begin.  We played a mix of recognizable classical pieces ("Air on the G String," Handel's "Largo," "Air" from Water Music, "Jupiter" from The Planets) and popular songs ("All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, "Only Time," "Autumn Leaves").

The ceremony music was a nice mix of the traditional and the unexpected.  The families entered to "Hymne" by Vangelis, and the bridal party processional was "Fields of Gold" by Sting.  The bride's entrance music was "Canon in D."  During the rose ceremony, we played the Welsh folk song "Suogan," and the recessional was "Pavane Style Renaissance" by Wachs.

The postlude music continued through the receiving line in the garden, including "Trumpet Tune," "Trumpet Voluntary," "Rondeau" by Mouret, and "March in D" by Bach.

Planning a wedding in the Michigan City area?  Whether you are looking for a solo harpist or a larger musical ensemble, we can supply the perfect group for your ceremony and reception.  Visit Indiana Wedding Harpist or call 1-877-HARP-578 for details!

Client Thanks | Southwest Michigan Harpist

Devon played her Harp for our wedding ceremony. She was absolutely wonderful to work with from start to finish. She responded very quickly to all our emails. She was very professional and organized. She kindly helped us pick our ceremony songs since we were unfamiliar with most of the wedding music. Her music was absolutely beautiful at our outdoor ceremony. Thank you so much Devon for making our wedding beautiful!

~Liz, Bride


September 24th, 2011
Wedding at Willow Harbor Vineyard, Three Oaks, Michigan

Central Illinois Harpist ~ Wedding Music at Lincoln Park, Springfield

The bridge in Springfield's Lincoln Park is a beautiful location for a wedding ceremony.  It is quietly nestled away from the rest of the park and can provide a beautiful backdrop for a wedding as it did for Tracey and Justin's ceremony. 

As the guests arrived, I played several pieces from both classical and popular genres, including All I Ask of You, Fields of Gold, Aria from Rinaldo, and Prelude in C. 

 
As the family and the bridesmaids approached the bridge, I played Canon in D.  When it was time for Tracey's entrance, I played the traditional bridal march, Here Comes the Bride.

As the ceremony came to a close, the music for the couple's recessional was Ode to Joy, which in my opinion makes for a great recessional song.  As the guests mingled and talked to the bride and groom, I provided postlude music also taken from classical and popular genres, including songs such as Time to Say Goodbye, Trumpet Tune, King William's March, and All You Need is Love.

If you would like more information about having us play at your Central Illinois wedding, please visit our website, Springfield Illinois Wedding Harpist.

Wedding Music in Southwest Michigan ~ Willow Harbor Vineyards

Liz and Matt had a perfect Fall day for their outdoor ceremony at Willow Harbor Vineyards in Three Oaks, Michigan.  It had rained earlier in the day, but by late afternoon, the sun was shining and the sky was blue!

When I arrived at the vineyard (early, of course!), I was the first one there.  The chairs were all set up, and flowers delivered, but there was no one to be found.  Just to be on the safe side, I called their back-up ceremony location to make sure that the earlier rain hadn't relocated the ceremony.  With their assurances that it was still going ahead at Willow Harbor, I set up the harp, and was ready to go long before the first guests arrived!

As the families were seated, I played "Canon in D" by Pachelbel,  They didn't have a traditional wedding party ~ just two ring bearers and a flower girl.  The kids entered to "Sheep May Safely Graze" by J.S. Bach.  The bride arrived at the ceremony in Willow Harbor's vintage Rolls Royce, and her entrance music was "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (another Bach piece).

 
The ceremony included a wine sharing ~ perfect for a vineyard wedding! ~ with Schubert's "Ave Maria" playing in the background.  The recessional was "All You Need is Love" by The Beatles.

Photo:  Earthbound Officiants

Every summer, Jeff and I play for several weddings at Willow Harbor.  It's a beautiful venue for your ceremony or reception, and we'd love to add harp music to your wedding!  Visit our website, Three Oaks Wedding Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for additional information and a quote for your wedding music.

Photo:  Earthbound Officiants