If you would like an outdoor wedding, but don’t want the weather to spoil your plans, then an indoor botanical garden or conservatory is the perfect place for your ceremony! You have the natural beauty of the flowers and plants, but don’t need to have a Plan B in place if it rains (or it’s too hot, or too cold…). It also makes it possible to have the feeling of an outdoor wedding during the winter months.
This ceremony took place at the Quad Cities Botanical Gardens in Rock Island, Illinois. Located right on the Mississippi River, this venue is a hidden gem! The ceremony was inside the Sun Garden, but the weather was nice enough to allow for guests to wander outside and take pictures in their other gardens. The waterfall that usually runs was turned off so that the guests would be able to hear the officiant (and the harp!).
They started right on time, with the maid of honor and the bride entering to “Hymne” by the Greek composer Vangelis. This is a beautiful piece with a new-age style, and makes a perfect romantic and non-traditional wedding processional.
During the ceremony, the bride requested that I play Handel’s “Aria” from Rinaldo for a moment of reflection. It’s a good idea to have time during your ceremony when you can just stop, take a breath, and try to remember the moment. It all goes by so quickly!
For the recessional, she opted for the third movement of “Spring” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. I continued the postlude music until all of the guests had left the garden.
I am available to provide harp music for weddings and receptions throughout the Quad Cities, and would love to speak with you about including a harpist in your plans! Visit my website, Quad Cities Wedding Harpist, or call 1-574-344-9401 for details, availability, and to receive a customized quote for your event.