Marco Beach Ocean Resort

On this first Saturday of February the weather could not have been more beautiful for the destination wedding of Laura and John. The couple from Indiana chose the Marco Beach Ocean Resort as their venue and the Seaside String Quartet to provide music for their wedding ceremony, cocktail reception and dinner. We shared the day with many wonderful vendors: Galina of the Resort, Kathie of Side by Side Wedding Services, Reverend Les Wicker, Tonya Malay Photography, Jenny and Sarah of Lyfe of the Party, Donna from Niche Event Rentals, Kakes by Karen, David and Daniel of Salon Tease and Dominick of Mobile Sound Entertainment. It was great to work with them!

The ceremony was set for 5 pm and we began prelude music at 4:30 pm. Laura gave me the freedom to choose the selections, requesting classical music. We performed Rondeau by Mouret; Flower Duet by Delibes; Mozart Quartet in C; Salut d’Amour by Elgar; Bach’s Anna’s Minuet;  Kreisler’s Liebesfreud; Handel Water Music Suite and some selections from our baroque album. The ceremony was a bit delayed so we added Mozart’s Alleluia, Handel’s Le Rejouissance, Gluck’s Minuet, and a Handel Bouree.

As the doors from the ballroom to the terrace opened and Reverend Wicker made his entrance, we began to play Schubert’s Ave Maria. The Mothers were seated and the Groom, John, took his place. The wedding party entered to Charpentier’s Te Deum. The adorable flower girl and ring bearers ( one carrying a sign”Here Comes the Bride” ) followed and as the groomsman blew in to a conch shell, Laura and her Father made their entrance to Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary.

During the ceremony, we played Handel’s Passacaile for the sand mixing. Reverend Wicker introduced the newlyweds and we played Handel’s Entrance of the Queen of Sheba for the exit of the couple and the wedding party.

We remained on the terrace for the cocktail hour. Laura requested popular music and chose the selections.: All You Need is Love; Leaving on a Jet Plane; Moon River; My Girl; Nights in White Satin; Stand By Me; Unchained Melody, What a Wonderful World; 1,2,3,4 (I LoveYou) All I Want is You; All My Love.

We took our break as the guests moved inside. The couple was introduced by DJ, Dominick, and performed their first dance together. The Father of the Bride gave his welcome toast. The Mom got up and asked everyone to sing Happy Birthday to him and we played along. Since it was Tonya’s birthday too, we played it again for her as everyone sang.

As dinner began, we played these selections: At Last; Brown-Eyed Girl; Clocks; Groovy Kind of Love; In My Life; Moondance; Storybook Love; Wanted and When You Say Nothing At All.  Our portion of the evening was now over, more toasts were made and DJ Dominick took over. Many thanks to Laura and John for having us be a part of their special day! Congratulations!!

 

Foxfire Country Club

Foxfire Country Club is a beautiful venue in the east part of Naples, FL.  Our string trio had played here a few years back at Christmas time. On this Saturday in August, we are here for the wedding of Maryann and Greg. They chose the Seaside String Quartet to provide the music for their ceremony and cocktail reception. I have to say it is always a blessing to have an indoor event this time of year!

We are joined by Les Wicker, Officiate and Frank Simonetti, Photographer. Many thanks to Frank for this photo of us!

 

Frank Simonetti Photography

We arrived at 3:15 to set up and we began the prelude music at 3:45 as the guests arrived by bus. Maryann and Greg chose a mix of music. The classical selections they liked were Spring by Vivaldi, Entrance of the Queen of Sheba by Handel and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto. Pops songs they chose were Getting to Know You, Imagine,  At Last and When I’m 64.

Greg escorted his mother into the room to the music of  Bach, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring. The Bride’s mother was seated , followed by the entrance of Reverend Wicker. The 3 Bridesmaids and 2 Flower Girls entered the room to Pachelbel’s Canon in D.  The traditional Bridal Chorus by Wagner was chosen for the entrance of the Bride, Maryann.

During the ceremony, Maryann and Greg did a Lighting of the Unity Candle and for this we played the Handel Air. When Reverend Wicker introduced the happy couple, we played the traditional Wedding March by Mendelssohn for the exit of the wedding party. They had a receiving line in the hallway so we played Handel’s Le Rejouissance and Mozart’s Alleluia as the guests waited to congratulate the couple.

After a quick move to the grill room, we were ready to play for the cocktail reception. Maryann and Greg chose all the selections and we could tell they chose songs with their guests in mind. As we were leaving I heard some ladies remark that they couldn’t believe the songs we were able to play. I loved to hear this!

On the playlist was All My Love,  Beautiful Day,  Bittersweet Symphony,  Bohemian Rhapsody,  Born to Run,  Come On Eileen,  I’ve Had the Time of My Life,  I Will Wait,  Lay Lady Lay,  Moondance and Yellow. The hour went by so quickly, we had about 9 songs we did not get to.

Congratulations to Maryann and Greg! We loved being a part of your special day!

 

Marco Island Marriott

It is June and officially rainy season here in southwest Florida. I know that my memory is getting faulty these days but in all our years of performing at beach weddings I think that we have had only a handful of times that we have been moved inside due to bad weather. We had one instance where the bride’s disappointment was so great that she never allowed herself to enjoy the entire evening. But most, like our couple on this day, realized the true meaning of the occasion was more important. On this first day of June, Carolyn and John from Georgia were here to get married at the Marco Island Marriott.  Teresa, planner at the resort, had the salon room looking beautiful when we arrived and finishing touches were being made. I am joined today by Si Cheng Liu on cello and I am performing on violin as the Seaside Strings Violin and Cello Duo is providing the ceremony and cocktail hour music.After conferring with Teresa and Reverend Les Wicker, the Officiant for the Ceremony, we began to play prelude music. Carolyn had allowed me to choose the prelude music so we performed classical pieces such as  Rondeau, Mouret, Vivaldi’s Nulla in mundo pax sincera, Corelli Menuetto, Be Thou My Vision, and a Tartini Sonata. When photographer Frank Simonetti entered,  I knew we were almost ready to begin. Once I got the signal from Teresa , we began to play Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring for the Seating of the Grandmothers and Mothers. Once they were seated we began to play the Pachelbel Canon in D for the entrance of the Men, Bridesmaid, Ring Bearer and Flower Girl. Switching to the Wagner Bridal Chorus, our fanfare announced the arrival of Carolyn.

Reverend Wicker always performs a personal, moving service that highlights the meaning of marriage. After the vows and the exchange of rings,we performed the Handel Air for the Sand Ceremony.  The Recessional chosen was Vivaldi’s Spring.

After playing a few more pieces while the guests went through a receiving line to greet the couple, we then moved down the hall for the cocktail reception. Our playlist was a mix of classical and popular songs. This included Strauss waltzes, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Theme from Scheherazade, Fly Me to the Moon, In My Life, I Only Have Eyes For You,  and Albeniz Tango . Our evening ended with Music of the Night. We got to meet Carolyn and John as we were packing up. They looked like they were in a haze of happiness. Any disappointment that they had felt was certainly gone. Her dad told me he was going to have everyone get together on the beach on Sunday before they left town. On that day the weather was gorgeous.

May Carolyn and John have a lifetime of happiness!