The Jewel Box in St. Louis’ Forest Park is the perfect place to have the feel of an outdoor wedding, without the worries about the weather! The greenhouse was filled with hydrangeas, and was a lovely setting for the wedding of Dara and Kevin.
The prelude as guests arrived was performed entirely by African drummers – Ngoma in Motion. They were incredible! The ring bearer was enthralled by their performance, and one of the men handed him a gourd rattle so he could join in.
When the wedding party was lined up and ready to begin, I played “Canon in D.” Quite the change from the drummers – everyone knew the wedding was starting! The bride incorporated many items from her parents’ wedding ceremony into her own, including her processional song, “Misty.” The bride’s mother served as the Matron of Honor, and the groom’s father was his son’s Best Man. Dara looked stunning in a gold lace dress. The black and gold colors of my Laurel Leaf harp fit in perfectly with their ceremony!
During the ceremony, the couple participated in a ritual that I had not seen before. They each tasted the four temperaments (lemon for the sour times in life, cayenne pepper for the hot, honey for the sweet, and the fruit of the vine to symbolize the blending of two families). This is a traditional ceremony of the Yoruba, an ethnic group from West Africa.
Just before the recessional, the newly married couple jumped the broom (the broom and ring bearer’s pillow had also been used in the wedding of the bride’s parents). The recessional was back to the drummers, and I was encouraged to improvise along with them. It was a lot of fun, and I can’t wait for another Jewel Box wedding!
I am available to provide wedding music in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. Visit my website, St. Louis Harpist, for more information!
