A Classic Connecticut Midsummer Celebration | Dana & Corey’s Saint Clements Castle Wedding

A Classic Connecticut midsummer celebration overlooking the Connecticut River Valley

A quick hello

Photo by Nikki Estephan

Hello, I’m Ariana—founder of Ariana Strings. Over the past 15 years, our team has had the honor of performing for over 800 weddings, designing live music experiences that feel intentional, elevated, and deeply personal. We don’t share every wedding we’re part of—but when a couple’s energy, trust, and connection stay with us long after the last note fades, those are the days worth revisiting. Dana and Corey’s Saint Clements Castle wedding was certainly one of them.

From the very beginning, Dana and Corey’s July Saint Clements Castle wedding felt personal—grounded in real connection and genuine emotion that carried through every part of the day.

A Personal Connection

Dana and I bonded early on over our shared love of Cavalier King Charles spaniels—she has a tricolor, Dash, and I have a black-and-tan named Penelope. It made working together feel natural from the start.

When we arrived before the ceremony, Dana and Corey were posing alongside the wedding party. Seeing them felt less like a formal arrival and more like greeting old friends. We’re usually the ones putting couples at ease, but on this day, they welcomed us warmly and set the tone, carrying themselves with a calm, present energy. Every check-in and sound check was filled with laughter and it was a breath of fresh air. 

A Saint Clements Castle Wedding Ceremony Overlooking the Connecticut River Valley

The ceremony was held on the Waterford side of Saint Clements Castle, where guests walk down the hill to find sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley. The setting is classic Connecticut—lush, tall trees, abundant natural florals, and a winding river that truly needs to be experienced in person.

Dana and Corey requested our string quartet with concert sound design for their ceremony and cocktail hour, as well as full ceremony sound, ensuring every word and musical moment carried clearly across the hillside. Thoughtful placement and sound design allowed the music to breathe in the open air while remaining warm and intimate for guests.

Prelude Music That Set the Tone

Prelude music established a welcoming, joyful atmosphere as guests arrived and took in the view. Dana and Corey wanted selections that bridged upbeat and romantic, featuring a healthy dose of Disney alongside modern love songs by Taylor Swift and The Beatles. 

The intention was to create ease and anticipation—music that felt celebratory and familiar while fitting seamlessly into a black-tie setting.

Wedding Ceremony Music with an Emotional Arc

The ceremony unfolded with carefully chosen music that reflected Dana and Corey’s personalities and built a meaningful emotional arc.

The groom entered to the Star Wars Throne Room, a confident, tongue-in-cheek choice that brought smiles and set a lighthearted tone. Then everything shifted. Family members and the wedding party processed to For Good from Wicked, a song rooted in unconditional friendship and gratitude.

What followed brought tears to everyone’s eyes. Dana’s entrance was set to Come What May from Moulin Rouge, intentionally saved as a surprise for the groom. As she appeared at the top of the aisle, Corey’s reaction was immediate and emotional—and when we saw his eyes well up, we couldn’t help but tear up too.

The couple shared a unity ceremony set to Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley, followed by a joyful recessional to L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole, sending guests into cocktail hour with spring in their step.

A Saint Clements Castle Cocktail Hour Concert

Cocktail hour took place under the newly renovated covered patio overlooking the Connecticut River Valley, offering guests uninterrupted views as the afternoon light softened.

We provided our signature concert sound design for cocktail hour, creating an immersive musical experience that remained perfectly balanced for conversation. The playlist flowed effortlessly between genres, including:

• Bridgerton-inspired arrangements

• 2000s pop and modern love songs

• Classic and contemporary jazz

• A few special requests from the couple, including Howl’s Moving Castle

The result was a cocktail hour that felt elevated, relaxed, and perfectly suited to the setting.

Why Saint Clements Castle Is the Perfect Setting for Classical Wedding Musicians

A Saint Clements Castle wedding offers architectural beauty, elevation, and sweeping Connecticut River Valley views, making it an exceptional setting for live music. When classical wedding musicians are thoughtfully integrated into the aesthetic and supported with proper sound design, the music becomes an integral part of the whole experience rather than a background element.

Dana and Corey’s wedding was elegant, emotional, and deeply personal. We were honored to provide their wedding day music and truly look forward to finally introducing Dash and Penelope for the perfect play date.