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!