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!

Cocktail Reception Harpist, Viceroy, Chicago

 The Viceroy on Chicago's Northside just really knocked me out. The veranda somehow serves up equal parts skyline and sky, and is attached to a little jewel box of a room (see below). For a small to medium sized wedding, you just couldn't ask for a more distinctive space. I played upbeat cocktail choices, and thoroughly enjoyed being in this beautiful space!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Harpist, The Drake, Chicago

The French Room at The Drake

Sometimes, the larger part of the job is just getting the harp into position, especially at historic properties like The Drake! I'm happy to do it, though, especially when the room is as gorgeous as the French Room! 

Today's move involved 1 long loading dock ramp up:

And another longer, steeper ramp down into the basement to find my elevator:

Once I was there, all was easy. An hour of cocktails, and the wedding guests were off to the Gold Coast Room for an epic night!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Harpist, 32 E Bellevue Place, Chicago

The start to my 2025 wedding season was a cocktail hour in this gorgeous northside mansion! It was a small wedding, but they wanted to be sure to slow down and enjoy it, and live music can definitely help with that. I arrived directly at 5 pm, when they knew the ceremony would be finished, and I played cocktail music for 2 hours, as the caterer was finishing preparations for the beautiful dinner. Then, for reasons I could never explain, I managed to play the bride's favorite song as my last selection. She had not shared the favorite with me, I just got lucky! The song was "(What a) Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke, and I was beyond thrilled!

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Bridgeport Art Center

 

The Bridgeport Art Center is one of those venues that is so large and impressive that is is difficult to capture in a photo. I played for the ceremony from this large space near the back, and then was able to move about 10 feet into the next room for the cocktails! It was a smooth, and beautiful start to the evening!

Impossible to get in the photo, but the view is amazing!!

They requested formal black, which is always
an elegant option!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail and Dinner Music Harpist, Victoria in the Park, Mt Prospect

And..... introducing my new harp!

Victoria in the Park was another new venue to me! I have driven by this area so many times, but I had no idea there was a lovely wedding venue behind the little lake! I started upstairs, in the winding area they use for cocktails. It was so nice to greet the guests with harp music as they ascended the stairs. Later, I moved downstairs and played a mixture of classical and popular tunes as dinner was served. Harp music is terrific at a dinner reception, and the soothing sounds allow the guests to easily visit while they eat. 

On a personal note, I have added a new harp to my offerings. It is available only for indoor jobs, but it has a lovely, full tone, and I am looking forward to playing it for many engagements to come! It is a Lyon and Healy Style 30, built right here in Chicago!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Pre-Cocktail Harpist, Empress Banquets, Addison

All set up in the beautiful lobby of Empress Banquets

The mother of the bride knew that the guests would arrive early at the reception, so she planned ahead! I was booked to greet the guests with music, even before the banquet room was open and cocktails were available. I have never done that for an event before, and I thought it was absolute genius! The guests were able to ease into their evening, and then I was able to play for the wedding party while they were lining up. I'm looking forward to doing it again soon!

I would love to help you surprise your guests with harp music! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

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

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

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Deer Path Inn, Lake Forest

The ceremony used Windsor II, with Windsor I as an
entry area.

It has been a fair number of years since I've been to the Deer Path Inn, and it was so wonderful to see what an elegant venue it remains! The Windsor Rooms are incredibly versatile, and I love how the entire area has its own impressive entry. The bride's family were classical music fans, so they wanted me to save the popular choices for their cocktail hour, and play all classical music for the ceremony prelude. They used "Air from Water Music" for the bridal party, and the bride chose to walk to the traditional "Bridal Chorus". It was truly lovely, and I did a quick move into the bar area in Windsor I to start some livelier cocktail music. 

Live music programming can be anything you want it to be, and I would be delighted to help you set your perfect mood. Please feel free to reach out to me and discuss your plans directly. I can be reached at (312) 860.4997.

Cocktail Harpist, Ignite Glass Studios, Chicago

Positioned just inside the dining area 
to greet guests.

 This was my first time at Ignite Glass Studios, and it is a beautiful location. The bride had hoped to be outside, but the weather was just cold and windy enough that the guests briefly looked outside, and then wanted to relax indoors. I actually changed locations slightly several times, as the guests sort of worked things out on their own. They weren't technically supposed to come into the dining area, but the venue was relaxed about it, so all was good! The bride wanted "Phantom of the Opera" selections in recognition of her grandmother's favorite musical, so I worked a bunch of those into my more contemporary playlist, and everyone got to hear things that were important to them!

Please visit my website to see if my repertoire list is a fit for your event: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com.

The unused outdoor space was still stunning
to look at!

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Cuneo Mansion and Gardens, Vernon Hills

 

I love how you can't see anything beyond the grounds!

I hadn't been to the Cuneo Mansion in years, and the way they use the grounds has really changed (definitely for the better). Some of the garden areas look a little unfinished, but the overall view is really lovely. Communication from where the bridal party is gathering can be pretty challenging here, so that's definitely something to keep in mind. The bride chose "Runaway" for her entrance, and it was very dramatic (in the best sense!). After the ceremony, I moved into the house for the cocktail hour, and played while the guests explored the mansion.

Just me and the suit of armor!

It's easy and economical to add a cocktail hour to your ceremony! My prices are listed at www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com, so you can always get the information you need!

Cocktail Harpist, Empress Banquets, Addison

 

This particular client had a really great, rowdy band ready to play Eastern European favorites for the reception at Empress Banquets (I know because I got a chance to hear them warming up, and they were fantastic!). Sometimes, it's nice to have a mix of moods, and harp was just perfect for cocktails. People rested up, kicked back, and got ready to go the distance as the evening unfolded. Perfection.

You can check and see if my music looks right for the mood you are planning at www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Harpist, The Armour House at Lake Forest Academy, Lake Forest

The veranda is the perfect place to tuck a harp!

 

This wedding was such a pleasure, because I had actually been present when they got engaged! The groom had planned a fantastic proposal in summer 2020, and the couple invited me back for their cocktail reception at The Armour House. Repeat customers are always a pleasure, but this was just a delight! The little veranda is perfect for a harp, as I caught people going in and out, as well as those who stayed on the patio. The Luniks Entertainment DJ set up my built in mic so that the sound was relayed inside, too. The groom thought to plan some special requests, so I now know "Wildest Dreams", and it sounds great on harp!

Harpist's view!

Special requests are always available, and you can learn about the process on my website: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Country Coach House, Burlington

The ceremony space is truly lovely!

The Country Coach House is a brand new wedding venue in the far northwest town of Burlington. I spoke to the owners, and the business grew out of hosting their own daughters' weddings on their property, and getting further inquiries from friends and family. It is truly charming, and worth the drive!

Right next to the ceremony site is this rustic little barn,
complete with chandeliers!

After the couple's ceremony, a food truck pulled up to feed the guests and start the party! 

Cocktail hours are an easy add-on to your ceremony, and frequently available as a last minute addition. Please see my website, www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com for details!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Michael Jordan's, Oak Brook

The sparkly ceremony room!

This was my first wedding back after the pandemic lock down, so it was pretty memorable for me just for that fact. To get to work with this lovely bride who wanted to go forward with a celebration based on whatever was possible was, well, kind of amazing. She gathered her nearest and dearest, called Michael Jordan's in Oak Brook, and kept things romantic and manageable. The ceremony was in a small room off the dining room, and the venue made it beautiful and sparkly for the couple! Once they were well and truly married, they had the dining room and patio to roam around during cocktail hour, and then they sat down at a wonderful square banquet table for the dinner. I played a real quirky mix for cocktail hour (they wanted to keep it light), and then added in some classical choices and love songs for dinner. It was a fantastic evening for the couple, and thank goodness. 

I thought this was a lovely way to seat a small group for a party!

Playing for the dinner meant just turning the harp around!

If you find yourself having to rethink your plans, I am always happy to help. My website contains various ways of contacting me, and I would love to hear from you! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Reception Harpist, The Blackstone Hotel, Chicago

The harp positioned at the midpoint of the Art Hall

The lighting is dramatic and effective!

The Blackstone is a magnificent hotel, and it is exciting to see it living its second life as an upscale boutique hotel! This is the second time I have played for cocktails in this space, and I have a few thoughts. It looks like the perfect sized space for a harp, but for some reason it is an extremely loud space.  The harp works well for the first third and the last third of the event, but it is completely a visual for the middle third (harpist slang for being seen and not heard!). Next time I will bring an amplifier, but that still doesn't usually fix the entire problem. If a space is loud, as the music gets louder people generally just start yelling over it to be heard and it is a overall upward spiral of noise. I do not know what the solution is. Certainly, it is lovely for the people getting off the elevator to be greeted by live music, and you catch them again as they wait to go to the ballroom level, so hopefully that is enough. This time, all of the other rooms off the Art Hall were open, so I got a few more pictures. The extra rooms REALLY vary in decor, take a look....

In some ways, these two pictures really say it all. The Blackstone Hotel is embracing its history in varied and ever changing ways. You'll want to stop in to see all of the areas you might find useful, and prepare to be delighted!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail and Reception Harpist, Morton Arboretum, Lisle

My position for cocktails. You can get a glimpse of the Ginkgo terrace beyond.

I have actually been to the Arboretum before, but always on the other side of the highway at the Thornhill Education Center. This was my first time in the Ginkgo room, and I was really impressed! First of all, I should mention that is was just beastly hot on this particular day, so I think the guests really enjoyed having the option of being out on the terrace, or enjoying the amazing view from the air conditioned Ginkgo Room! The staff expertly turned the public area just outside the Ginkgo Room into a cocktail venue, and everything was set to begin as the Arboretum closed to the public for the day.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a photo of the dinner reception area (as it was filled with guests by the time I moved in) but the view is show stopping, and worth a trip to see for yourself.  

For my part, I try to change things up as much as possible. My cocktail selections include elegant standard by Gershwin, more recent popular tunes like "Marry You", and things you would never expect like "Be My Baby" by the Ronettes!  For dinner, I often play well known classical melodies, but that choice is really for the client, as additional popular selections can be really lovely, too.

You can hear some of my cocktail repertoire on my YouTube channel:  youtube.com/c/ChicagoWeddingHarpistReneeWilson. 

Cocktail Harpist, The Meadows Club, Rolling Meadows

Set up outside the banquet room.

I have been to The Meadows Club several times now, and it is always so much fun! When I first saw their cocktail space (see below), I was worried that it wouldn't work well for harp, but I was wrong! The weddings I have played here have all been East Asian weddings, so I have played Bollywood selections interspersed with American pop tunes. The long reception area creates sort of a gallery where guests get a drink and then stroll along stopping to visit and listen. My unusual mix of tunes seems to amuse everyone, and I have had some of the most positive comments from guests at this venue!

This gives you some idea of the size, but there is still more space
in the other direction!

I currently have 40 minutes of Bollywood music, and I try to add something new each season. You can hear how this translates to harp at my YouTube channel. Look for the "Bollywood Songs" playlist!