I had been looking forward to this wedding ever since Caitlin told me that she had a vintage English garden theme (her fiance and his family had spent several years in England), and was encouraging all of her guests to wear hats and fascinators. I was glad to have the opportunity to break out my peacock feathers!
The ceremony took place in the Holy Spirit Chapel in Le Mans Hall on the campus of St. Mary’s College. I’ve played there before, and it is a beautiful space with perfect acoustics! The prelude was all classical music, and as with all the weddings I’ve played on campus, it included “The Bells of St. Mary’s.”
The families and bridal party all entered to “Prelude in C” by J.S. Bach. The bridesmaids all wore different knee-length white dresses, carried bouquets of different green & white flowers, and wore colorful shoes and fascinators. They maintained a cohesive look, but each was able to choose a dress that she liked and pair it with a bright color. It was a lovely effect!
“Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel was the bride’s processional music. The ceremony was part of a full Catholic Mass, and I accompanied a friend of the bride who served as cantor. We did “Taste and See” as the responsorial Psalm, “Celtic Alleluia,” and the Mass of Creation for the Eucharistic Acclamations.
The music for the sign of the peace was “Great Day” ~ a piece filled with glissandos! ~ and the offertory was “Andiam mio tesoro.” During Communion, everyone sang “One Bread, One Body,” and the recessional was the first movement of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.
Once the ceremony concluded, the guests walked out the front doors and across the lawn to a tent where the reception was held. The rain held off long enough for a group picture outside.
I am available to provide music for weddings and receptions at St. Mary’s College and Notre Dame (including Basilica ceremonies). Please visit my website, South Bend Harp Music, or call 1-574-344-9401 to find out more about including the romantic music of the harp in your wedding day!