Congratulations Lisa and Derek!

I played for a Valentine's themed wedding at St. Mary's Chapel in uptown Charlotte. I always love an opportunity to play at St. Mary's because the acoustics are perfect for the harp, making the sound clear and rich. St. Mary's Chapel is over 100 years old and considered historic by the city with all of its original flooring and seating. It is quite charming and very popular for a smaller ceremony.

The chapel was decorated in red, white, and pink for Valentine's Day. There was a line of small tea candles held by crystal candle holders sitting on the railing behind me. The tiny pink and red candles added a sweet and romantic background for the couple. I played all of my favorite romantic classical pieces for the prelude such as Satie's "Gymnopedie" and "Spring" from the Four Seasons. (www.ncharp.com/music)

Lisa had chosen for the mothers to be seated to Pachelbel's Canon in D. The bridesmaids and 2 adorable flower girls entered to "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" by Bach. Lisa made a grand entrance across pink, red, and white flower petals to Beethoven's "Ode to Joy".

The couple had requested that I play their special song during the lighting of the unity candle. The song was Allison Kraus' "When You Say Nothing At All" and it adapted beautifully to the harp. I began playing softly as the minister spoke about the significance of a unity candle and then filled the chapel as the couple lighted the candle. I could hear the bride begin to cry as I played the chorus and when I finished I looked up at her and with tears in her eyes she quietly thanked me.

The couple made their recessional as husband and wife to the traditional "Wedding March". Following the ceremony I spoke briefly with the bride who told me that the music was "perfect". Here is the feedback that she left on my gigsalad profile: (http://www.gigsalad.com/nc_harp_charlotte)

"Kirsten was amazing. The music was perfect. I really wanted a specific song to be played, she arranged and learned the song just for our ceremony! The guests loved the elegance and class her music brought to our special day!"

The opportunity to enhance a couple's wedding day with music that will touch their hearts is the reason that I absolutely love my job!

Thank you to Lisa and Derek for inviting me to be a part of your special day. Best wishes for a wonderful future!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Congratulations Jessalyn and Jon!

I played for the wedding ceremony of Jessalyn and Jon on 12/19/09. Their ceremony was a beautiful and magical Christmas themed ceremony held at First United Methodist in Mt. Holly, NC. Jessalyn chose Christmas colors as her theme. The church was fully covered in beautiful gold Christmas decorations, the bridesmaids wore hunter green and carried lit candles down the aisle, and the bride and groom stood under an elaborate gold arch at the front of the church.

Jessalyn chose all Christmas music for the ceremony which went beautifully with her theme. I played such favorites as "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "What Child is This?" for the prelude. The mothers were seated to "Canon in D" by Pachelbel which is a favorite at weddings. The wedding party processed in to "Silent Night", setting the stage for the beautiful bride to make her entrance. Jessalyn, a former dancer, made her procession to "Simple Gifts" which was a joyful and uplifting bridal processional. There couldn't be a more perfect Christmas recessional than "Joy to the World" to begin the couple's new life together. The arrangement of "Joy to the World" that I chose was complete with elegant and dramatic glissandos, everyone's favorite sound on the harp. Guests were sent off to the tune of "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" as a postlude and perfect conclusion to a magical ceremony.

Thank you to Jessalyn and Jon for the opportunity to be a part of your special day!