Kimberly and Sean planned their wedding ceremony and reception at her family’s farm in rural Elkmont, Alabama. They had their ceremony set up underneath a willow tree, with old pews and (new!) hay bales for guest seating.
Their buffet line went down the middle of a newly-constructed horse barn, that I heard was finished exactly one day before the wedding! The reception was held under a tent on the lawn.
Unfortunately, the weather didn’t cooperate. It looked like the rain would pass to the east of us, so I went ahead and set up the harp outside. I began the prelude music, and close to the starting time of the ceremony, the first drops fell. The harp is wood, and it can’t get wet! With the help of their wonderful wedding planner, I got the harp to the safety of the barn, where the wedding party was waiting to make their entrance.
I kept playing, including a harp version of “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head,” which inspired an impromptu sing-along! The rain started to clear, and the bride and groom decided to go ahead with the outdoor ceremony. Fortunately, I was able to keep the harp safe and dry in the barn and still play all of their wedding music!
The mothers entered to “Clair de Lune” by Debussy, and the wedding party processional was “Bless the Broken Road” by the country group Rascal Flatts. Kimberly chose “Canon in D” for her walk down the aisle. During the knot tying, I played the Welsh song “Serch Hudol.” The recessional was a surprising one – “One Love” by Bob Marley! I love weddings that are a mix of the traditional and the unexpected!
When planning an outdoor wedding, having a back-up plan is key! Their wedding planner, Jeannie, was extremely helpful in moving guests around and helping the couple work through all the last-minute decisions that the weather prompted. She was fabulous!
If you are planning a Northern Alabama wedding, I’d love to provide harp music for you! Visit my website – Huntsville Alabama Harpist – for song lists, pictures, and more.
