Duo d’Amore Wedding research in England and Italy 2014

As many of our clients know, I spent the past few weeks on a wonderful trip through parts of central Italy including Rome, Florence and Perugia, as well as additional time in London England. Besides the amazing food and wine in Italy, I had the great opportunity to do a good deal of research into wedding trends and ideas for 2015, as well as spends a good deal of time looking at and playing some wonderful violins, made by Italian violinmaker Filipo Protani. England was more focused on weddings, as I attended a wedding outside of London, and had the good fortune to visit a wonderful exhibit called Wedding Dresses 1775-2014 at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

As with all trips, it’s always very nice to come home again. I am really excited to be refreshed and renewed for an amazing 2015!


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Read more about the article Corporate String Ensemble Toronto: RBC Bank
Wedding String Quartet Red Deer AB

Corporate String Ensemble Toronto: RBC Bank

Oxford properties has booked our violin and cello duo to perform for the opening of new headquarters for the RBC, called WaterPark Place, located at Bay and Queens Quay in Toronto. Our string duo will be performing from 7:30-9:30am on the following dates:

September 8, 15, 22, 29

October 6, 20, 24

November 3, 17, 27

December 1

It is quite an honor to perform for Canada’s largest bank, and in such an innovative building, at it may become the first LEED certified Toronto office tower. The building not only uses deep lake water-cooling and air circulation, but also combines window glazing, and cutting edge plumbing.

Corporate event music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Read more about the article Corporate Violinist Cellist Holt Renfrew Toronto
Wedding String Quartet Toronto: Rica and Philip at Le Select Bistro

Corporate Violinist Cellist Holt Renfrew Toronto

Yesterday evening, Duo d’Amore performed at Luxinside, a French art exhibition showcasing a number of luxury products coming to Holt Renfrew, and displayed with a cool, and modern aesthetic. Our musicians performed a wide variety of interesting music for the guests, which included the president of Hot Renfrew (who had very nice things to say about our performance) as well as delegates from the French Embassy.

Photo source and credit: www.holtrenfrew.com

Corporate reception music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Read more about the article Strings for Weddings Casa Loma: Sarah and Anthony
Strings for Weddings Casa Loma: Sarah and Anthony wedding ceremony September 2, 2012, violin and cello duo, Toronto ON

Strings for Weddings Casa Loma: Sarah and Anthony

We love performing at Casa Loma, especially when the grandeur of the venue matched the classic and timeless quality of classical music. Sarah and Anthony chose a great selection of songs that fit well together, and were also somewhat out of the ordinary, and Sarah had Schubert’s Ave Maris for her walk down the aisle. This was something new for us and likely many of the guests in attendance. Ave Maria is normally performed during the signing of the register, but as they asked us to choose for a “wedding surprise” it was used for the bridal processional. This is quite a refreshing change, and it is amazing how the rearrangement of songs alters the perception of the piece. This was a great idea and one that we would recommend, for the processional, signing or any part of the wedding ceremony. The ceremony concluded with the strong and bright fanfare of Mendelsohn’s wedding March. What a grand day!

Bridesmaids: Pachelbel’s: Canon in D
Bridal processional: Schubert Ave Maria

Signing: surprise selection by the musicians

Recessional:  Mendelssohn: Wedding March from a Midsummers Nights Dream                  

Wedding planner: Michelle Garber, fabfete

Wedding ceremony music Toronto/GTA: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duo


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Read more about the article Niagara Wedding Violin and Cello Duo Pillar and Post
Enhancing your June wedding involves thoughtful touches that can elevate your celebration to unforgettable heights. With the big day approaching, incorporating last-minute additions can add charm, excitement, and personalization. From unique entertainment options to delightful culinary experiences, these additions not only enhance the ambiance but also create lasting memories for you and your guests. Discover how these simple yet impactful ideas can transform your wedding into a truly memorable event.

Niagara Wedding Violin and Cello Duo Pillar and Post

As I was checking the mail this week, I noticed a small envelope along with our mail. Upon opening it, I saw that is was a lovely thank you card from Jason and Sandy, from our performance at the Pillar and Post. Here’s the message inside:

Dear Duo d’Amore,

We both wanted to thank you for setting a beautiful stage with your music for our special day. It turned out to be sunny, and our guests were amused by the songs they recognized. We hope you enjoyed it and couldn’t have done it without you! Cheers! Sandy and Jason Mills

The string duo performed the following selections during the wedding ceremony:

Bride processional Pachelbel Canon

Signing of the register: Beatles Here Comes the Sun and Coldplay: In My Place

Recessional: The Verve: Bittersweet Symphony

During the cocktail reception following the wedding ceremony we performed good deal of upbeat and fun music (Beatles, U2, Beach Boys, Train, Foster the People etc) and it really suited both their planning and the mood for the day.

Niagara on the Lake wedding ceremony and reception music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Duo d’Amore celebrates 100th wedding and event review on Wedding Wire

Duo d’Amore is proud to announce that we have received our 100th review on wedding wire! This could not have been possible without the hard work of our team of musicians, and such wonderful clients. Thanks!

“The music was beautiful and was timed perfectly. I only wish I could have been there to hear all the songs, like when guests arrive! haha! :)

We were very pleased with the service you and your musicians provided from beginning to end of the whole process.

I didn't get the chance to speak to the musicians but please tell them thank you for contributing to the magic of our special day.” –Darlene, bride 06/28/14


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Read more about the article Wedding Violinist Cellist Ancaster: Lauren and Abim
Wedding String Quartet Red Deer AB

Wedding Violinist Cellist Ancaster: Lauren and Abim

This was our first weekend in 2014 where we performed at outdoor wedding ceremonies, and the weather could not have been better! Many guests at the ceremony echoed this, and the officiant even mentioned this at the start of the ceremony. Lauren and Abim’s wedding was really wonderful, and interesting as well, as it combined very interesting Thai tradition that I’ll get to in a moment. For the music the couple requested upbeat pop songs for the prelude and we performed a number of selections including Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. During the ceremony they requested Here comes the sun for the maid of honor and the bride, Henry Mancini’s Moon River, and Brian Williams’ God only knows for the recessional. These songs worked exceptionally well. In the middle of the ceremony, the couple who met in Thailand, added two Thai elements to their ceremony involving both bracelets and a conch shell with holy water (extracted from the wedding program):

Rod Nam Ceremony: In traditional Thai weddings, an elder will take a conch shell filled with blessed water and pour it over the hands of the bride and groom to bestow luck and good fortune upon them. The ceremony is called Rod Nam Sang as ‘rod nam’ means soak with water and ‘sang’ means shell.

Sai Sin Ceremony: In traditional Thai ceremonies, relatives tie blessed string bracelets on the wrists of the bride and groom wishing them luck. These bracelets are to be kept on for at least three days.

Both of these were interesting to watch and learn about, and I can see these traditions being used in weddings in the future.

As the guests crossed over the bride following the ceremony, we were escorted into the 1812 room of the Ancaster Mill where the cocktail reception was supposed to take place. As the weather was so nice, all of the guests were on the outdoor patio, so we decided to setup there and perform for the cocktail hour. We received many compliments, and the bride and groom really appreciated the music we performed. What a beautiful day!

Officiant: Al Harder, Kettle Creek Weddings

Photographer: Old Mill Studios

Hamilton/Burlington wedding ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Leah and Ken’s wedding ceremony at the Chapel of the old Mill Toronto, May 3, 2014, violin and cello duo, Toronto ON

This wedding ceremony at the old mill combined classical elegance with popular light and fun music, and a good measure of family involvement. The ceremony was beautiful. The string duo started off by performing a lovely mix of classical and popular music as the guests were arriving and taking their seats for the ceremony. At the start of the wedding ceremony, the musicians performed a beautiful rendition Somewhere Over the Rainbow for the bridesmaids, followed by Don’t you Worry child for the bride. The family involvement came next, as the bride’s sister sang during the signing of the register. After the officiant introduced the couple, amidst clapping and cheering, the string duo performed the classic Mendelssohn’s Wedding March as they walked down the aisle as husband and wife.

 

Bridesmaids: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Bride: Don’t You Worry Child

Recessional: Mendelssohn Wedding March

Toronto wedding ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Continue ReadingLeah and Ken’s wedding ceremony at the Chapel of the old Mill Toronto, May 3, 2014, violin and cello duo, Toronto ON

Andrea and Adam’s wedding ceremony at the AGH Design Annex, April 26, 2014, violin & cello duo, Hamilton ON

"Thank you so much for the amazing performance on Saturday! The violin and cello really set the tone and pulled everything together to create an amazing evening! We received so many compliments on the classical music choice and skill (especially from my cousin, who is a musician and luthier from manitoba- he was utterly impressed)  We will certainly recommend you!" Andrea & Adam White

 

This was our first time performing at the Design Annex of the AGH in Hamilton. The venue is located on James St, which is where the now famous art crawl takes place, and is very close to the water. We arrived quite early, and setup—it was clear that as soon as we arrived (Almost 1 hour early) that all of the preparations had been taken care of—everything was in place and looked beautiful. We had a nice chat with the groom, and the officiant before the guests arrived which was nice. As the guests started to arrive, the violinist and cello player performed a mix of classical and more popular music. The ceremony proper was a fantastic mix of Pachelbel, with Bach and the Beatles added, and the guests really enjoyed our performance! What a great ceremony, venue and of course, married couple!

Processional: Pachelbel Canon

Signing: Beatles: Here there and Everywhere and Bach: Jesu Joy

Recessional: Beatles: When I'm 64

Venue: AGH Design Annex

Officiant: Rev Derek A. Ryamarchuk, Wedding Company of Niagara

Hamilton/Burlington wedding ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Continue ReadingAndrea and Adam’s wedding ceremony at the AGH Design Annex, April 26, 2014, violin & cello duo, Hamilton ON
Read more about the article Wedding Strings Ancaster: Ryan and Nilusha
Wedding Strings Ancaster: Ryan and Nilusha

Wedding Strings Ancaster: Ryan and Nilusha

Our string ensemble performs regularly at the Ancaster Mill, but this wedding was one of the most unique events that we have performed at the Mill. Ryan and Nilusha had their ceremony in the 1812 room, which, when you enter the Mill, is downstairs. This was our first time playing in the room, and it is both beautiful with the dark wood and fireplace, as well as the original artifacts from the mill presented in a glass display. Rooms that have some wood in them are great for carrying and enhancing the sound of string instruments and this really helped create a beautiful ambiance and purity of the violin and cello tone.

Ryan and Nilusha were interested in having a number of pop songs from our Modern repertoire throughout their ceremony, and we worked on creating the playlist below. Their ceremony was also interesting, as they combined traditional western traditions with beautiful Indian traditions for a truly memorable and wonderful ceremony.

Bridesmaids Processional: Cohen: Hallelujah

Bride Processional: Elvis: Can’t Help Falling in Love

Signing: Beatles: All you Need Is Love and Perri: A Thousand Years

Recessional: Coldplay: Viva la Vida

Ancaster Wedding ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets


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Continue ReadingWedding Strings Ancaster: Ryan and Nilusha