Brittany and Luke’s wedding ceremony at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, violin and cello duo, June 1, 2013, Paris ON

Romance is the word that best describes everything about this wedding. The Church was absolutely gorgeous, and a joy to perform in. Built in1857 in the Gothic Revival style it is reported to be an important piece of Ontario architectural history.

To help with the music choices for the ceremony, I sent our clients Duo d’Amore’s Guide to Wedding Ceremony Music Selections, and Sample Programs (you can find these on the Samples page of www.duodamore.com) and they chose the Romantic package showcasing songs that fit together  and sound amazing when performed by our string duo of violin and cello.

Processional: Pachelbel Canon

Signing: Massenet: Meditation from Thais

Recessional: Mendelsohn Wedding March

Wedding Ceremony Music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets


Read More

Continue ReadingBrittany and Luke’s wedding ceremony at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, violin and cello duo, June 1, 2013, Paris ON

Andrew and Jamie’s wedding ceremony May 18, 2013 Old Mill, Ancaster

If I were to describe Andrew and Jamie’s wedding ceremony using just a few words, I would say that it was modern with a classic touch. As the wedding was held outdoors, near the gurgling stream running and cascading through the limestone bedrock, and the weather was perfect—so was the venue. When we, Duo d’Amore, arrived we were greeted by the staff at Ancaster Old Mill (who always do a great job and are very well organized) as well as Reverend McNally. In our decades of experience, Revered McNally is one of those people that once you meet him, you will never forget him. He is so warm, open, funny, awhile at the same time, he really cares for each couple that he marries, and he’s been marrying couples for over 50 years.

As the guests were arriving, we began to perform a number of selections for our classical repertoire. At the appropriate time we received a cue from the venue’s staff, and proceeded to start playing the music for the four bridesmaids. A note on that—getting back to how I described the ceremony as modern with a classic touch, while the venue was certainly classic, the music selections that the couple made and were performed at the ceremony was a blending of both of these elements, as we performed the following arrangements for violin and cello duo:

Bridesmaids: “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley
Bride: “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton
Signing of the Register: “Here Comes the Sun” by the Beatles
                                                  “Air” by Bach
Recessional: “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Verve

It is important to note that we played two songs for the signing, and here’s why: As the signing is typically the quietest part of the ceremony, wedged in between the ceremonial, and often emotional Brides walk down the aisle, and the celebratory recessional, it is a perfect place to highlight familiar and contemporary song choice such as the Beatles, but it is also a great opportunity to include music for a bit of reflection. We would like to congratulate Jamie and Andrew on their beautiful wedding at the Old Mill.


Read More

Continue ReadingAndrew and Jamie’s wedding ceremony May 18, 2013 Old Mill, Ancaster

Weddings: Then vs Now

Anyone who has been a client, or a repeat client of Duo d’Amore knows that we like to arrive early to events, no matter what. If it is a corporate event or a wedding, it’s always important to arrive early. What happens when you arrive early, and you have setup? Besides tuning, and warming yup, we often have several minutes to chat with venue staff, planners and of course the priest, officiant etc. Over the past few weddings, many of our conversations have drifted to talking about old vs new. What I mean by that is: how has the planning aspect of weddings changed in the past decades? Easy—in one word: Choice.

Choice is fantastic. Just 10 years ago, the process of getting married was straightforward: you met with the Church, they basically told you how the ceremony was going to go, and you let the organist choose the music, or you chose from maybe 5 songs and that was that. Now it is a totally different story and process, and in my opinion, must better for the client. Much more personal and maybe even meaningful, at least with regarding to all of the different decisions and customizable additions that can make a ceremony great. With music for example, you can now choose contemporary and pop songs, you can choose music to be performed during different parts of the ceremony, and you can even choose the ensemble or group you want to add that extra something special to your day. We are thankful to provide such a service to our clients, because we both love it, and guests and brides and grooms really pick up on our positive attitude.


Read More

Continue ReadingWeddings: Then vs Now

Rita and Kevin’s wedding May 18th, 2013 St Margaret Mary Church Woodbridge ON

May the 18th was a popular day for a wedding, and Rita and Kevin has a lovely one! They were so easy to work with and it was just wonderful working with them. Their ceremony, which included communion, was the picture of elegance, traditional and class. In our correspondence and discussion of what music they would like at the wedding, the couple used our Sample Programs on our Quote page, and chose with Classic Mass option, adding the famous Wachet Auf, or Sleepers Awake by Bach. The entire program looked like:

Bridesmaids processional: Bach Air
Bride’s processional: Pachelbel Canon in D
Signing: Bach-Gounoud: Ave Maria
Communion: Bach: Wachet Auf
Recessional: Mendellsohn: Wedding March

Besides the Pachelbel, this was a real Bach fest! Bach ‘s music works so well because it is both comforting, as many of the melodies are well known, but also because the music is so well written, and it provides lots of interest for the guests, it is easy to walk to and it is endlessly tuneful and happy. The last music on the program was Mendelssohn’s wedding March, and it resounded as Rita and Kevin’s walked out followed by their family and friends. Congratulations!


Read More

Continue ReadingRita and Kevin’s wedding May 18th, 2013 St Margaret Mary Church Woodbridge ON