Wedding Harpist in Fort Wayne ~ Ceremony at Foster Park's Bridal Glen

Kate & Michael's ceremony was my last outdoor wedding of the year.  With the intense heat over the summer ~ and then the early fall chill ~ I'll be glad to retreat to climate-controlled churches and banquet centers for the next few months!  Fortunately, the weather was pleasant for their October 20th wedding in the Bridal Glen of Fort Wayne's Foster Park.

I played background music as guests arrived in the garden and found their seats.  Kate's bridesmaids & "bridesmen" entered to Bach's "Prelude in C."  I had a "bridesman" in my own wedding, so you know I love non-traditional wedding parties!  The bride's entrance music was Pachelbel's "Canon in D."

During the service, the couple combined green & black sand as part of their unity ceremony.  While they were doing this, I played "Your Song" by Elton John.  The recessional they chose is one of my personal favorites:  "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie!  

Whether you prefer the traditional wedding music, something completely unexpected, or a mix of both as Kate & Michael did, the harp can provide all of the music for your wedding ceremony!  Visit my website ~ Fort Wayne Wedding Music ~ for more information on having a harpist for your wedding.

Harpist for Bloomington Weddings ~ Ceremony & Reception at Ewing Manor

The great thing about being a professional harpist and providing ceremony music for the greatest day in a couple's life is that you get to work with some pretty amazing people and play in some pretty cool locations.  This past Saturday, I was fortunate to play in a location that is absolutely perfect for a wedding ceremony ~ Ewing Manor, in Bloomington, Illinois ~ and I played harp for a really cool and fun couple, Ashley and Travis.

Ashley and Travis had a fantastic ceremony.  For starters, they had Sara from So Chic Events help them coordinate everything.  Having worked with Sara on different occasions in the past, she definitely knows how to take the stress off of the bride when it comes to putting together an amazing wedding. 

As the guests began arriving in the gardens of Ewing Manor, they were greeted by a selection of classical and traditional harp music.  The selections included pieces such as "Arioso," "Prelude in C," and "Romance Without Words."

When it came time for the ceremony to start, the families came in first to "Winter" from The Four Seasons by Vivaldi.  The groomsmen and bridesmaids entered as couples and approached the altar to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."  Ashley chose the traditional "Canon in D" for her walk down the aisle, and the couple picked "Fields of Gold" by Sting for their recessional.  While not a traditional recessional piece, it definitely fits and works well for the close of the ceremony!

The bride and groom also had their reception at Ewing Manor.  During the cocktail hour, the couple had me provide background music for their guests.  The music selection was a bit more modern, as the songs ranged from Shania Twain, to the Beatles, to Elvis, and more!

If you are looking for wedding or reception music for your central Illinois wedding ceremony, reception, or rehearsal dinner, visit our website, Bloomington Wedding Harpist for more information. 

Central Illinois Wedding Music ~ Harpist for a Ceremony at Panther Creek

Alice and Cory had a bit of luck on their side during their wedding ceremony at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Illinois.  The weather was very "fall like" in the fact that the rain looked as if it was going to move in at any second.  But, instead of being windy and wet, the bride and groom only had to deal with it being windy!

The setup for the wedding at Panther Creek was right by the golf course and the clubhouse, which provided for a beautiful ceremony location.  With finely manicured greens serving as the backdrop of the ceremony, Alice and Cory had an amazing venue (even if one of the ushers had to politely ask for a neighbor to turn off a leaf blower!). 

Once the leaf blower stopped and the ceremony started, the families of the couple were seated to "Bless the Broken Road."  The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered the ceremony location to "Arioso."  With several children involved in the ceremony, the bride had requested a separate song for their processional.   Bach's "Prelude in C" worked out perfectly for the five children to walk to the front of the ceremony location.  Alice stayed with the traditional for her entrance by selecting "Canon in D," which is one of my favorite bridal entrance pieces to play.

When the bride and groom were announced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Cory Leefers, I played their chosen recessional piece, "Trumpet Voluntary."  For their getaway, the bride and groom left the ceremony location in a horse drawn carriage!

For weddings in Springfield and throughout Central Illinois, harp music is a wonderful accompaniment for your ceremony and reception!  For more information about having a harpist for your wedding, visit my website:  Central Illinois Wedding Music.

Harpist in Glen Arbor, Michigan ~ Wedding at the Homestead Resort

Originally, this was supposed to be one of Jeff's weddings, but I had a last-minute cancellation, so I decided to accompany him.  When I spoke to Carrie, the bride, earlier in the year, she let me know that the harp had to be taken to the ceremony site either by golf cart or chair lift.  I had to see this happen!

Carrie and Steve are from the Chicago area, but chose to get married in Glen Arbor, Michigan, at the Homestead Resort.  Northern Michigan is beautiful in the fall, and makes a perfect location for a close-to-home destination wedding.  The venue was beautifully decorated, with lanterns as part of the centerpieces, and a rustic styled wedding cake on a bark-covered cake stand.

Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate for the ceremony to take place on top of Bay Mountain, and it was moved inside Camp Firefly, where the reception was also taking place.  Even though I didn't get to take a harp up a chair lift, it was good that both of us were here for this wedding.  With the logistics of getting the ceremony and reception in the same room, there wasn't much space for the harp!

We had to set up across the room on the dance floor, where I could only see the middle of the aisle.  To time the music appropriately, I need to be able to see when the bridesmaids and bride enter, and also when they arrive at the front.  With the set-up, this just wasn't possible. 

Fortunately, we worked it out so I would do the actual playing for the wedding, and Jeff would be set up where I could see him, and he could see the processionals.  From where he sat, he was able to signal me for music changes. 

The guests arriving were able to enjoy harp music as they found their seats.  The bridal party was brought to the lodge in a shuttle, and the five bridesmaids came down the aisle to "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  Carrie went for the traditional "Here Comes the Bride" for her processional.  The recessional was the Beatles' hit "All You Need is Love."

After the ceremony, guests began the cocktail hour on the patio as the reception hall was re-set for dinner.  It was cold and rainy, so the staff from the Homestead Resort made sure it was done quickly so everyone could get back indoors!  When it was set, the guests came back in the banquet room, and I played through the remainder of the cocktail hour, entertaining with popular songs ranging from the 1970's through the present. 

For weddings in Northern Michigan, please contact me about providing harp music for your ceremony and reception.  You'll find more information on my website:  Northern Michigan Wedding Harpist.  I'd love to work with you and personalize the music for your big day!

Cleveland Wedding Harpist ~ Ceremony at the Western Reserve Historical Society

Rochele and Nickolas were married in the Hanna Courtyard of the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio.  I was thrilled to be their harpist at the Friday afternoon wedding ceremony.  The museum even had a display of wedding dresses in the room just before guests went out into the courtyard!

The gardens were absolutely beautiful, even though it was a bit chilly!  The guests were able to wait inside where it was warm until just before the ceremony began.  I was set up behind the guests, at the top of the steps, so it was very easy to get cues from the pastor's wife (who was lining up the processional) and to be able to see as everyone arrived at the front of the ceremony site.  Timing the music is so much easier when I don't end up sitting behind a "wall of groomsmen"!

During the prelude, I played harp arrangements of pieces from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  For the family processional, Rochele requested "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.

The bridesmaids were escorted by the groomsmen down the aisle (especially a good idea as there were uneven steps involved, and they weren't especially easy to navigate in high heels!).  As they took their places at the front, I played "Trumpet Voluntary."

Just before the bride's entrance, a boy carrying a "Here Comes the Bride" sign came down the aisle.  When I transitioned to the bride's processional, the theme from Disney's Beauty and the Beast, it brought tears to the eyes of the father of the bride.  Music has a way of bringing up good memories and emotions ~ especially on your wedding day!

The couple had intended on lighting a unity candle, but the windy conditions made that impossible.  Just before the pronouncement, they surprised their mothers by presenting them each with a rose.  As we had to skip over the unity candle, I played the piece they had chosen for it ~ "In My Life" by The Beatles ~ as they greeted their parents.

After this, they came back up the aisle to "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve.  Not something you'd necessarily expect to hear on a harp, but it worked well!  I included other pieces from Phantom of the Opera in the postlude, and filled in with additional pieces from Broadway musicals.

If you are looking for a Cleveland harpist for your wedding, please visit my website:  Cleveland Wedding Harpist.  I'd love to work with you and customize beautiful music for your ceremony!

Galena Wedding Harpist ~ Ceremony Harp Music at the Goldmoor Inn

Katie and Mike had perfect luck for their wedding ceremony!  They came from Washington, DC, to celebrate their wedding in romantic Galena, Illinois.  Even though the skies became darker as the ceremony time approached, the rain held off during the entire service, and the weather even began to clear up later in the afternoon.

The ceremony and the reception were held at the Goldmoor Inn in Galena, Illinois.  As you can see, the Goldmoor Inn provides a picturesque setting to hold a wedding ceremony, with a great staff that made sure everything was set up well in advance of any guests arriving.  The harp is the perfect addition to a wedding in Galena!




The wedding ceremony began a bit differently, as the couple went without a traditional bridal party of bridesmaids and groomsmen.  Instead, the ceremony started with the groom walking with his parents down the aisle, followed by a flower girl and a ring bearer processing just before the bride made her entrance. 

For the flower girl and ring bearer, I played Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."  After the flower girl had spread her rose petals ~ with great enthusiasm! ~ the bride entered to Pachelbel's "Canon in D."

Once the ceremony was complete and the couple was announced for the first time, it was time for the recessional.  In selecting the recessional, the couple went with "Ave Maria" by Schubert.

If you are planning a wedding in Galena, Illinois and need wedding music, please visit our website Galena Illinois Wedding Harpist for more information.  We are available throughout Northern Illinois and Eastern Iowa for wedding ceremonies, receptions, and any event that would be enhanced with live harp music!

Chicago Harpist ~ Corporate Reception at the Driehaus Museum

The Driehaus Museum is one of Chicago's lesser-known gems.  Located not far from Michigan Avenue in the River North District, this is a beautiful setting for intimate events.  From the moment you enter, you are stunned by the opulent lobby! 

This is where I was set up to play for a reception for doctors from the North Central Section of the American Urological Association.

As the guests arrived, they were met with harp music floating throughout the museum.  For this event, I played a variety of classical favorites and popular songs that everyone recognizes.

Some of these pieces included Bach's "Arioso," Leonard Cohen's "Halleluja" from Shrek, the Beatles song "All You Need is Love," and the Irish folk tune "O Danny Boy."

Everyone enjoyed drinks and hors d'oeuvres on the main level of the museum, wandered through the adjacent rooms, and then ascended the grand marble staircase for dinner in the ballroom. 

From corporate events to wedding ceremonies, I am available throughout the Chicago area to provide elegant music for all occasions.  Please visit my website ~ Chicago Harpist ~  for details!

Traverse City Harpist ~ Final Fantasy Wedding Music on the Harp

After I played my first wedding featuring music from Final Fantasy, I had several other couples book me for their ceremonies based on the availability of their favorite music already in my repertoire!  The harp is such an versatile instrument, I have had a lot of fun working with all of these couples to personalize their ceremony with music that has special meaning for them.

Originally, Mark and Molly planned their ceremony for outdoors, overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay.  The October weather in Northern Michigan didn't cooperate, so they had to move inside the Haggerty Center at Northwestern Michigan College.  Fortunately, the lobby has glass walls overlooking the bay, so their backdrop was the same, and everyone stayed warm and dry!  This may also be the first wedding I've played where there was a sailboat inside the venue.

They decorated the ceremony site with dark purple and other fall colors, along with pumpkins and gourds, and invited their guests to choose a seat, not a side for the service.  The reception followed later that evening, also at the Haggerty Center, and the "we did" sign pointed the way!

As guests arrived, I played a variety of less familiar classics and popular pieces.  When the families and the bridal party entered, the music chosen was "Aerith's Theme" from Final Fantasy VII.  Molly's processional, from Final Fantasy VIII, was "Eyes on Me." 

They poured and drank the wine for their unity ceremony to the "Main Theme" ~ also from Final Fantasy VII ~ and exited the ceremony to "Storybook Love" from The Princess Bride.

The harp is perfect for non-traditional wedding music!  Visit my website ~ Traverse City Harpist ~ for more information.  I am not just limited to weddings in Michigan, or even the Midwest.  No matter where you are getting married, I am available to travel throughout the US and internationally for destination weddings, so contact me for rates and availability!