Caitlin and Jon were married in beautiful Oak Park at the Pleasant Home/John Farson House. It was a hot summer day, but the shade provided on the porch where the ceremony took place certainly helped keep harp and harpist comfortable (and in tune!).
They had originally planned multiple songs for the different parts of the processional, but when they ran through it at the rehearsal, they realized it wasn’t as long as they had anticipated. With only one bridesmaid plus the flower girls coming down the aisle before the bride, it didn’t take much time! Worried that switching songs would sound a bit choppy, the bride emailed me the day before her wedding to make a switch, playing “Always Remember Us This Way” by Lady Gaga for the entire processional, not just her own entrance.
The songs they had previously chosen (“Harvest Moon” by Neil Young and “Lovesong” by The Cure) I made sure to include in the prelude as guests were seated on the mansion’s porch.
To conclude the ceremony, they opted for the traditional classical piece, Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” But that wasn’t the end of the harp music for the day! I continued playing popular, musical theatre, and jazz selections through the cocktail hour up until everyone gathered for dinner inside.
I’ll often have guests approach me after the ceremony, saying how much they enjoyed the harp music. They are even more excited when I tell them that there is more to come for cocktails! Having that extra hour or two also allows you to include more of your favorite songs in my playlist – especially if you are getting married in a house of worship that has some restrictions on music that can be played during the ceremony itself.
As a Chicago wedding harpist, I love playing for ceremonies and receptions in the city and throughout the suburbs! On my website ~ Chicago Harpist for Weddings ~ you can review song lists, listen to audio samples, and request a quote for your event.
