Classical Elegance Meets Pure Joy at Water’s Edge Wedding | Gina & Justin

Credit: Mindy Briar Photography

Classical Wedding Musicians Elevate a Waterfront Celebration in Westbrook, Connecticut

Where classical elegance meets pure, unapologetic fun.

Some weddings are refined. Some weddings are a party.

Gina and Justin’s The Water’s Edge Resort and Spa wedding said, why not both? And honestly—elite choice.

From the first note of prelude music to the last kiss by the water, Gina and Justin’s Water’s Edge wedding was a masterclass in balancing elegance and fun. Set at the quintessential New England beachfront venue, The Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, their day unfolded with curated pacing — classy and romantic at the start, then joyfully unfiltered on the dance floor.

This is exactly what happens when couples trust experienced classical wedding musicians to design music that supports the full arc of the day.

Waters Edge Wedding Ceremony Music Designed for the Setting

The ceremony took place on the lawn, facing the water—an ideal backdrop for an intimate yet expansive waterfront celebration. The palette was clean and timeless: whites and greens in the florals, with soft pops of blue woven throughout.

The music was designed to feel immersive and intentional. Every note carried clearly across the setting, allowing guests to feel fully present for each moment, from the opening prelude through the final vows. This kind of thoughtful concert sound design is especially important for waterfront ceremonies, where the environment is as dynamic as it is beautiful.

Waterfront ceremonies come with their own unique considerations, and this is where experience truly matters. From environmental elements to guest comfort, every detail must be anticipated so the ceremony feels effortless rather than exposed.

Gina and Justin’s ceremony was a perfect example of how thoughtful planning and professional execution allow couples to fully enjoy the moment without ever having to think about what’s happening behind the scenes.

As guests arrived, we curated a prelude that blended classical favorites with romantic pop selections—music that felt familiar, emotional, and elevated. This is one of our favorite approaches as wedding ceremony musicians, especially for outdoor waterfront settings where atmosphere matters just as much as sound.

A Thoughtful Processional with Heart (and Personality)

The family processional began to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, immediately setting a joyful yet classic tone. Justin’s sister and grandmother entered first, followed by his parents, then Gina’s mom and brother.

Justin made his entrance next, followed by their ring bearer—two years old and completely stealing the show.

Gina’s entrance was one of the most memorable moments of the day. She and her dad walked to “Here Comes the Sun,” by The Beatles. Their path led down the central stairs, looped around the walkway, and finally reached the aisle. The extended walk allowed the music to fully build, creating a cinematic, emotional entrance that felt perfectly suited to a Water’s Edge wedding ceremony.

The recessional,“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” by Stevie Wonder, shifted the energy immediately, sending guests into celebration mode with big smiles all around.

Classical Wedding Musicians with a Seamless Musical Flow

One of the defining elements of this day was the musical design. The groom mentioned how much he loves piano, and partway through the planning process, he asked if it could be incorporated and, of course, the answer was yes.

We took his love of piano and crafted an experience where, as guests explored the property, the music evolved naturally with them. This kind of seamless pacing is where experienced classical wedding musicians truly shine. Rather than treating each portion of the day as a standalone moment, the music was curated as a continuous experience, maintaining atmosphere and emotional momentum throughout.

Water’s Edge Wedding Cocktail Hour: Waterfront Wedding Music with Intention

For cocktail hour, the couple wanted the music to begin firmly rooted in classical elegance with opera favorites, selections from the Romantic and Baroque eras, waltzes, before gently moving into more familiar love songs later in the hour.

We wove in pieces like:

• La Vie En Rose

• My Girl by The Temptations

• Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers

• Can’t Help Falling in Love

The couple had one extra special request: “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison.

We saved it for last and it was perfect.

We began playing it as each of the guests passed by our ensemble, entering the reception. What remained as they filtered out was an intimate moment—just Gina and Justin, misty-eyed, sharing a kiss while the musicians serenaded them. It felt like a private concert. Moments like this are exactly why live music matters.

“Ariana and her team were AMAZING to work with! We loved how easy the process was and how fun it was to work with her to select our music. Our guests were floored by their talent as they played for our ceremony and cocktail hour. As we were heading to our reception, they played one last song for just the two of us, which made it extra special! We can't thank Ariana and her team enough for making our day so beautiful!”

-Gina, Water’s Edge Resort and Spa Bride

Switching Gears

The first half of the wedding day leaned fully into timeless elegance—classical ceremony music, refined waterfront cocktail hour vibes, and thoughtful pacing throughout.

And then came the reception.

Gina changed into a short wedding dress, swapped heels for sneakers, and topped it all off with a custom white baseball cap featuring her new last name. From that moment on, it was clear: this couple was here to have fun.

The dance floor was packed, the energy was infectious, and Gina and Justin were clearly having the time of their lives. It was the perfect contrast to the refined start of the day—and proof that a Water’s Edge Wedding can be both luxurious and wildly joyful.

A Water’s Edge Wedding: Best of Both Worlds

Gina and Justin’s celebration showed how powerful it is to pair a stunning waterfront venue with intentional music design. With experienced classical wedding musicians guiding the ceremony and cocktail hour, their wedding felt elevated, emotional, and personal while still leaving plenty of room to let loose when it mattered most.

This Water’s Edge wedding struck the balance beautifully and we were honored to be part of it.