Ottawa Harpist ~ Harp & Violin Duet for a Wedding at Zion Lutheran Church

Stephanie and Philip chose to have a harp and violin duet provide their ceremony music at their August 25th wedding.  Other than solo harp, this duet is by far the most popular ensemble that my brides choose!  It's a beautiful combination, with the violin playing a soaring melody over the harp accompaniment.  Their ceremony took place at Zion Lutheran Church in Ottawa.

The violinist and I both arrived extra early to run through the ceremony selections in the church.  This is something I always do ~ especially with a chamber ensemble ~ so we can make any sound or set-up adjustments needed before your guests arrive.  For the prelude, we played several classical arrangements, including "Air" from Handel's Water Music, "Jupiter" from Holst's The Planets, and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach.

The mothers of the bride and groom were seated to J.S. Bach's "Prelude in C," followed by the traditional "Canon in D" by Johann Pachelbel for the entrance of the bridesmaids.  Stephanie also went traditional, opting for Richard Wagner's "Bridal Chorus" for her processional.  As the couple lit the unity candle, we played "Romanza."  The ceremony concluded with Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" as the newly married couple exited the church.

We continued to play until all of the guests had made their way through the receiving line and exited the sanctuary.  For post-ceremony music, we selected upbeat classical pieces, including "Trumpet Tune," "Trumpet Voluntary," "Ode to Joy," and "Juliet's Waltz Song."

If you are looking for music for your wedding, please visit my website (Ottawa Wedding Harpist) and contact me for details.  From a solo harpist to a small orchestra, I can coordinate the perfect musical group for your wedding!

Wedding at Tippecanoe Place ~ South Bend Wedding Ceremony Harpist

What's better than an outdoor wedding on a beautiful day?  How about an outdoor wedding with a cool chandelier hanging from a tree!  As you can see, Caitlin and Alexander had a really lovely setup for their ceremony on the grounds of Tippecanoe Place in South Bend, Indiana.

Caitlin and Alexander selected traditional wedding music for their ceremony.  They started with Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring for the entrance of the bridal party.  For Caitlin's entrance, Canon in D was played.  During the course of the ceremony, I played Sheep May Safely Graze for the unity sand blending.  When it was time for the bride and groom to be introduced for the first time as a married couple, the song chosen was Mendelssohn's Wedding March.

If you are planning a wedding in South Bend and are in need of music for your ceremony, please visit our website, Northern Indiana Wedding Harpist for more information.

Valparaiso Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony Music at Ogden Gardens

The last time I played for a wedding at Ogden Gardens (the end of June), it was so hot!  Fortunately for Amy and Jacob, the late summer actually cooled off!  Their August 18th ceremony at the park's gazebo was not only beautiful, but their guests were comfortable and able to just enjoy the day.

As guests arrived, they were greeted with harp music ranging from classical pieces to popular love songs.  When the bridal party came down the aisle, I played the jazz standard "Autumn Leaves."  The bride's entrance music was the Pachelbel "Canon in D" ~ a wedding classic!  The short and sweet ceremony concluded with the presentation of the newly married couple, and everyone exited to "Winter" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.  We seemed to have a "seasonal" theme going, so I couldn't resist throwing in "Spring" ~ also from The Four Seasons ~ during the postlude!

In Valparaiso and throughout Northwest Indiana, I am available as a professional harpist and wedding musician.  From when guests begin to arrive, to when the last one leaves the ceremony site, you can thrill them by having live harp music at your wedding!  To find out more, visit my website:  Valparaiso Wedding Harpist.

Mishawaka Wedding Harpist ~ Ceremony at Beutter Park

Sarah definitely wins the prize as my most punctual bride of 2012!  They were wrapping up pictures at the ceremony site when I arrived to set up at 2:30 ~ about an hour before the wedding was scheduled to begin.  The mothers began the processional, followed by the bridesmaids, at 3:25, and the bride was standing at the front by 3:30.  Wow!  I wish every wedding went this smoothly and on schedule!  Not only that, but they had the first comfortable weather of the summer for their outdoor wedding.  It was truly a perfect day!

Sarah loved the piece "Canon in D" so much that she used it for the entrance of the bridesmaids and for her own processional.  When a bride opts to do this, I save the faster section for her big entrance.  At the end of the ceremony, "Trumpet Tune" was the recessional.

As I packed up, the mother of the bride told me that they weren't sure when to begin their entrances, so they just started.  I told her that is exactly what they were supposed to do!  It's my job to make sure that the music starts and stops when it should.  And no matter what, make it look like whatever happens was supposed to happen!  That's the difference with hiring a professional musician to provide the music for your ceremony.  Someone who has hundreds of weddings behind them can adjust quickly to anything unexpected and make the music fit seamlessly. 

If you are looking for a professional, reliable, and experienced wedding musician in Northern Indiana, please contact me!  As a harpist, I regularly perform in South Bend, Mishawaka, and throughout the region.  Visit my website ~ Mishawaka Harpist ~ for details and reviews from my happy couples and their families.

Client Thanks ~ Michigan City Wedding Ceremony Music

"Devon - Thank you so much for playing at our wedding on June 23rd.  I know we didn't get to meet, but I wanted to tell you I loved your music!  It sounded great!  I'll be recommending you to friends in the future."

~Amy, Bride

Wedding at the International Friendship Gardens
Michigan City, Indiana
June 23rd, 2012

Wedding Music in Springfield, Illinois ~ Harpist at Erin's Pavilion

Rachel booked me for her August 5th wedding after hearing me play at a bridal expo in Springfield earlier this year.  Sometimes the shows are a little overwhelming, but you can get a lot of planning done in one stop.  You might also find something you weren't expecting ~ like a harpist!

Rachel and Kavilan were married at Erin's Pavilion in Southwind Park, Springfield, Illinois.  The groom's grandfather performed the outdoor ceremony.  As the bridesmaids came down the aisle, I played the wedding favorite "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  Rachel chose the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" for her processional.

During the unity sand ceremony, they went with a more contemporary selection: "Marry Me" by Train.  Their recessional, "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, was another modern choice.  With the versatility of the harp, you can have your ceremony music cover everything from classical and traditional to current top hits!

As a professional wedding harpist, I provide music for ceremonies and receptions in Springfield and throughout Central Illinois.  To find out more about having harp music for your day, visit my website:  Springfield Illinois Wedding Music.

LaPorte Wedding Reception ~ Harp & Strings at the Red Barn Experience

A massive thunderstorm couldn't stop the celebration of Emily and Seth's wedding reception!  It was hot in the afternoon as we set up, but we could see the storm clouds moving in.  Shortly before the reception was scheduled to begin, the rain hit.  Then the wind.  Since we were set up in an open breezeway, with rain coming through horizontally, we had to get the instruments out of there!

With a couple of guests standing between the harp and the outdoors (one man commented that the harp was likely worth more than his shirt ~ and he's right!), I moved the harp to the inside of the pavilion.  Fortunately, the Red Barn Experience has flaps on the windows that were fastened against the weather, and sides to the adjacent tent.  And it wasn't just the harp ~ the bride had booked a trio of harp, violin, and cello!  With wooden, handcrafted instruments, we have to be very careful to protect them from getting wet.  We found a dry spot in the middle of the dining area, and waited for the storm to pass.

A picture from before the chaos...

As guests began to arrive, we started to play in our improvised location.  It was a little tight between the tables, but we were determined to make everything as beautiful as possible for the families, even if the evening was not going exactly as planned!  One plus from the storm was the much cooler temperatures that followed.  The trio played a variety of upbeat classical and popular pieces, including:

• Rondeau from Sinfonies de Fanfares by Mouret (well-known as the Masterpiece Theater theme)
• Air from The Water Music by Handel
• St. Anthony Chorale by Brahms
• Flower Duet from Lakme by Delibes
• Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles
• Sheep May Safely Graze from Cantata #208 by Bach

The trio played for the first two hours of the reception, through the cocktail hour and most of the dinner service.  Then we switched up to a harp and piano duet.  With the change in instrumentation, we went with more popular songs, Broadway favorites, and Irish tunes.  Some of these were:

• A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King
• Edelweiss from The Sound of Music
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz
• You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
• Morgan Magen by O'Carolan

Towards the end of the evening, everyone went outside to light sky lanterns and send them off with best wishes for the bride and groom.

From solo harp to a small orchestra, I can put together the perfect ensemble for your wedding!  The harp and violin is the most popular duet, and adding the cello gives the sound greater depth.  I can also create groups with flute, viola, trumpet, clarinet, piano, organ, string quartet, marimba, steel pan, and vocalists.  Contact me via my website ~ Northwest Indiana Wedding Music ~ for a customized quote!

Southwest Michigan Harpist ~ Wedding at Shadowland Pavilion on Silver Beach

Andrea and Chris had a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Shadowland Pavilion on Silver Beach in St. Joseph, Michigan.  For an amazingly hot summer and one of the hottest months in history, the bride and groom were lucky to have a gorgeous and comfortable wedding day.

The bride and groom selected traditional wedding music to accompany their day.  For the entrance of the bridesmaids, the song chosen was Canon in D by Pachelbel.  Andrea had wanted to keep her entrance classic, so she opted for the Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) by Wagner.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom performed a unity sand ceremony as I played Hymne by Vangelis.  Finally it was time for the bride and groom to walk "up the aisle" as a married couple!  This recessional was accompanied by Purcell's Trumpet Tune.

If you are planning a Silver Beach wedding, visit my website ~ St. Joseph Michigan Wedding Harpist ~ for more information on having a harpist at your beach wedding!

Central Illinois Harpist ~ Wedding at Springfield's Washington Park

Jennifer and Mathieu were married on a Wednesday morning at the Washington Park gazebo in Springfield, Illinois.  I've known Jennifer since high school, but it had been years since we'd seen each other.  It was wonderful to reconnect over her wedding music!

With the heat wave we've been experiencing this summer, they wisely opted for a morning ceremony.  At 10:00 am, when the ceremony began, it was comfortable.  An hour later, temperatures were nearing 100 degrees.  Everyone looked better for the pictures than they would have if they had planned an afternoon wedding! 

The bride's son and daughter served as the ring bearer and flower girl, and were the only members of the wedding party.  They entered to the same song as the bridal processional: "Down by the Salley Gardens."  At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone exited to "King William's March." 

Even with a small and intimate wedding, you can add a little glamour and elegance by having harp music accompany your ceremony!  For more information, visit my website:  Central Illinois Wedding Music. 

Springfield Illinois Wedding Music ~ Harpist in Lincoln Park

Jennie and David were married the evening of July 28th at the Lincoln Park Bridge in Springfield, Illinois.  They even planned the starting time of their ceremony so that I could play harp for them!  It rained that afternoon, and I kept a large umbrella close by throughout the wedding - just in case!, but the weather cleared for the remainder of the evening.

They had the chairs set up on the bridge, with the rest of the guest standing behind.  It wasn't a traditional layout, but it maximized the shade available for the guests, which I'm sure they appreciated!  The processional came down the hill from the pavilion, then stopped at the edge of the bridge in front of the guests. 

The bridesmaids entered to the Irish tune "Down by the Salley Gardens," followed by the bride's entrance to "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  Once they were introduced as a newly married couple, they exited and headed back to the pavilion for the reception to "Trumpet Tune."

Throughout central Illinois, I provide harp music for wedding ceremonies and receptions.  Indoors or out, having a harpist for your wedding is an elegant touch!  Visit my website, Central Illinois Wedding Harpist, for more details on including live harp music in your wedding plans.

Mackinac Island Wedding ~ Ceremony with Harp Music at Mission Point

Professional pictures from Paul Retherford Photography from a wedding ceremony I played at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island on June 9th, 2012.

See the original post about this wedding.  If you are looking for a Mackinac Island harpist to provide the perfect and elegant musical backdrop for your ceremony or reception anywhere on the island, visit my website:  Mackinac Island Wedding Music.

Funks Grove Wedding ~ Harp Music for a Chapel in the Trees Ceremony

If you've never ventured out to Funks Grove, make it a priority on your next drive down I-55!  Just south of Bloomington-Normal, and on Route 66, you'll find a little church in the middle of a nature preserve.  In addition to the historic church, there is also the Chapel in the Trees, where Brandy & James were married. 

The pews are logs of American Red Elm, and they were covered in white so the guests didn't have to worry about their wedding clothes!  Brandy had so many unique decorations, all adding to the rustic setting.  From family wedding pictures to architectural artifacts, they came together to make a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony.

While I was starting the prelude, they were still having some difficulty with the sound system the family had brought in for the officiant (the bride's step-mother) to use.  I volunteered the amplifier I had used for the previous night's beach wedding, and they were able to plug the microphone directly into it.  Since it is battery-powered, they didn't even have to worry about running extension cords everywhere.  Good things come from not unpacking the car in between weddings - or at least that's what I'm going to tell my husband from now on!

As guests arrived, the music chosen was all popular songs, including "Tiny Dancer" by Elton John and "Nothing Else Matters" by Metallica.  Yes, Metallica - on a harp! 

Along with many pieces for just the harp, I also worked with a friend of Brandy's who plays the violin.  We collaborated on several pieces during the ceremony, including "Canon in D" for the wedding party processional and "Not Fire, Not Ice" by Ben Harper for the bride's entrance.  During the unity sand, we played Enya's "Only Time," followed by "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles for the recessional.  If you have family or friends who would like to play for your wedding, but you don't want to put the burden of doing all of the music on them, this is a wonderful arrangement.

Postlude music was also popular songs, which played as the guests made their way across the street to the picnic shelter for the reception.  The harp is the perfect addition to a wedding in the Funks Grove Church or the Chapel in the Trees.  I am available throughout the Bloomington-Normal area for wedding ceremonies and events, and you can find more information on my website:  Central Illinois Wedding Music.