Is there anything more romantic than a wedding in the south of France? Just add harp music, and you have a perfect fairy tale! Steve and Kerri celebrated with friends and family who traveled from across oceans to be with them at their wedding in Aix-en-Provence.
Aix is an absolutely charming small city, with easy travel connections to the airport in Marseille (or even Nice). Its tree-lined streets, old city, and numerous fountains give you a variety of photo opportunities. You can enjoy the peacefulness of the French countryside while still having the amenities of a city. If you come at the right time of year, you can visit the lavender fields in bloom – and if not, there are always wineries!
The ceremony was held at the historic Eglise Notre-Dame de la Seds in Aix and officiated by the Anglican priest from Marseille. A former barrister from London, he performed the ceremony in English, but also speaks fluent French – very helpful for the English-speaking couple and guests!
When planning a wedding from a distance, it is difficult to select vendors – and a language barrier makes that even more of a challenge. After this couple booked me, I helped them find a guitarist for their reception, who led them to their florist and planner. Knowing the best wedding vendors in the region really helps couples feel secure in their plans, and I love working with colleagues whom I know I can depend upon to make the day perfect!
As guests arrived, prelude music included both classical and popular selections such as “Only Time” by Enya, “Winter” from Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, “If Not for You” by Bob Dylan, and the wedding favorite “Canon in D.”
The bride and groom walked down the aisle together to the traditional Wagner “Bridal Chorus.” During the service, they had me play a couple of harp solos – the hymn “Morning has Broken” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from The Wizard of Oz. They printed the lyrics in their program so guests could follow along, and it provided a nice opportunity for the couple to take a deep breath and enjoy the moment. A wedding day goes by so quickly, sometimes you need to schedule in a few minutes of quiet reflection!
There were readings from nephews of the couple, and I played Schubert’s “Ave Maria” as a musical interlude in between them. After the blessing at the conclusion of the ceremony, they opted for the traditional recessional – Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” – as they left the church. I continued to play the couple’s choice of popular songs (like “Moondance” by Van Morrison and “LoveSong” by The Cure) as guests were dismissed.
One of the things my couples coming from the US and UK appreciate is my knowledge of American and British wedding customs and popular music. But if you want something more traditionally French, I can do that, too! Your wedding music can include songs that are meaningful to you, are from your cultural heritage, or match your destination wedding location. I love working with couples to customize their ceremony music to make it truly bespoke and exactly what you want to hear. Visit my website ~ Wedding Harpist in Provence France ~ to check availability and start planning!
