String ensembles: a unique choice for a wedding ceremony. What makes a string ensembles are unique choice for a wedding ceremony? A string ensemble, composed of violins, violas and cellos…
Book a string ensemble for your event! When it comes to booking live music for a wedding or special event, there are a lot of options to choose from. One…
Duo d'Amore's string ensembles of solo violin, violin and cello duo, string trio and string quartet are booking for 2019 wedding ceremonies and receptions in Calgary and Banff and surrounding areas. We often perform indoors and outdoors at the following venues:
The bride and groom originally planned this wedding ceremony outdoors at Canada Olympic Park, but unfortunately the weather did not cooperate, and the ceremony was moved indoors. That was a smart choice, and the guests were able to enjoy themselves, without any issues from rain! Regarding the music selections, Leah and Tom were interested in our traditional selections, which looked like this. Everything worked out beautifully, and sounded even better!
Processional: Pachelbel Canon
Signing: Vivaldi Largo from the Four Seasons (Winter)
Recessional: Handel Hornpipe II
Photo credit: http://www.deseraeevenson.com
This wedding was held on the outdoor patio of the River Cafe in Calgary—a beautiful location, and the musical selections were just as inspiring. For the ceremony Cristina and Ben chose primarily classical selections (with a modern and upbeat song at the finale of the ceremony) followed by contemporary music during the reception portion. All of these songs work particularly well with the string ensemble they chose: the violin and cello duo—our most popular ensemble! Everything was seamless and beautiful, and finely coordinated as always with the talented planner at Evelyn Clark weddings. Thanks everyone!
Wedding ceremony song selections:
Processional (wedding party and bridesmaids): Pachelbel Canon
Signing: Schubert: Ave Maria
Recessional: Mars: Marry You
Cocktail hour song selections:
A Thousand Years-Christine Perri (violin & cello duo)
All You Need Is Love-Beatles (violin & cello duo)
Billie Jean-Michael Jackson
Can’t Help Falling in Love-Elvis
Don’t You Worry Child-Swedish House Mafia
Give Me Love- Ed Sheeran
Yellow - Coldplay
Hallelujah-Leonard Cohen
Halo, Beyonce
I Got A Feeling-Black Eyed Peas
I Think I Wanna Marry You-Bruno Mars
Fields of Gold-Sting
Wedding Full Planning and Design: Evelyn Clark Weddings | Photography: Daring Wanderer Weddings | Venue: River Cafe | Florist: Flower Artistry | Decor: Bella Linens | Stationery: Plush Invitations | Hair and Makeup: The Pretty Haus | Cake: Whippt | Officiant: Life Celebrant – Jacquie Hoare | Music: Duo D’amore & Stephen Medhurst | Transportation: Ambassador Limo
“Thanks so much for everything—it was perfect!” Jana, bride
This ceremony was really fun and lighthearted, and we were excited to perform at Q Haute Cuisine, as this was a new venue in Calgary for us. Jana and Mark opted for our most popular ensemble, the violin and cello duo. The couple did a great job choosing their song selections, as everything fit perfectly, and was timed brilliantly. The prelude songs worked very well, as most often we perform all classical or a mix of pop and classical, which helps to create a calm, relaxing mood. In this case, the couple chose all pop, and the right songs make all the difference! During the ceremony, the music switched to classical, and again everything fit wonderfully. I love the combination of Bach Air with Pachelbel’s Canon. Jesu Joy (also by Bach) is an exceptional signing song, and ending with Bittersweet Symphony for that burst of energy as the couple exits was the perfect touch!
Prelude
Isreal kamakawiwo'ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Christina Perri - A Thousand Years
Louis Armstrong - What a wonderful World
Train – Marry Me
Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling In love
Ceremony
Bridesmaids & groomsmen, flower girl & ring bearer: Bach - Air on the G-string
Processional (for bride to walk down to): Pachelbel - Canon in D
Signing: Bach - Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Recessional: The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony
Wedding Vendors:
Photography and photo credit: Kristyn Harder
Venue: Q Haute
Hair: Hair by Christine of MaddPretty
Makeup: Trena Laine
Flowers: Avenida Growers
Wedding Gown: Pronovias – Bertina
Veil: Rococo Brides
Chalkboard Art: Calgary Chalk Artist
Ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets
Calgary Wedding Violinist Cellist Duo. Genevieve + Ralph’s wedding ceremony at Azuridge Estate, October 11, 2014. Pop and classical music.
“I wanted to say thank you for playing at my wedding. It was absolutely beautiful and I loved having Metallica play walking down the aisle. Got a lot of comments. I didn’t have a chance to thank them after the ceremony so please do for me.” Raylene, bride
This ceremony was wonderful in a different sort of way, and that’s always exciting for us. The biggest difference between this ceremony and a lot of other wedding ceremonies that we perform at in Canmore or across Canada is that we performed Metallica's Nothing Else Matters in a church. That really does not happen too often so it was quite a fun experience for us, the guests and the bride and groom.
After the processional in the wedding, comes the vows, and just after the vows comes the next portion where music is typically performed: the signing of the register. From Metallica, what music was chosen for this: something else unexpected—the very traditional Bach-Gounod Ave Maria. This works perfect for the signing, as it is both long enough (as signings can last up to 8 minutes) and it is also more laid back. This laid back quality is just what is needed to contrast with the more upbeat recessional. Speaking of the recessional, this often takes place just seconds after the signing, as the officiant introduces the couple. For Raylene and Trevor’s recessional the violin and cello players performed Clarke’s Trumpet Voluntary, to end the beautiful ceremony at the Church of the Rockies with traditional and non-traditional elements.
Photo and Photo credit: www.Peakphotography.ca
Wedding ceremony musicians Canmore AB: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets
Ok, I’m just going to come out and say it—I’m 34 and just watched Star Wars for the first time the other day. Of course, I loved it, and thought that it would be a great idea for a wedding. Others have thought that way to, and you can read about interesting wedding ceremonies here.
If you do a Google search for Star Wars Wedding, a lot of what comes up is about costumes, hair, and other theme related details. However, as you can imagine, with Duo d’Amore, it’s all about the music. While we have performed Star Wars music at wedding in the past (namely the Imperial March) it would be great to put together a whole wedding with John Williams’ amazing score from the films. The string section of the orchestra features prominently in the film, and any of our ensembles are perfect to convey the amazing compositions. Though there are many possibilities, I think this grouping would work particularly well:
Star Wars Wedding Program
Wedding Party Processional: Han Solo and Leia Love Theme, Empire strikes back
This theme is great to walk to as there is a slow but steady beat and it is quite lush. It is nice that the theme represents the love between the Han and Princess Leia, which is perfect for the bridesmaids and wedding party to walk to. It would make a great violin and cello duet.
Bride: Princess Leia’s Theme, Episode IV
This is the natural choice, and I would omit the introduction and start the processional head on with the main theme. Alternatively, it would be great to start this with the rebel fanfare, then lead into princess Leia’s theme. Either a duo, trio or string quartet could do this song justice.
Signing of the register: The Force Theme, Episode IV
While I originally thought the force theme would be a good option for the bridesmaids, It would actually suit the signing much better. This is quite a serious theme, a bit on the dark side (sorry about the pun) for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle to, but perfect for the legal portion of the ceremony. This would sound great with the fullness of a string quartet
Recessional: Main Theme, Episode IV
To top it all off, the theme that everyone has been waiting for: the main theme from the film. This is the natural ending to a fun (and just a bit geeky) wedding! Again, the duo, trio and string quartet could really make this shine.
Wedding ceremony music: Duo d'Amore-violin and cello duos trios and quartets
June seems so far away, but not when you compare it to the person whose anniversary it is today-today is the 309th anniversary of the death of Johann Pachelbel, the composer of the famous Canon, and lesser know gigue (or as we know it ‘jig’, a dance popular in the baroque). But this is getting far off the mark in terms of Denise and Jason’s wonderful catholic wedding ceremony at St Josephs’ Church in Calgary.
As the ceremony was catholic, we had the opportunity to perform some amazing and traditional wedding songs that work perfectly, and like Pachelbel Canon are well loved. Prior to the ceremony, we also performed a mixture of some soft and more upbeat classical music, before starting the music for the bridesmaids. As the first bridesmaid took a step and walked down the aisle, we performed Charpentier’s regal and almost march-like Prelude from TeDeum, an early hymn that is quite upbeat. This was followed by Pachelbel’s Canon for the bride. As this was a full mass, we also performed Bach’s Wachet Auf or Sleeper’s Awake for communion and followed that up with a perennial Bach favorite, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. As the priest pronounced them husband and wife our final piece of ceremony music performance was Handel’s glorious second hornpipe from the watermusik.
Ceremony music:
Bridesmaid processional: Charpentier prelude from TeDeum
Bride processional: Pachelbel canon in D
Communion: Bach Wachet auf (sleepers awake)
Signing: Bach Jesu Joy of mans desiring
Recessional: Handel hornpipe II from water music
Vendors:
Calgary wedding photographers, and photo credit – Christina & Nathan
Venue – Calgary Italian Club
Decor – Teal with Reflections Weddings
Wedding ceremony musicians Calgary: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets
