Anniversary Party Harpist, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Oak Brook

The family arrived super early, so I wasn't able to get pictures of the space, but here I am ready to play Bollywood music for the couple's 50th anniversary. The guests really enjoyed hearing something they never had before (Bollywood selections on harp), and I even learned a special song for the celebrating couple!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook

The ceremony site is right next to the lake!

 I have been to the Hyatt Lodge many times, but it never fails to impress. There's even a little portico, so if the weather is wet, I have some options, and could still play for couples that want to go ahead with their outdoor plans. That wasn't an issue on this glorious day! The couple had chosen a variety of Anime and video game music, including "Merry-Go-Round of Life", "One Summer's Day", and "The Great Fairy Fountain". It was fantastic!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, Wilder Mansion, Elmhurst

 The Wilder Mansion in Elmhurst is an absolutely breathtaking location. The gardens are incredible, and the tent lets everyone enjoy them in shaded comfort! The bride requested "Enchanted" and "You are In Love" for the processionals (both by Taylor Swift), and they worked out beautifully! We had Hannah of Enchanted Events running everything, so the whole event was smooth and relaxed. This venue is a real winner if you're looking for a garden setting!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Bollywood Harpist, Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg

I love working with my clients directly, but sometimes it is so much fun to just step into the world of a really accomplished wedding planner, and be part of that vision. Today, I was playing for Victoria Schultz of DVS Events, and the amazing wedding was at the Renaissance Schaumburg. I played 15 minutes of prelude, music for the entrance of the wedding party, and then for the first few minutes of the ceremony. It was glorious!

You can see my Bollywood repertoire at www.Harp123.com

Cocktail Reception Harpist, Drury Lane, Oak Brook

The lobby for the ballroom is very large!!

The Drury Lane complex has so many facilities! I have been here several times, but there have always been too many people around to allow for a photo. On this day, I was playing Bollywood reception music as people arrived, and got themselves settled with a little food and drink. Then, they passed by me again as they headed into the main reception. It is a lovely use of the harp, and helps everyone settle into an evening of delightful things!

My Bollywood repertoire is listed at my main website:

www.Harp123.com

Ceremony Harpist, Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield

Through the trees, was the beautiful Swan Lake

I hadn't been to the zoo in years, and certainly never with my harp! The ceremony began just as the public was leaving the park, and since we were in a far corner, it was completely private. Afterwards, guests toured the park as the vendors relocated to the Swan Pavilion for the reception. No pictures of that, so sorry! It was a beautiful, magical place for a wedding!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Bridal Shower Harpist, The Drake Oak Brook, Autograph Collection

This lovely bridal shower was a tea, and I think many people associate The Drake  downtown with tea service and harpists! The two hotels are no longer owned by the same company, but you can see many features in the suburban location that remind you of the downtown hotel. I hadn't been in years, and was pleased to see what a wonderful property it continues to be!

I played love songs as everyone chatted and celebrated the soon-to-be married couple, and it was a delight!

Harp music is perfect for a bridal shower! There's more information at my website: www.Harp123.com

Bollywood Dinner Music Harpist, Shalimar Banquets, Addison

I had never seen Shalimar Banquets completely opened up before, and it was lovely! I was there to provide Bollywood favorites mixed in with some western pop songs, and it worked out beautifully! I was supported by the wonderful DJ Kazi, who made sure the harp sound was able to be heard in such a large space!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Morton Arboretum, Lisle

This was a new location for me at the lovely Morton Arboretum. We were behind the Thornhill Education Center, and off in a little grove of trees - perfection! The bride was concerned about the long walk from the center, not wanting the music to be repeated before she actually arrived at the aisle, so we hopped on a phone call and worked out a plan. Phone consultations, where I play for you over the phone, are always a great option if there are questions or concerns!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

This little guy was "Ring Security" LOL

Reception Harpist, The Carlisle, Lombard

The Carlisle has this adorable little stage, perfect for a harp!

The Carlisle was a flurry of activity, so I couldn't get a picture the other way around, but it was gorgeous when it was finished! Harp can be so wonderful for the cocktail hour - I have so many upbeat pop tunes that you wouldn't expected to hear on harp. Additionally, harp allows for your guests to easily visit, and can provide a nice contrast to the exciting, surround sound experience of the DJ or band. You can always find my current list of songs on my website: www.Harp123.com

Ceremony Harpist, At Home in Oak Brook

A beautiful little pond was the focal point

My second lovely at-home wedding this month! The bride requested a "cocktail hour" before the ceremony, so all of the guests relaxed to harp music while enjoying some refreshments before the ceremony began. When it was time, the bride processed to "True Colors", and it was poignant and wonderful!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, Westin Chicago Lombard, Lombard

You have to search for the harp a bit, but I needed to get
all of the flowers in the picture!!

The Westin Chicago Lombard is a really lovely venue, and much of that is due to the staff. They were readily available, and so very helpful. Because I have a Bollywood repertoire, I frequently get called for weddings that are combining some Southeast Asian traditions into an otherwise Western ceremony. In these cases, it is always good to have input from the folks who know the space the best, so that I get myself positioned correctly in the room. Everything was incredibly smooth, and the results were just what the bride had in mind!

For more information on my Bollywood selections, please visit www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony and Cocktails Harpist, Hyatt Lodge, Oak Brook

This area is referred to as the grassy knoll

I have played at the Hyatt Lodge quite a few times over the years, but it still never fails to impress with all its natural beauty. Here, I am set up and ready to play prelude music and the processional. The communication with the wedding party can be complicated here (the walkway is long and curved), but completely worth the effort!!

www.Harp123.com

Vow Renewal Harpist, Wilder Park, Elmhurst

Where the couple will eventually stand

Wilder Park is an unusual situation. There really isn't much call for additional decorations when the garden is as lovely as this one, so no one needs to be on hand in the time preceding the wedding. Since this was a vow renewal, the couple was also quite a bit more relaxed than many of my wedding clients. The reality for me, was that I had a lot of time on my own before music was needed. I amused myself by taking pictures! The park is an absolutely stunning location!

A look back to the entry aisle and seating area

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, St Peter's Latvian Lutheran Church, Wood Dale

 

The bridal couple were both musicians, so it was really fun hearing their choices for the ceremony! The bride had a very specific Grace George version of "Heaven is a Place on Earth" (originally by Belinda Carlisle). In a first for me, the bride's dad was able to supply an arrangement of the music, as it was not available for purchase elsewhere. He did a great job! I adapted it for harp a bit, and we were all set. We also agreed I would do an arrangement of "You're My Best Friend" by Queen for the recessional. You can all feel free to thank this lovely bride for that, as it is turning out to be one of my most requested options!

The Lithuanian at the Latvian wedding!!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Pre-Cocktail Harpist, Empress Banquets, Addison

All set up in the beautiful lobby of Empress Banquets

The mother of the bride knew that the guests would arrive early at the reception, so she planned ahead! I was booked to greet the guests with music, even before the banquet room was open and cocktails were available. I have never done that for an event before, and I thought it was absolute genius! The guests were able to ease into their evening, and then I was able to play for the wedding party while they were lining up. I'm looking forward to doing it again soon!

I would love to help you surprise your guests with harp music! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Ceremony Harpist, The Seville, Streamwood

So elegant!

The Seville in Streamwood is so well run!! The room itself was lovely, and the staff were all quick and efficient. It is so much easier to get set up and focus on the important things when everything is running smoothly around you! The bride and groom had a hand binding ceremony as their unity element. I played "The Lark in the Clear Air" softly in the background as their friends came up and read short passages. It was a sweet beginning to their union!

If you're planning a special ceremony within your ceremony, harp music can help define it beautifully! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Morton Arboretum, Lisle

60 chairs fit easily

The Morton Arboretum has so many stunning locations, but the Fragrance Garden is my absolute favorite for smaller weddings. If you schedule a morning time it is fairly quiet, and you can really enjoy the easy access while still feeling like you are in a private garden.

Plenty of room for the harpist!

Afterwards we headed across the road to a reception at the Sycamore Room. Guests had access to the patio, and then came inside for a buffet lunch.

The amazing views continued!

If you need help planning music for your ceremony and reception, I would be delighted to help! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Cocktail Harpist, Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel, Schaumburg

I love playing extended cocktail hours with my Bollywood repertoire! It allows me to constantly surprise the guests as I alternate back and forth between American pop and Bollywood favorites! The Renaissance Schaumburg had lots of room for the guests, and they did a fantastic job building out the banquet hall so that there was no sound interference when the DJ started things in the main room. If you would like to see my Bollywood repertoire, head over to my website: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

I generally don't post pictures of myself, but 
I am super fond of this cheerful gown!

Nikah Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Doubletree, Oak Brook

In my mind, there is no better way to start the new year than a wedding, so I was thrilled! The Doubletree, Oak Brook seems to have oodles of experience with big weddings, and it was a pleasure to see things work out so beautifully for this couple! There was a last minute issue with pandemic precautions, and I believe there may have been a change made with how things were broadcast for those not able to attend the Nikah. The hotel tech experts came and offered solutions, and things were managed quickly! Once we were started, things went smoothly, and we were off to the many specialty stations they had chosen for their pre-reception! I played Bollywood selections while guests mingled, and it was the joyful occasion everyone had hoped for!

If you are interested in my Bollywood rep, you can view it at: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com