We had a wonderful, and windy time performing for Felicia and Elliot's wedding outdoors at Ravine Vineyard. The site the couple chose for the ceremony was beautiful--rolling hills with vines galore. The only issue was the wind, which was strong enough to blow our music stands over when we first set them up! This was one of the windiest weddings if not the windiest wedding ceremony that we have ever performed at. Despite the weather, we were able to offer a great performance, with several guests commenting to us about the performance.

The couple's music choices worked great with the venue: Pachelbel Canon was the perfect choice for the long-ish walk from one of the main buildings to where the officiant and groom were standing at the front. Jesu Joy and Bittersweet Symphony rounded out the ceremony, and we also performed a number of other songs as the guests exited the ceremony site. Despite the weather it was a beautiful ceremony!

Music Selections:
Bridesmaids and Bride Processional: Pachelbel Canon in D
Signing: Bach: Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring
Recessional: The Verve: Bittersweet Symphony

Vendors:
Ceremony musicians: Duo d'Amore-violin and cello duo duodamore.com
Venue: Ravine Vineyards ravinevineyard.com
Wedding Planner: Kassandra at Ravine events@ravinevineyard.com
Flowers: Mimosa Flowers mimosaflowers.com

We performed at another interesting wedding today. No matter how many ceremonies or receptions we perform at it always amazes me how different they can be and how essential everyone’s job is on the big day. Florists, the officiant, the musicians, everyone has a big impact on the outcome of the event.

Phil and Ester’s wedding was nicely tailored to fit their style, especially regarding the music. For the prelude as the guest were entering and being seated, we performed a mixture of music with a sort of French café feel to it. Selections included La Vie En Rose, made popular by Edith Piaf and the Theme from Moulin Rouge as well as other unique songs from our catalogue of custom arrangements.

As Ester walked in, we performed another special arrangement of the song Will the Night, which went over very well and switched to Pachelbel Canon for the signing. The recessional was Disney/Pixar’s Theme from Up.

Because the Church is such an intimate venue, we are able to use this to our advantage in arranging the music. We made good use of pizzicato or plucking for some of the cello parts, and explored some interesting keys (B Major in particular.) There is also something special about playing an a wooden Church, and the rich sound of B Major seemed to resonate and sound much richer with the violin and cello.

The Church pews were decorated with very attractive floral arrangement from Van Noort Florists in Niagara on the Lake, and the ceremony was officiated by Kip Philip of Enduring Promises.

Venue: Balls Falls Historical Church
Officiant: Kip Philip
Florist: Van Noort Florists
Ceremony musicians: Duo d’Amore- string duos, trios and quartets

This venue was a complete and utter surprise for Duo d’Amore—it was our first time performing here, and we can’t wait to be back. I encourage our readers to look at their website (www.bissellshideaway.com) as this venue is not only great for a wedding or event but for spending time with the family.

The music for this wedding was as varied, exciting and interesting as the beautiful outdoor wedding. Congratulations to Julie and Brent!

Processional: Top Gun Anthem

Processional: Beatles: Here Comes The Sun

Signing: U2: All I Want Is You and Cohen: Hallelujah

Recessional: Journey: Don’t Stop Believin’ and Coldplay: Viva la Vida

Wedding Ceremony Music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets

This was an early start to the day for us, but very welcome. The wedding ceremony started at 9:30am in the beautiful Rose garden around the back of the Pillar and Post Hotel. With an early morning start at such a beautiful time of year, this gave a different feeling to the ceremony—one of calm, and peacefulness, combined of course, with celebration.

The first music heard was the famous Pachelbel Canon, and shorty after as the bride made her entrance the very appropriate and beautiful Amarantine by Enya. The signing music was Bach Air, played, unusually but very convincingly by the solo cello, and the wedding ceremony music finished with strains of Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve.

Wedding Ceremony Musicicians: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets

This wedding ceremony took lace in the Gallery Room upstairs at the Pillar and Post in Niagara on the lake. This private room as a gereat location for a wedding ceremony, and Duo d’Amore has performed here many times in the past. For Lindsay and Tobias’ wedding, we performed a great selection of popular music, starting with Today by the samshing pumpkins as the bridesmaids processed down the aisle. For Lindsay’s entrance we performed a beautiful song by Bright Eyes called First day of My Life that sounded great. This was followed by You and Me by the Dave Matthew’s Band and finally All You Need Is Love by the Beatles.

Bridesmaids - Today Smashing Pumpkins

Bride - First Day of My LIfe - Bright Eyes

Signing of the Papers- You and Me Dave Matthews Band

Recessional - All You Need is Love Beatles

Wedding Coordinator: Sandra Sir at the Pillar and Post Niagara

Wedding Ceremony Music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets

Driving up the long driveway towards the steeple-like building at Vineland Estates winery, we always feel that this location has a unique feel to it—somewhat like a church, but also very modern, refined and contemporary. The same thing could be said about the music and the wedding itself. As our violin and cello duo performs here regularly at the carriage house and on the outdoor patio, we are very familiar with the venue and feel at home here. We ha d a special request to perform Ave Maria during the prelude as this is the mother of the brides favorite song. From here we performed Pachelbel Canon for the bride, Wachet Auf (also known as Sleeper’s Awake) by Bach for the signing (so lovely) and for a modern flavor, Bittersweet Symphony for the recessional. As the guests were exiting, we also included Handel’s La Rejouissance from the Royal Fireworks.

Processional:  Pachelbel - Canon in D
Signing:  Bach - Wachet Auf (Sleepers Awake)
Recessional:  The Verve - Bittersweet Symphony

Guests exit: La Rejouissance

Wedding Ceremony Music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets

There is something special about the venues owned and operated by Cave Spring, from the vineyard sites to the Windows room—the views are so sweeping and grand, unlike any other places that we have performed at in Niagara. Somehow, the Windows room is also organized so that guests can comfortably sit during the ceremony, go across the hall for the cocktail reception, and move back into the windows room to enjoy the view. This may sound like other venues, but it’s not—things are so close and always well organized. We really enjoy performing here and Lynda and John’s wedding was no exception. The ceremony music consisted of all classical music that went brilliantly. Pachelbel Canon was performed at Lynda walked down the aisle. The signing music was ever richer and layered—the famous Ave Maria by Bach Gounod was heard, and them everything lightened up for the recessional with Vivaldi’s Autumn (the first movement) performed as everything walked down to aisle into the corridor.

Processional:  Pachelbel's Canon D  

Signing:  Bach-Gounod’s Ave Maria

Recessional:  Vivaldi's Autumn

Officiant: Sheldon Kofsky

Wedding ceremony musicians Jordan ON: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duo’s string trios and string quartets