Showing posts with label Prelude music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prelude music. Show all posts

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Prelude harpist, Pickerill Estate House, Yorkville

There's an area surrounded by trees on
one side of the house

This was my first time to the Pickerill Estate House, and it was lovely. The soon to be wed couple wanted recorded music for their walk down the aisle, but they brought me in to play live music while the guests assembled. I have a lovely repertoire of classic R and B, and I mixed it with some more current favorites so everyone got to hear something they knew. It was a beautiful day!



There's a lovely covered patio on the other side!





Friday, September 1, 2023

Ceremony Harpist, Morgan Manufacturing, Chicago


This was my first time to Morgan Manufacturing in the Fulton Market District, and I thought it was lovely! Plenty of room to accommodate a large wedding, and the features on the building make it a really striking venue. This wedding was a little unusual for me, as they only wanted prelude music. Even so, I always stay through the ceremony; partially because moving the harp can be really distracting, and partially because things can go wrong with recorded music and it is nice to have a backup!


Things ran super smoothly for them, and I provided a little postlude music while they headed out for the cocktail hour. All good!


If you would like to plan special prelude music, my repertoire lists can help!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com


A second angle, just because
it's hard to give the scope of the place!


Monday, November 2, 2015

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Chicago Firehouse, Chicago


The front entrance. Also, 
parking for your firetruck 
(not even kidding!)

This is going to be a picture-heavy entry, but it can't be helped. Chicago Firehouse is a super charming, really distinctive venue, and it would be impossible to do it justice without a lot of pictures.  Just as you suspected, this is a converted firehouse, and it is located on the far Northside of Chicago, in the Edgewater neighborhood.  The venue has an agreement with a nearby school, so parking can be arranged, but of course the vintage fire truck that brought the bride to the wedding parked out front.  Did they have a Dalmation dog on the fire truck? Yes, they did.
The side garden with balcony.

To the left of the main doors is a lovely side yard, with a balcony overlooking the space.  Unfortunately, it was raining on this particular day, so we were inside a tent.  A really, really nice tent.

Set up inside the tent.

This bride was perhaps the most creative I have ever seen.  She had amazing decorating ideas, and the tent really just glowed!  She requested that I play a variety of Enya music, and then other atmospheric pieces that would not be recognized by anyone.  She wanted the music to wash over the guests without them stopping to think, "Oh, I know that piece."  It was a lovely, relaxed setting as soon as friends and family stepped into the tent!

Harpist's view.
The sparkly water lanterns were fabulous!


The bride wanted the theme from "Up" for both her processional and her recessional.  I loved the idea, and set about making a second, quieter arrangement for the processional.  It worked really well, and was a perfect reflection of the beautiful bride!

I didn't play inside, but I grabbed a few pictures while the staff was setting up so that you could peek. 

Inside, the view to the front doors,
and of course the fire pole to the right!
Looking at the center of the venue,
the long farm tables worked really well.

It is a long, somewhat narrow space, but really lovely, with high ceilings and lots of vintage charm.  Warm and cozy on a cold, damp night!

Such a beautiful table, and of course
a parasol hanging from the ceiling!

The caterer was a company named "Fig." From the looks of it, they are pretty special, and you should definitely know about them, too! They specialize in weddings and gatherings of 150 and less.  They certainly did a fabulous job setting this intricate table.

If you are looking for an unforgettable location, with a meal to match, I think this combo of venue and vendor could work for you. And don't forget the harp music!

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Wedding Ceremony Harpist Cantigny, Wheaton

The beautiful view from the seating area on the East side of Cantigny.

The Cantigny complex is large and varied.  There are a number of public gardens, picnic groves, a visitor's center, and a historic mansion. I believe they do weddings in several locations, but I have only ever been on the East side of the mansion.  There, you will find terraced lawns that work their way down to reflecting pools and one of the loveliest views around.  This location has the added distinction of keeping all of your guests in the shade, as long as your wedding begins after about 5 pm!

The bride and groom on this day wanted the lovely "Flower Duet" song from the opera "Lakme" for the wedding party, then it was "Bridal Chorus", more commonly known as "Here comes the Bride"!  I was able to include "Bianco Fiore" (as the recessional) to honor some guests who were Italian, and "Evening of Roses" (in the prelude) for some who were Jewish.  Everything was a beautiful reflection of the bridal couple!

If you would like to see if I know any of your favorite songs, please visit my website:  www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com


The view as you descend the hill at Cantigny.