Cleveland Wedding Harpist ~ Ceremony in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Christina & Jason were married on the first Saturday of June at the Happy Days Lodge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.  Located between Cleveland and Akron, it's not only a beautiful venue, but convenient for guests traveling from anywhere in northeast Ohio!

The wedding had a bit of a delay starting, as they were waiting on one of the trolleys that was shuttling guests to the ceremony from the hotel.  No problem - I just kept the prelude going until all everyone arrived!  It also rained for a couple of minutes, but there is a screened-in room right next to the ceremony site where I was able to keep the harp dry as the clouds passed over.  Since it is screened, I was able to keep playing, and you could still hear the harp from where the guests were seated.  Once it was clear, it was a quick move back outdoors before the ceremony began.

"Prelude in C" by Bach was chosen for the entrance of the families, bridal party, and the couple's dog, Max.  The bride's processional was "Canon in D" by Pachelbel.  Following the ceremony, I played "King William's March" and "Pavane Style Renaissance" as everyone went inside for the reception.

If you are planning a wedding in Cleveland, Akron, or Canton, I'd love to be your harpist!  Visit my website ~ Ohio Wedding Harpist ~ for more information and to request a quote for your day.

Bloomington Harpist ~ Open House at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center

When Advocate BroMenn Medical Center invited their donors to an open house of their new facility, they made the night even more memorable and special by including harp music!

The harp was set up on the second floor balcony, overlooking the ground floor where the presentations took place to kick off the evening.  I played as guests arrived, and continued as they toured the rest of the facility.  The music included a wide variety of styles, from classical to contemporary to Celtic.  Many of the volunteers and donors told me how much they loved hearing the harp and how beautiful the music was in that setting.

There were also many comments on how I store my sheet music on my iPad!  I've been using it since December, and it makes organizing the pieces I'll be playing for each event so much easier.  No more lugging around a huge (and not very attractive) binder of music!  It also allows for me to take more special requests from guests, as I have nearly my entire library of music at my fingertips.  The scanning process is still an ongoing project ~ there are hundreds of songs in my repertoire, and it's always expanding ~ but I'm getting there!

From open houses to weddings, the harp brings extra class to any event.  Visit my website ~ Bloomington Harpist ~ for more information on including harp music in your plans!

Northwest Indiana Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony in Hobart

Sarah and Brian's wedding at the Revelli Bandshell in Hobart, Indiana was beautiful.  Even though I am sure the bride and groom probably wished for a slightly cooler day, their guests got to enjoy blue skies with a nice breeze!

The wedding party entered from a covered walkway next to Lake George.  The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered together to "King William's March."  This was a great choice by Sarah, and one of my favorite songs to play at a wedding!  While most brides and grooms typically choose this as a recessional piece, it really works for a processional as well.

Sarah made her way to the bandshell with both her mom and dad escorting her.  For her entrance, she had selected "Canon in D."  This is another one of my wedding favorites and a song that I readily suggest to anyone looking for something classical and traditional, but not wanting the Wagner "Bridal Chorus" (aka "Here Comes the Bride").

When it came time for the married couple to be introduced and to walk together for the first time as Mr. and Mrs., I provided a very majestic musical background with "Trumpet Tune."

If you are looking for harp music for your Northwest Indiana wedding, please visit our website, Hobart Wedding Harpist.  Devon and I would love to work with you!

Springfield Illinois Wedding Music ~ Ceremony at Indian Pointe Church

After a hot afternoon wedding at Allerton Park, I was thrilled to get into the air conditioning at Indian Point Presbyterian Church!  Located just outside of Athens, this brick church was built during the Civil War and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  It's a beautiful and secluded location for a wedding ceremony, and they have a platform for outdoor services as well. 

Entering the sanctuary, I was especially excited to see the pair of cut-work wedding banners hanging on the wall - my aunt designs and makes them (check her website at www.fashionsbysarah.com)!

The prelude began half an hour prior to the ceremony.  The bride had heard me play at her grandparents' 60th anniversary party last year, and loved the popular and Disney pieces that were a part of that celebration.  She wanted to fill the pre- and post-ceremony music with songs that people would recognize, but not expect to hear on the harp.  That's my specialty!

As the families and wedding party entered, I played "A Summer Place" ~ a favorite of the bride's mother.  The bride opted for "Meditation" from Thais for her processional music.  As the bride and groom lit the unity candle and signed their marriage license, Bach's "Sheep My Safely Graze" played in the background.  Following the pronouncement, the couple and wedding party exited the church to the Beatles' hit "All You Need is Love," with "Come Sail Away" by Styx right afterwards.

More upbeat postlude music followed as guests were ushered out of the ceremony and on to the reception in Springfield.  Whether you are looking for something traditional, something romantic, or something simple & sweet, the music of the harp can be customized for your ceremony.  Visit my website ~ Central Illinois Wedding Music ~ for details on making your wedding music unique!

Wedding at Allerton Park ~ Harp Music in Monticello, Illinois

On Memorial Day weekend, Michelle and Jim were married in the Sunken Garden at Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois.  Located just south of Champaign, this park is a very popular venue for weddings!  The bride and groom opted to extend the prelude music, and invited guests to come half an hour before the ceremony was to begin and listen to the harp.  With so many of the guests arriving extra early (even though it was really hot outside!), the wedding was able to start right on schedule.

With the high temperatures that Saturday, it was crucial that the harp be placed in the shade.  When it gets too hot, the glue that holds the wood joints of the harp together begins to soften, and this can cause permanent and irreparable damage to the instrument.  It's my baby, and I need to protect it!  The only available shade when I arrived was directly behind where the ceremony took place.  Even though I had to adjust the harp a couple of times to stay out of direct sunlight, it worked!

Michelle requested that I play all popular music - nothing classical or traditional.  The music she chose for the ceremony included:

• Seating of Families:  "Memory" from Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Wedding Party Processional:  "Someone to Watch Over Me" by George Gershwin
• Bride's Processional:  "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Unity Sand:  "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
• Recessional:  "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz

After the recessional, they served a champagne toast in the garden.  The popular harp music continued as guests toasted the couple and took pictures before heading off to the reception.

Throughout Central Illinois, I have provided harp music for hundreds of wedding ceremonies and receptions.  For more information on having a harpist for your own wedding, please visit my website ~ Central Illinois Wedding Music.  I'd love to work with you and customize the music for your event!

Client Review ~ Harpist for a Wedding in Naperville, Illinois

"We had a very classic wedding in mind, and Devon's playing was the finishing touch to make it perfect. We set things up with her through her webpage, and everything went very smoothly. She was always prompt, personable, and attentive in her responses."

~Stacy, Bride


Wedding at Naper Settlement
Naperville, Illinois
February 29th, 2012

Tippecanoe Place Wedding ~ Reception Harp Music in South Bend

Harp music is not just for wedding ceremonies ~ you can bring the elegance and romance of the instrument into your reception as well!  Elizabeth and Brano celebrated their wedding at Tippecanoe Place in South Bend, Indiana.  The former Studebaker mansion, it has been converted into a fine dining restaurant that also hosts weddings and banquets.

As guests entered the lobby, they were greeted by harp music.  Elizabeth requested that I play a variety of music, encompassing the classical, popular, jazz, and Celtic genres.  Servers passed margaritas and appetizers, and the guests were able to tour the mansion at their leisure.  The wedding party was introduced as they descended the grand staircase into the lobby.  During toasts & speeches, the groom especially thanked members of his family who had come all the way from Croatia to be there for the wedding.  I continued playing through dinner service in the dining rooms on the main level. 

One of my favorite moments of the night was being approached by a bride whose wedding Jeff played for a couple of years ago ~ just upstairs in the 3rd floor ballroom!  It's wonderful to hear our clients' fond remembrances of their wedding music, and Jeff and I are so grateful to have been such an important part of the weddings of so many wonderful couples.

Planning a wedding reception?  Having a harpist is the perfect finishing touch!  Visit my website, South Bend Harpist, for more information and to contact me about pricing and availability.