Downtown Madison was the setting for this wedding. The ceremony took place at the historic Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, with the reception a couple of blocks away at the Madison Concourse Hotel. The state capitol was just around the corner, and the vibrant downtown area is a fabulous place for photos!
Along with the harp, the ceremony included a string quartet (2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello). We alternated pieces for the prelude as guests arrived in the church. The families and wedding party came down the aisle to “Air on G” by Bach, played by the string quartet.
When it was time for the bride’s entrance, we played a mashup of “Canon in D” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as the full quintet. Having multiple musicians allows for a variety of sounds and textures, and bringing all the musicians together for the bride’s entrance makes a big impact!
During the service, we accompanied the singing of the Psalm, Alleluia, and Nuptial Blessing. The recessional was “Hornpipe” from Handel’s Water Music. We again alternated harp and string quartet selections for the postlude.
The bride and groom chose to also feature harp music during their cocktail hour. I moved the harp over to the hotel, and played popular music as guests awaited dinner. Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and the 1960’s hit “Happy Together” always seem to inspire an impromptu sing-along!
From classical to contemporary music, the harp (either alone or in an ensemble) adds beauty and elegance to a wedding in any setting. Get in touch at ~ Madison Wedding Harpist ~ to discuss the details of your big day!
