December 11, 2010 - The Westin

On December 11, 2010 we had the opportunity to play as a trio for a wedding ceremony at The Westin at the base of Beaver Creek.

We began the prelude music with Handel's 'La Rejouissance', Bach's 'My Heart Ever Faithful', the traditional 'Simple Gifts', Handel's 'Allegro' from the Water Music, Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary', the Beatles' 'Here Comes the Sun', Delibes' 'Flower Song', Schubert's 'Andante', 'Andante' from Handel's Water Music, Puccini's 'O Mio Babbino Caro', Vivaldi's 'Winter', Handel's 'Hornpipe', and Mozart's 'Romanza'.

As the wedding ceremony began, we played Bach's 'Air' as the family members and maid of honor entered.

The bride entered to Bach's 'Arioso', and during the candle lighting portion of the ceremony we played Cohen/Buckley's 'Hallelujah'.

As the couple was pronounced man and wife and exited down the aisle, we played Handel's 'Entrance of the Queen of Sheba', and Mouret's 'Rondeau'.

It was a lovely wedding and our pleasure to play for such a momentous occasion.

December 11, 2010 - Saddleridge Restaurant Wedding

This past weekend we had a violin duo which played for a wedding at Saddleridge Restaurant in Beaver Creek.
It was a beautiful venue, and this was our first time playing here!

The ceremony was held upstairs, and the wedding party actually ascended up the stairs rather than down. 

For this wedding a violin duo performed.  As we planned the playlist with the bride, she indicated that she didn't want much of the traditional wedding pre-ceremony music that was slow and solemn.  She wanted mainly lively and upbeat pieces.  

We began with Mozart's 'Menuetto', Bach's 'Gigue from Suite #3', 'March in D', Rondeau from Orchestral Suite #2'.  These were follwed by Gossec's 'Tambourin', Handel's 'La Rejouissance', Loeillet's 'Allegro', Mozart's 'Rondo alla Turca', Vivaldi's Danza Pastorale' from his Violin Concerto, Telemann's 'Vivace' and 'Presto'.  

The bridal party then ascended the steps to Bach's 'Air', and the bride entered to Pachelbel's 'Canon'. 

After the wedding ceremony ended, we played Clarke's 'Trumpet Voluntary' for the recessional, followed by Handel's 'Hornpipe' from the Water Music.  

Afterwards, we moved downstairs and played various selections during the cocktail hour.  

December 10, 2010 - Vail Interfaith Chapel wedding

We had the opportunity to play for a second wedding on December 10th - this one at the Vail Interfaith Chapel. The roads had iced over and there were many accidents and road closures... we counted ourselves lucky that we made it to the chapel!

While we play for many weddings and events, it is amazing how different each one is. Every now and then we hear part of a couple's romance story - this wedding was one of them.

As we worked together planning the music, the bride shared some of their story with us. This couple originally met in high school but later on went their separate ways. After many years their romance was rekindled, and their romance came to fruition last night as they were married.

When we began discussing the playlist with the bride, only one song mattered to her. She asked us to play whatever we would like to play for everything else. This was a complete shock to us, because we don't generally play what 'we' want, we play whatever our clients ask.

Apparently, the song 'Keeper of the Stars' by John Michael Montgomery had been this couple's song back in high school, and they wanted it to be part of their ceremony. So, we put together a custom strings arrangement of this piece and then put together a mix of classical and contemporary for their prelude music borrowing some of the pieces from the wedding we'd played for previously that day.

Our prelude consisted of Bach's 'My Heart Ever Faithful', Elvis' 'Can't Help Falling in Love With You', Silvestri's 'Feather Theme', Mozart's 'Menuetto' from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Delibes' 'Flower Song', Telemann's 'Presto', Horner's 'The Wedding', Puccini's 'O Mio Babbino Caro', and John Denver's 'Annie's Song'.

The wedding party entered to Bach's 'Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring', and the bride entered to the traditional Wagner's 'Bridal March'.

While we had discussed playing 'Keeper of the Stars' as part of the processional, the bride and groom really wanted to be able to hear and enjoy this piece. We decided to use this piece for the unity candle. After the candles were lit, they spent a few moments with each other just listening to this song which was so important to them.

As the ceremony ended, we played Handel's 'La Rejouissance' for the recessional as they headed back down the aisle, followed by Handel's 'Hornpipe'.

While we don't normally blog about the flowers and decor of our venues, we wanted to give a shout out to Sweet Pea Designs who did the floral work for this wedding. They created one of the most exquisite arches we've ever seen. At approximately 6 1/2 feet, it was made with pine garlands, red berries, white orchids, flowers, and bows, and laced with white lights. It was absolutely breathtaking.

December 10, 2010 - Beaver Creek Chapel

We had the opportunity to play for a beautiful wedding ceremony on December 10, in the Beaver Creek Chapel.

Because this wedding began a little earlier in the day and it wasn't dark out yet, it was beautiful to see the snow gently floating down outside through the windows as a backdrop to the ceremony.

We began with 20 minutes of prelude which consisted of Bach's 'My heart ever faithful', Elvis' 'Can't Help Falling in Love with You', Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida', Mozart's 'Menuetto' from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik'.

The mothers and family members were seated to John Denver's 'Annie's Song', and then the bridal procession entered to a custom arrangement of Keith Urban's 'Only You Can Love Me This Way'. The bride then entered to Pachebel's classic - 'Canon'.

After the couple was presented to their friends and family as husband and wife, we played Beethoven's 'Ode To Joy' as the exited down the aisle.