Harpist in Holland, Michigan ~ Wedding on the Beach

Debi & Jerry had the perfect day for their wedding on the beach!  Friends and family joined them from Wisconsin & Kentucky to celebrate at Holland State Park in Holland, Michigan.  Their morning ceremony was followed by a luncheon in the shelter house.

With many young grandchildren in attendance, Debi wanted to be sure they would hear music they recognized.  As everyone gathered for the ceremony, I played a variety of popular pieces, including "Rainbow Connection" from The Muppet Movie.  It's one of my favorites, and always a hit!  "Edelweiss" from The Sound of Music was the signal that the wedding was about to begin.

As the attendants entered, I played "When You Wish Upon a Star" from Pinocchio.  The bride's processional music was "What a Wonderful World," and "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban served as a musical interlude. 

The bride and groom had a specific song that they wanted included for their unity sand ceremony - "You've Made Me So Very Happy."  Since it wasn't a song I already had in my repertoire, I arranged it for harp specifically for them.  We were all thrilled with the results!  At the conclusion of the ceremony, everyone exited to "Thank You" by Dido. 

A slight re-adjustment of the harp to face the tables, and I continued to play through lunch.  The bride and groom requested that I play mostly popular songs and folk music, some of which included:

• Evergreen
• In My Life
• Greensleeves
• Unchained Melody
• Grow Old Along with Me
• Scarborough Fair
• Someone to Watch Over Me

Up next, the newlyweds are heading off with a couple of their friends to India!  I may be just a little bit jealous...

If you are planning a beach wedding, the harp can be the perfect musical complement to your day!  In addition to the large concert harps I offer, I also have more portable Celtic-style harps that can be placed directly on the sand (here, we had a solid concrete surface to set up the Venus Classic harp).  Visit my website ~ Holland Michigan Harpist ~ for details!

Grand Rapids Harpist ~ Wedding at Eve at the B.O.B.

The first few months of the year are slower for weddings, but starting mid-April, we typically have at least one event to share with you every week!  My first wedding of the season was held at Eve, the night club on the top floor of the B.O.B. in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The intimate ceremony was held in the Heat room.  The attendants were the children of the bride and groom, and the bride's daughter walked her down the aisle to "Canon in D."  The groom, along with his son and daughter, entered to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."  After the ceremony, they exited to the first movement of  "Spring" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

Once all of the guests had exited the ceremony room, they made their way to the main part of the night club, where the reception followed.  I continued to provide harp music during the cocktail hour, with music ranging from Scottish folk songs to The Beatles.  Some of the pieces included:

• All You Need is Love
• Amazing Grace
• At Last
• Because You Loved Me
• Chapel of Love
• Come Sail Away
• Falling Slowly
• In My Life
• Glitter in the Air
• I Swear
• Loch Lomond
• Love Song by The Cure
• Marry Me by Train
• Only Time
• Sweet Child o' Mine
• There is Love (The Wedding Song)
• Unchained Melody
• When You Wish Upon a Star
• What a Wonderful World
• You Raise Me Up
• Your Song

Eve provided the perfect non-traditional venue for Cindy & Brian's wedding.  The modern style of the Penti harp - and their varied music selections - complemented the setting.  If you are planning a wedding in Grand Rapids, contact me at 1-877-HARP-578 to learn more about including harp music in your event.  You can also find additional information on my website ~ Grand Rapids Harpist.  Live harp music is always an excellent choice!

Grand Rapids Harpist ~ Wedding Reception at the Amway Grand Plaza

11-11-11 was a very popular wedding date!  Not quite as busy at 7-7-07, but Jeff and I both had receptions for which we were booked as the harpists this year.  Originally, Dan & Tonya planned to have both their ceremony and reception on Friday, but instead they went ahead with their ceremony on the other prime date this year ~ 9-10-11 ~ in Vegas!  They kept their plans for the reception, and were able to enjoy a more relaxed and low-key event with their closest friends and family members.

The reception was held on the 26th floor of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the DeVos Suite.  I arrived just before sunset, and the view was breathtaking!  Before the guests arrived, I rehearsed with a friend of the bride's who sang "When You Say Nothing At All" to harp accompaniment later in the evening. 

For the rest of the evening, I entertained the guests with harp renditions of a variety of popular songs, from "Can't Help Falling in Love" to "Clocks" to "You Raise Me Up."  Guests enjoyed drinks, appetizers, and the view over nighttime Grand Rapids.  The couple and their children also participated in a sand ceremony, creating a keepsake vase with each person's blue or black (the wedding colors) sand. 

If you are planning a wedding ceremony or reception in Grand Rapids, I'd love to be your harpist!  Visit my website, Grand Rapids Harpist, for details on including harp music in your plans.

Battle Creek Harp Player ~ Music for an Anniversary Party

Being a wedding harpist is a fantastic!  As a harpist, I get to provide something unique for a couple's ceremony, and it is something that not to many people get the chance to do.  With that being said, often times we get the chance to play for anniversary parties as well.

Playing for weddings is truly fun, but getting to play for a couple's 40th wedding anniversary party when they still show such love and devotion to each other, is an honor.  Nothing is more moving and heartwarming to see a couple who cannot wait for the next 40 years of marriage!

For Bob and Cheryl, they celebrated their anniversary with a nice dinner and lots of guests at the Battle Creek Country Club.  During the two and one-half hour event, I provided a nice mix of classical and popular music, such as "Let it Be," "Fields of Gold," "Prelude in C," "Falling Slowly," "Minuet in G," and more.

The harp can be the perfect background music for any type of party!  If you would like more information about having harp music for the next event you are hosting, please visit our website Battle Creek Harpist.

Grand Rapids Harpist ~ Wedding at Fallasburg Park

Katy & Jay made some unique and eclectic music choices for their ceremony.  There's no rule that says weddings have to be traditional!  The ceremony took place overlooking the river in Fallasburg Park in Lowell, Michigan (just East of Grand Rapids).  They provided a pop-up canopy for the harp, so that it wouldn't be affected by the sun or any rain that decided to appear.  Fortunately, the storms held off until later that night!

I always allow extra time to get to my weddings, which usually has me arriving quite early.  I read a lot of books!  This time, I also got to chat with the two 6- and 7-year-old ring bearers.  I told them how important their job was, because when they came in, it was my sign to switch to the music for the bride.  They were so excited to be a part of this wedding!

During the prelude, their requests included classical, folk, and popular music:

• Clair de lune
• At Last
• Shine on Harvest Moon
• Autumn Leaves
• O Danny Boy
• La paloma azul
• Greensleeves
• Scarborough Fair
• Kum ba yah
• Earth Angel

As the time got close to begin, the ring bearers ran up to tell me that they were going to go do their jobs now! 

The ceremony started as the judge performing the wedding (he is also a family friend) entered, followed by the parents of the bride & groom.  The bridesmaids, junior attendants, and ring bearers came down the aisle to "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin.  When the ring bearers were in place (they knew that was my cue!), the music changed to "'81" by the British harpist and singer Joanna Newsom.

They had three readings during the ceremony: "I Carry Your Heart with Me," "Litany," and "Where the Sidewalk Ends."  Following the readings was the lighting of the unity candle.  Instead of including their parents, they couple who introduced the bride and groom assisted, as I played "Beautiful Dreamer."  The recessional was "La Vie en Rose" by Louiguy.

In Grand Rapids and throughout West Central Michigan, I love to play the harp for weddings and parties!  Just visit my website, Grand Rapids Wedding Music, or call 1-877-HARP-578 to talk about including live harp music in your plans.

Grand Haven Harpist - Wedding Music on the Beach

Although we have had the chance to play several beach weddings in the past, this was the first time for Grand Haven City Beach.  When I arrived at the beach, the first thing that I noticed is how busy the beach was.  The planners who helped Kristen put together her beach wedding did an amazing job.  Not only did they do a great setup, but they had the perfect spot that was away from the crowd.

For the wedding ceremony itself, the bridesmaids, groomsmen, flower girl and ring bearer all entered down a small dune to the song Only Time by Enya.  Kristen then came down the dune to Canon in D.  After the ceremony had ended, the bridal party and guests all participated in a blessing stone ceremony.  This ceremony consists of each guest having a small rock that they toss out into the lake as they think or say a blessing to the couple.  For this ceremony Third Movement from Spring was played.

Thinking about a beach wedding?  You don't have to travel far as Lake Michigan has many beautiful options!  If you are planning a beach wedding, the harp is a perfect fit.  Visit our website, Michigan Beach Harpist to learn more. 

Favorite Pictures

So I've been really bad at keeping this up to date, so I'm just going to review some of the weddings from the past year.

This picture is from a wedding in August 2007. The ceremony and reception took place at the Summit Club in South Bend, at the top of the Holiday Inn building. The huge glass windows made a fabulous backdrop for an elegant evening.

This ceremony took place on the campus of St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. They had at least three weddings on campus that day! The chapel coordinator was extremely organized and easy to work with. For this wedding, the bride also requested a vocalist who sang the Saint Mary's Alma Mater for the bridesmaids' processional, and Ave Maria later in the Mass.

In April, I was back in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a wedding at the Peninsular Club. I love valet parking, especially when it's free! It's so nice to not have to worry about parking the harpmobile downtown (and to have someone open the doors!).