Cocktail and Introduction Harpist, Bridgeport Art Center, Chicago

 This absolutely gorgeous wedding was at the Bridgeport Art Center. I started in the cocktail room, just opposite the elevator. At the Bridgeport Art Center, the elevator is kind of famous, because there is usually a bar set up inside! By the time guests got a beverage on their way up, and then were greeted by a harpist as soon as the elevator doors opened, they knew they were in for an epic evening! I played Bollywood favorites mixed with a few western choices for all of cocktail hour. When the curtain to the dining room opened, I quickly changed orientation, so I could play for the bride's entrance - it was a lovely touch!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony and Cocktails Harpist, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago

The Fountain Room at Garfield Park

This was already my second time to Garfield Park Conservatory in 2026! I really like ceremonies with the fountain as a backdrop, and guests were able to enjoy the show room next door for cocktails, so they got a really nice feel for the venue in general.

The couple requested I learn "To Zanarkand" for the wedding party processional, and I think it came out really nicely. They used "Zelda's Lullaby" for the bride's processional, and "Married Life" from "Up" for the recessional. It reflected them, and that is always the best thing!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Anniversary Party Harpist, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Oak Brook

The family arrived super early, so I wasn't able to get pictures of the space, but here I am ready to play Bollywood music for the couple's 50th anniversary. The guests really enjoyed hearing something they never had before (Bollywood selections on harp), and I even learned a special song for the celebrating couple!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, Garfield Park Conservatory, Chicago

 Garfield Park Conservatory is just a revelation every time you visit, and it is such a pleasure to play for weddings there! This beautiful wedding featured "To Zanarkand" from Final Fantasy for the wedding party. It was a special request (meaning I had never played it before), and they really loved it! Here is a video of me right after I learned it, if you are curious:

 https://www.youtube.com/c/chicagoweddingharpistreneewilson

What special request would you have me learn??

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Mass Harpist, St Clare of Montefalco Church, Chicago

Weddings after Christmas are so nice with all of the
holiday decorations still up!

 The first wedding of 2026 was so lovely!! The church still had all of the Christmas flowers out, and everything was warm and cozy. I always enjoy playing a Catholic wedding mass, because the needs are so very different from any other type of ceremony. I own a set of Gather Comprehensive, so the process is generally very smooth. We used the Mass of Creation, and it was really lovely!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Union League Club, Chicago

 Every area I've been to in the Union League Club has been grand, but the President's Hall was particularly lovely. Unfortunately, things were being set up, and I wasn't able to get a good picture of the fireplace area, so here's a link to the Party Slate listing. The grooms had a special song in mind, Party 4 U, and very smartly also employed a violinist to help round things out. After the ceremony, I stayed in place and played for the cocktail hour. It was lovely, and very refined and relaxed!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Harpist, Chicago Hilton and Towers, Chicago

 The Chicago Hilton and Towers is magic, especially at Christmas time! I welcomed guests with Bollywood favorites as they climbed the stairs for the cocktail reception. Because the Normandy Lounge (barely seen through the columns on the right) is open to this area, I was able to point my amp in that direction and provide music to the guests who were already enjoying cocktail hour, too! Of course, I came properly dressed!