I was incredibly impressed by Devon and Jeff. I had a couple of special songs I wanted played for my wedding. One of them had vocals in it. Devon did a search for sheet music online, and they performed the pieces beautifully! Devon sang for the piece with vocals while Jeff played. It was exactly what I had wanted! I also had a few younger kids at the wedding, and after the ceremony they were curious about the harps. When a couple of them came up and started playing with them, instead of getting angry and yelling at them to stop, Devon and Jeff started teaching them some easy songs to play. I would highly recommend them for any event you're planning!!
~Shannon, Bride
October 9th, 2010
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska, MN
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Wish Upon a Wedding
We are proud to partner with Wish Upon a Wedding!
Wish Upon a Wedding is the world's first nonprofit wish granting organization that provides weddings and vow renewals for couples facing terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. Less than one year old, the organization has 16 active chapters, and will have granted 12 wishes by the end of 2010.
During the month of November, they are hosting several fund raising galas and auctions throughout the country, and would like to invite you to participate.
Whether you are a bride or groom to be, a wedding industry professional, or you simply love the concept behind their mission... YOU can help make Wedding Wishes come true, while raising crucial funding needed to sustain this wonderful, new nonprofit organization.
The Blissful Wishes Ball is a festive way to support Wish Upon a Wedding. Enjoy a nice night out on the town with an elegant dinner, entertainment, music, dancing, and incredible auction items.
For the first time in history, couples getting married can plan their entire wedding from virtually any city in the United States, knowing that every penny they spend will go directly towards helping a couple in need. It's so EASY to bid. Find everything from invitations to flowers, catering to DJs, photography to wedding planners, honeymoons and more.
Simply visit their online auction site here to choose from hundreds of items from the industry's best vendors.
Even if you are not getting married, check it out for other exciting items, such as dinners in top-rated restaurants, entertainment, sporting events and popular autographed memorabilia. Every cent earned goes towards Wish Upon a Wedding and their mission to provide these heartfelt Wedding Wishes.
About Wish Upon a Wedding
Founded in January of 2010 by CA wedding planner, Liz Guthrie of San Jose Wedding Consultants, Wish Upon a Wedding was
created to help couples who did not have the time, money, resources or strength to plan a wedding on their own, because of terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. The organization now celebrates the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding wishes. It is their goal that chosen recipients can
inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength, while raising awareness for terminal illness.
created to help couples who did not have the time, money, resources or strength to plan a wedding on their own, because of terminal illness or other serious life-altering circumstances. The organization now celebrates the courage, determination and spirit of these couples by granting their dream wedding wishes. It is their goal that chosen recipients can
inspire other couples facing similar situations to find hope and strength, while raising awareness for terminal illness.
Growing up with a sister who was deaf since birth, and raised by parents who ran a board and care home for people facing numerous disabilities and life hardships, Liz learned early on to value the many blessings in life, and the importance of helping others. Volunteering throughout her life for a variety of nonprofit organizations, Liz was looking for a way to combine weddings and community service.
After producing the San Francisco Dream Wedding Giveaway in 2009, a contest in which only one couple would be granted a dream wedding, Liz came up with a way to merge her two passions. While going through the process of giving the wedding "prize" to a woman suffering from stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Liz created Wish Upon a Wedding. Overnight, Liz decided to change wedding history, and the way we give, by launching a nonprofit organization that was totally unique and had never existed before.
Supported by industry leaders such as Sasha Souza, David Beahm, Stella Inserra, Jenny Orsini, Kevin Covey, Stacie Francombe, Sylvia Weinstock, Steve Kemble, Mindy Weiss, Mary Dann, and Ivy Robinson (to name just a few), the organization has experienced rapid growth and seen voracious acceptance throughout the country.
To date, eight couples have benefited from the generous work of Wish Upon a Wedding. Over 4,000 volunteers have signed up to become Wish Granters. Their facebook page has attracted over 10,000 fans.
None of this would be possible without public support.
In Loving Memory of Wish Recipients who have Passed On
Dani and Tony married in St Louis on September 1. She passed away September 30th. Dani had suffered from Cystic Fibrosis since age 3, and had recently received a double lung transplant.
Florence and Micheal married near Sacramento on March 13. She passed away on September 28. Florence battled stage IV breast cancer, and was diagnosed with six months to live at the time of her wedding.
Shelly and Jay married in Seattle on May 2. Shelly passed away three weeks later. She had been battling a rare type of cancerous lymphoma, and Jay suffered from Multiple Sclerosis.
And help them spread the word, by sharing this article with your friends, family, co-workers and acquaintances.
You CAN make a difference in someone's life today!
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Fort Wayne Harpist | Allen County Courthouse Wedding
On September 25th, I got to play for a wedding ceremony in the Allen County Courthouse in Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was modeled after the Statehouse in Indianapolis, where I provided harp music for a wedding last March. Great acoustics again!
To create a backdrop for the ceremony, they had a fabric drape in the wedding colors of plum and gold. A high-top table held the unity candle and a flower arrangement.
The bridal party and bride processed down the grand staircase to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Canon in D". I would have been terrified of falling!
I've been set up under a mounted deer head before, but never by a tax enforcement office. Every wedding brings something new!
The ceremony area from my point of view:
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To create a backdrop for the ceremony, they had a fabric drape in the wedding colors of plum and gold. A high-top table held the unity candle and a flower arrangement.
The bridal party and bride processed down the grand staircase to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Canon in D". I would have been terrified of falling!
I've been set up under a mounted deer head before, but never by a tax enforcement office. Every wedding brings something new!
The ceremony area from my point of view:
During the unity candle, the bride requested the Bach-Gounod version of "Ave Maria". While less well-known than Schubert's version, this one is equally - if not more - beautiful. She didn't want the song to drag on after the candle lighting (which takes no time at all!), so I found a good spot to bring it gracefully to a close. Much better than standing there awkwardly, with all of the guests staring at you, waiting for a five-minute song to end!
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"Trumpet Voluntary" was the recessional, which sent the guests upstairs for the cocktail hour. They later returned to the main floor, which had been transformed for dinner service.
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Looking for a harpist in Fort Wayne? Visit our website or call 1-877-HARP-578 for more information!
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Monday, October 11, 2010
Northwest Indiana Wedding Harpist
While I was off playing for a wedding in Michigan, Jeff had two weddings on September 18th. The first was in the gardens of the Oliver Mansion (Copshaholm) at the Northern Indiana Center for History in South Bend. The rain threatened to put a damper on the outdoor ceremony, but held off until the very moment the couple was pronounced "husband and wife". The guests ran for cover - and so did the harpist!
Their wedding music was mostly traditional:
Before the ceremony, the bride opted for more popular selections (The Prayer, My Heart Will Go On, and anything by The Beatles).
Once this wedding was complete, Jeff was off to Hobart, Indiana to play harp for a wedding at Deep River County Park. When we lived in Valparaiso, we played there frequently, but less so since we moved to South Bend. It's always enjoyable to get back to the area! Jeff didn't get any pictures at this one (the rain is hard on the harp and harpist!), but here is one from a couple of years ago:
It's a beautiful venue, and they usually have several weddings there every weekend. One of the best features of the location is a large gazebo, which is a good back-up for the drizzly weather. For the bridal party processional, the bride chose "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, and her own entrance was the popular "Canon in D". "Trumpet Tune" made for an upbeat recessional.
If you are looking for a musician for your Northwest Indiana wedding, please contact us!
http://www.theclassicharpist.com/
1-877-HARP-578
Their wedding music was mostly traditional:
- Seating of Families: Ave Maria by Schubert
- Bridal Party Processional: Trumpet Tune by Purcell
- Bride's Processional: Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride) by Wagner
- Recessional: Wedding March by Mendelssohn
Before the ceremony, the bride opted for more popular selections (The Prayer, My Heart Will Go On, and anything by The Beatles).
Once this wedding was complete, Jeff was off to Hobart, Indiana to play harp for a wedding at Deep River County Park. When we lived in Valparaiso, we played there frequently, but less so since we moved to South Bend. It's always enjoyable to get back to the area! Jeff didn't get any pictures at this one (the rain is hard on the harp and harpist!), but here is one from a couple of years ago:
It's a beautiful venue, and they usually have several weddings there every weekend. One of the best features of the location is a large gazebo, which is a good back-up for the drizzly weather. For the bridal party processional, the bride chose "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, and her own entrance was the popular "Canon in D". "Trumpet Tune" made for an upbeat recessional.
If you are looking for a musician for your Northwest Indiana wedding, please contact us!
http://www.theclassicharpist.com/
1-877-HARP-578
Willow Harbor Vineyard Wedding Music - Three Oaks, MI
One of the hardest things about being self-employed is that you don't get sick days. The day before this wedding, I came down with a terrible cold. But no matter what, I was going to be there (even if I had to tuck tissues into the back of the harp)!
We've played for weddings at Willow Harbor Vineyard before, but somehow never got pictures taken. This time, I finally did. The weather was questionable all day, but fortunately the rain held off during the set-up and ceremony!
The other weddings we've done there have been at their original site, but this one was in the Chardonnay vineyard further back on the property. The reception took place in the tent across the lawn.
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During the prelude, the bride wanted to surprise her guests with music that isn't what you typically envision when you think of the harp. She chose "Let it Be" by The Beatles, "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, "Collide" by Howie Day, and "Come Sail Away" by Styx. Once the ceremony began, she went a more traditional route:
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We've played for weddings at Willow Harbor Vineyard before, but somehow never got pictures taken. This time, I finally did. The weather was questionable all day, but fortunately the rain held off during the set-up and ceremony!
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During the prelude, the bride wanted to surprise her guests with music that isn't what you typically envision when you think of the harp. She chose "Let it Be" by The Beatles, "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera, "Collide" by Howie Day, and "Come Sail Away" by Styx. Once the ceremony began, she went a more traditional route:
- Seating of Families: Arioso by J.S. Bach
- Bridal Party Processional: Canon in D by J. Pachelbel
- Bride's Processional: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach
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Sunday, October 10, 2010
Client Thanks | Hudson, Wisconsin Wedding Music
Devon and Jeff returned my phone calls in a timely fashion. Jeff was our harpist. He gave me guidance on music selection when asked. On the wedding day he arrived early to check the venue out and set up. His music was beautiful. He was very professional, polite, and nice. I would highly recommend him to anyone needing a harpist.
~Margery, Mother of the Bride
September 25th, 2010
Prospect Park, Hudson, WI
~Margery, Mother of the Bride
September 25th, 2010
Prospect Park, Hudson, WI
Friday, October 01, 2010
South Bend Wedding Harpist | Hilton Garden Inn
Notre Dame football home games usually mean a Saturday off for me, but the Friday and Sunday on either side are typically booked. On Sunday, September 5th, everyone was in good spirits after an Irish win! It was also a beautiful day for an outdoor wedding in the courtyard of the Hiton Garden Inn / Gillespie Conference Center in South Bend, IN.
I met with Jaclyn & Tony in early August to plan their wedding music. They chose to have me play our Venus Penti pedal harp, since its modern silhouette and ebony finish fit in perfectly with their olive green and black color theme! For the ceremony, they wanted to have mostly classical selections, but not the most traditional pieces.
The bride had some special requests for the prelude and postlude, so I split them between the pre-service music and the music played after the ceremony as guests departed for the cocktail hour. These included:
I met with Jaclyn & Tony in early August to plan their wedding music. They chose to have me play our Venus Penti pedal harp, since its modern silhouette and ebony finish fit in perfectly with their olive green and black color theme! For the ceremony, they wanted to have mostly classical selections, but not the most traditional pieces.
- Seating of Families & Bridal Party Processional: Arioso by J.S. Bach
- Bride's Processional: Canon in D by J. Pachelbel
- Recessional: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach
The bride had some special requests for the prelude and postlude, so I split them between the pre-service music and the music played after the ceremony as guests departed for the cocktail hour. These included:
- Aria from Rinaldo
- Irish folk song "O Danny Boy"
- Welsh folk songs (By Kell's Waters & Serch Hudol)
- Czech/Bohemian Folk Song "I See You My Beloved"
- All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera
- By the Light of the Silvery Moon
- Fields of Gold
- My Heart Will Go on from Titanic
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