Anniversary Harpist, Carlisle Banquets, Lombard

The room had a gold color scheme,
perfect for the 50th celebration!

It is always such a pleasure playing for Anniversaries! Carlisle Banquets was beautifully decorated for the holidays, and provided the perfect setting for the amazing couple's 50th wedding anniversary celebration.

The couple wanted to hear "One in a Million You", and it sounds fantastic on harp - I will be playing it regularly from now on!

If you are planning a special celebration, I would love to help!

www.Harp123.com

Bridal Shower Harpist, Le Meridien, Oak Brook

My corner of the room, all set up

I wish I could show you more of the way the room at Le Meridien looked, but the women throwing the shower were busy absolutely transforming it, and I wanted to respect their privacy. There was a pink, full sized Christmas tree, if that gives you any idea! The event space on the top floor has an expansive view of the surrounding area through entire walls of windows, and it is lovely. I dropped a screen grab below, so you can get an idea (harp, unfortunately, not included)!

Please visit www.Harp123.com for more harp ideas!

Ceremony Harpist, The Seville, Streamwood

So elegant!

The Seville in Streamwood is so well run!! The room itself was lovely, and the staff were all quick and efficient. It is so much easier to get set up and focus on the important things when everything is running smoothly around you! The bride and groom had a hand binding ceremony as their unity element. I played "The Lark in the Clear Air" softly in the background as their friends came up and read short passages. It was a sweet beginning to their union!

If you're planning a special ceremony within your ceremony, harp music can help define it beautifully! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, Ruffled Feathers, Lemont

 

A lovely blank canvas

I was very glad to be inside on this blustery day, and the rooms at Ruffled Feathers are so bright and airy, that they are pleasant even on the gloomiest days! The music for the ceremony was coordinated by the father of the groom, who is also a musician. He choose traditional tunes in Canon in D, Bridal Chorus, and the Wedding March, and it was lovely. Truly, the traditional things can be so soothing!!

After the ceremony, I transitioned to "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, and the guests were happily off to cocktails!

Planning something traditional? I would love to help! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, Gaelic Park, Oak Forest

I've been to Gaelic Park several times over the years, but this is the first time I've been in their outdoor space. The pavilion itself is fine, and access is good. Of course it is very nice to have the banquet facility right there for the comfort of your guests and any rain date changes. It is, however, very close to the parking lot. Hopefully as the landscaping matures, that will be less noticeable. The immediate area around the pavilion is lovely, and there's even a cute little bridge for the processional (see below). I look forward to checking back in a few years and seeing how things have matured!

The bridge is so sweet, and gives a nice long approach!

Cocktail and Dinner Harpist, The Penthouse, Chicago

And this is only half the view!

This was another new venue for me, The Penthouse in Hyde Park. The veranda there is absolutely stunning, and I was delighted to be able to set up in the perfect place, without having to worry about an electrical outlet being nearby (thank you battery powered amp)!

Downtown Chicago!

If you're looking for amazing views to dazzle your guests, you really can't do better. Guests happily enjoyed the views, the wonderful late summer warmth, and harp music with their cocktails! 

If you're intending to wow your guests, harp music can definitely be part of that! www.Harp123.com

Reception Harpist, Union Station, Chicago

 

Such an amazing space!

I've played at Union Station before, but this space, The Burlington Room, was new to me. Indeed, it is kind of new on the market, having been recently refurbished in 2016. The concept here was a new one to me: the wedding coordinator planned for an entire dessert buffet to progress around the room with harp as the center unit! I played my Bollywood repertoire, and everyone got something sweet to end their evening - it was lovely!

If you would like to plan a late night snack for your guests, harp can be a wonderful addition! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Anniversary Harpist, Cafe La Cave, Des Plaines

 

I do love any sort of an anniversary, and the room at Cafe La Cave was all ready for the celebration! Like at most events, I take a look at the general ages of the guests, and choose music to suit. My two favorite comments to hear are "You played our favorite song" and "I didn't know you could play that on harp"! I feel like I have two simultaneous jobs: to relax everyone, and to surprise them! All my clients can have two special requests outside of my normal repertoire, so there are tons of possibilities! Feel free to reach out if you have questions!

www.Harp123.com

September 21st Harpist, Odyssey Country Club, Tinley Park

 

The East Gazebo

What a wonderful surprise! This amazing couple chose to celebrate their wedding on September 21st, even though it fell on a Wednesday! Luckily, the weather was beautiful, and everything was as smooth as possible. I even got to learn my very first Earth, Wind & Fire song (September, of course!). 

The location is so stunning that I stayed behind just a minute to get one last picture with the water feature all lit up!

Baby Shower Harpist, Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling

 

A beautiful sunlit room, and plenty of space for a harp!

I love going to Chevy Chase because I know it is going to be a smooth, carefree experience. The room is beautiful, and it's the perfect size for harp music! On this day, my clients were celebrating the imminent arrival of a new baby boy, so I got dressed up in blue and played a mix of love songs and Disney songs. A perfect way to spend a Sunday morning!

If you're planning a shower of any kind, I would love to help! www.Harp123.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Cotillion Banquets, Palatine

 

This was my first time to Cotillion Banquets in Palatine, and they really seemed to do a nice job there. Sure, it was a bit of a surprise when they turned the lights way down for the wedding, but I had my iPad, so I was fine. The room just glowed in the low light, and I do love a magical, sparkly wedding vibe!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Patrick Haley Mansion, Joliet

 

Even the indoor site delivers an outdoor feel!

On this particular day at the Patrick Haley Mansion in Joliet, rain was threatening. Lucky for the bridal couple, everything was moved indoors without issue! The indoor area is so full of windows and light (even on a gray day) that it is a total joy! I had my amp, but the couple arranged for me to go through the DJ's system instead, and this is becoming more and more common. Whenever you mic a harp, you get that amplified sound, but you also still have the acoustic sound of the instrument. It is a really nice mix!

The bride chose the "Flower Duet" and "Air on a G String" for her relatives and bridal party to process to, and "Storybook Love" for her own entrance. Not a dry eye in the house!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, At Home, Chicago

Perfect framing for my harp!

To really get the scope of my harp between these oak trees, I would've had to have stood three lots over! Such was the magnificent setting of this wedding in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago! The couple planned a perfect evening: backyard ceremony and cocktails, then a walk over to Ridge Country Club led by a bagpiper! The weather was perfect, and I was delighted to be a part of bringing the new couple's vision to life!

A serene space for their ceremony

If you've got some big ideas, I would love to help you, too! wwwChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Venue 5126, Oswego

The view from the outdoor ceremony site

 

Venue 5126 (formerly Emerson Creek), is a beautiful, self contained wedding facility. The lovely outdoor area is mere steps from your reception area and potential rain site.

Looking back towards the reception areas

In this case, I played for the ceremony, and then did a quick move to the patio, where I played Bollywood favorites. The bridal couple had many guests who had traveled all the way from India, and the Bollywood music was a big, welcome surprise for them!

Even the back of the patio is super cute!

Let me know if I can help you plan a surprise for your guests! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Reception Harpist, VFW Post 9545, New Lenox

 

Plenty of space for tables, and ready to accommodate
any color scheme

VFW Post 9545 is especially interesting because it sits on the banks of Hickory Creek. There is even an outdoor area that looks like they use for creekside weddings! On this day, we were inside, but I thought the banquet area looked lovely, and everyone was ready to have a great time!

If you would like to add harp music to your celebration, my website can help www.Harp123.com

You can see the kitchen on the right, and the
buffet table all set up

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Saint Mary of the Lake, Chicago

It is always a pleasure to be a guest musician in a new parish! This couple found that they had room in their budget at the last minute, and I was delighted to fit them into my schedule. I have my own sets of music for mass, so it was easy to get organized. Frequently, I will play all of the prelude, so the regular church musician can have some well deserved time off during the wedding!

As you can see, Saint Mary of the Lake is breath taking, and so was the ceremony!

If you would like to add music at the last minute, please reach out directly (reneewilsonharp@gmail.com).

Wedding Shower Harpist, Olympia Fields Country Club, Olympia Fields

Just the loveliest of rooms for a morning event!

Olympia Fields Country Club is an amazing venue, full of so many architectural details that just don't get added to buildings anymore. It was a delight to be part of this beautiful event, and I supplied plenty of love songs to get everyone in the right mood to celebrate the new couple!

If you are thinking of adding harp music to your wedding shower plans, my repertoire lists will get you thinking in the right direction! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

An Impressive place to put a harp!

Wedding Reception Harpist, Venuti's, Addison

The dining room at Venuti's

 It is always a pleasure to be at Venuti's in Addison, especially so this time, because it was my first Palestinian wedding! I was setting the mood for the quieter moments when guests were enjoying their dinner. Before and after me? Joyful dancing! It was perfect!

If you are looking to set a calm mood for your dinner guests, harp is a terrific option! www.Harp123.com has repertoire lists to help you. 

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Morton Arboretum, Lisle

60 chairs fit easily

The Morton Arboretum has so many stunning locations, but the Fragrance Garden is my absolute favorite for smaller weddings. If you schedule a morning time it is fairly quiet, and you can really enjoy the easy access while still feeling like you are in a private garden.

Plenty of room for the harpist!

Afterwards we headed across the road to a reception at the Sycamore Room. Guests had access to the patio, and then came inside for a buffet lunch.

The amazing views continued!

If you need help planning music for your ceremony and reception, I would be delighted to help! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, The Langham, Chicago

This really is a lovely ballroom, so I snuck my harp into frame, just for a minute, to get a photo. This room does come with one caveat, though. When the curtains are open, you are staring directly across at the Marina Tower parking levels in the western exposure windows. Unfortunately, The Langham website does not really represent that reality very well, and I guess I can understand why. If you're able to work around that, this can certainly be a lovely venue in a fantastic hotel, and this wedding was all of that and more!

If you need music for your wedding, my website can help: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Harpist, Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, Schaumburg

I love playing extended cocktail hours with my Bollywood repertoire! It allows me to constantly surprise the guests as I alternate back and forth between American pop and Bollywood favorites! The Renaissance Schaumburg had lots of room for the guests, and they did a fantastic job building out the banquet hall so that there was no sound interference when the DJ started things in the main room. If you would like to see my Bollywood repertoire, head over to my website: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

I generally don't post pictures of myself, but 
I am super fond of this cheerful gown!

Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Galleria Marchetti, Chicago

 

I think the two photos above pretty much tell the tale... It was already a beautiful setting, and then the roof opened up!!! This is the smaller space (La Pergola) at Galleria Marchetti, and I think it is absolutely charming. The acoustics were great for music, and I was even able to swing briefly out to the sidewalk (going around the guests) and get moved into the cocktail space super quickly - love it!! 

My website can help you plan music to go with all of your wedding surprises! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon

You're actually looking at one of the rivers here

It was worth the drive. The Four Rivers Center is really far southwest of Chicago, so it wouldn't work for everyone, but it is definitely worth consideration if you are anywhere near Joliet. This bright shelter was only one of the options they offered; after the ceremony, the wedding guests headed over to the visitor's center for the reception! Among my favorite practical features were the nice long aisle (better for admiring everyone!) and a nearby parking area so that guests could easily access the structure.

If you need music for your south-of-Chicago location, drop me a line! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Madonna Della Strada Chapel, Loyola University, Chicago

I frequently lament that, for a city with so much lakefront, lakefront weddings in Chicago are hard to come by. This amazing chapel on the campus of Loyola University is a location that was unknown to me until this spring! While you are actually indoors for your ceremony, there is a lovely terrace just outside the church that brings the lake front and center for guests, and provides a fantastic backdrop for pictures. The staff at the chapel are so helpful, and everything ran just as smoothly as you could ever expect!

If you need a harpist who is familiar with the Catholic liturgy, I would be delighted to play for you! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, The Langham, Chicago

I am an absolute pushover for rooms that are one of a kind, and The Langham certainly delivers big on that score! The views in this room (Melbourne) reveal in stages: a gorgeous corner panorama, followed by a unique view down the river corridor.

Set as it is at the corner of the building, guests were able to spill out into the hallway for the cocktail hour, and the room functioned as much bigger than its floor plan. If you're looking for a signature room for your small ceremony, you really couldn't do better!

If you need seamless ceremony and cocktail music, I would be delighted to help! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Nikah Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Doubletree, Oak Brook

In my mind, there is no better way to start the new year than a wedding, so I was thrilled! The Doubletree, Oak Brook seems to have oodles of experience with big weddings, and it was a pleasure to see things work out so beautifully for this couple! There was a last minute issue with pandemic precautions, and I believe there may have been a change made with how things were broadcast for those not able to attend the Nikah. The hotel tech experts came and offered solutions, and things were managed quickly! Once we were started, things went smoothly, and we were off to the many specialty stations they had chosen for their pre-reception! I played Bollywood selections while guests mingled, and it was the joyful occasion everyone had hoped for!

If you are interested in my Bollywood rep, you can view it at: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com