Real weddings 4/5

Sophisticated Wedding at Waveny House: Julia & Will

Ariana Strings
Aug 13, 2024
3 min read

Bride and groom Waveny House wedding — Credit: Gayle Brooker Photography

Julia and Will’s Waveny House wedding in New Canaan was a day overflowing with love, joy, and music, all made even more special by our wonderful classical wedding musicians. From the breathtaking setting of the historic venue to the thoughtfully curated details, it was a celebration to remember.

I really got to know Julia, Will, and their families in working closely together leading up to the wedding. We had multiple planning calls to ensure every musical detail was perfect. The lovely mother of the bride was early involved and brought so many wonderful ideas to the table. Her trust in my professionalism gave me the room to take her ideas to the moon! It makes me so happy whenever we work with families who care so deeply. The result was a day that felt deeply personal and full of meaning.

The couple knew they wanted to have a blend of classical wedding music, but also a modern reflection of their love story with Bridgerton vibes. The celebration was so sophisticated and elegant, as the couple strictly chose only love songs to fill the air.

Sophisticated and Elegant Waveny House Wedding

The festivities began as guests arrived at the historic Waveny House, greeted by the warm sound of our solo cellist, Elizabeth, performing in the majestically adorned foyer. Here, we elevated the atmosphere with all classical and traditional wedding music, like solo Bach Sonatas and Partitas, surrounded by lush greenery and candlelight. So romantic!

A Crisis Averted by Expert Teamwork

Just as the ceremony was about to begin, the skies opened up with a heavy downpour. The ceremony site in the lush English garden was nearly soaked, but thanks to the quick and expert work of Beth Marie Events, what could have been a major hiccup turned into a display of seamless coordination. While guests stayed dry inside the main house, enjoying our solo cellist's music, the team sprang into action. They covered the chairs and florals with tarps, protecting everything from the rain, and dried off the site just in time for the ceremony to proceed.

White and green floral arch at Waveny House wedding

Off Without a Hitch

When the skies cleared, the ceremony began, and it was nothing short of beautiful.

Our Ariana Strings music coordinator, Madison, played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran smoothly. With the string quartet sheltered and view blocked by tall boxwoods, we needed help to bring Julia and Will's wedding music to life.

With our coordinator up high up on the hill, she expertly managed the many changes, assisting and cueing our wedding string quartet, all while ensuring she stayed out of the photographer’s way. (For those of you that don't know, this is a feat!)

The wedding party entered to the classic "Canon in D," followed by "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King as Julia, accompanied by both her parents, made her way down the aisle. A particularly touching moment came when Betsy lit a candle at the altar in memory of her late son, adding an emotional and heartfelt element to the ceremony.

A Special Song Request

The recessional was a custom arrangement of "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure, a piece that held special meaning for Julia and Will.

With the rain long gone, the we took the party to the terrace for an elegant cocktail hour. The mood was light and sweet, with over 200 guests enjoying a mix of love songs and classic rock. The playlist featured favorites by Dua Lipa and Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You," perfectly capturing the upbeat energy of the day.

Whether you’re dreaming of a Bridgerton-inspired string quartet for your wedding or a solo cellist to add an elegant touch to your special day, our team of classical wedding musicians is here to make your vision come to life.

Inquire with Ariana Strings today to start curating the soundtrack to your love story today. In the meantime, check out how this incredible vendor team brought Julia and Will's vision to life.

Full Planning: Beth Marie Events

Venue: Waveny House

Photography: Gayle Brooker

Video: Yours Truly Media

Floral and Event Design: KD&J Botanica

Tent: Greenwich Tent Co.

Hair and Makeup: Pre Dame Beauty

Catering: On the Marc Events

Pre-Ceremony, Ceremony, and Cocktail Hour Music: Ariana Strings Reception Band: The Sultans

Rentals: Smith Party Rentals and Petunia Rose China

Linens: BBJ La Tavola

Napkins: Nuage Designs Inc.

Stationary: Blush Waters

Lighting: Vivid Event

Cake: Everything Lulu

Restroom Trailer: Sperry Tents

Modern and Elegant Wedding Ceremony at New Haven Lawn Club

Ariana Strings
Aug 12, 2024
2 min read

Christina and John’s vow renewal at the elegant New Haven Lawn Club was a celebration 25 years in the

making. After having a small ceremony and raising a wonderful family, this adorable couple finally got the chance to have the wedding they always dreamed of for their 25-year anniversary.

Wedding Ceremony at New Haven Lawn Club

The ceremony was filled with love, laughter, and heartfelt moments. The couple's love story was beautifully reflected in every detail of their day, with our string trio for the wedding ceremony playing a pivotal role in crafting the perfect atmosphere.

The wedding colors of eucalyptus sage and white were beautifully incorporated into the event, creating a sophisticated and serene ambiance. The bridesmaids and groomsmen, their daughters and sons, coordinated in sage green dresses and eucalyptus ties.

Since it was a black-tie wedding ceremony, with guests dressed to the nines, I offered to have our wedding string trio step up our game to enhance the color palette. We wore a combination of sage and eucalyptus greens to perfectly complement their theme and the bride loved it!

Welcome Music to Set the Tone

Classical wedding musicians at New Haven lawn Club Wedding Ceremony

As guests arrived, we performed prelude music (What’s Prelude Music?), the air was filled with the sounds of Christina and John’s favorite songs. Our wedding string trio played modern pop string covers of:

"Make You Feel My Love" by Adele

"A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri

"Set Fire to the Rain" by Adele

"Levitating" by Dua Lipa

"At Last" by Etta James

These selections set a warm and inviting atmosphere, perfectly blending contemporary pop with timeless classics, making the wedding ceremony music unforgettable. Many couples are now calling this "Bridgerton vibes", but we have been performing modern pop string quartets for over 15 years! Still, it's always a special surprise for guests, as it is a rarity and is always growing and evolving.

Wedding ceremony String Trio at New Haven Lawn Club

Modern, Yet Classic Processional Songs

The family processional was a touching moment, with the couple’s grown children and granddaughters walking down the aisle to "Can't Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley.

Christina and John chose "Canon in D" for their own processional, adding a classic touch to their entrance.

One of the highlights was the recessional. Being HUGE fans of The Office, Christina and John exited their ceremony to the upbeat and instantly recognizable theme song from the show. It was a delightful and personal touch that had everyone smiling and cheering.

Total Freedom: No “Do Not Plays”

Christina and John’s love for music and full trust in us meant there were no "do not plays" on their list. They embraced every song with joy, allowing us to create a lively and diverse playlist that resonated with everyone.

DunderCon Honeymoon

To top off their incredible celebration, Christina and John are heading to DunderCon for their honeymoon—a perfect destination for such devoted fans of The Office.

Christina and John’s vow renewal was a testament to enduring love and the joy of celebrating with family and friends. We were honored to provide the musical backdrop for their wedding ceremony at New Haven Lawn Club and wish them many more years of happiness and love.

Many thanks to JHumpries Photography for sharing their beautiful wedding photography with us.

Stunning Interfaith Wedding Ceremony at Avenir: Yamiley and Marc’s Unforgettable Day

Ariana Strings
Aug 11, 2024
4 min read

When Yamiley and Marc tied the knot at the Avenir in Walpole, Massachusetts, it was a celebration filled with love, joy, and vibrant beauty. Our string trio was thrilled to be part of their special day and had big plans: Enchanting and romantic classical wedding music for prelude (What's Prelude Music?) and a lively cocktail hour with Bridgerton wedding music.

I first got to know Yamiley through Instagram; She was so enthusiastic and kept saying how she couldn’t wait for us to perform on her wedding day. She was so sweet! Who knew she also had a keen eye for wedding style?

Yamiley’s first big question, to me, was “Which classical wedding music group should I pick? The string quartet or the string trio?” I gave her all my tips (Which you can find here) and she decided to pick our wedding string trio with two violins and cello.

When we arrived for Yamiley and Marc’s wedding, we were absolutely floored. Our first view of the ceremony included an awe-inspiring floral display on the chuppah.

La Vie En Rose: Bold Wedding Florals

The bold, pink florals were a vivid reflection of Yamiley and Marc’s sweet and bold personalities. Credit goes to the incredibly talented OLuxeDesigns, whose creativity turned Avnenir’s wedding ceremony space into a wonderland of rose hues and romance. The stunning arrangements not only added to the visual splendor but also enhanced the overall ambiance of the celebration, continuing through the reception with high centerpieces, welcome table florals, and the bouquets.

If you’re a Real Housewives of Beverly Hills / Vanderpump rules fan, you might wonder: How fabulous are we talking? The answer: Lisa Vanderpump wishes she had these florals!

Wedding Ceremony Music by Classical Wedding Musicians: Pop String Covers of Modern Classics

The wedding party made their grand entrance to Taylor Swift’s "Wildest Dreams," evoking Bridgerton vibes. For the bride’s walk down the aisle, we performed "Can’t Help Falling in Love" by Elvis Presley (You might know the newest cover by KG, featured in Crazy Rich Asians). They created a memorable and heartfelt beginning to their union.

The pair had planned an interfaith wedding ceremony (Jewish and Catholic), to be co-officiated by their Rabbi and Reverend Father. The two spiritual leaders were quite the charismatic duo and worked together seamlessly.

Tips for Planning Your Interfaith Wedding Ceremony

Interfaith wedding ceremony at Avenir Walpole MA — Photo credit: Lee Asher Photography

If you’re a bride or groom planning an interfaith ceremony, it’s essential to consider the significant difference in timing. For reference…

A civil ceremony can run anywhere from 20-30 minutes (not counting processionals and recessionals). They often run longer if the couple opts to write their own vows or have special readings by friends and family members.

A Catholic mass is usually 45-60 minutes (leaning heavily on the latter), as it features multiple readings, hymns, and traditions like Communion, Offertory, and so on.

A Jewish wedding ceremony is usually around 45 minutes and features traditions like Circling (walking around the chuppah seven times), blessings in both Hebrew and English (The Seven Blessings), and a cantor who sings throughout.

Yamiley and Marc’s wedding beautifully blended Jewish and Catholic traditions, co-officiated by two spiritual leaders. This added depth and richness but also extended its length. Our friendly advice: allocate at least 45 minutes to an hour for your ceremony. Even if it’s not a full mass or service, remember that double the blessings mean double the time!

Mazel Tov! A Bridgerton cocktail hour

Interfaith Wedding Ceremony — Mazel Tov! Planned to perfection by Lavinia Paul Events

One the groom broke the glass, it was time to party at the cocktail hour. Our string trio brought a lively and elegant atmosphere during the cocktail hour with a curated set list. Our performance included upbeat pop tunes and selections from Bridgerton, adding a touch of modern flair and unexpected fun. To ensure every note was heard perfectly, we brought our custom amplification system, making sure the music flowed seamlessly throughout the space.

Looking to add Bridgerton music to your wedding day? Click here for everything you need to know about including Bridgerton wedding music on your special day.

Months later, I was scrolling on Instagram and discovered that I wasn’t the only one who loved their wedding day: Munaluchi Bride proudly featured it on their Instagram! It’s always a delight to see one of our beautiful couple’s wedding featured!

Yamiley and Marc’s wedding at Avenir was a testament to the beauty of blending traditions and personal touches. As classical wedding musicians who have performed for over 650 weddings, we were honored to provide the soundtrack to such a meaningful and joyful occasion. It was absolutely unforgettable.