A Fairy Tale BARN Wedding!!

Yesterday could not have been a more perfect day for Bride Katie & Groom David!! The weather cooperated more than we could have hoped for... slight cloud cover, gentle breeze, comfortable temperatures and NO Rain!!

The farm property of Katie's parents was tranformed into a fun, relaxed and yet elegant wedding venue for the big day. White chairs were lined up for the ceremony overlooking the large pond. The aisle was lined with shepherd's hooks with hanging mason jars filled with simple daisies.

As guests arrived, they were served lemonade at the gazebo by the pool. Gift cards were placed in an antique suitcase.

The girls dresses were all made by the mother of the bride (as were all the decor items for the day!!) Dresses were short, all the same style but in different colours... royal blue, deep purple, fuschia and deep turquoise. The girls all carried bundles of wheat and lavendar... and they all wore cowboy boots! The guys sported tuxedos with vests & ties to match the girls. Four adorable children rounded out the bridal party.

After the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a signature cocktail called the "Striker" and many delicious varieties of appetizers. They also entertained themselves by visiting the "photobooth" and then playing various "garden games" such as bean bag toss, horseshoes, giant jenga, croquette, etc. The receiving line allowed guests to finally enter the barn... an incredible and amazing facility that the brides' parents have completely renovated to be an event space. The huge barn beams were lit up with strands of mini lights. The walls were decorated with a wide variety of antiquities and "country" decor. Long tables were set up with white linens and runners made of burlap. Place cards were also made of burlap. Centerpieces were assorted tin containers with ivy and purple flowers and raffia, as well as mason jars with sand and pillar candles.

The upper level of the barn seated a few other guests & wedding helpers - and this was also where the live band was set up. The "hub" of the barn was the uniquely designed "saloon" built right into the center of the barn. A very popular spot all evening!

The bride and groom were introduced into the reception, encircled by their bridal party holding sparklers... and then the couple proceeded to perform a well-choreographed first dance, much to everyone's delight & surprise!

A buffet meal was served at a tent outside, followed by homemade pies and carrot cake served in one part of the barn after. Local Band, 'Ziggy Jones' kept the crowd dancing to great music. Later in the evening, many homemade squares as well as some pizzas were put out for guests to enjoy. Several of the guests also enjoyed the fresh evening air around a huge bonfire with some musicians singing & playing guitars.

It was indeed a magical and special day - full of great memories and fun times with friends & family - a wedding day to remember!!

VENDORS:
Young Hearts Photographers www.younghearts.ca
Flowers from Holland Park Gardens Burlington www.hollandpark.com
Ziggy Jones Band (& DJ) http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ziggy-Jones/143124855718020?sk=wall
Its My Potty www.itsmypotty.com
Caterers from Oakville Conference Centre www.oakvilleconference.com

The Beauty of Live Music for your Wedding Ceremony

There is nothing quite like having a live musician performing at your wedding ceremony. Many times couples try to save a few bucks by using recorded music off an Ipod or MP3 player... but a live musicians adds such a special touch to the ceremony that recorded music can't touch.

When you use recorded music, you have to be so very careful with the cueing & timing... where do you actually start the song for the processional? How long do you need to play it for the bridal party to get down the aisle? Will the song be at a place that will be a "natural" fading out point? What will come on for the bride?
Sure couples have their favourite songs that they may want to use for the walk down the aisle - but often they fail to recognize that the length of the aisle & the time it will take to walk down it doesn't coincide well with the song!

And often, couples who use recorded music also just use "a cousin or friend" to control the music cueing, playing & fading out, which unfortunately doesn't always work out timing wise or doesn't transition smoothly.
Live musicians, however, are "in the moment". They are in the very center of the activity so they know exactly what is happening, and their flexibility allows them to be able to "go with the flow" of events. Sso if the bride is running late, or if the bridal party takes longer to walk down the aisle than expected, or if the flower girl has a meltdown part-way down the aisle and needs to be "rescued".... these are all situations that can cause mayhem to recorded music - but not to a live musician who will simply adapt the music to the situation. They can either cut a song short and provide a very smooth "natural" ending to the song, or they can extend the piece in order to avoid any "dead" space.

A live musician can see the need of the moment and quickly change their planned music in order to fill that need. And when you hire a musician who is passionate about their talent - then their presence and performance will only serve to grace & enhance your ceremony.
Because of this, I always recommend to my bridal couples that they find a live musician to take care of the ceremony music. Perhaps the ceremony is in a church and the church can provide you with an organist or pianist. If not, why not a string trio or a flutist or a classical guitarist or a violinist or a steel pannist. There are many great musicians out there who will do your wedding for a very reasonable cost - especially some that are not hugely well-known. Ask your ceremony venue for recommendations.
Or call a local church for suggestions (even if you aren't getting married at the church - often they have extremely gifted musicians who attend the church who are also willing to perform at ceremonies). Contact local music teachers or music schools or theatre companies... there are SO many gifted people who just need to be given a chance to showcase their talent for very inexpensive rates!


I have seen ceremonies (& often also the cocktail hours) serenaded by the following talented musicians who I would highly recommend:

Pianist/Soloist - Christie Latta (christielatta@gmail.com)
Pianist/Soloist - Andrea Gal (www.andreagal.ca)
Steel Pannist - Steve Perez (stepoo@sympatico.ca)
Steel Pannist - Kenn Lewis (www.kenlewis.com)
Harpist - Chantal Dube (info@chantaldube.com)
Harpist - Kristen Theriault (kristen@harpnoise.com)

I was also this week just introduced to a very talented, young Harpist that I have yet to hear in person, but who I've seen on YouTube - and who impresses me greatly! Her name is Camille Inston - check her out! (http://web.me.com/camilleintson/harp/Home.html)

Take some time to consider the theme, the tone, the beauty of your ceremony (& cocktail hour) and then consider how the right musician will just add that personal, classy touch to the event!