Out of all my December weddings this year, this was the only one that wanted Christmas music! I had been working with the mother of the bride primarily, and her goal was to incorporate her family’s Irish heritage into a traditional Polish-style wedding. There isn’t a better way to do that than with the music of the harp (the national symbol of Ireland)!
The afternoon ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Niles, Michigan. During the prelude, the bride had chosen some traditional Christmas carols, along with the traditional classical wedding pieces, “Canon in D” and Bach’s “Prelude in C.” As with many weddings, we didn’t get started exactly on time, so I filled in with similar pieces until everyone was ready to go.
For the seating of the grandmother and mother of the groom, I played the “Air” from Handel’s Water Music. The mother of the bride entered, carrying and surrounded by her grandchildren, to the Shaker tune “Simple Gifts” (also known as “Lord of the Dance”). When the bridal party entered, I switched to the Christmas carol “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” – one of my personal favorites! – and to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” for the bride’s processional.
It was not a full Mass with Eucharist, but they did include a responsorial psalm and the “Celtic Alleluia,” sung by the bride’s aunt. I was glad that she sent me the music in advance – it’s possible to sightread at the wedding, but definitely better not to have to! The devotion to Mary was accompanied by the traditional Schubert “Ave Maria,” and the recessional was to “Trumpet Tune.”
As is the tradition in the bride’s family, the reception took place at their home, an old farmhouse located on the highest point in Berrien County. I played for the cocktail hour, set up in what is usually the dining room (serving as the bar and dance floor that evening). The whole house was beautifully decorated for Christmas, and the music as guests mingled and enjoyed appetizers included everything from The Beatles to traditional Irish airs to an especially fitting “Winter” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
They had hoped for snow, but Michigan weather is unpredictable, and we had rain & ice. The snow waited until the next day! Congratulations to Shannon & Bryan!
