Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Gibson's Italia, Chicago

As you can see, the roof deck at Gibson's Italia is pretty spectacular. It is one of those spaces that is hard to capture in a photo; the roof is glass and retractable. You are literally surrounded by the river view, and it is stunning. The couple had planned a beautiful afternoon with their nearest and dearest that would also include their wedding vows! Live music can be such a wonderful way to set a mood in these circumstances. I move easily from soothing music while folks are setting up, to upbeat music to greet the arriving guests. As everyone relaxed and took in the view, I was able to incorporate the Bollywood selections the bride had requested, which kept everyone surprised and amused. When the couple was ready, just a few bars of Canon in D signaled that the ceremony was starting. It is such a joy to be able to be responsive to what is going on around me, and know that I am helping the flow of the event.

My website is the first step in getting to know what I offer, and I am always available by phone or email to answer any questions you have. www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Reception Harpist, The Lincoln Inn, Batavia

That's the corner area where the wedding party sat. 

This was such a charming reception! The bridal couple, and indeed all of the guests were members of a Seventh Day Adventist Congregation nearby. Since Seventh Day Adventists adhere to a Sabbath day of rest of Saturday, the wedding and reception were both scheduled for Sunday morning. I actually think that brunches, or "wedding breakfasts," as I believe they are called in Britain, are overlooked as a practical yet romantic alternative to evening affairs.  The Lincoln Inn in Batavia is perfect for this.  The owner was telling me that they host a popular Sunday brunch every weekend, so you could easily stop by and see what you think of the facility and its food without having to schedule an appointment! On this morning, we were in the Springfield Room, and it is quite remarkable. It is sort of an "L" shaped room, which is generally kind of a drag, but not in this case. The owners, very cleverly, installed a corner area that is perfect for the wedding party. Everyone sits elevated just a bit, and the reality is that the bridal couple is able to be seen from every bit of the room!  In addition, there are a number of large windows for natural light, and some large wall mirrors to disperse the light throughout. All in all, a super pleasant room.

The couple had requested hymns and classical music, so the music was very soothing. Brunch was served buffet style, and everything looked wonderful and well tended.  Definitely a place worth remembering!

See? This is why you need to plan December events...
the floral possibilities are so romantic!!

Chicago Wedding Reception Harpist, Lost Marsh, Hammond, Indiana

Alas, a stolen photo.  This was the room I was in, and it was beautiful.
It was also filled with very early people by the time I got there, so no harp photo!

It is never too late to call and check on my availability. When the soon-to-be-married couple heard that the musicians they were expecting to play their reception were not going to be able to appear, they gave me a call. I just happened to have the date open, and I was happy to fill in. When someone calls last minute and I am not available, I always email them a list of other harpists, so there is help available regardless. If you really want to add live music to your wedding, it is generally just a matter of making enough calls, and getting someone to supply you with reliable people to contact!

Lost Marsh is a really lovely facility in Northwest Indiana, with expansive views in all directions. I was able to plug into the D.J.'s system, and I played popular music, mariachi music, and even a couple of the bride's favorite bossa novas.  When the calls come in at the last minute, the clients have to choose from the repertoire I already know, but I know a lot of music :)

I am pretty fast at returning emails, but you can always feel free to call, too. Sometimes (especially when things take an unexpected turn) it can be nice to hear an actual human voice!

Email:  reneewilsonharp@sbcglobal.net
Phone:  (773) 881.0706 or (312) 860.4997

Wedding Reception Harpist, Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile, Chicago

Set up for dinner in the Lakeshore Ballroom West

This hotel was new to me, and I thought it was in a terrific location. There is a real glut of hotels just West of Michigan Avenue, such that it is hard to drive down some of the streets, and frequently really difficult to get close enough to load in a harp.  This wonderful hotel is East of Michigan Avenue in a slightly quieter business and residential area, but still close to all of the things your guests would need and want.  

While the hotel is not huge, it had a lovely mid sized meeting room with lots of windows, a lovely city view, and a stylish prefunction area that the party used for their cocktail hour.  Once they came into the main room, I started to play my more modern love songs (think "Marry Me" and "One Thousand Years") interspersed with some quirkier titles ("Eternal Flame" by the Bangles is one of my current favorites).  The group began having everyone toast the newlywed couple, and I continued to provide very quiet background music, which I think helped some of the more nervous speakers!  After the first course, the couple decided to do a first dance, and they choose "Make You Feel My Love" by Adele.  I have a really terrific arrangement of that, and their dance was a super sweet moment, even for someone who had just met the happy couple mere minutes before!

A stylish cake with a wonderful, masculine topper!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Gibson's, Chicago

A private room for two (and harpist) at Gibson's

This was so much fun.  The bridal couple, proudly managing two careers and six children between them, recognized that a traditional wedding was perhaps not the best fit for them.  Instead, they slipped away to the near North side, where they were met by a judge (to marry them), a harpist (to set the mood), and a wonderful steak house (to provide the celebratory dinner).  The bride wrote to me just 9 days ahead, but it was plenty of time!  I was actually able to get a few special requests worked up, too.  

The couple wanted all popular tunes, and had very eclectic tastes! Among my favorites of their special requests were "Make Me Feel Your Love," "Breathe," and "I Got You Babe."  The number one winner for the evening was, however, "Hotel California," by the Eagles.  It sounds just fabulous on harp, and was a big favorite of the newly married couple.

I played as the couple met with the judge who performed their ceremony, and then started again with "Love Me Tender" just as they were pronounced husband and wife.  They took photos and then Gibson's began their dinner service.  They ate, and visited, and even danced to harp music.  I played things from their request list, and then sometimes played them again; it was a pleasure to make everything fit just right for them!  Meanwhile, the seamless Gibson's service had them feeling relaxed and cared for.  Such a lovely start to their new lives together!

If you've got your own ideas of what would be just right on the harp, give me a call!  We'll work up a list!

W City Center, Chicago Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist

The distinctive wedding ceremony room at the W City Center

You cannot get more centrally located than the W City Center at 172 W. Adams.  The Sears Willis Tower is just around the corner, and you are close to transportation and the lakefront as well.  The hotel itself has a long Chicago history beginning in 1930 as the private Midland Club. Several renovations later, it is an extremely hip boutique hotel, with distinctive public spaces.  

We started out in this room at the front of the hotel on the second floor. Unfortunately, the candles were not yet lit when I had the chance to take this photo, so you will have to imagine.  The room is very sophisticated, and the many candles gave it a lovely, soft glow.  

While the guests went to the upper lobby (just outside the doors) to have their cocktail hour, I set up in the banquet space at the other end of the floor.  This is a large hall with plenty of space for food stations, me, the DJ, and a dance floor for later!  Like all of the spaces in the W, they kept the old structure, but added modern lighting and materials to keep things fresh.  I played a mixture of Gershwin, Cole Porter, and more modern love songs, so as to keep up the theme of mixing the old and the new!

My harp with one of the beautiful 1930 chandeliers.

Starved Rock Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist

This was the beautiful setting for my first ever wedding at Starved Rock State Park.  This site is really wonderful.  The river is just beyond, and the entire site is shaded!  Additionally, the parking lot is close enough for an easy load in, but the patio area is far enough back that we did not have random people passing through.  The wedding itself was so lovely, and the bride chose "Let it Go" from "Frozen" for her tiny flower girls to process in to.  The girls were so thrilled, and accomplished all of their flower girl duties admirably!

I thought this was a fabulous idea for securing wedding paraphernalia in a potentially windy situation. Plus, so cute!!

Then we were off to the Lodge for dinner.  The DJ played for the cocktail hour while I moved the harp.  I played for dinner and, after the couple had visited all of the tables, I heard from the lovely bride.  She told me that many of the guests over the age of 40 had expressed their satisfaction with the music, as the harp music allowed them to eat and visit without having to shout to be heard  It was a successful day all around!

Wedding Reception Harpist, Chandler's Chop House, Schaumburg

Set up for cocktails in the lounge outside the banquet hall.

This was my second time at Chandler's and my impression remains the same:  this is a well run venue.  The wedding I was to play for was running a bit late, and the staff handled it beautifully.  Once the guests and wedding party were all assembled, the event planner, Farrah Singh of Simply Azure Events kept things moving along smoothly.  

On this visit I was playing for cocktails and then moving in to play for as much of the dinner as possible.  I like their little fireplace area outside of the banquet hall, but it is just a little better in cold months when the fireplace can be in use.  They had sunflowers scattered around inside the fireplace for the Summer, and that was cute.  Once I was in place for the start of the lunch service I played the bride's special request, "Fur Elise". This is a piece generally played on piano, but harpists steal from piano repertoire all the time, so no problem!  It was a lovely late Summer wedding.

If you're planning your Summer wedding, maybe I can help!  www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites Wedding Ceremony Harpist

This photo was taken at the Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites in the Streeterville neighborhood.  Ralph and I were there providing beautiful harp and violin music for the ceremony, but I was really taken by these lovely flower and candle arrangements lining both sides of the main aisle.  What a beautiful way to enhance the bride's entrance!

After the ceremony, Ralph and I headed down the hall to play for the cocktail hour. Additional live music is a lovely way to transition into your reception if it is in the same location as your ceremony.  One minute we were playing "Here Comes the Bride", and the next we were doing "I Get a Kick Out of You".  Harp and violin are terrific for covering the Great American Song Book and giving your cocktail hour a sophisticated sound.

Here is a link to some of the background reception music I frequently play (Ralph is playing on several selections, too):

Reception selections at www.Harp123.com