Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Oscar Swan Country Inn, Geneva

There are several areas to choose from, but we were in the back.

Geneva and the Oscar Swan Country Inn are at the very edge of my travel zone, but I do like a nice drive in the country! The fall weather just barely held for them (I had my harp briefly covered at one point), and it was a beautiful ceremony. The couple chose "Storybook Love" for their wedding party processional, and it was very sweet! Then, I stayed right where I was, turned my amp up just a little, and went directly into cocktail music. They included playful things like "Despacito" and "You're My Best Friend", and it was a lovely, easy transition into the celebration!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Herrington Inn, Geneva Wedding Ceremony Harpist

The riverfront space at the Herrington Inn, Geneva

So, I wasn't actually set up in the outdoor space on this wedding, but I think when you choose the Herrington Inn and Spa in Geneva, it ends up being all about the river, so I am showing this first.  I was struck by how many areas they had, and curious about how they might be used in lots of different ways for all kinds of wedding parties.  

The indoor ceremony space.

This bride wanted to be sure that the groom and groomsman (who were all in their military uniforms) would be comfortable, so she chose to be indoors.  The indoor space is lovely, with exposed brick and a split level interior.  Directly behind the wedding setup were doors out to the river patio that I pictured above:

Not a great picture, but you get the idea!

It looks like the doors could be thrown open and the two spaces could flow together, but that is a question for the staff at the Inn.  After cocktails on the patio, the guests were off to yet another area of the Inn for dinner; so many options!!

If you would like to discuss your musical options, please call me at 773.881.0706.  I am always happy to talk about wedding music!

Riverside Receptions, Geneva Wedding Ceremony Harpist

The ceremony room at Riverside Receptions has a nice long aisle!

This was the second time I have been to Riverside Receptions, and this go around I got to see the inside space!  I thought it was set up really thoughtfully, with a nice area for me at the back of the hall, and good sight lines so that I could see the wedding party getting ready to process in.  

This particular bride had a son who played the violin, and she wanted him to be involved in the music.  No problem!  He and I emailed back and forth and agreed on "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", and I sent him the violin part.  Both he and his mom felt a rehearsal before the day of the wedding would be a good idea, so he came over to my house about 10 days before the wedding.  Everything went smoothly except that, in the many details of the actual wedding day, he forgot to pack a music stand.  Again, no problem.  I had an extra stand in my car, and we were right back on track.  He played so beautifully, and everyone was happy.  

I am always willing to accompany your friends and family if they would like to sing or play an instrument.  This young man was quite accomplished, but I can successfully accompany beginners, as well.  We can rehearse ahead of time, and then run through the selection again just before the wedding.  There is no extra charge for this service, and it is a lot of fun for everyone involved!

No harp music for the reception, but the room is so beautiful that
I couldn't resist a photo!

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Riverside Receptions, Geneva

The courtyard at Riverside Receptions in Geneva

I really love Autumn weddings in general, but this one was particularly lovely.  The bride had a great sense of what she wanted, and the event planner, Carlene Smith at Naturally Yours Events, was really terrific. The flowers were spectacular, as the florist (Heidi at FieldAndFlorist.com) has her own flower farm in Barrington and an artist's eye.

Autumn arrangement by Heidi at Field and Florist in Chicago

The courtyard at Riverside Receptions is lovely, but it is a public space. People were kind of randomly coming and going until I began to play. Like magic, all of the wedding guests came and sat down, and the people who didn't belong headed for the exit.  

The bride chose really eclectic music, which I always love.  She had the bridal party enter to The Nightingale, and then she entered to Debussy's Clair de Lune.  I have only used "Clair de Lune" as a bridal procession twice in the last 20 years, but both times the congregations have literally gasped just a little bit. Something about the beautiful bride and Debussy's song about moonlight just really grabs people.  Then, for the recessional, the bride wanted "Tonight, Tonight" by The Smashing Pumpkins.  I was a little worried at first since you don't right away think "harp" when you think about the Pumpkins, but it turned out really well. I'm definitely going to be playing "Tonight, Tonight" whenever I get the chance.

A lovely aisle highlighted by flower petals.

This was my first time working with the event planner, Carlene, so after everything had turned out so beautifully, I was eager to talk to her and find out more about her company.  She described her service as, "Non-traditional, eco-friendly, and a little quirky."  Additionally, she says that couples come to her at all stages in the planning process, with all types of ideas and all budgets.  She says nothing is too out of the box for her staff, and they concentrate on creating a fun and memorable party.  I saw it in action, and I can highly recommend her!

If you just can't imagine "Tonight, Tonight" on the harp, call me directly and I'll give it a go over the phone!  (773) 881-0706.