Wedding String Ensemble Niagara: Balls Falls Sarah and Shaun wedding ceremony at Balls Falls Historical Church, violin and cello duo, February 1, 2014, Niagara ON.
19th Century Charm
Today’s wedding ceremony was wonderful. We arrived at the historic church at Balls Falls conservation area quite early, and the only other person inside the church was the officiant. We had a really nice chat and setup for our performance. The music for the ceremony was fantastic—Sarah and Shaun had spoken with me about creating an arrangement of a portion of the second movement of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto number 5 known as the Emperor Concerto.
Bridesmaids and Bride Processional
This music was to be played as the 3 bridesmaids, the maid of honor and the flower girls walked up to the front of the church, as well as for the bride’s processional. During the signing, the sister of the groom sang Schubert’s Ave Maria, and the ceremony ended with an upbeat rendition of Handel’s La Rejouissance from the Royal Fireworks. It was so nice to perform in this small chapel. Though when we arrived it was pretty chilly, once the heat was on and all of the guests arrived, the room was very warm, and everyone had a great time.
Wedding String Ensemble Niagara: Balls Falls : Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets
Listing our Wedding String Quartet and ensembles
The solo violin
The smallest bowed string instrument in the violin family is the violin. It is also the quietest instrument, but that does not mean that it cannot produce a sound. Don’t forget that violin soloists regularly perform with a 50-100 piece orchestra, in a large hall seating 2000 or more people, and the solo violin can be heard over the entire orchestra, and at the very back of the concert hall. How? This comes down to the skill of the violinist, and positioning. This is why at wedding ceremonies for example we often are quite picky about the exact spot where our violinists and ensembles perform, no matter if the string ensemble is outdoors or indoors a single violinist is a great choice.
Duo d’Amore’s solo violinist is a great option for those who want live music but have a smaller budget. The solo violinist performs classical pieces, contemporary pieces, and a mix of both. Their music is perfect for wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and intimate dinners.
The solo cello
Like the solo violin, a solo cellist is a great option for slightly smaller wedding ceremonies and receptions around Oakville. Larger than the violin, it is very resonant, and can play an equally wide range of music. Clients that hire the solo cello and solo violin for weddings and events often have a guest list of under 50, but not necessarily so.
The violin and cello duo
The violin and cello duo, or string duet, is made up of one violin player and one cello player. This is our most requested string ensemble for hire around Oakville. Having both the violin, which is able to play soaring melodies, and the cello which is able to anchor and often accompany, while having an even larger sound it is no wonder that this is our most popular string ensemble. I like to imagine that the violin is like the right hand of the piano and the cello is the left had of the piano, together they can play almost anything, and that is another reason that it is our most popular ensembles.
Duo d’Amore’s violin and cello duo is a popular choice for weddings. The duo consists of a violinist and a cellist who play together, creating a beautiful, harmonious sound. The duo’s repertoire includes classical pieces, contemporary pieces, and a mix of both. Their music is perfect for wedding ceremonies, cocktail receptions, and dinner parties.
The String Trio
The string trio is made up of the violin and cello, with the addition of a third instrument. Often this is a violin or viola. We recommend this ensemble for 150-200 guests.
The String Quartet
Our string quartet is the largest wedding ensemble that we have for hire in Oakville. The string quartet has a long and rich history. This dates back to the classical period of music in the 18th century. Composers such as Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven wrote some of the most famous and enduring string quartet works. In the 19th century, the string quartet continued to be an important genre, with composers such as Schubert and Brahms producing some of their most notable works in this format. During this time, the string quartet also began to be used for more private, intimate occasions such as weddings.
Versatile ensemble
We often recommend the string quartet for large gatherings, receptions, weddings and events with 200 or more guests. The string quartet is one of our more versatile ensembles, as we can perform everything from Bach, Beethoven and Brahms in the classical spectrum, to pop, jazz, folk, Top40 and beyond.
Choosing wedding ceremony and reception music
Duo d’Amore has one of Canada’s largest collections of wedding pop and classical music for our string ensembles. In general here is what we recommend for a wedding ceremony. Of course, every ceremony is different and we like to customize things to suit your plans and ideas. We also have lots more wedding music planning ideas and resources on our blog, here.
Prelude (as guests arrive) 3-5 songs
Processional: 1 or 2 songs (1 song for both the wedding party and bride or 1 song for wedding party, another song for bride)
Signing: 1 classical song, or 2 pop songs
Recessional: 1 song
Consider slower less upbeat pop music guests arrive:
The prelude before the ceremony is a great time to include less upbeat pop music, as guests will be chatting. As well, we like to recommend that this is the time to include a wide variety of different styles, think classic rock, top40, the Beatles etc–a little something for everyone. Listen now: https://duodamore.com/samples/
Gradually add more contemporary/pop top 40
Add some contemporary selections: Contemporary music can add a modern touch to your playlist and appeal to a wider range of guests. Consider incorporating popular songs like “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri or “All of Me” by John Legend. As the ceremony progresses, we incorporate additional current pop music.
Incorporate special songs: Consider adding special songs that have meaning to you and your partner. It could be your first dance song, song from your first date or song that holds special memories for the both of you.
Vary the moods: Mix up the moods of the songs on your playlist to keep things interesting. Consider adding upbeat songs for the reception, and slower, more contemplative songs for the ceremony. Here are some ideas: https://www.brides.com/upbeat-love-songs-4799999
Signing of the register is a time for reflection
The signing of the marriage documents is a time to stop and reflect, and the choice of music should reflect that. This is the time to really slow things down. There may be time for one or even two pop songs, and don’y forget classical. The slower, quieter song choices really make whatever is chosen for the upbeat recessional “pop”.
Tell your story
Make a playlist that tells your love story: Create a playlist that tells the story of your relationship, by adding songs that hold special memories for the both of you.
Niagara Wedding Venues
Historic hotel offers elegant ballrooms and a stunning outdoor garden for weddings. It’s known for its classic charm and excellent service.
Another luxury option, Queens Landing Hotel, offers a beautiful waterfront location and various indoor and outdoor spaces for weddings.
If you’re a wine enthusiast, Peller Estates Winery offers a scenic vineyard setting for weddings. You can exchange vows among the vines and enjoy a reception in their elegant event spaces.
This family-owned winery features a rustic and charming barn that’s perfect for weddings. The vineyard and gardens provide a beautiful backdrop for your special day.
Additional Venues
Inniskillin Wines
Winery offers a picturesque setting for vineyard weddings. Their outdoor ceremony space overlooks the vineyards, and they have an elegant indoor space for receptions.
Oban Inn, Spa, and Restaurant
Boutique hotel in Niagara-on-the-Lake has a beautiful garden courtyard for outdoor ceremonies and a charming indoor reception space.
Vintage Hotels
Vintage Hotels manages several historic properties in Niagara-on-the-Lake, including the Pillar and Post Inn, Queen’s Landing, and Prince of Wales Hotel. Each of these venues has its unique charm and offers a range of wedding packages.
Kurtz Orchards Farm and Marketplace
If you’re looking for a rustic and charming setting, Kurtz Orchards offers a barn and orchard venue that’s perfect for a country-style wedding.
Stratus Vineyards
Stratus Vineyards offers a modern and sleek setting for wine-loving couples. Their vineyard and winery make for a unique wedding backdrop.
Niagara Parks
The Niagara Parks Commission manages several beautiful venues, including the Butterfly Conservatory and the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens. These locations provide a natural and lush setting for weddings.
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