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!

Northern Michigan Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony and Reception at Bay Harbor

Craig and Laura planned their Bay Harbor wedding from the Detroit area.  Northern Michigan is a perfect location for a close-to-home destination wedding, and everyone was able to escape the high temperatures that we've been dealing with this summer.  It rained a bit in the morning and early afternoon, but cleared out nicely for the 4:00 pm ceremony.  A breeze off of Lake Michigan kept the beach wedding comfortable!

With the reception scheduled to immediately follow the ceremony, I set up my Laurel Leaf harp for the cocktail hour at the Bay Harbor Conference Center prior to heading down to Sunset Beach with my BlevinSong harp.  It made the transition between the two locations much easier, and I was able to get music going for the cocktail hour sooner.

Down on the beach, guests arrived to a variety of classical and popular harp music.  The bridesmaids entered to Sting's "Fields of Gold," with "Canon in D" serving as the bride's processional.  During the unity sand ceremony, I played "The Prayer" from Quest for Camelot.  "Trumpet Tune" ended the ceremony, with the guests leaving the beach and heading to the reception down the street at the Bay Harbor Conference Center.

For the cocktail hour, the bride and groom requested that I play all popular music from the 1990's through today.  It might not be what most people expect to hear on the harp, but I love doing the unexpected!  Some of the pieces I played included:

• Collide by Howie Day
• Glitter in the Air by Pink
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight from The Lion King
• Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
• Marry Me and Hey Soul Sister by Train
• Falling Slowly from Once

As a professional harpist, I provide elegant and sophisticated music for weddings at Bay Harbor, on Mackinac Island, and throughout Northern Michigan.  Yes, even on the beach!  Visit my website ~ Northern Michigan Wedding Harpist ~ to find out how to include harp music in your wedding plans!

Michigan City Harpist ~ Wedding at the International Friendship Gardens

Amy and William were married on a June evening at the International Friendship Gardens in Michigan City, Indiana.  It looks as if there have been some improvements at the gardens this year, from better parking to nicer chairs for the wedding guests.  You can even have your reception here now!

The pastor officiating the ceremony arrived shortly after I did, so we were able to go over all of the music cues with plenty of time to spare before guests began to arrive. It's nice not to have to try to do that when I'm already playing prelude music!  Amy chose "Fanny Power" ~ a piece by the Irish harpist O'Carolan ~ for her bridesmaids' processional, and the traditional "Bridal Chorus" for her entrance music.  With the Irish music Amy chose, the Celtic style of my BlevinSong harp was a perfect match!

After a scripture reading, I played a verse of the hymn "O Perfect Love."  As the couple and their pastor moved toward the table for the unity sand ceremony, I began the song "When Irish Eyes are Smiling."  We had worked it out so that the music would fade to a quieter volume while the pastor was speaking, and then crescendo as the couple finished the service and moved back to the front of the aisle.  Once they were pronounced husband & wife, everyone exited the Symphony Garden to "Trumpet Tune."

If you are planning a wedding in the Michigan City or LaPorte areas, contact me about having harp music at your ceremony!  You'll find more information on my website ~ Michigan City Harpist.

Wedding Harpist in Chicago ~ Ceremony Music in Long Grove

The exclusive Royal Melbourne Country Club in Long Grove, Illinois, was the setting for Mary Grace & Steve's June 16th wedding.  It was a little warm (this is getting to be the theme of the summer!), but the ceremony was able to take place as scheduled outside the club overlooking the golf course.

With her florals, the bride opted to go for an elegant rustic look.  The harp she chose, the BlevinSong lever harp, was the perfect complement!  The music ran from rather traditional...to pieces you'd probably not expect to hear on a harp!  As the bridal party made their way down the aisle, I played "Sweet Child O' Mine."  This transitioned to Pachelbel's "Canon in D" for the bride's big entrance.  This is a great choice for a bride who wants something recognizable and classical for her processional, but not the traditional "Here Comes the Bride." 

During the unity sand ceremony, Mary Grace left the music choice up to me.  As this doesn't take very long, and no one wants to stand around waiting for a song to end, I played just a chorus of "Grow Old Along with Me" and was able to time it to match the ceremony exactly.  This was followed up by another Lennon & McCartney song for the recessional:  "Eight Days a Week."  I continued to play as guests exited the ceremony and made their way inside for the reception.

If you are planning a wedding in the Chicago area, and are looking for a harpist, please contact me!  You can also find more information on my website ~ Chicago Wedding Harpist.

11 Terms That Should Be in Your Wedding Music Contract

Throughout the wedding planning process, you will be signing dozens of contracts. No matter what product or service they are providing, all of your vendors should provide a contract to outline expectations and responsibilities for both parties.

For wedding musicians, you want to be sure that they will arrive when you expect them to and perform the way you have envisioned. Your musicians need to know the details and logistics of your ceremony venue.

There are some items that should be in your contract with all of your wedding vendors, but there are some that are specific to musicians, and you should make sure that you are comfortable with the contract and read it thoroughly before you sign.

As professional harpists, we have had the pleasure of providing the music for over 400 weddings, and would love to work with you, too! Please contact us for a price quote or for more information on enhancing your wedding with live music.

Wedding Music Contracts

1. The date, time, and location of your wedding. This should be obvious, but if you contract your musicians, and then change the time or location, be sure to notify them! Ceremony musicians often play for more than one wedding per day, so they may not be able to accommodate a time or venue change. Be sure to check with them before you make any adjustments.

2. Deposit amount and terms. Be sure that your deposit is applicable to your total fee. Most deposits will be non-refundable, since your musicians are turning down other weddings, counting on your business. Often, there will be a due date for your deposit, and if it not received by that date, you will lose your spot on the musician's calendar. Be sure to send your contract and deposit back on time!

3. Final payment amount and terms. Depending upon the total fee, you may also choose to make intermediate payments. Check for any late fees that will be added for payments not received in time. Write due dates on your calendar a week in advance so you send your payments in before they are due.

4. Overtime. Know what overtime charges will be, and if you musicians are even available to stay for overtime. If your wedding is running late, they might not be able to remain if they have another even booked after yours. Be prepared to pay for any overtime needed on the day of your wedding with cash (most musicians can't take credit cards on site).

5. Weather provisions. If you are having an outdoor wedding, this is crucial! Know what conditions are acceptable for the musicians and their instruments, and what will require a move to your back-up location. Most musicians need a flat and level surface that is dry and out of direct sunlight. As acoustic instruments are made of wood, any rain will damage them, so make sure that you have adequate shelter for your musicians, or plan on moving inside.

6. Cancellation. If you need to cancel, what do the musicians require? Usually, all cancellations need to be in writing from the person who signed the contract. Depending upon how close you are to the date, you may still be liable for the full balance due. If your musicians have to cancel (this should be only in the case of a true emergency!), what will they do for you? At the very least, they should give you a full refund and assist you in locating another comparable performer.

7. Music selections. Check for a deadline when your music selections must be turned in. If you are requesting pieces outside of the published repertoire list of your musician, give them as much time as possible to prepare. You will usually not have to make music selections at the time of contracting, especially if you are booking several months in advance.

8. Extra fees. Will there be extra charges for early set-up or arrival? Parking? Meals? Mileage? Sheet music they need to purchase? Assistants? Accompanying a singer? Be sure that everything that may attract a charge is covered in your contract.

9. Who will be my musician? For large groups and booking agents, make sure you know exactly who will be playing for your wedding - and have his or her name listed on the contract. This isn't a problem when you are dealing with individual musicians!

10. Attire. If you have specific requests for your musicians, note them on the contract. You don't want Hawaiian shirts at a black tie reception! Most musicians will dress appropriately for the occasion (check pictures of past events), but add this in if it will make you more comfortable.

11. Contact information. Make sure that your contact information as printed on the contract is correct, and that you also have that of the musician. If there is a change in your phone number, address, or email during your engagement, be sure to notify all of your vendors.

Northern Indiana Wedding Music ~ Harpist in South Bend

What a beautiful afternoon for a wedding!  With all of the rain and heat we've had this summer, it was a pleasure to have an outdoor ceremony that could actually go ahead as planned!  I've played for several weddings at Blue Heron on the Blackthorn Golf Course.  New this time was the pergola on the lawn that is surrounded by flowers and provides a centralized backdrop for the couple's vows.

The bridesmaids, all wearing short azalea-colored dresses and carrying blue & purple bouquets, entered to "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera.  The bride's processional was the traditional "Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride)."  They went with pop music for the recessional - the Beatles' song "All My Loving."

In South Bend and throughout Northern Indiana, I love playing the harp for weddings!  Visit my website, South Bend Wedding Music, for more information on including a harpist in your wedding plans.

Battle Creek Wedding Music ~ Harpist for an Outdoor Ceremony

This summer has had some crazy weather on the weekends!  It seems as if it has either been extremely hot, or raining.  Last Saturday, we had rain in Michigan.  The ceremony was scheduled to take place on the lawn outside the Historic Sullivan Barn in downtown Battle Creek, MI.

When I arrived about an hour and a half before the ceremony starting time, the rain had just started to come down.  Running inside, I met with the groom and the friend of the bride who was coordinating.

We all huddled around the radar, and watched the storm move through.  Going over back-up plans, we discussed moving the ceremony inside the barn, to the reception hall, or to the pastor's church.  Fortunately, the longer we watched the radar, the faster the rain passed!

The wedding was supposed to start at 4:00, and that's exactly when the rain stopped.  The bride's family and friends rushed to take down the canopy and dry off the chairs.  I set up in the lobby and played prelude music from there for awhile.  When it was time to get everyone moved outside, I was able to get the harp out there quickly (thank goodness for my ultra-portable BlevinSong harp!).

The bridal party entered to Canon in D.  The flower girl needed a little encouragement to make it down the aisle, but she did it!  The bride's entrance music was the the traditional Wagner Bridal Chorus (also known as Here Comes the Bride).  For the pouring of the unity sand, the couple requested the Enya song Only Time, and the recessional was My Heart Will Go On from Titanic.

In Battle Creek and throughout central Michigan, my husband Jeff and I play the harp for wedding ceremonies and reception.  If you are interested in hiring one (or both!) of us a your wedding harpist, visit our website for more information:

Michigan Wedding Harpist

or call 1-877-HARP-578.

Michigan Harpist ~ Willow Harbor Vineyard Wedding Ceremony Music

Willow Harbor Vineyards in Southwest Michigan is one of our favorite wedding venues.  We play for ceremonies there several times each summer, and I was back for Jenni & Kyle's beautiful outdoor wedding in the Chardonnay Vineyard.

The three bridesmaids entered to Pachelbel's Canon in D, and the bride's processional was Wagner's Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride).  For the recessional, they went with a more contemporary selection, Fields of Gold.

After the ceremony, I often have guests stop by and tell me how much they enjoyed the harp music.  At this one, one of those guests is also a professional musician - with the Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra!

The BlevinSong harp used for this ceremony is the perfect choice for outdoor ceremonies, as it is very portable.  Unlike my other harps, this instrument is strung with nylon strings, so the tuning is more stable when the weather and humidity are not!

From vineyards to the beach, harp music is the perfect addition to your Southwest Michigan wedding!  Visit our website, Southwest Michigan Wedding Music, for more information.

Southwest Michigan Wedding Music ~ Chapel at the Morris Estate

Every year, Jeff and I play the harp for several weddings at the Morris Chapel.  It has gone through a few name changes (Morris Farms, Centre Meeting House), and now it is the Chapel at Morris Estates.  The new owners have great plans for the coming years - including air conditioning!  This is a popular location for Southwest Michigan weddings since it is a blank slate that you can decorate in any way you choose. 

Jeff did one in the chapel earlier this year that covered the stage/altar area with candles!

For this wedding ceremony, I played my BlevinSong lever harp.  It is a 36-string harp and has a simple, Celtic style and a natural maple finish.  During the prelude, the guests entered to a variety of popular love songs and classical pieces.  When the officiant signaled that the ceremony was ready to begin, I transitioned into the traditional "Canon in D" for the entrance of the bridal party, followed by "Bridal Chorus" - also known as Wagner's "Here Comes the Bride".

During the lighting of the unity candle, the bride and groom opted for something more contemporary - "Fields of Gold" by Sting.  You'd be surprised how well songs like that can be adapted for the harp!  When they ceremony concluded, the newlyweds and the bridal party exited to "King William's March".

Whether you are planning a simple & sweet or formal & luxurious wedding, the harp can fit in perfectly!  Visit our website:

The Classic Wedding Harpist

to find out more about including a harpist in your wedding plans!

Beach Wedding Music ~ Southwest Michigan Harpist

I have played at the Lakeside Inn several times before (most memorably a few weeks ago when the ceremony carried on through a downpour - fortunately the harp stayed dry in an artists' studio right behind the ceremony site), but this was my first time on their private Lake Michigan beach.  It's a beautiful setting, but a very challenging set-up.

This wedding was a harp & violin duet, so at least I had help with moving all of the equipment down to the ceremony site.  When we got down with our first load, we were thrilled to see an umbrella already set up for us - shade is a MUST for musicians playing on the beach!  We were able to leave our things there, and climb back up the 104(!) steps back to the parking lot.  Vowing to get everything else in one trip, we made it!

The BlevinSong lever harp is the most portable of my harps, and it is the only harp that it is possible to get down to this beach.  Even taking this one wasn't easy!

The bride had only one request for her ceremony music ~ she wanted to enter to "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  Other than that, she left the rest of the music up to us. For the entrance of the mothers and bridal party, we played "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by J.S. Bach.

The unity sand ceremony almost didn't happen - someone forgot the sand!  Lucky for them, the beach has plenty, and they blended sand together with their hands.  While this was going on, the aunt of the groom sang "The Wedding Song", accompanied by the groom's brother playing the guitar.  The recessional was "Trumpet Tune" followed up by "Rondeau" by Mouret, "Trumpet Voluntary", and other joyful pieces for the postlude.

Back up the stairs...and we had help!  Most of the time, I don't have any trouble moving my harps on my own, but was glad when a couple of wedding guests offered to assist us getting everything back up all of those stairs in one trip.  Thank you!!!  Now I just need to get all of the sand out of my harp case!

From weddings on the Lake Michigan beach to a local winery, I love providing harp music for weddings and events throughout Southwest Lower Michigan.  Visit my website:

Southwest Michigan Wedding Music

for information on having harp music for your wedding ceremony or reception.  Along with solo harp, I offer many different ensembles.  Harp & violin (what this bride chose) is the most popular choice.  Other ensembles include:

• Harp & Flute
• Harp, Violin & Cello
• Harp & Trumpet
• Two-harp Duet
• Harp & String Quartet
• Harp, Flute & Cello
• Harp & Guitar
• Harp & Marimba

...or anything else you can think of!  With connections with hundreds of professional musicians, I can create the perfect ensemble for your event.

Choosing the Right Harp for Your Wedding or Event

Jeff and I love tailoring our music to fit the needs and wishes of our clients, and a big part of that is the harps that we own and use.  All four of our professional-quality instruments have a unique appearance and sound.  This post will help guide you in selecting which one is the best for your wedding or event!

The two types of harps we offer are lever harps and pedal harps.  Lever harps are smaller and lighter - and much easier to transport!  They have a lever at the top of each string to alter the pitch (like the black keys on a piano). 

Our BlevinSong Lever Harp has 36 strings, and was built by Dwight Blevins in Colorado.  This harp has an Irish or Celtic style, both in appearance and sound.  I'd describe it as the "brightest" sounding harp we have.  This is the harp we use for most of our beach weddings, and it can be placed directly on the sand.  It is perfect if your venue is difficult to access (winding staircases, gravel pathways, in a tree house - and yes, I've really played in a tree house!), or if the majority of music you are requesting is Celtic. 

Our other lever harp is a Webster Laurel Leaf harp, designed and built by Bill Webster just outside of Detroit, Michigan.  With 40 strings, this harp is a little larger than the BlevinSong.  This harp is perfect for outdoor weddings, and beach weddings when the harp is not placed directly on the sand (boardwalk, platform, etc.).  It has a classic and elegant style, with carved gold leaves wrapped around the ebony column. 

All of the music marked with a "+" on our repertoire lists can be played on either the BlevinSong or Laurel Leaf harps.

Pedal harps are the type of harps you see in an orchestra.  Instead of levers on each string, they have seven pedals at the base of the instrument.  We use those pedals to set the strings for sharps and flats (like the black keys on a piano), and the pedals move discs at the top of each string by means of a rod that runs through the hollow column.

If you are interested in learning more about how a pedal harp works, I recommend the article Pedal Harp 101 at the Harp Spectrum.

Both of our pedal harps were built by W&W Musical Instrument Company (Venus Harps) in Chicago, Illinois.  The harp that we custom ordered for Jeff is a semi-grand (concert size) Penti in a matte ebony finish.  It has 46 strings, and has a beautiful modern and sleek silhouette.

The other pedal harp is a Venus Classic Concert Grand.  With 47 strings, this is the largest harp that is built.  It is hand-carved, and decorated with roses at the top of the harp and around the base.  This harp is one of the earliest instruments built by W&W, and is over thirty years old.  It is the perfect romantic instrument!

All of the sound clips on our website were recorded on the Penti & Classic harps.  The pedal harps offer the greatest musical flexibility, and all of the music on our repertoire list can be played on either of these two instruments. 

Website:  www.TheClassicHarpist.com
Toll-free: 1-877-HARP-578

Miami Florida Wedding Harpist ~ Crandon Park Beach

We love destination weddings ~ and there's nothing better than playing for a ceremony on the beach and escaping a snowstorm in the Midwest!  Jeff and I took the opportunity to extend our "vacation" and spend a couple of days in Key West before the January 8th wedding.

Chris and Joy worked with Forever in Love ~ Elegant Beach Weddings to officiate and coordinate their wedding on Key Biscayne.  I was thrilled to be a part of their ceremony!  It took place on the beach of Crandon Park, a beautiful and serene escape from the much busier Miami Beach.  Their colors of coral and mint were displayed in the chair covers and the flowers that decorated their arch.

They brought their families in for the weekend, and had about twenty guests for their ceremony.  Everyone arrived in a pair of stretch Hummer limousines!

As the guests were seated, I played "Sheep May Safely Graze" by J.S. Bach.  The bridal party entered to another Bach piece, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", followed by "Canon in D" for the bride's processional.  "Serenade" by McDonald accompanied the unity sand ceremony, and the recessional was "Reverie" by Grandjany.

Yes, you can have a harpist for your beach wedding!  When the harp will be placed directly on the sand as was the case for this ceremony, we use the BlevinSong harp pictured here.  This harp is very portable, and we can use a battery-powered amplifier to boost the volume as needed (it depends upon the waves and the wind!). 

If you are planning a destination wedding in Florida, please contact us about providing harp music for your ceremony and reception:

Miami Florida Wedding Harpist

We are available anywhere in the US (especially in Florida in January!), and will also travel internationally for weddings and events.