Ceremony Harpist, La Pergola, Galleria Marchetti, Chicago

I have been to Galleria Marchetti many times over the years, and I think the La Pergola space is my favorite, with its roll-away roof! It was a chilly fall this year, but having the protection of the walls really helps with comfort, while still giving a very outdoor feel. The team from Anticipation Events kept everything running smoothly while I played prelude and processional music. The bride choose special music for her family (Can't Help Falling in Love) as well as her bridal party (A Thousand Years), which I always think is a sweet way to bring in family members!

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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, Galleria Marchetti, Chicago

See that chair on the left? That was supposed to be mine!

Yep, it rained. The garden area at Galleria Marchetti still looked really lovely, and it was dry under the canopy, but it was pretty cold. The bride decided to keep everyone comfortable and dry, but they were still able to get some lovely pictures outside after the ceremony. I mean, really, here I am telling you that it was kind of miserable out, but my amateur photos still make everything look pretty magical, right? Well, Galleria Marchetti really delivers when the weather is nasty.

This wedding was unusual because the bride decided to add violin just a couple of weeks before the wedding. She saw a video of violinist Jacob Murphy and I playing, and we were delighted to add that special touch to her wedding. We played "Marry Me" by Train, and "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz, and warmed everything right up!

The lovely view outside the tent

Set up in the corner of the tent. Better tent pictures are available on their website!

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Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Galleria Marchetti, Chicago

See the white building hidden among the trees on the far right?  That was us!!

I have a long history with this place, but in a super odd way.  As a newlywed, I lived at 525 N. Halsted, virtually across the street, so I can certainly attest to how the neighborhood and this facility have changed over the years.  We used to run into the owner on what was then a desolate part of Halsted, and our loft had a view of what is now the outdoor ceremony garden!  Over the years, many many improvements have been made here, and the plantings in the garden have grown up to give a wonderful sense of seclusion in the middle of the city!

On this particular evening, it was cold; below 50 degrees by the time I was finished. I doubt very many venues were able to go on with their outside weddings, but we were fairly comfortable at Galleria Marchetti! The garden is on the East side of the property and is sheltered both by the buildings and the trees.  Plus, with the building so close, guests who would rather not be outside can take shelter, and the large staff is always ready to whisk the entire event inside if things get uncomfortable.

The bride and groom for this wedding chose a really lovely little ceremony where they put love letters they had written to each other in a small bottle, to be opened on their first anniversary.  The bride's mother suggested Jim Croce's "Time in a Bottle" for musical accompaniment and it was perfect!  The bride told me that she and the groom were huge Beatles fans, so she went with "Here Comes the Sun" for her recessional, and I did a medley of Beatles' tunes for postlude.  I covered "All You Need is Love", "I Will", and "When I'm 64"!  It was fun, and fit them perfectly!

Visit my website to see what might fit you perfectly!  www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

A better view of the lush lawn and, of course, our old apartment!