Dreamy Summer Wedding at The Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown, CT

Jessica and Nick’s wedding at The Wadsworth Mansion in Middletown, Connecticut, was a beautiful mix of timeless style and with modern flair, from the Bridgerton-inspired ceremony music to their lush, colorful, wild florals. No detail was overlooked and every element was highly personalized. It was beautifully designed by Wildflower Events and I cannot wait to share these incredible photos by Jennifer Nichole Photography.

Credit: Wildflower Events + Jennifer Nicole Photography

Photo credit: Nikki Estephan

Hi, I’m Ariana - I’m a wedding violinist and the founder of Ariana Strings. I’ve performed for 725 weddings and private events over the last 15 years and love sharing our couples’ wedding stories. Here you’ll find inspiration for your wedding ceremony music, cocktail hour playlist, as well as incredible style from this real Wadsworth Mansion wedding. Let’s dive in!

A Garden Ceremony: Classic Elegance on The Great Lawn

The Wadsworth Mansion has quite a few ceremony spaces, but the most classic is on The Great Lawn, surrounded by blooming hydrangeas and shaded by tall trees. At the top of the aisle was an incredible floral design by Rebel Rose Floral. It felt like a scene from a storybook!

The light blue and blush pink color palette was carried through the event, and I suggested that our string quartet wear dusty rose dresses to complement the blush theme. Our couple loved the idea, and the dresses matched perfectly, adding an extra layer of elegance.

Tip: If you’re getting married on The Great Lawn, rent umbrellas or consider the angle of the sun when deciding on your chair placement and ceremony flowers. Guests truly appreciate the natural shade on a hot Summer’s day.

Since Jessica and Nick had a larger event that sprawled over the full outdoor space at the Wadsworth (more on that later), we amplified our string quartet for their ceremony. The couple asked that our prelude music start off slow and romantic, and then shifted to more upbeat songs to match the joyful mood. Jessica and Nick’s song choices included:

- Justin Bieber - Holy

- The Beatles - All You Need is Love

- Aerosmith - I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing

- The Cranberries - Linger

- Elton John - Your Song

- Ed Sheeran - Perfect

- Jason Mraz - Lucky

- Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey - The Middle

- Maroon 5 - Girls Like You

- Sia ft. David Guetta - Titanium

- Coldplay - Yellow

The family walked down the aisle to XO by Beyoncé, while the wedding party entered to Taylor Swift’s Wildest Dreams (the Bridgerton string quartet version). Jessica made her grand entrance to Turning Page by Sleeping at Last, a lyrical motif made famous by the Twilight movies.

Jessica’s aunt officiated the ceremony, adding a Bridgerton-inspired theme with lessons about marriage based on the relationship between Queen Charlotte and King George. She connected these lessons to Jessica and Nick’s relationship, highlighting the importance of resilience, understanding, and unwavering support in building a strong and lasting partnership.

For the recessional, the couple chose Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen. This carefree and lively song perfectly captured the joy of the moment, especially when Nick swooped Jessica into a dramatic dip as they headed up the aisle—a moment beautifully captured by Jennifer Nicole Photography.

Wadsworth Mansion Wedding Cocktail Hour: A Pop Music Celebration in the Rose Garden

The cocktail hour took place in the rose garden near the tennis pavilion. There, we teamed up with DJ June and Garrett of June Events, plugging into their surround-sound style system. We made sure the sound was clear and well balanced for everyone to enjoy. This collaboration allowed every note to carry beautifully, creating a truly all-encompassing experience for the guests.

Jessica and Nick asked us to play pop music that everyone would know and enjoy, giving us the freedom to create a playlist that kept the energy high. During our music planning meetings, they shared how important it was that we make sure that every guest really felt included with our music selections. I knew exactly what to do: We played hits from different decades and really paid attention to what the crowd was enjoying. The couple told us that it was a huge hit:

“When my husband and I were planning our wedding we knew we wanted to incorporate live music. Ariana Strings was highly recommended by our wedding planner and for a good reason. The moment we heard the demos we knew we needed to book with them. They created a fairytale atmosphere and walking down the aisle to their music honestly gave me goose bumps. They also played during our cocktail hour and our guests were so impressed with all the modern songs they were able to play on the strings. Now my husband and I are so obsessed that we are wishing we another event just so we can work with them again. What an amazingly talented and sweet group of people. If you want to take your wedding to the next level then book ASAP….what are you waiting for?!!?”

Jessica and Nick’s wedding was a celebration of love, music, and family. With a thoughtfully curated playlist, incredible teamwork from all the vendors (lead by Lindsey of Wildflower Events), and the timeless beauty of The Wadsworth Mansion, their day was unforgettable.

Joyful Wedding at The Bushnell: Clinton and Luke’s Broadway-inspired wedding

Some weddings feel like they’re pulled straight from a dream, and Clinton and Luke’s Bushnell wedding was no exception. Held in July, their special day was a perfect blend of theatrical flair and heartfelt moments. I got particularly attached to Clinton and Luke, as we had multiple planning calls together and I really got to know them. We bonded over our love of Broadway musicals and found ourselves gushing over every detail. I had so much fun with them and it made their day that much more special to me.

Photo credit: Carla Ten Eyck at The Bushnell

Hi, I’m Ariana - I’m a wedding violinist and the founder of Ariana Strings. I’ve performed for 725 weddings and private events over the last 15 years and love sharing our couples’ wedding stories. Here you’ll find inspiration for your wedding ceremony music, cocktail hour playlist, as well as incredible photos from our Summer 2024 wedding at The Bushnell. Let’s dive in!

Despite the summer heat, everyone stayed cool and comfortable thanks to the indoor ceremony in The Bushnell’s checkerboard lobby. From start to finish, their wedding was a masterpiece, utilizing the full venue and bringing every detail to life with a Broadway-inspired theme that captured their love story beautifully. Guests entered on a red carpet to a custom video trailer of Clinton and Luke in all their favorite musicals - it was so fun and unique!

The wedding ceremony took place in The Bushnell’s lobby, where Clinton and Luke walked down the aisle together to a song as unique and meaningful as their bond. They requested a custom string quartet arrangement of “Maybe Love” from Shucked, the new Broadway musical. Seeing their tears of joy as the music played was such a powerful moment. Knowing how much the song meant to them, my team and I poured our hearts into the arrangement, and it felt incredible to see it resonate so deeply.

We also created custom string quartet arrangements of Aerith's Theme from Final Fantasy 7 and Just a Little Lovin' by Dusty Springfield.

Their personal touches didn’t stop there. Clinton and Luke’s Playbill-inspired programs were a brilliant nod to their love of theater.  Clinton and Luke’s yellow color palette tied the entire event together, and we loved being part of it. To complement their vision, we wore vibrant yellow dresses, blending seamlessly into the cheerful and elegant atmosphere.

Among the ceremony music highlights was My Neighbor Totoro, a song from the movie that holds deep significance for the couple. I went the extra mile to make it perfect: ordering sheet music from Japan and collaborating with my colleague, the conductor of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, to translate it and make sure we didn’t miss a single detail. These moments remind me how much joy music can bring to a wedding day.

The celebration continued in the Seaverns Room for cocktail hour. As classical wedding musicians, we’re no strangers to creating ambiance, but performing in the Seaverns Room was extra special. Its elevated stage and warm wood paneling made it the perfect spot for our performance, allowing the music to shine (and it was an extra special spot for the flower girl to twirl to our string quartet performance of Taylor Swift’s Love Story). For this part of the day, we played a lively mix of pop favorites and Broadway hits—an homage to Clinton and Luke’s shared passion for musicals and a personal favorite genre of mine.

For the reception, the newlyweds took center stage—literally—on The Bushnell’s main stage. It was such a fitting conclusion to a day filled with theatrical magic.

A special shoutout goes to Carla Ten Eyck, who captured the day so beautifully. Carla is a true artist, and her photos of the day are absolutely breathtaking. Her work reflects the love and joy that filled every corner of The Bushnell that day.

“Working with Ariana was such a fantastic experience. From the moment we first met, we knew we made the right choice. Ariana immediately understood what we wanted for our wedding and made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. She was incredibly easy and fun to work with. My husband and I always looked forward to our one-on-one planning sessions!

We even asked for a special piece of music that wasn’t in her usual repertoire, and she went above and beyond by sourcing it from Japan, rearranging it, and learning it within just a few weeks! That kind of dedication blew us away. The musicians were true professionals, and the music they played set the perfect mood for both the ceremony and cocktail hour.

Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful everything sounded. If you’re looking for live musicians for your wedding or any event, stop looking and contact Ariana Strings. They truly made our day unforgettable, and we would work with them again in a heartbeat!”

Clinton and Luke, thank you for letting us be a part of your Broadway-inspired wedding. Your love for each other and for the arts shone in every detail, and it was a privilege to help bring your vision to life.

Planning Your Own Bushnell Wedding?

If you’re dreaming of a Bushnell wedding or looking for classical wedding musicians to bring your special day to life, let’s connect! Whether it’s custom arrangements or a unique playlist, we’re here to make your music as unforgettable as your love story.

Dreamy Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding

Just last month, we had the pleasure of being part of Samantha and Ryan’s Barns at Wesleyan Hills wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. Samantha, a sweet 2nd-grade teacher whose students adore her (wait til you see what they did for her wedding!), and Ryan, a brilliant systems engineer, are the kind of couple that makes you believe in soulmates.

The Setting: Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding

The Barns at Wesleyan Hills ceremony site has all the elements of a fairytale—rustic charm, lush greenery, and, of course, the unpredictable New England weather! The willow trees remind me of The Notebook every time and they’re my favorite.

Even though we had to dodge a few passing showers, we didn’t let a little rain dampen the day. Instead, we set up underneath the porch, amplified our sound, and let the music carry down the hill to the ceremony.

Our string quartet played a classical prelude as guests arrived (What’s Prelude? Find out here!), creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere despite the rain.

Ever wonder how we time your music perfectly?

As classical wedding musicians who have performed for 650 weddings over the last 15 years, we’ve learnt what works and what doesn’t. That’s why we have added our own, special music coordinator to ensure that we bring your musical vision to life. Our rockstar coordinator, Billy, worked closely with the venue’s team to make sure the timing was flawless and sound carried beautifully down to the ceremony space.

The family processional began with the timeless "Canon in D," setting a classic and elegant tone. Ryan, along with his mom, followed by Samantha’s mom and stepmom, made their way down the aisle, and you could feel the excitement building. Then, the wedding party made their entrance to "A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.

Fun fact: A Million Dreams is our top processional song this year!

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—Samantha’s walk down the aisle to "A Thousand Years." It was pure magic. The love between Samantha and Ryan was so palpable, it felt like time stood still.

From Ceremony to Celebration

After the vows were exchanged and the couple made their grand exit to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," the party kicked off inside the barn. The cocktail hour was a blast, with a party mix that included everything from Adele’s "Rolling in the Deep" to "Love Me Like You Do." The vibe was electric, and it was clear everyone was ready to celebrate!

One guest even came up afterward to share that she’d never heard "Material Girl" on strings before and thought it was fantastic—moments like these are what make playing weddings so special.

So Happy Together

Samantha and Ryan were so happy that they gave us 5 stars on The Knot and wrote:

“Ariana and her string quartet were the BEST! She is extremely knowledgeable, talented and was very helpful throughout the planning process. The music was absolutely beautiful and elevated our wedding to a whole nother level.” - Samantha, 2024 Bride

Samantha and Ryan, it was an honor to be part of your day, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to provide the soundtrack to such a special moment in your lives. Wishing you both endless love, joy, and music.

Vendor Dream Team

Venue: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills

Florist: The Green Petal

Photographer: Katie Slater Photography

DJ & JP Powerstation

Hair & Makeup: Nadia's Beauty Spot

Ceremony and cocktail hour entertainment: Ariana Strings Quartet