We performed at a lovely string trio wedding ceremony and cocktail reception at Graydon Hall, a venue that we have performed in for countless weddings, receptions and recording for film and tv.

Our clients were Maryna and Shahab, and we had a great time discussing and helping to plan the music for the ceremony and the reception. They chose a great mix of classical selections as well as more Modern, upbeat pop tunes. As always the venue was great too!

A week or so after the ceremony, I followed up with Maryna and she mentioned that “We would like to express our thank u for musicians who performed at our wedding. They were great!!!!! We and our guests enjoyed the music a lot. They add special touch to our wedding.”

As well, she also reviewed us online on WeddingWire, giving us a perfect 5 star review, noting our excellent service, reliability and helpfulness.

Here are her selections for the ceremony, and a selection of some of the music we performed during her reception:

Ceremony Music:
Processional: Con te Partiro
Signing: Imagine and Bach Air on the G string
Recessional: Bittersweet Symphony

Reception music:
A mix of classical and pop music (partial selection)
Imagine-Beatles
Beyonce-Halo
Michael Jackson-Billie Jean
Bittersweet Symphony
Christina Perry-Bittersweet Symphony
Handel Water Music
Bach Wachet Auf

Venue: Graydon Hall, Toronto
Ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets

Picture a wedding ceremony. What do you see? Most people would say a Church, a priest, the bride in white and the groom in black, live music from a string quartet or other classical music, beautiful flowers… This wedding had many of those elements but it was truly something special, as it included mead swords, and oathing stones! It was like an ancient Celtic ceremony, which was very exciting for us, as this was truly a ceremony designed by the bride and groom to reflect their own tastes and preferences. Musicially, we performed the following repertoire:

Bridesmaids Processional: Bach Air
Bridal Processional: Charpentier: Prelude from Te Deum
Signing: Time to Say Goodbye (Por Ti Volare)
Recessional: Handel: Hornpipe I from the Watermusik

Wedding Vendors:
Ensemble: Duo d’Amore-Violin and Cello duo

Like many clients, I first spoke with Kathryn and Anthony 8 months ago, in chilly October, which seems so far away from the warn sunny weather on their wedding day. During our conversations, we spoke about our different ensembles (they chose the violin and cello duo), options regarding the ceremony music, and also confirmed many details throughout the booking process all to make sure their day was spectacular, which it was. As they were getting married in a Catholic Church, they chose a typically Catholic grouping of songs that is traditional, and timeless:

Music selections:
Bridesmaids Processional: Bach Air
Bridal Processional: Pachelbel Canon
Signing: Bach-Gounod Ave Maria
Communion: Bach: Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
Recessional: Handel: La Rejouissance from he Royal Fireworks

In other blog posts I have written about certain music selections and why they work well in the context of a ceremony, or in this case a Catholic Mass, Bach Air is a particularly good example and fits a variety of situations. This is the reason we have suggested it for the Bridesmaids processional on our Guide to Wedding Ceremony Music Selections and Sample Programs. For Anthony and Kathryn’s wedding, Bach Air makes perfect sense as it is warm and welcoming; it is also very interesting music, and it is one of the longer selections, which is a very smart choice when you have a large bridal party, which this couple did (they had 5 bridesmaids). Conversely Bach Air also works well for smaller bridal parties, as it can be shortened without losing any of its character.

Wedding Vendors:
Ensemble: Duo d’Amore-Violin and Cello duo

We often perform in the Distillery district for wedding and private events, and the Thompson Landry Gallery is a popular venue for both.

During the planning process I had the pleasure of speaking with Melanie, and she was so pleasant and nice to work with. In one of our first emails she commented that Our “website and samples are great!!!, which is always nice to hear.

There ceremony was beautiful, and the music selections reflected classical aesthetic: Very well chosen!

Processional: Bach Air on the G string
Signing: Bach Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring
Cord and Veil: Bach-Gounod Ave Maria
Recessional: Mendelsohn: Wedding March

Wedding Vendors:
Ensemble: Duo d’Amore-Violin and Cello duo