Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Holiday Inn, Elk Grove Village

Set up for the ceremony.

This bride really did things well.  When she contacted me initially, she informed me that while the event was to be an American style wedding, many of those attending would be of Nigerian descent, and that a 3 pm Nigerian wedding would likely not start right at 3 pm.  We had a little chat, and decided to specify a time frame that I would set aside for the wedding, acknowledging that the start time within that time frame was unknowable!  It really helped me, as I came with extra music organized, and was not staring into the back of the hall the entire time wondering if I was going to get a signal in the next 30 seconds to start.  Truly, the time just before the processional is the most difficult for any wedding musician (as you want everything to be as smooth as possible) and having a realistic idea of what is going to happen is just wonderful!

This bride loved soft music, so she decided to go with "Storybook Love" from the movie "The Princess Bride" for her bridal party.  This is frequently an overlooked option, especially when you consider that the song is so familiar to so many people!  The bride walked down to "A Thousand Years" and, bless her heart, although it was a relatively short aisle, she walked slowly enough that I was able to play both sections of the song!  I think perhaps I will ask her to coach all of you... walk slowly, brides!  You are so beautiful, and we all want to enjoy the moment!!!

For the recessional, she chose the more up tempo "I'm Your's" by Jason Mraz.  The best part for me was that one of the groomsmen was actually singing along a little!  Yet another good argument for using pop music at a wedding... people enjoying hearing songs they know!  

Non-Wedding Harpist at "South Pacific"

My harp at Cahn Auditorium, Evanston

Kind of a change of pace for me; I am spending most of August playing in a pit orchestra for the Rogers and Hammerstein classic, "South Pacific."  The production is lovely and romantic, even if there isn't a wedding!  If you happen to be there, please stop by the pit and say hello!

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Harpist, Salvatore's, Chicago

The patio at Salvatore's

Salvatore's is really a Lincoln Park institution, but it is still a little off the beaten path.  It is nestled just North of Fullerton, back in a neighborhood of one way streets that makes getting there just a bit of a challenge.  Once you arrive, though, the street is quiet and there is valet parking!  The building used to be a hotel, and was converted (many years ago) to apartments and a restaurant.  The patio where they hold weddings is completely shaded and looks out on the landscaped courtyard of the apartment building.

The bride and groom wanted a mixture of pop and classical music, so the mothers of the bride and groom processed to "Air on the G String" by Bach, and then the bridesmaids entered to "Ribbon in the Sky" by Stevie Wonder.  I had forgotten how wonderful "Ribbon in the Sky" sounds on harp!  Look for this to appear on my Youtube channel in the coming weeks, for sure!  The bride walked in to "A Thousand Years" and everybody recessed to "Marry You" by Bruno Mars.  I updated my arrangement of this piece, and I am finally completely happy with it, so you can expect a video of that soon, too!

After the ceremony, I moved indoors to play for the cocktail hour while the bridal party took pictures.  Things were moving along really efficiently, so my stated "cocktail hour" time actually ended up extended into the dinner, so of course I kept playing!

If you are looking for a convenient everything-in-one place venue in the city, you really should see Salvatore's.  And of course, consider harp music!

www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

The dining room at Salvatore's.
The patio is just through the doors on the left.

60th Wedding Anniversary Harpist, Papa Joe's, Orland Park

Papa Joe's private banquet room.

I was kind of a last minute addition, and that was fine by me! Preparations had been chugging along bit by bit over time, as the party was meant to be a surprise for the anniversary couple, but they hadn't yet thought about music.  Papa Joe's already features live music (a pianist) on Saturday nights, but the couple's daughter thought it would be fun to have music right in the room where they would be celebrating.  In these situations, I generally arrive well before the guests of honor, and play for the party goers as they get ready to surprise the arriving couple.  It turns out that the 60th anniversary couple did not have any special songs, so I started out with "All You Need is Love" by the Beatles and went from there.  It was a casual party, and everyone was in high spirits.  Of course we had "Here Comes the Bride" for the entrance of the guests of honor, and indeed they were surprised!  

And yes, the green centerpiece is a palm tree.
They were adorable!

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!

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, At Home in Ingleside

A view of my perch and a little bit of the aisle!

Weddings at home are really fabulous.  You get a wonderful idea of who the bride and groom are, and everyone is so relaxed!  Yes, it did take me a minute to visualize where Ingleside was (head for Fox Lake, and turn right just before you get there), but it was all easy after that!

The bride and groom wanted to involve their grand children in the ceremony, and the bride wondered what song would work for the little 3 year old flower girl.  So easy!  "Let it Go" from "Frozen"!  I learned this from a bride a couple of summers ago, and it worked like a charm again!  No timid little march down the aisle; the petals got happily distributed, and the flower girl actually enjoyed her special moment. Then it was time for the bride's procession, and she was escorted by her adorable little grandson who looked to be about 5 or 6 years old!  It was truly one of the sweetest things I've ever seen, and I see plenty of good stuff!

The ceremony went off beautifully, and I stayed to play some cocktail music afterwards.  The best part was that when I was loading out, the groom came over to make sure I didn't need any help (I didn't), and we had a little chat.  You know what he wanted to talk about?  How much he loves his new wife!

If you want to hold your own cozy wedding in your natural surroundings, call me.  Harp music can add just the right touch!

The harpist's view of the proceedings!

Wedding Ceremony Harpist, Galleria Marchetti

My favorite set up at Galleria Marchetti

Most Summers I end up going someplace twice, and this Summer it was Galleria Marchetti, just 8 days apart!  I really love this venue for two reasons:  #1 it is lovely and versatile and #2 it is extremely well run.  I like to position myself in the back at this location because it gives me a good view of the wedding party's entrance.  As I was setting up, the captain came over to make sure that I left enough room behind me so that the staff could move the chairs from outside to inside.  They actually have a little velvet rope barrier they set up when the time comes to get the move done, and I know it sounds like a small thing, but it is indicative of the level of service you get here.  There are enough people on staff, and they are paying close enough attention that things get done quickly and efficiently.  

The lovely bride was a traditionalist.  I played classical music for the prelude, her bridesmaids processed to "Trumpet Voluntary," and she and her father entered to "Canon in D."  When the wedding was finished, everyone marched out to the classic Mendelssohn "Wedding March."  I continued to play as the guests made their way from the chairs to the patio, and provided a nice segue to get everyone started on the cocktail hour.

If you need some nice transitionary music, please visit my website!  www.ChicagoWeddingHarpist.com

The harpist's view of the patio area.