Wedding at Lavender Crest Winery ~ Harpist in the Quad Cities

Lavender Crest Winery is a beautiful venue for a wedding ceremony!  Close to the Quad Cities, it's the perfect rustic but elegant location, with lots of lovely settings for photographs. 

This was my second wedding at the winery, and this time I was met by a very friendly cat!  He might have snuck in some of the formal portraits taken by the couple before the ceremony, but he stayed away from the rest of the action.  He was definitely intrigued by the harp! 

 

While I was setting up, the groom also posed with the harp.  He was especially excited to hear some of the music he selected for the ceremony, including "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Axl Rose that I played for the seating of the families.  Wedding music doesn't have to be traditional!

The wedding party entered to "Fields of Gold" by Sting, and the bride's processional was "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera.  The bride's father escorted her down the aisle, and also performed the ceremony. 

As the couple did their unity sand ceremony, I played "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan.  They and their guests exited the ceremony site and headed off to the reception to "Great Day" by Nancy Gustavson.  This piece was written especially for harp, and makes perfect use of glissandos to create an upbeat and joyful mood.  It makes a great non-traditional recessional!

From rock ballads to classical pieces, I can provide the perfect musical soundtrack for your wedding day.  You can fully customize the music that is played to match your tastes and vision for your ceremony.  Visit my website ~ Quad Cities Wedding Harpist ~ to contact me for details!

Peoria Harpist ~ Program for a Reunion of the 14th Armored Division

In a summer and fall full of weddings, playing a program for the 48th reunion of the 14th Armored Division was a nice change of pace!  These veterans of World War 2 fought under General George Patton in Europe, and were named the Liberators, as they entered and freed the citizens and POW's held in detention camps.  They met in Peoria, Illinois, this year, and I provided entertainment for their first evening in the city.

Following a dinner at the Four Points Sheraton, I played a program of folk songs, jazz standards, and familiar songs from Broadway and the movies:

• Loch Lomond (Scottish folk song)
• Suogan (Welsh folk song)
• O Danny Boy (Irish folk song)
• Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's
• Can't Help Falling in Love
• Edelweiss from The Sound of Music
• My Way
• Autumn Leaves
• Unchained Melody
• When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio
• Somewhere Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz

I loved speaking with the veterans and their families following the program!  They had so many amazing stories to tell ~ including one gentleman who was a member of a barbershop quartet that toured up and down the East coast singing for radio stations in the days of the radio drama.  They were able to get an up-close look at the harp, and some even had their picture taken with it!

In addition to my performances at private events, I am also available for presentations about the harp and private concerts for community groups, churches, and schools.  You can contact me through my website ~ Peoria Harpist ~ for additional information and availability.

South Bend Wedding Reception Music ~ Harpist at the Hilton Garden Inn

After a morning reception on the campus of Notre Dame, I played for the evening reception of another bride and groom who also got married at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart that day!  Jennifer & Patrick held their reception at the Gillespie Conference Center at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Michelangelo's did an amazing job with the florals and decor, transforming the ballroom with purple linens, flowers, and uplighting.  The bride and groom even had a loveseat at their sweetheart table instead of banquet chairs!

I played for the cocktail hour, which was held in the lobby.  Along with displayed appetizers, there were passed hors d'oeuvers as well.  With the beautiful day, guests were even able to enjoy some time on the patio.  The lobby also featured a photo booth, bar, and a customized picture of the Notre Dame Basilica.

Jennifer requested that I play popular, Irish, Disney, and Broadway songs for her cocktail hour.  When I started "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" from Spamalot, I even got some people whistling along! 

Other pieces I played included:

• Edelweiss from The Sound of Music
• All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
• Allurement of Love
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King
• Memory from Cats
• When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio
• Sheebeg and Sheemore
• Rainbow Connection from The Muppet Movie
• Hallelujah from Shrek
• Seasons of Love from Rent
• Over the Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz

With the harp, you aren't just limited to classical music!  If you are looking for something unique and elegant to add to your wedding, visit my website ~ South Bend Wedding Harpist ~ for information on having harp music for your wedding ceremony or reception.  

Notre Dame Wedding ~ Reception Music at the South Dining Hall

On September 15th, I had the pleasure of providing the background music for the wedding brunch of Johanna & Angelo at the South Dining Hall on the campus of Notre Dame.  Their wedding ceremony was at 9:00 am at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and they treated their guests to an on-campus brunch prior to their evening reception.

It doesn't happen very often that I get to play for the wedding of another harpist ~ there just aren't that many of us around!  Johanna played the harp through college, and at the brunch, we found out that we had the same teacher!  She was a member of the Notre Dame band during her time at the university. 

Merry Me Events assisted with day-of coordination and also provided the beautiful flowers and decor.  When you are planning your Notre Dame wedding from out-of-state as Johanna did (all the way from California!), it's so helpful to have someone in town to take care of all the little details for you. 

The bride requested that I play all classical music through the meal, so I got to bring out some of my favorite harp pieces that I don't have the opportunity to play that often.  After the guests had left the dining hall to take the shuttles back to the hotel, Johanna's family encouraged her to play something for them.  I know there will be some great pictures of her sitting behind the harp, even if it had been awhile since she played! 

If you are planning a wedding at Notre Dame or St. Mary's, I'd love to work with you and provide the music for your ceremony or reception!  Visit my website ~ Notre Dame Wedding Music ~ for details, and contact me to check availability and request a quote.

Fort Wayne Wedding Music ~ Harpist at Colonial Oaks Golf Club

Amanda & Joseph enjoyed a beautiful day for their September 8th wedding!  Although the wind muddled the officiant's microphone and almost took down the arch, that's nothing compared to the rain and extreme heat we've dealt with all summer!

As guests arrived, I played a variety of classical pieces and love songs from  Broadway musicals.  The bridal party entered to the traditional "Canon in D" by Pachelbel, and the bride's processional music was Schubert's "Ave Maria."

The ceremony included a handfasting, during which the bride and groom literally "tied the knot" using purple, green, and white ribbons.  After they were presented to their guests as the Mr. & Mrs., I played "Trumpet Tune" for the recessional.  Other upbeat classical pieces followed, as their guests made their way to the clubhouse for the reception.

If you are planning a wedding in the Fort Wayne area, contact me about having harp music for your ceremony or reception!  Visit my website for more information:  Fort Wayne Wedding Harpist.

Detroit Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony at Greystone Golf Club, Washington

Lisa and Greg were married at the Greystone Golf Club in Washington, Michigan (north of Detroit).  After the heavy rains on Saturday, the skies cleared perfectly for their Sunday wedding.  The ceremony took place outside, with a beautiful pergola and evergreen trees framing the site.  Even better, the walkway from the clubhouse was paved with bricks, so the bride and bridesmaids didn't have to worry about their heels sinking into the wet ground!

As guests arrived, they were greeted by harp music.  The bride requested "Winter" from The Four Seasons for the seating of parents and grandparents, followed by the third movement of "Spring" ~ also from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons ~ for the bridal party entrance.  Lisa's processional music was the lovely "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.

The traditional "Wedding March" by Mendelssohn played as the newly married couple and the wedding party exited the ceremony site.  I kept playing other upbeat classical selections as the guests made their way to the reception. 

In Detroit and throughout eastern Michigan, I love working with couples to customize the music for their wedding!  Visit my website ~ Detroit Wedding Harpist ~ for more information on having a harpist at your ceremony and reception.

Wedding at Hamilton's 110 Northeast ~ Harpist in Central Illinois

Abby and Jared tied the knot on September 1st at Hamilton's 110 Northeast in Jacksonville, Illinois.  Hamilton's had set up the South Ballroom to serve perfectly for both the ceremony and the reception.  The couple definitely made it convenient for their guests!  Black and pink linens decorated the tables, and the ceremony space was framed with the same colors of tulle and white lights.  They were married in front of an arch set up by the head table.

The harp music played during the ceremony was a mix of traditional and popular songs.  The families of the bride and groom came in to "Arioso" by Bach.  This was followed up by "Hymne" for the bridesmaids' entrance.  Abby was escorted to the altar by her sisters.  For her processional, she requested Pachelbel's "Canon in D." 

During the ceremony, the groom's cousin was asked to sing "Marry Me" by Train.  This vocal performance was accompanied by the harp.  After the couple's introduction, it was time for Abby and Jared to walk up the aisle as husband and wife!  The music selection for the recessional was "All I Ask of You" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Phantom of the Opera.

If you are planning a wedding in Jacksonville and are in need of ceremony or reception music, please visit our website ~ Central Illinois Wedding Harpist.  Devon and I would love to provide the music for your wedding!

Wedding at Deep River County Park ~ Hobart, Indiana Harpist

As I was driving to Deep River County Park, I received a slightly panicked phone call from my bride for the day, Christina.  She had planned a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony at the park's gazebo, and it was in danger of being ruined by the remnants of Hurricane Isaac coming through Indiana.  Because harps are made of wood ~ and extremely expensive to repair or replace ~ it's crucial that it not get wet!  Fortunately, the gazebo has a (mostly) solid roof, and provides enough cover for the harp.  The only change we had to make to have the wedding go off as planned was to set the harp up inside the gazebo, rather than off to the side.  Not bad! 

While I was setting up, Christina's mother thanked me for my flexibility and being willing to go ahead with the outdoor ceremony.  If it's possible at all, I find a way to make it happen!  Fortunately for everyone, the rain stopped about half an hour before the ceremony began. 

But then...no officiant!  He wasn't from the area, and couldn't find the park.  I let the photographer know that ~ if all else fails ~ I am ordained and could perform the ceremony.  I did that a couple of years ago when an officiant was nearly an hour late, leaving everyone sitting outside in the sun, and putting the entire wedding schedule significantly behind.  Fortunately, I haven't needed to use it yet ~ their pastor showed up about fifteen minutes after the ceremony was supposed to begin.

As the families entered, I played "What a Wonderful World," followed by "Marry Me" for the entrance of the maid of honor and the flower girl (the daughter of the bride).  Christina made her big entrance to Pachelbel's "Canon in D."  As the couple was pronounced husband and wife, I played "King Williams' March" for their exit from the garden. 

Looking for a harpist to complete your wedding plans?  I have experience playing for hundreds of weddings through out the area, and at the most popular wedding venues in Northwest Indiana.  Visit my website ~ Northwest Indiana Wedding Harpist ~ and contact me for availability and a quote!