Our string quartet has the opportunity to perform for the wedding ceremony and reception at the Old Mill this past Saturday and everyone had a great time at this beautiful event. We worked along side some familiar faces such as the staff at the Mill and Rev McNally, who I have spoken about in another blog, as well as some new faces—the wedding planner Jackie from the Prepared Bride and Love You Madly Photography.

When we arrived at the venue, the only person there was the staff from the Mill and Jackie. We had a very nice conversation with her and mentioned that everything was arranged and ready to go. Like us, she was extremely organized. Soon after the photographers and cinematographers arrived and setup. Prior to the ceremony they look some beautiful shots of our string quartet, which we hope to post here soon.

Not long after that the guests started to cross the covered bridge over the stream that flows through the Mill property, and it was time for us to begin to play. We performed a selection of classical music until we received the cue from the staff to begin the music for when the Reverend and the groom walked up the aisle. This was Bach’s Air on the G string. We continued to perform this song as the parents and groomsmen walked own the aisle. Next, we switched the Pachelbel’s Canon in D for the six bridesmaids and flower girl, switching again to the Wagner Bridal Chorus for Rebecca’s bridal processional.

After the exchange of rings, vows and the kiss, Steve and Rebecca signed the marriage license. The signing portion of the ceremony is very nice for the guests and for us, as it allows people the change to meditate and take is the fact the two people are getting married and have promised to love each other for the rest of there lives. Music is a wonderful addition to the ceremony especially during the signing, and we performed another popular piece from JS Bach-Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. This song had a beautiful flow to it which is enhanced by the gentle murmuring of the stream nearby.

After the license was signed, the Reverend introduced the couple and they exited to Mendelssohn’s’ Wedding March,. We continued to play 3 or 4 additional songs after the Wedding March until all of the guests had exited. The cocktail reception took place in the Millview Room of the Ancaster Mill, and from our point of view it seemed like all of the guests were really enjoying themselves. For this portion, we performed a selection of Modern music, from the Beatles,U2, jazz standards like Blue Moon and Once in While and other contemporary songs.

Wedding Planner: Jackie Nerlien, The Prepared Bride Ceremony and Reception Venue: Ancaster Mill Photographer/Cinematographer: Love Madly Ceremony and reception music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets Officiant: Rev McNally

We always enjoy performing at Paletta, especially for outdoor weddings, as the back patio has an incredible view of lake Ontario, the guest are well taken care of, as they sit under the porch on several levels. This ceremony was very well organized, and everything just seemed to fit together in such a nice way. We performed Pachelbel Canon for the processional, and the incredibly beautiful Meditation from Thais for the signing. This song takes advantage of th violin and cello, as it combines some lovely writing in the mid to upper register of the violin, so that the sound seems to float above everyone. The cello part flows well, and grounds the ensemble with beautiful passages in the low to mid range. For the recessional, we performed the sprightly Handel Hornpipe II from the Royal Fireworks music.

Wedding Officiant: Anne Blinch at White Orchid Weddings

Ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets, Burlington

Photo: www.burlington.ca