Manteno Sportsmen's Club, Manteno Wedding Ceremony Harpist

Manteno Sportsmen's Club, the patio on the lake.

So we were supposed to be outside, and it should've worked out; it was only early October after all.  Then things took a turn, and it was just a little too wet, a little too cold, and the bride made the hard call to move everything indoors. This is right about the time that you end up being super glad you booked live music, because nothing can warm up a space faster than live music.  This particular bride was a musician herself, so she had me for the wedding ceremony and cocktail hour, and then a live band for the party.  Clever girl!  So outside, it drizzled and blustered, and inside we had a lovely ceremony featuring Irish music to honor the bride's heritage, and everyone celebrated. 

If you would like me to be part of your, "take what comes, but let's have a great time" plans, please write me!  Renee@Harp123.com

Set up for the inside ceremony.

19th Century Club, Oak Park Wedding Ceremony Harpist

The beautiful exterior of the 19th Century Club in Oak Park

Beautiful day!  I have been wanting to play a wedding at The Nineteenth Century Club since first I saw it last Spring, and this week I finally was able to!  The woman who manages the facility was planning to host her wedding there, and she had heard me at one of the other events I was in to play.  The surprising part was that the ceremony took place in a room I had never even seen, and it was a little gem!

Here was my view of the ceremony space just as the doors were opened.

This area is called the "South Dining Room", and it seats 100 theater style, according to their website.  I loved how many shades of white there were in the room.  It just seemed so "bridal" and elegant! Additionally, there is an extremely comfortable reception room just outside the doors, so your guests have lots of good options.  

This was the view towards to stage where the ceremony took place taken, alas,
before they were entirely set up.

The bride had a special request: a Priscilla Ahn song called "Dream".  It worked really well on harp, I thought, and created an amazingly beautiful moment when the bride walked into the room. It is so much fun to be a part of that!  If you have an idea for your perfect musical moment I would love to hear it! 

(Renee 773.881.0706!)

South Loop High Rise Ceremony and Reception Harpist

A fabulous lake view!

This wedding location was a surprise for everyone.  The bride and groom had planned to travel to a foreign destination and marry while they were there, but a last minute family illness changed their plans. Luckily, they stayed flexible, had access to this lovely party room in their condo building, and everyone worked together to make sure it was a delightful day.  

I played as the guests arrived, and then just a little bit of a processional as the bridal couple worked their way to the front of the room.  As they didn't have a traditional wedding party, that was all they needed!  When they had finished exchanging vows, I started back in with upbeat popular tunes to set the mood for the reception.  It was an all-in-one type of event, and the couple got to relax and spend time with family and friends, so a complete win!

If your plans look as though they might change, give me a call.  We can arrange lots of beautiful music even when it seems like it is the last minute!  Visit my website at www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com for ideas! 

Doubletree Hotel, Oak Brook Wedding Ceremony Harpist; Also, Bollywood!!

The ceremony set up was vast.  My harp is off to the right in the front.

This was so much fun.  I had never played a Hindu wedding before, only receptions.  The traditions are quite different, and it was wonderful to see how the bride and groom mixed the old and the new. I have had requests for "Bollywood" tunes before, but have never been able to find a source for sheet music (I do not play by ear, unfortunately).  This enterprising young couple was able to find something!  The site (sheetmelodies.com) did not have all the music that they had hoped for, but they chose four pieces and I went to work. I am happy to report that all of them worked on harp, and the bride and groom were pleased!  Plus, my 13 year old daughter and I got to spend a week watching Bollywood videos (so I could be sure I was adapting them accurately), and that made us both happy.  (Dancing! Romance! General sparkliness!)

My harp set up next to the mandap
where the ceremony was held.

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.

Herrington Inn, Geneva Wedding Ceremony Harpist

The riverfront space at the Herrington Inn, Geneva

So, I wasn't actually set up in the outdoor space on this wedding, but I think when you choose the Herrington Inn and Spa in Geneva, it ends up being all about the river, so I am showing this first.  I was struck by how many areas they had, and curious about how they might be used in lots of different ways for all kinds of wedding parties.  

The indoor ceremony space.

This bride wanted to be sure that the groom and groomsman (who were all in their military uniforms) would be comfortable, so she chose to be indoors.  The indoor space is lovely, with exposed brick and a split level interior.  Directly behind the wedding setup were doors out to the river patio that I pictured above:

Not a great picture, but you get the idea!

It looks like the doors could be thrown open and the two spaces could flow together, but that is a question for the staff at the Inn.  After cocktails on the patio, the guests were off to yet another area of the Inn for dinner; so many options!!

If you would like to discuss your musical options, please call me at 773.881.0706.  I am always happy to talk about wedding music!

Michigan City, Indiana Wedding Ceremony Harpist

Set up at New Creation Vineyard Christian Fellowship

The lovely bride felt a little stressed when she called, because she was planning a wedding at a remote location.  With family and friends spread over the midwest, she and her groom decided to pick a central location, find a church willing to host them, and make travel more equitable for all of those attending.  I travel to Northwest Indiana for a small additional fee, so it was no problem for me.  

As we began planning her music she confided that she had "no idea" what she wanted and felt like she might be unable to make appropriate choices.  A surprising number of brides actually feel that way!  My advice is always the same:  set aside a half an hour and listen to some of the selections on my website.  Keep track of the things you like and the things you don't.  Then, if it is still confusing, we can talk and usually work things out rather easily.  I will make some suggestions based on what you tell me, and things go fairly smoothly.  Or, you will be like this bride who, after listening to the short selections on my site, actually knew exactly what she wanted!  Music shouldn't be scary.  All it needs to do is support the mood that you are hoping for on your wedding day.  I promise not to make it harder than that!!

Visit my website at www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com to find sound samples that will make your music selection process easier!