It is the first day of Fall. A start to a new season and the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of Kirsten and Troy. It is their Wedding Day! It has been another rainy September weekend but as I approached the Club at Barefoot Beach the weather was clearing up. It was a very serene setting with birds lined up along the water’s edge. Prayers were answered and it appeared this special event could go on as planned.
I am soon joined by colleagues Joan Stewart on violin and Julie Cornwall on cello as the Seaside String Trio is providing the ceremony music. Our services had been arranged by Dale Remus of a Wedding Dream in Paradise. He is also serving as the Officiate. Since we arrive a half hour before we are scheduled to begin to play, we had time to run through some music. We still kept our instrument cases and umbrellas close by just in case. I am excited to play the music the couple chose; they really picked some wonderful selections! I confirmed a few details with Dale and we were all set. At the appointed time, we began to play the prelude music and the guests made their way across the boardwalk to the beach. Kirsten and Troy had selected some popular songs they wished us to play and I mixed in some classical pieces. So we entertained the guests with Handel’s Entrance of the Queen of Sheba, Enya’s Only Time, Campra’s Rigaudon, Tim McGraw’s She’s My Kind of Rain, Mouret’s Rondeau and Coldplay’s Yellow.
As the Mother’s appeared and were escorted to their seats, we switched to the Processional music, the Forest Gump Feather Theme. Troy led his groomsmen to the right side of the flowered arch and the Bridesmaids lined up on the left. Once the flower girl had taken her place, it was time for the Entrance of the Bride. Music selected for this was Dream by Priscilla Ahn. This was a special request I arranged for the string trio, a great new addition to our repertoire.
It was a lovely ceremony. Troy was overcome by emotion as he said his vows to Kirsten, his eyes welling up with unshed tears. I wish I could have seen Kirsten’s face too but her back was to us. After the vows and exchange of rings, the couple chose to do a sand mixing ceremony. Music for this was Book of Love by Peter Gabriel. I love this song and hope to play it more in the future! As the ceremony concluded and the couple was introduced, we began to play Coldplay’s Viva la Vida as the wedding party exited. What a fun choice!
Everyone stayed on the beach afterwards for pictures. We continued to play requests made by the couple that included When You Say Nothing at All, Wild Horses, Moon Dance, and Music of the Night. And with time for two more, we performed new arrangements I had completed recently: Brown Eyed Girl and I’ll Follow the Sun. As we were departing, the sun came out from the clouds. I am sure the guests were treated to a beautiful sunset!
Thank you so much Kirsten and Troy for allowing us to be a part of this special day! Many thank also to Dale, Debbie and Tiffany from A Wedding Dream in Paradise. We enjoyed working with you!
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