Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Venuti's, Addison

Lots of natural light and special ceiling decorations!

This was a fairly complicated wedding, but it ended up coming out beautifully! The groom is a violinist, and a music lover in general, so he wanted to play for his bride. I will tell you what I told him.... You will be under a ton of stress that day, so I don't recommend it, but I will help you if you want to do it. He is a brave and determined sort of a fellow, so of course he wanted to do it! We worked to find the proper version of the proper piece (Ribbon in the Sky), and rehearsed at my house before the big day. 

Once I was set up at Venuti's, I began the prelude with all classical music, ending with Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring for the mothers. The groom entered to All of Me, and then the bridal party followed to Canon in D. Finally, it was time for the groom to play. He and I played through Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder and then, as he went to meet his bride, I picked up and played once more through on my own. It was stressful just like I warned, but he played really well, and it made everything feel very special.

Set up early and ready for rehearsal!

If you or someone else wants to play or sing at your wedding, I can absolutely accompany. There is no extra charge, and the results can be really spectacular!!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Cantigny, Wheaton

It is really hard to get a complete perspective on Cantigny.
My harp is in the extreme right hand corner of the shot.

Cantigny is an amazing spot for a wedding. It is somehow vast and impressive while also being intimate. The park does an amazing job keeping visitors behind the wedding party, so as soon as the bride descends the stairs you really feel you have all of this splendor to yourself.

This ceremony was unusual in the fact that I accompanied two fabulous young high school students. They were students of a friend of the bride's, and they both sang and accompanied themselves with guitars. I always figure that my job in these circumstances is to let the soloists shine, and it was certainly very easy to do with these young men! Originally we had planned to have me fill out the accompaniment to "Hawaiian Wedding Song," but since they were already at my house rehearsing, we also tried "Can't Help Falling in Love" and it went super smoothly. A quick call to the bride, and I was added to that for the wedding day, also.

If you are going to have a soloist for your wedding day, I generally arrive a few minutes earlier than normal so that we can run things again. Safely is definitely my motto for weddings! The boys handled the special music with me nicely, and I filled in with prelude and recessional (Bruno Mars!). Total teamwork success!

If you would like to discuss having me accompany your special guests, just call! (773) 881-0706.

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!