Northern Illinois Harpist ~ Wedding Music at Starved Rock State Park

When Marisa was looking for a musician for her ceremony, she wanted someone who was versatile enough to play the traditional pieces, but also have some more contemporary options available.  The harp is the perfect instrument if you want a mix of classical and popular music, and I have a wide repertoire of both!

The ceremony took place on the Sunrise Deck at Starved Rock State Park in Northern Illinois (near LaSalle, Utica, & Peru).  After days of high temperatures, they were blessed with a much milder day, and a beautifully serene backdrop to their ceremony (and an occasional visit by the local wildlife!).

As guests arrived, I played a variety of popular love songs from the 1950's through today.  One special request was the Jason Mraz song I'm Yours.  We switched to traditional for the processionals:  Canon in D for the wedding party followed by Bridal Chorus (Here Comes the Bride).

The bride and groom were obviously having a good time and were excited to be getting married!  The vows that the couple wrote were spoken first in French (which actually drew applause from the guests!), and then in English.  Marisa said that she knew that she and Alexis were meant to be together from the first moment they met, but it didn't hurt that he's French and plays the guitar!

There was a lot of laughter and joy in this ceremony, but my favorite moment was just prior to the ring exchange.  The ring bearer had the rings tied to his pillow, and brought them to the bride and groom during the service.  Alexis attempted to untie them, but they were stuck!  It took the bride pulling hard and breaking the ribbon to get them free.  She gave the ring bearer a kiss on the cheek, which he promptly wiped off!

For the sand ceremony, they requested Come Sail Away by Styx.  Yes, I can play that on the harp!  The recessional was another unexpected song:  Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N' Roses.  Several of the guests stopped by as I was playing the postlude to say how much they enjoyed the music.  The kids always want to see the harp up close, too.

From traditional wedding music to rock ballads, the harp can provide all of the music for your wedding ceremony.  Visit my website, Northern Illinois Harpist, or call 1-877-HARP-578 for a custom quote for your event!

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!

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. 

Chicago Harpist ~ Holy Family Catholic Church Wedding Ceremony

Michael and Amanda were blessed with a beautiful (but hot!) Chicago day for their wedding ceremony.  The service took place at the magnificent Holy Family Catholic Church on Roosevelt road, near the University of Illinois Chicago campus.  One of the oldest church buildings in Chicago (that means it's not air conditioned!), it's size dwarfs even my harp that stands six feet tall.

There was another wedding in the church at 3:00 prior to our 5:00 ceremony.  I was able to get in, set up, and tuned with no problems at all, but I think the florists were a little rushed!  They did a beautiful job - the sanctuary doesn't need any ornamentation.  They tied antique gold ribbons around the pews, and filled them with white hydrangeas (my favorite flower!).

The church's wedding coordinator made sure the processional went smoothly, lining up all of the wedding party and giving me a cue when they were ready to begin.  A good coordinator is always a worthwhile investment, whether they come with your church or you hire an outside vendor!  The mothers entered to the song "Arioso" by Bach.

Each of the bridesmaids wore a different style of dress in varying shades of peacock blue.  They looked beautiful, and entered to "Canon in D" - one of the most traditional songs for the entrance of the bridal party.  The bride's entrance music was another Bach piece, "Prelude in C" from The Well-Tempered Clavier.

No music was planned during the service, but I improvised on glissandos while everyone shared a sign of the peace.  The recessional was the Beatles song "All You Need is Love" - approved by the priest in advance, of course! 

If you are planning a wedding in a church, be sure you check with your pastor or priest to see if there are any restrictions on the music that can be played during the service.  Some are more relaxed, others have very strict rules.  It's always best to find out well before your wedding day to avoid disappointment!

My harps have been all over Chicago and throughout the suburbs.  If you'd like to see how a harpist can fit in with your wedding plans, please visit my website:

Chicago Wedding Music

for details.  I'd love to work with you and enhance your ceremony and reception with harp music!

Central Illinois Harpist - Wesley Chapel Harp Music

After playing a wedding this past weekend in Effingham, Illinois, I made an extra side trip to Jacksonville, Illinois to visit my wife's sister and grandmother.  I hadn't seen either of them in a long time so it was nice to pay a visit to Jacksonville.

While there I had learned that my sister-in-law had been "volunteered" for special music Sunday at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church.  Her original plan was to sing a trio along with my father-in-law and mother-in-law.  Seeing how I happened to have a harp with me, the plans got changed pretty quickly!

We ended up performing "Be Thou My Vision" in a unique fashion.  My sister-in-law sang the piece, but the performance started with me playing the harp for the first verse, her singing a cappella for the second verse and then a combination of harp transitioning to piano and singing for the third verse.  The piece finished with a nice fade of me playing the last line on the harp.

The harp is a very versatile instrument!  Visit our website, Jacksonville, Illinois Harpist for more information.

Southern Illinois Wedding Music - Effingham Wedding Harpist

Joe and Christina had a gorgeous day for a wedding on Lake Sara near Effingham, Illinois!  The spot they picked was perfect with tons of shade for the guests and the bridal party with a nice breeze throughout the ceremony.

Besides just being beautiful, the lake setting for this wedding had special meaning, as many of Christina's family members have tied the knot at the same exact location!  As I was leaving after the wedding, her dad and I spoke about how he and Christina's mom had gotten married there back in 1975!

The ceremony was lively and fun with the bridesmaids entering to the Beatles song, "In My Life."  Christina entered to "Till There was You" from The Music Man.  The ceremony was definitely fun as the officiant added a little bit of song to the mix to talk about marriage and the bride and groom.  The couple exited the ceremony to "You Are My Sunshine."

Following the ceremony, I also played background music for the cocktail hour.

To find out more about how we can provide both traditional and non-traditional music for your wedding ceremony, visit our website Southern Illinois Wedding Music or call 1-877-HARP-578.

New Contemporary Harp Music Available for Your Wedding

Even in the middle of my busiest wedding season ever, I'm always learning new music to add to my repertoire!  Some of the pieces come from songs that the brides I work with request for their weddings, and others are pieces that I personally like and think will sound good on the harp.  The latest additions to the list are:

• "Chapel of Love (Goin' to the Chapel)" as performed by the Dixie Cups
• "Sea of Love" as performed by The Honeydrippers and Phil Phillips
• "Here Comes the Sun" as performed by the Beatles
• "Marry Me" as performed by Train
• "How to Save a Life" as performed by The Fray

If you have a special request, I'd love to know about it!  Adapting popular music for the harp is one of my specialties.  Visit my website, www.theclassicharpist.com, for information on having a harpist play contemporary and popular music for your next event!