Vow Renewal Harpist, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Chicago

The sanctuary at Emmanuel Baptist. My harp is there in the center!

Vow renewals are such a riot! First of all, pressure off, I mean right? You're already married, and it's working enough that you are celebrating, so you're good. You can wear any wonderful thing you want, and who's going to complain? Also, you are probably old enough that you don't need to worry about inviting people your parents say you have to! The list of good things just goes on and on! The wonderful woman who hired me wanted some relaxing music for her guests, and a smooth transition into her processional, a recorded version of "When God Made You." Done and done. I also played the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and actually got to do a little impromptu accompaniment for the wonderful organist who also sang! See? Fun!!

Afterwards, I played some dinner music in the church hall, which was really done up, and just made me happy to look at it!

The harp was in that far back corner. Unfortunately, without pink adornment,
 but you can't have everything!

Do you have plans for a mid-marriage escapade? Call me! Let's talk! Renee 773.881.0706

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Deep River, Hobart, Indiana

A limited view at Deep River County Park

Okay, first of all, it was a beautiful wedding, so don't worry, but this location can really be a challenge. For this beautiful October day, they had weddings stacked up every two hours, and that is kind of a bigger deal than you would think. Essentially, you need everyone there right at the start of your 2 hours, but you can't start then, because....

1. Most everyone has set up to do. You will have to realistically evaluate how your friends and/or family will be with the set up, because you (being a member of the marrying couple) will likely be otherwise occupied. If you have a slightly bossy but super capable relative or friend, count your lucky stars and put them in charge. That's the sort of person you can base a schedule on!

2. How much prelude do you want your guests to hear? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? This can also be interpreted as how late do you suppose people will be? Lots of couples now plan that their wedding will start 15 minutes later than the time they tell their guests it will start. Seems fair enough to me!

3. How long will your wedding ceremony actually be? Everyone seems to think it will be about 30 minutes. Most of them turn out to be 15-20 minutes, but occasionally somebody's officiant really gets going and does 40 minutes. If your officiant is good, they know how long it will take and will not mind being asked!

4. How long do you need for pictures? This location is unforgiving if you run over, so you have to leave enough time if you want a lot of pictures at the Gazebo.

Luckily, this bride took all of this into account, and we were fine. No really good pictures, though, because there wasn't but a moment to spare as I moved my harp into place and began playing. You will have to take my word on the fact that it is a thrilling location. As the bride comes down the hill, it is always completely worth all the worry!

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Client's Home, Chicago

The couple stood by the fireplace to take their vows!

This is the third intimate home wedding that I have done, and it was lovely! The bride descended the stairs to the "Hawaiian Wedding Song," with friends and family gathered on all sides. As soon as the ceremony concluded, I launched into cocktail music and champaign was served! Everyone visited and watched the new couple take photos until it was time to leave for the dinner reception. It was a relaxed and elegant way to start their new life together!

Live music can be a wonderful element if you are looking to reimagine your everyday environment for a special occasion! Plus, tunes originated by Elvis Presley, you know, obviously. 

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Farmington Lakes, Mokena

The charming path to the ceremony. Normally you would continue to the left,
but on this rainy day we were in the tent.

Farmington Lakes is a brand new venue and it is beautiful. Unfortunately, when I was there they were having their first rainy wedding day, and I did not see what they would consider their "typical" day.

The entrance to the rain tent. The harp is down front on the right.

This is the path you would normally walk to get to the wedding site.

Whenever you are watching someone decide to move their outdoor wedding indoors it is hard, and this was no exception. One of the challenges at this site is that the outdoor and the tent locations are really pretty far apart, so it is not a decision that you can hold for the last minute (chairs have to be moved, in addition to harps).

The tent was one of the nicest I have seen, and still had a lake view, so that was good. The bride wanted a song that was new to me, "H.O.L.Y." by Florida Georgia Line. It worked really well on harp, so I will have that up on the YouTube channel in the spring for sure!

Truly, the tent was quite inviting (and even had lighting)!

The bride had chosen a variety of other popular tunes for prelude, to which I added "Singing in the Rain" and "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head." What can I tell you? I figure my job is to get everyone feeling better about being in the rain, so I do what I can, and do not shy away from a silly cliche reference that might amuse people!

This is where the couple stood to be married.

If you think live music might smooth away the edges of whatever is coming your way, I couldn't agree more. Visit my website for more ideas! www.ChicagoWedding Harpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Thompson Hotel, Chicago

I thought my harp looked particularly good in this setting!

 I was not familiar with the Thompson Hotel on Chicago's north side, but I really thought they did a nice job on this medium sized wedding. The room was especially lovely, with floor to ceiling windows, and lots of nice design touches (like fabulous chandeliers!). 

A close up of where the couple stood, and you can see
the candles on the window sill a little better, too.

The facilities really matched the bridal couple's music choices, too. They went with very romantic, era spanning popular choices. The wedding party came down to "Flightless Bird," and the bride entered to "Moon River." Afterwards, they walked out to "Here Comes the Sun" and I continued postlude with the "Game of Thrones Theme" (as the groom wrote, "a few times, maybe?"). The Game of Thrones theme has been the breakout wedding hit of 2017, I would say, and no one is more surprised than me!

The windows continue the length of the room.

If you are planning your own vision of a throughly modern ceremony, I know I can help! 

Call with any questions! (312) 869-4997.