Southwest Michigan Harpist ~ Wedding at the Shadowland Pavilion

Samantha and Aaron had a picture perfect day for their wedding at the Shadowland Pavilion in St. Joseph, Michigan.  The ceremony had plenty of blue skies and nice breezes, not to mention the heatwave finally breaking to provide a perfect temperature!

Samantha and Aaron selected traditional music for their wedding ceremony.  For the entrance of the bridesmaids the couple chose Pachelbel's "Canon in D."  Samantha and her dad came down the aisle to the traditional "Bridal Chorus" (also known as "Here Comes the Bride").  During the wedding, the couple performed a sand ceremony.  While this was happening, I played "The Wedding Song."  Finally, the recessional piece played was "Andiam Mio Tesoro."

If you are interested in having harp music for your Southwest Michigan wedding ceremony, please visit our website, Berrien County Wedding Harpist.

Southwest Michigan Wedding Music ~ Harpist at Willow Harbor Vineyards

The hottest weekend of the summer (so far...) couldn't stop the party for Kimberly & Michael!  They were married on July 7th at Willow Harbor Vineyard in Three Oaks, Michigan.  Like many of the couples I've worked with at the vineyard, they live in Chicago but chose to get out of the city and to the other side of the Lake Michigan for a close-to-home destination wedding.

Samantha from Simply Unforgettable Occasions was their day-of planner, and was able to get some umbrellas set up to provide shade for the harp.  With the extreme temperatures, it just isn't possible to leave the wood harp sitting in the sun for a couple of hours!  With the help of Samantha and her crew, everything was able to go ahead as planned, all while keeping the harp safe.

The matron of honor came down the aisle to "Hymne" by Vangelis, followed by the bride's entrance to "Canon in D."  Although the unity candle didn't stay lit for long - always a hazard with outdoor ceremonies! - "Only Time" by Enya accompanied the ceremony.  Once they were pronounced husband & wife, the newlyweds headed off the the nearby tent for their reception to the Third Movement of "Spring" from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons.

No matter where you live, Southwest Michigan's wine country and beaches make the perfect location for a destination wedding!  Adding harp music to your ceremony and reception makes the whole event even more romantic and memorable.  To find out more about hiring me as the musician for your wedding, visit my website:  Southwest Michigan Wedding Music.

Wedding Harpist in Springfield ~ Ceremony in Washington Park

Michelle and Zach chose to have their wedding ceremony at Washington Park in Springfield, Illinois.  With the scorching hot temperatures, the couple was able to keep their guests comfortable by having the ceremony inside the botanical gardens, while having the benefit of some great photo shots by using the scenery outside.

The couple picked a good mix of traditional and popular music for the ceremony.  The song for the parents' and grandparents' entrance went classical and traditional with "Canon in D," while the entrance of the groomsmen and the groom was more a more popular selection, "Fields of Gold." 

The bridesmaids walked down the aisle accompanied by Bach's "Prelude in C."  Michelle and her father entered the ceremony to the traditional "Bridal Chorus" (also known as "Here Comes the Bride").  During the ceremony, the couple lit their unity candle to "Only Time" by Enya.  The bride and groom walked down the aisle together to the very modern and very popular "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.

If you are looking for harp music for your Springfield area wedding, please visit our website, Central Illinois Wedding Music.  With a wide variety of music available, you are certain to find may of your favorites on our repertoire lists!

Northwest Indiana Harpist ~ Wedding Ceremony at County Line Orchard

Josie & Arthur are the sweetest couple!  They celebrated their wedding ceremony at the County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana, in a (mercifully!) shaded grove among the apple trees.  To combat the high temperatures, they even provided their guests a beverage stand, complete with cool lemonade, water, and iced tea.

Their guests arrived at the ceremony site on trolleys.  With so many people attending, it took awhile to get everyone down to the orchard from the main barn.  Harp music kept the early arrivals entertained as we waited for all of the guests to arrive.  A trolley carrying the bride and bridesmaids followed the final group of guests, and the wedding party came down the aisle to "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles.  Josie's own processional was "Sunrise, Sunset" from Fiddler on the Roof.

Photo by Hullabaloo Photo

During the ceremony, the couple performed a wine sharing ceremony.  While this was taking place, I played Elton John's "Your Song."  The officiant had the guests move to the center aisle prior to the recessional, so the newlyweds would be surrounded by their family and friends as they made their exit from the ceremony.  They headed off to the reception to "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz.

Video by Pat Pecirno of Chase Video Productions.


Arthur & Josie Arkush from Pat Pecirno on Vimeo.

I am available to provide harp music for weddings throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicago.  Please visit my website ~ Northwest Indiana Wedding Music ~ for more information!

Harpist in Wabash, Indiana ~ Wedding at Hidden Hollows Retreat

Wouldn't it figure, we are in the midst of one of the driest summers in a long time and my June 30th wedding at Hidden Hollows Retreat had to worry about rain!  The owners of Hidden Hollows Retreat were absolutely wonderful to the bride and groom, their guests, and the harpist.  Plenty of umbrellas were passed out as well as make-shift covering provided.  Fortunately, none of this was needed!  By the time the wedding started, we had clear and beautiful skies.

The wedding ceremony was small and intimate.  The couple stayed traditional with the bride walking down the aisle to Canon in D.  The couple then choose King William's March for their recessional.

Once the ceremony was completed, I played as the guests moved from the ceremony site to the cocktail hour site.  During this time, I played a mix of popular and classic music, with selections such as Prelude C, All You Need is Love, What a Wonderful World, and Fields of Gold.

If you would like to know more about having wedding music for your Wabash area wedding, please visit our website, Wabash Wedding Harpist.

Harpist in Valparaiso ~ Wedding Ceremony Music at Ogden Gardens

Despite a very hot afternoon, Kristin & Brian's wedding went off without any problems at Valparaiso's Ogden Gardens.  I was able to set the harp up inside the gazebo, where the shade kept the harp (and harpist!) from melting.  The bride's grandmother was especially enthralled with the harp!

Rev. Doug Klukken of Free Spirit Church in Crown Point performed the ceremony.  Kristin chose Schubert's "Ave Maria" for the entrance of her bridal party, and "Canon in D" by Pachelbel for her processional.  The recessional was the popular "All I Ask of You" from Phantom of the Opera.

Whether you are looking for traditional or contemporary wedding music, the harp can provide all of the music for your ceremony!  A visit to my website ~ Northwest Indiana Harpist ~ will give you more information and details on including harp music in your celebration.  Happy planning!

Indianapolis Harpist ~ Rehearsal Dinner at the Indianapolis Central Library

 
The Simon Reading Room of Indianapolis' Central Library was the stunning venue for Emily & Jamey's rehearsal dinner.  With royal blue tablecloths and sunflower centerpieces, the room was bright and festive for the occasion.  As an avid (obsessive?) reader, I felt right at home!

They had an eclectic mix of music for the evening ~ everything from Debussy to Styx!  Their classical selections included:

• Clair de Lune
• Themes from Pictures at an Exhibition by Mussorgsky
  
• Themes from The Magic Flute by Mozart
  

 The Purdue fight song, "Hail Purdue," was a must-play!  Other popular pieces I played:

• Disney songs (A Whole New World, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Part of Your World)
• Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)
• Come Sail Away
• How to Save a Life
• Earth Angel
• Love Me Tender
• Throne Room from Star Wars Episode IV
• Open Arms & Faithfully by Journey
• When a Man Loves a Woman
• Beatles songs (And I Love Her, She's Leaving Home, Grow Old Along With Me, Yesterday) 

With a variety of ages represented at weddings, I like to make sure there is some popular music from several eras played, so everyone hears something they recognize!

From rehearsal dinners to wedding ceremonies to receptions, the harp can add class and elegance to your entire wedding weekend.  Visit my website ~ Indianapolis Wedding Harpist ~ for details on hiring a harpist for your event!