Kelly and Justin's Recessional

The  Church of Our Saviour  is considered the best kept secret in Killington. On a dirt road just a couple of minutes from Route 4, walking up to this beautiful and historic stone church feels like being transported to Ireland or Wales a couple of centuries ago. I kept wondering if there were fairies lurking in the woods – it just felt magical right from the start. And what could be better than a brilliantly sunny and warm day in late May? Above are Kelly and Justin’s recessional at the end of their ceremony, walking out to Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March”. And here they are below about to exit the church – into that gorgeous sunshine!

Kelly and Justin chose flute/piano duo for their ceremony, with myself on flute and my friend Alison Cheroff on piano.

In most respects, Kelly and Justin’s wedding was a beautiful and traditional, old fashioned, church wedding. Kelly was clear, though, that she didn’t want the traditional processional choices.

For the prelude, Alison and I played primarily sonatas by Bach and Handel.

For the bridemaids’ and flower girls’ processional, we suggested “Sinfonia” from “Cantata No. 156″ by J.S. Bach, based on general preferences Kelly had voiced.

For Kelly’s processional, she selected the “Meditation” from “Thais” by Jules Massenet. I’ve often thought since that we need to record those arrangements! Perhaps this summer…

Kelly particularly wanted the hymn “On Eagle’s Wings” by Michael Joncas to accompany communion during the ceremony, also one of my personal favorite hymns, and definitely the flute/piano arrangement is my favorite!

The recessional was the traditional choice: the Mendelssohn “Wedding March”.

And below is the receiving line and the outside view of the church.

 

photo courtesy of Jay Ericson, www.jayericson.com

                                                                       photos in this entry courtesy of  Jay Ericson: www.jayericson.com

I’m having a blast here! It’s so incredibly fun to be receiving these photographs and remembering so many beautiful moments.

Megan and Ron’s ceremony was at the lovely and historic First Congregational Church in Manchester, Vermont last August.  Here are some of Megan’s flowers, courtesy of  floral designer Jennifer Johnston.

Megan and Ron’ s ceremony was a classic, old fashioned church wedding. I remember Megan’s huge smile and enthusiastic and heartfelt nod of the head when the time came for “I do!”

Megan and Ron chose “Turidae” duo  for their ceremony, myself on flute and my daughter Mariah alternating between harp and violin.

Prelude music was a mix of classical and Celtic. Megan chose the traditional Irish tune “Chanter” to be played on flute and harp toward the beginning of the prelude, and “Danny Boy,” also flute and harp, toward the end of the prelude, after guests were seated and just before the processionals. Megan and Ron’s choices for the ceremony were quite traditional:

The processional for the maid of honor was ”Air” from Handel’s “Water Music,” again with flute/harp duo.

Megan’s processional: “Canon in D” by Pachelbel, this one with flute/violin.

The recessional: Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March,” flute/violin again here.

Megan also recommends Marie-France Eloi at www.cuisinelucette.com, for her beautiful and scrumptuous cake, pictured to the right:

 
Rebecca and Jon under the arch at the Mountain Top Inn, photo courtesy of Karen Pike Photography, www.kpikephoto.com/pikes_peek

 Rebecca and Jon’s wedding day was one of those picture perfect late May days, warm but not too warm, light breeze, and steady sunshine. They chose “Turidae” flute/violin duo for their wedding music. (Click here for more info about our duo options).

Rebecca rode in a horse drawn carriage up the hill to the wedding site, accompanied by the hymn “On Eagles Wings”.

The bridal party entered to”All I Ask of You” from “Phantom of the Opera,” which we had arranged for flute/violin for the occasion.

Rebecca’s processional was the traditional Wagner “Bridal Chorus,” and the recessional was again the traditional choice, Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.” Each wedding brings new inspiration in the traditional choices. The traditional wedding music selections are as dear as the traditional Christmas Carols, always fresh with each new year and new couple and new day. Bringing a new perspective with each couple, entering into a new stage of life, they strengthen the thread connecting to decades of tradition. Oh dear, I’m dripping on my cat again…

Rebecca highly reccommends the vendors from their wedding to other couples. Here’s the contact info she sent: 

Photographer:
Karen Pike Photography
www.kpikephoto.com/pikes_peek

Venue:
Mountain Top Inn
www.mountaintopinn.com

Florist:
Hawley’s Florist
www.hawleysflorist.com

DJ:
SuperSounds (Mike Toomey)
www.supersounds.com

 

This is the perfect time of year to start requesting photographs from past weddings and think about those warm summer months! It’s such a pleasure to think back on those extraordinary moments I’ve had the priveledge of being part of.

I’ll start here with Tanya and Dean’s wedding from last September.

Wedding Location: Green Mountain Inn, Stowe Vermont (www.greenmountaininn.com)

Photographer: Orah Moore (haymaker@principia.edu, website: www.orahmoore.net or www.haymakerpress.com) Many thanks to Orah for the use of the photograph below.

Tanya and Dean’s music selections were quite unique! I love the balance of weddings I play – some really prefer the traditional favorites, which is always great, but maybe half the time, couples make unique choices.

I love the process of assisting with figuring this all out – in understanding a person’s musical preferences I really do feel like I come to know them, at least in part, and can often get to a point of finding the piece they’re looking for without them quite knowing themselves what they want. This definitely happened with Tanya, and it was great fun to help figure out what would create the perfect musical atmosphere for her, Dean, and their whole family.

Tanya and Dean chose solo flute for their wedding music. (Click here for more info about this or other options).Here are the specific selections Tanya chose:

Prelude: a mix of classical with broadway tunes and a few 1980′s pop tunes

Seating of the Parents: “How Great Thou Art”

Processional for the “Junior Bridesmaid,” Tanya’s Daughter Danielle: “Castle on a Cloud” from “Les Miserables”

Processional for the Maid of Honor: “If We Hold On Together” from “The Land Before Time”

Processional for the very special ring bearer, son Devin: “You Are My Sunshine” (I had to play this one through several times – 2-year-old Devin wasn’t so sure he wanted to go the whole way all at once!)

Tanya’s Processional: “All I Ask of You” from “Phantom of the Opera”

Meditative Moment during the ceremony: “The Rose” by Amanda McBroom

Recessional: “Do You Hear the People Sing” from “Les Miserables”

I almost always seem to cry at weddings (fortunately never while I’m playing). I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house for this one. I find I’m dripping on my cat (she’s sitting in my lap as I’m typing)  just remembering it. The thoughts Tanya shared in making her music selections remain with me and make it clear how personally significant her musical choices were. I’m so grateful to have been a part of it!

 

Greetings and thanks for joining me at my new wedding music blog!

© 2012 Lisa's Flute Blog: Wedding Music News Suffusion theme by Sayontan Sinha