Toronto/GTA string ensembles for hire Toronto/GTA string ensembles for hire. Duo d'Amore is an award winning string ensemble, made up of professional violinists, violists and cellists. Together we have versatile…
Wedding Strings Toronto: In Performance Wedding Strings Toronto: In Performance. A performance of I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. Also included in this blog are wedding ceremony music selection tips, an…
Spring is one of my favorite seasons, May in particular. Even nicer than all the flowers, the green grass, the birds singing, is a spring wedding ceremony, in a church on a warm day. There is just so much promise and excitement in a spring ceremony, and we are always happy to perform. Kayla and Andrew chose quite traditional music, which we always like as it just fits so perfectly. I particularly enjoy the combination of Bach Air with Pachelbel Canon, as the Bach Air has such a smoothness to the sound, which Pachelbel Canon is much more contrasting, and almost bursts forth with energy. The signing is paced slightly slower, as this gives the guests a chance to think about the couples marriage (and snap a few photos in some cases) while the bride and groom sign the marriage documents. Bach’s Jesu Joy is perfect for this as well. Lastly, as the couple is introduced for the first time, what is more appropriate than the Mendelssohn wedding March in a church, in May?
Bridesmaids: Bach Air
Bride: Pachelbel Canon
Signing: Bach: Jesu Joy
Recessional: Mendelssohn wedding March
Photographer and photo credit: Love you Madly
Wedding planner: Melissa Laphen from Great Events by Melissa
Venue: Walton Memorial United Church
Wedding ceremony musicians Oakville: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets
Jennifer and Stephen’s wedding ceremony at the Waterfront Hotel in Downtown Burlington, May 17, 2014, violin and cello duo, Burlington ON
We initially spoke with Jennifer as sometimes happens, as they had booked a duo from another company that had to cancel for some reason or another, and we were happy to fill in and perform for her wedding ceremony in downtown Burlington at the Waterfront Hotel. As we subbed in at the last minute, the couple already had their wedding ceremony songs picked out (classical) for the violin and cello duo. They also hired our string ensemble to perform at the cocktail hour immediately following the ceremony, and their only request was to keep the music laid back and fun, and our violinist and cellist performed a mixture of music including several fun pop arrangements.
Processional - Pachelbel Canon in D
Signing - Bach Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire
Recessional - Mendelssohn Wedding March
Wedding String Quartet Toronto: Sharlyn and Jonathan. Violinist and Cellist performance featuring Metallica and Van Halen Liberty Grand
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
“The musicians at the ceremony were fantastic yesterday. We received so many compliments! Thank you for making the day extra special.” Danielle, bride.
This ceremony combined classical elegance with modern sensibilities, to create a new hybrid that guests loved! After the guests were seated, the first music that stared the wedding off was Jesu Joy of Man’s desiring by Bach, which we performed as the mothers were escorted and seated. We then performed the romantic and rich Ave Maria, which itself is a hybrid version by both JS Bach and the French composer Charles Gounod who added the top part (played first by the cello) centuries after Bach composed his part. The classical and exceptional Pachelbel canon was played for the bride, and as I have said before—there is a reason why this is performed at so many weddings—it works so well, and guarantees a smooth and beautiful ending as the bride reaches the front of the aisle at the Church. The signing switched gears to Etta James’ At Last, with the ceremony ending to the upbeat Bittersweet Symphony.
Parents coming down the aisle: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)
Bridesmaids processional: Gounod Ave Maria (Bach)
Bride's processional: Pachelbel's Canon in D
Registry signing: At Last (Etta James)
Recessional: Bittersweet Symphony
Wedding ceremony musicians and event entertainment Toronto: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets
Strains of Bach Air on the G String were heard as the final bridesmaid took her place, and we received a signal that the bride was next. We placed our bows on the strings and began the first bars of the very famous Pachelbel Canon, until the bride reached the front. Both of these classical pieces set the tone for the elegant ceremony. During the signing, we performed Enya’s Only Time, and then shifted to a much more modern and quick paced, exciting version of Bittersweet Symphony.
Wedding ceremony musicians: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets
Wedding Venue: West River Event Centre
This wedding held at Canoe restaurant in Toronto was just perfect—a wonderful setting, great ambiance and great music, and of course the couple looked great too.
We performed a modern selection of ceremony songs, from Somewhere over the Rainbow to Lucky by Jason Mraz, and our violinist and cellist in the string duo received many positive comments for their beautiful performance.
Pre ceremony:
Somewhere Over the Rainbow (in the Style of Israel K) -Arlen
Fix You-Coldplay
While parents/special guests are being seated:
Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
Processional:
Can’t Help Falling in Love-Elvis
Recessional:
"Lucky" by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat
Wedding Ceremony Music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets
The gardens at Fantasy farm are beautiful! It is such a nice experience to be surrounded by lush growth, beautiful flowers on a wonderfully sunny and bright afternoon. This feeling of peace and calmness carried through into Lora and Dave’s wedding, which was a true fantasy. Throughout the planning process, and especially the music song selection process, the couple was really looking forward to hearing the music that they had spent time listening to and ultimately choosing to have played as the ceremony was taking place. As Lora’s bridesmaids entered Te Deum by Charpentier was performed. After the last bridesmaid got to the front and stood beside each other, the bride entered to Pachelbel Canon in D. From this point the couple exchanged rings and vows, and they signed the register, to perhaps one of the most beautiful and appropriate selections for the signing: Bach’s Ave Maria. It always strikes me everything we play this music, how well it is written, and how many different moods it can express. Traditional, the ceremony ended as the couple triumphantly exited amidst applause to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March.
Update: A short while after the ceremony, Duo d’Amore received a wonderful notefrom the bride and groom:
“Duo d'Amore: Very professional and the cello and violinist sounded lovely! Everyone at my wedding enjoyed listening to them play, myself included. :) Thanks again! Lora G. - Toronto Wedding on June 16th, 2012.”
Flowers: Florida Flowers
Jewellery: Bob Burke Jewellery
Venue: Fantasy Farm
Photography: Pix by Max
Ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trio and quartets
Image credit: fantasyfarm.ca
