Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, Channahon

You're actually looking at one of the rivers here

It was worth the drive. The Four Rivers Center is really far southwest of Chicago, so it wouldn't work for everyone, but it is definitely worth consideration if you are anywhere near Joliet. This bright shelter was only one of the options they offered; after the ceremony, the wedding guests headed over to the visitor's center for the reception! Among my favorite practical features were the nice long aisle (better for admiring everyone!) and a nearby parking area so that guests could easily access the structure.

If you need music for your south-of-Chicago location, drop me a line! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Madonna Della Strada Chapel, Loyola University, Chicago

I frequently lament that, for a city with so much lakefront, lakefront weddings in Chicago are hard to come by. This amazing chapel on the campus of Loyola University is a location that was unknown to me until this spring! While you are actually indoors for your ceremony, there is a lovely terrace just outside the church that brings the lake front and center for guests, and provides a fantastic backdrop for pictures. The staff at the chapel are so helpful, and everything ran just as smoothly as you could ever expect!

If you need a harpist who is familiar with the Catholic liturgy, I would be delighted to play for you! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, The Langham, Chicago

I am an absolute pushover for rooms that are one of a kind, and The Langham certainly delivers big on that score! The views in this room (Melbourne) reveal in stages: a gorgeous corner panorama, followed by a unique view down the river corridor.

Set as it is at the corner of the building, guests were able to spill out into the hallway for the cocktail hour, and the room functioned as much bigger than its floor plan. If you're looking for a signature room for your small ceremony, you really couldn't do better!

If you need seamless ceremony and cocktail music, I would be delighted to help! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

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

Wedding Mass Harpist, Church of the Holy Family, Chicago

Just awe inspiring!

The Church of the Holy Family is a really interesting institution. It serves the community of St. Ignatius College Prep, but doesn't have a neighborhood congregation. Because of that, it is available to host important life events for Catholics from other parishes, including weddings! Their website does an excellent job of outlining both the procedure and the costs, so I encourage you to visit it if this is an option for you. It was my first time playing here, and I would highly recommend it to anyone; what a pleasure!

I had actually played for the bride's wedding shower, so she and her mom were well acquainted with my repertoire! We chose classical things for the actual wedding, but Holy Family was super flexible about having some popular songs in the prelude, which was, I believe, appreciated by the bridal couple. Just really a lovely experience from beginning to end, and a wonderful way to ring in the New Year!

If you're planning a Catholic ceremony or mass, I would love to help! www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com.

Christmas decorations are one more benefit
of a New Year's Eve wedding!

Ceremony and Cocktail Harpist, Chevy Chase Country Club, Wheeling

This room is so warm at night; it just glows!

 

This was an emotional one for me, just because this bride was the first of my clients to have to cancel her wedding, way back in the early part of the pandemic, March 2020. She had a specific vision for her wedding (which okay, that's kind of everyone), and it kept being impossible to access as the pandemic and scheduling intervened. So the day finally came together, and you know what? It was perfect. Chevy Chase was beautifully decorated for the holidays, the wonderful coordinators kept things humming along like clockwork, and I think the bridal couple was delighted. Happy ending for sure!

If harp music would help your happy ending, please visit my website: www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com.

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Saint James Chapel, Chicago

A stunning little jewel box!

It is always a pleasure to be at Saint James Chapel! The chapel was built between 1917-1920, and features stained glass modeled after the famous windows of Sainte Chapelle in Paris. The musician's loft there is large and couples frequently choose to have the harp upstairs. Yes, you lose the visual effect of the harp, but the music sounds like it is drifting down from the heavens, and that is worth it!! 

I am always happy to coordinate music with your regular church musicians, or outside people. When planning a religious service, it is probably best that we email or speak on the phone. I am easy to reach at reneewilsonharp@gmail.com or (312) 860.4997. I am always delighted to talk about wedding plans!