Last weekend was another two-wedding Saturday. Follow that up with a former classmate’s homecoming recital, and you have a busy day!
My first wedding was a harp & violin duet gig with my friend Amanda. Welcome Home wedding planners were coordinating the ceremony, and they always do a super job of making sure everything runs smoothly. We actually got the right cue to begin the music for the seating of the families! That’s the only part of playing for weddings that still makes me nervous. Once things get started, it’s no problem – I just worry that grandma will start down the aisle before anybody warns me that she’s ready! We played “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Canon in D,” and “Trumpet Voluntary.”
As we left the ceremony, the storm clouds started rolling in – lightening and everything. Of course, my second ceremony was to be outside! I had time to stop for some much-needed coffee and pulled up to Meyer’s Castle. It was still raining, but they said there were no plans to move the ceremony – yet. So I unloaded everything but the harp and put all of the equipment under an awning to keep it dry. Fortunately, the storm didn’t last more than half an hour, and the wedding was able to go ahead outside as planned.
I was set up behind the guests, close to the staircase the bride and her attendants descended. She had chosen this location so the photographer could get shots of her and her wedding party through the harp strings.
Because of the iffy weather, guests were slow to take their places for the ceremony to begin. No problem – I have HOURS of prelude music if I need it! During this time, guests lined up to stand right next to the harp, and have their picture taken with me. It was a lot of fun, and I just kept smiling (I hope – we’ll see if anyone sends me copies)!
I play for weddings so often that times like that help remind me how unique my job is. I have harps in my living room and look at them every day – most people don’t! It’s a great feeling to bring such joy to people through my music, and introduce the harp and its music to people who have never seen or heard one before.
At the end of the ceremony, they had a dove release. I’ve seen a couple use two doves, but this was a whole flock! It was an amazing sight, and I’m sure the pictures will be spectacular. The music for this wedding included “Canon in D,” “Bridal Chorus,” and the “Wedding March.” The couple liked “harpy” music, so I was sure to put in lots of glissandos, especially during the bride’s entrance.
So I dodged the weather bullet yet again – this has been a lucky summer! Just one more outdoor wedding to go….