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

Reception Harpist, Rialto Square Theatre, Joliet

The cocktail space is in the balcony lobby, 
overlooking the main floor.

I have played on the stage of the Rialto Theatre before but, like most musicians, it never occurred to me to go out to the public spaces. You can imagine how delighted I was to discover that they are a treasure! The bride was a fan of all things Disney, so I worked plenty of those selections in amongst other classic American love songs. It was a magical night in a magical space. Truly nothing else like this venue in our area!

Always feel free to let me know what music is special to you and your family. Part of hiring a harpist is getting a personalized playlist that is exactly right for your wedding. My website makes a great starting point: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Eventually, I turned the harp around to play down to
the reception. The harp makes quite an impression
even from a distance!

 

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, The Grand Ballroom (Events by Mistwood Golf Club), Joliet

 

The old ticketing area

Whew. Long title, but super cool venue. The ceremony was downstairs in what used to be the ticketing area, and it comes with some real advantages: a dramatic entrance for the bride, and an insular space that just glows when lit with candles. Also, the acoustics for music are absolutely terrific - I had my amp with me, but it wasn't even necessary. The couple chose to mix popular and classical, as many of my clients do. The bridal party walked to "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, and the bride entered to Canon in D. The event was managed by Mistwood Golf Club, which explains why everything went so smoothly! I didn't play for the reception, but I stopped by before I started so you could get a look at this amazing space. There is also a terrific website with some great video (www.JolietUnionStation.com).

The bride enters using this staircase

A really grand space!!

Please visit my website at www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com for repertoire lists so you can find your own perfect music choices!

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

Ceremony Harpist, Southern Charm Venues, Frankfort

The charming entrance off of the parking lot.

This was a brand new venue for me, and I think it is utterly wonderful! It is certainly on the south end of the metro area, but really not far off of the expressway, and super easy to find. Once you are there, it is the perfect combination of country charm and modern conveniences. The barn style building is sparkling clean, and there are lots of amenities to make your guests comfortable:  ample parking, handicap accessibility, and fancy hotel type bathrooms! I spoke with the owner, and they are working on figuring out air conditioning, so you should check on their progress if that is important to you.

The ceremony room is furnished with a few pews and plenty of chairs.

The ceremony room is a smaller area off of the main banquet space, and it overlooks a lovely field. The day I was there was super hot, but we were out of the sun and there was a nice cross breeze, so it was fairly comfortable. The bride went ultra traditional with her processionals and recessional (Canon in D, Here Comes the Bride, and the Mendelssohn Wedding March) and then really showed her personality for the special music during the ceremony.  She and her groom had "Moon River" for the unity candle and "Solamente Una Vez" for the lasso ceremony. Then she gave one of the most touching and heartfelt stepmom vows I have ever heard.  It was beautiful, and poof!! Brand new family! 

The reception area features lots of lights, and is open to the outdoors
on two sides (hence the bright light from behind me)!

If you need music for your grand design, please give me a call at (312) 860-4997!

Manteno Sportsmen's Club, Manteno Wedding Ceremony Harpist

Manteno Sportsmen's Club, the patio on the lake.

So we were supposed to be outside, and it should've worked out; it was only early October after all.  Then things took a turn, and it was just a little too wet, a little too cold, and the bride made the hard call to move everything indoors. This is right about the time that you end up being super glad you booked live music, because nothing can warm up a space faster than live music.  This particular bride was a musician herself, so she had me for the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour, and then a live band for the party.  Clever girl!  So outside, it drizzled and blustered, and inside we had a lovely ceremony featuring Irish music to honor the bride's heritage, and everyone celebrated. 

If you would like me to be part of your, "take what comes, but let's have a great time" plans, please write me!  Renee@Harp123.com

Set up for the inside ceremony.

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Odyssey Country Club, Tinley Park

My harp near the West Gazebo at Odyssey Country Club

As you can see from the photo, The Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park is a lovely venue.  My harp is actually on the brick pathway that the wedding party uses, because the ground was really wet that day and I couldn't leave it unattended on the grass.  I eventually set up just to the right of this photo, under a big tree that they have.  There is actually an East Gazebo, too, and they alternate weddings back and forth during the Summer.  That alternation was the problem on this particular day. The bride at the other gazebo started her ceremony a solid hour late.  I am sure my client was frantic, but there really wasn't anything to do.  I kept playing (I always have lots and lots of music with me!) and sent word through her friends that I would be ready to start when circumstances allowed.  I have an overtime clause in my contract, but I would never, never impose it in this situation.  I was delighted to be able to entertain her guests while they waited, and the weather was lovely, so everyone was fairly comfortable.  The music never ran out, both the wedding and the bride were beautiful, and it was another good day.

If you want a live musician on hand to help cope with the unexpected, please visit my website:  www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Manteno Wedding Ceremony Harpist

"The Bowl" at Camp Shaw.  

If you are looking for a stunning natural setting, you may want to consider Camp Shaw in Manteno, Illinois.  The camp is just 7 miles off of Interstate 57, and it sits alongside the beautiful Rock Creek. Weddings are held at "The Bowl" which is accessible by the long staircase shown above, or golf carts that carry people down an access drive.  This is a naturalistic setting and does not feature manicured gardens, but it is so lovely!  The area allowed for a large group of chairs, and the bride and groom stood under an arbor that was put up after I had already started playing.  Probably the best part was the abundant shade which, along with the creek, lowered temperatures about 10 degrees from what the rest of the world was experiencing!

Plenty of room, all with a view of the creek!

Afterwards, guests headed up to the mess hall on the top of the hill for dinner, and then across the footbridge for dancing at yet another pavilion.  Camp Shaw certainly has plenty of room to roam!

Rock Creek from the footbridge.

A long view of the footbridge.