Last weekend I was playing for a wedding on the shores of Lake Huron, this weekend on the other side of the mitten in Leelanau County, overlooking Lake Michigan. I love road trips and I love playing the harp, so “have harp, will travel”!
Maura and Jordan chose Leland Lodge as their wedding venue. Their ceremony and cocktail hour took place outdoors on the patio, with the reception inside. As guests arrived and found their seats, I played “Have I Told You Lately that I Love You,” “You Raise Me Up,” and “Carolan’s Welcome.”
The bride requested that if I needed more music for this time (or for after the ceremony), that I play Celtic music. For the prelude, I included a variety of airs and ballads from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man. It might not be as well known as that of other Celtic nations, but the Manx musical tradition has given us some beautiful tunes that deserve to be played more often!
For the seating of grandparents and parents and the entrance of the wedding party, I played “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. Maura’s processional was “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
During the ceremony, the bride and groom braided a cord of three strands and signed their marriage license to the hymn “Amazing Grace.” The recessional was “A Groovy Kind of Love,” and the postlude included “All My Loving” and more Celtic tunes – but this time, uptempo jigs and reels!
For weddings anywhere in Michigan (or around the world!), please contact me about having a harpist for your ceremony or reception. Visit my website ~ Northern Michigan Wedding Music ~ to get in touch!
