On Memorial Day weekend, Michelle and Jim were married in the Sunken Garden at Allerton Park in Monticello, Illinois. Located just south of Champaign, this park is a very popular venue for weddings! The bride and groom opted to extend the prelude music, and invited guests to come half an hour before the ceremony was to begin and listen to the harp. With so many of the guests arriving extra early (even though it was really hot outside!), the wedding was able to start right on schedule.
With the high temperatures that Saturday, it was crucial that the harp be placed in the shade. When it gets too hot, the glue that holds the wood joints of the harp together begins to soften, and this can cause permanent and irreparable damage to the instrument. It’s my baby, and I need to protect it! The only available shade when I arrived was directly behind where the ceremony took place. Even though I had to adjust the harp a couple of times to stay out of direct sunlight, it worked!
Michelle requested that I play all popular music – nothing classical or traditional. The music she chose for the ceremony included:
- Seating of Families: “Memory” from Cats by Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Wedding Party Processional: “Someone to Watch Over Me” by George Gershwin
- Bride’s Processional: “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Unity Sand: “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong
- Recessional: “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz
After the recessional, they served a champagne toast in the garden. The popular harp music continued as guests toasted the couple and took pictures before heading off to the reception.
Throughout Central Illinois, I have provided harp music for hundreds of wedding ceremonies and receptions. For more information on having a harpist for your own wedding, please visit my website ~ Central Illinois Wedding Music. I’d love to work with you and customize the music for your event!
