I have played at the Lakeside Inn several times before (most memorably a few weeks ago when the ceremony carried on through a downpour – fortunately the harp stayed dry in an artists’ studio right behind the ceremony site), but this was my first time on their private Lake Michigan beach. It’s a beautiful setting, but a very challenging set-up.
This wedding was a harp & violin duet, so at least I had help with moving all of the equipment down to the ceremony site. When we got down with our first load, we were thrilled to see an umbrella already set up for us – shade is a MUST for musicians playing on the beach! We were able to leave our things there, and climb back up the 104(!) steps back to the parking lot. Vowing to get everything else in one trip, we made it!
The BlevinSong lever harp is the most portable of my harps, and it is the only harp that it is possible to get down to this beach. Even taking this one wasn’t easy!
The bride had only one request for her ceremony music ~ she wanted to enter to “Canon in D” by Pachelbel. Other than that, she left the rest of the music up to us. For the entrance of the mothers and bridal party, we played “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach.
The unity sand ceremony almost didn’t happen – someone forgot the sand! Lucky for them, the beach has plenty, and they blended sand together with their hands. While this was going on, the aunt of the groom sang “The Wedding Song,” accompanied by the groom’s brother playing the guitar. The recessional was “Trumpet Tune” followed up by “Rondeau” by Mouret, “Trumpet Voluntary,” and other joyful pieces for the postlude.
Back up the stairs…and we had help! Most of the time, I don’t have any trouble moving my harps on my own, but was glad when a couple of wedding guests offered to assist us getting everything back up all of those stairs in one trip. Thank you!!! Now I just need to get all of the sand out of my harp case!
From ceremonies on the Lake Michigan beach to wineries to historic ballrooms, I love providing harp music for weddings and events throughout Southwest Lower Michigan. Visit my website:
Southwest Michigan Wedding Music
for information on having harp music for your wedding ceremony or reception. Along with solo harp, I offer many different ensembles. Harp & violin (what this bride chose) is the most popular choice. Other ensembles include:
- Harp & Flute
- Harp, Violin & Cello
- Harp & Trumpet
- Two-harp Duet
- Harp & String Quartet
- Harp, Flute & Cello
- Harp & Guitar
- Harp & Marimba
…or anything else you can think of! With connections with hundreds of professional musicians, I can create the perfect ensemble for your event.