.Violinist and string ensembles for weddings Hamilton, ON. If you, or someone you know is getting married, or is interested in a live performance for a wedding or special event…
Our violinist and cellist performed a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Miler's Chapel of the Ancaster Mill in June of 2019, and we received a lovely review from the bride. This was originally posted on wedding wire, and you can read this and other reviews of past performances here: https://www.weddingwire.ca/wedding-music/duo-damore--e8347
"Incredibly talented and perfectly professional. We selected our ceremony songs but allowed Duo D'Amore to choose the pre-ceremony songs while our guests were seated and we couldn't be happier with the mood they set for us. We had two musicians play at our Ancaster Mill indoor ceremony and it was the perfect volume and presence needed."
As always, I like to personally respond to customer reviews, and here is what I wrote:
Hi Ashley,
Thank you for taking the time to write such a personal review of our services. We LOVE what we do, and I'm always glad when our enthusiasm and dedication come across in performance. All the best for a long and happy marriage!
Warm regards,
Matthew
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
Our string ensemble performs regularly at the Ancaster Mill, but this wedding was one of the most unique events that we have performed at the Mill. Ryan and Nilusha had their ceremony in the 1812 room, which, when you enter the Mill, is downstairs. This was our first time playing in the room, and it is both beautiful with the dark wood and fireplace, as well as the original artifacts from the mill presented in a glass display. Rooms that have some wood in them are great for carrying and enhancing the sound of string instruments and this really helped create a beautiful ambiance and purity of the violin and cello tone.
Ryan and Nilusha were interested in having a number of pop songs from our Modern repertoire throughout their ceremony, and we worked on creating the playlist below. Their ceremony was also interesting, as they combined traditional western traditions with beautiful Indian traditions for a truly memorable and wonderful ceremony.
Bridesmaids Processional: Cohen: Hallelujah
Bride Processional: Elvis: Can’t Help Falling in Love
Signing: Beatles: All you Need Is Love and Perri: A Thousand Years
Recessional: Coldplay: Viva la Vida
Ancaster Wedding ceremony music: Duo d’Amore-violin and cello duos, string trios and string quartets
Our string quartet has the opportunity to perform for the wedding ceremony and reception at the Old Mill this past Saturday and everyone had a great time at this beautiful event. We worked along side some familiar faces such as the staff at the Mill and Rev McNally, who I have spoken about in another blog, as well as some new faces—the wedding planner Jackie from the Prepared Bride and Love You Madly Photography.
When we arrived at the venue, the only person there was the staff from the Mill and Jackie. We had a very nice conversation with her and mentioned that everything was arranged and ready to go. Like us, she was extremely organized. Soon after the photographers and cinematographers arrived and setup. Prior to the ceremony they look some beautiful shots of our string quartet, which we hope to post here soon.
Not long after that the guests started to cross the covered bridge over the stream that flows through the Mill property, and it was time for us to begin to play. We performed a selection of classical music until we received the cue from the staff to begin the music for when the Reverend and the groom walked up the aisle. This was Bach’s Air on the G string. We continued to perform this song as the parents and groomsmen walked own the aisle. Next, we switched the Pachelbel’s Canon in D for the six bridesmaids and flower girl, switching again to the Wagner Bridal Chorus for Rebecca’s bridal processional.
After the exchange of rings, vows and the kiss, Steve and Rebecca signed the marriage license. The signing portion of the ceremony is very nice for the guests and for us, as it allows people the change to meditate and take is the fact the two people are getting married and have promised to love each other for the rest of there lives. Music is a wonderful addition to the ceremony especially during the signing, and we performed another popular piece from JS Bach-Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring. This song had a beautiful flow to it which is enhanced by the gentle murmuring of the stream nearby.
After the license was signed, the Reverend introduced the couple and they exited to Mendelssohn’s’ Wedding March,. We continued to play 3 or 4 additional songs after the Wedding March until all of the guests had exited. The cocktail reception took place in the Millview Room of the Ancaster Mill, and from our point of view it seemed like all of the guests were really enjoying themselves. For this portion, we performed a selection of Modern music, from the Beatles,U2, jazz standards like Blue Moon and Once in While and other contemporary songs.
Wedding Planner: Jackie Nerlien, The Prepared Bride Ceremony and Reception Venue: Ancaster Mill Photographer/Cinematographer: Love Madly Ceremony and reception music: Duo d’Amore-string duos, trios and quartets Officiant: Rev McNally
