Weddings
I would love to be a part of your special day! For many years, I’ve been playing at weddings as both a solo violinist, and as a member of small ensembles.
I play classical, pop, oldies, country, and more! If you have specific songs in mind, I’d be happy to play them; or, I can suggest songs for you.
No matter what your need is, I can fill it. Below is a list of typical options for a wedding, but I can always craft something to make your special day extraordinary.
Interested in a wedding?
Package Options
Prelude
30 minutes before the ceremony starts, I’ll play background music as guests converse and take their seats.
Cocktail Hour
While the wedding party takes photos, I’ll play a variety of classical or crowd-pleasing pop songs as background music for your guests.
Ceremony
Processionals, accompaniment for soloists, or background music for unity candle/sand – All are part of my repertoire.
Reception
Whether your setting is small or large, I can provide background music during a meal, or for a formal first dance, such as a waltz.
Instruments
If you’d like multiple instruments at your event, I can certainly arrange that. Here are a few, but certainly not all, of the available options:
Violin
A single violin adds an air of sophistication to any event.
Cello
Violin and cello together furnish a complex, yet refined sound.
Viola
Together, violin, viola, and cello provide a full-bodied range, and can play more complex arrangements.
Harp
A professional harpist provides a relaxing and magical ambiance.
*Instruments are subject to musician availability.
Ensemble Types
If you’d like multiple instruments at your event, I can certainly arrange that. Here are a few (but certainly not all) of the available options:
Solo Violin
A single violin adds an air of sophistication to any event.
String Duo
Violin and cello together furnish an intricate, yet refined sound.
String Trio
Violin, viola, and cello provide a full-bodied range, and can play more complex arrangements.
Solo (Other)
Just a single cello or harp can fill the atmosphere with elegance.
*All ensemble bookings are subject to musician availability.
Mrs. Lisl Doughton (pictured, left) is a Masters-level cellist from Boone, NC who often accompanies me at weddings and other events.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Typically, wedding music involves a 30-minute prelude for guests to enjoy as they converse and take their seats, and then accompaniment for the formal entrance and exit of the wedding party.
- Some couples also request congregational hymn(s) or a piece during during the ceremony, or music for a unity candle/sand ceremony/etc.
- Musicians remain seated, but do not play, during the spoken parts of the ceremony.
- All of the above is included in a basic wedding package.
- Often, guests also want to have live music during a cocktail/photo hour, during a dinner, or for a formal first dance at a reception.
Most ceremonies include:
- Prelude music (30 minutes // typically about 8-10 pieces)
- We can choose this if you’d like
- Family seating (grandparents and mothers)
- Wedding party processional (bridesmaids, groomsmen, ring bearer, flower girl)
- Bridal processional
- Hymns, unity candle, or sand ceremony if applicable
- Recessional (wedding party exits)
- Postlude (guests exit)
We are happy to help choose music! Let us know if you would like any assistance, or if you your service order looks different than what is detailed above.
Absolutely. Please see below for some examples. Of course, I or an ensemble can play nearly any piece you request!
A cocktail hour is time between the wedding ceremony and reception, while the newlyweds and family take pictures, sign the marriage license, and enjoy a few moments alone.
During the cocktail hour, I’ll play a mix of pop and classical tunes (suited to your preferences) to serve as background music, creating a pleasant atmosphere while the guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres and/or drinks.
At a wedding reception, I can play for a variety of events, including:
- First Dance – a waltz or a pop tune
- Father/Daughter or Mother/Son dance
- Background music to entertain guests during a meal
I will work closely with you to determine what will fit best with your special event!
Most of the time, I don’t attend the rehearsal for the wedding. However, it brings peace of mind to some, as it allows for a full run-through of the ceremony.
If the ceremony includes any special music to go along with a rope-tying/candle-lighting/rice-pouring/etc., it could be helpful to be able to time that part of the ceremony to ensure smooth transitions. It is also potentially helpful to time the entrances of the wedding party.
If you choose not to have musicians attend the ceremony; rest assured, professional musicians are flexible enough to accommodate almost anything at a moment’s notice!
Absolutely! I can arrange ensembles with a variety of instruments, including violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, vocals, acoustic guitar, and more. Let me know what you would like for your event, and I will check the availability of my colleagues and fit something to your needs.
- A solo string player adds an air of sophistication to any event, and is especially suitable for smaller spaces or more intimate weddings. Familiar melodies and J.S. Bach partitas or suites provide a contemplative atmosphere.
- A string duo (consisting of a violin and cello) doubles the sound of a soloist, adding a bass line and a greater variety of rhythm. A violin and cello duo can play a wide variety of classical pieces and pop tunes, and do not require much space to set up.
- A string trio consists of a violin, viola, and cello. The viola’s range is inbetween that of a violin and cello, and together, the three parts provide even richer harmonies and rhythms. (By special request, we may be able to put on a full string trio concert, including works by Beethoven, Schubert, Dohnanyi, and Francaix.)
- A string quartet brings impressive four-part harmony and complex rhythm to your special event – it’s like having a miniature orchestra! There is a wide repertoire available for string quartet – not only classical pieces, but pop arrangements that sound like the real thing.
Contact me for more info about booking multiple musicians.
For recordings of Faith playing violin, please visit the Performance page. For recordings of Faith (violin) and Lisl (cello) together, please click here [link coming soon].
I play at venues of all colors, shapes, and sizes! Here are a few of the venues I’ve played, organized by location and type:
NC High Country – Boone // Blowing Rock // Jefferson // Banner Elk // Linville // Elkin // Spruce Pine
- Chetola
- Eagle’s Nest
- Twickenham
- The Barn on New River
- Blue Ridge Mountain Club
- Westglow Resort and Spa
- The Sky Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains
- The Inn at Crestwood
- The Horton Hotel
- Overlook Barn
- The Mill at Rock Creek
- Mast Farm Inn
- Coley Hall at The Liberty
- Blowing Rock Country Club
- Summit on Cross Mountain
- Sky Valley
Western NC – Asheville // Spruce Pine // Lake Lure // Marshall
Hickory, NC
Churches
- Alliance Bible Fellowship – Boone, NC
- Boone United Methodist Church – Boone, NC
- First Baptist Church – Granite Falls, NC
- Waldensian Presbyterian Church – Valdese, NC
- Mt. Zion Lutheran Church – Conover, NC
Music Examples
Here is a small selection of the songs I’ve played at past weddings. I can, of course, play almost anything that fulfills your musical wishes. I can also suggest songs if you aren’t sure of what you’d like.
Prelude
- Hymns – Miscellaneous
- Minuet – Mozart
- Water Music – Handel
- Dance of the Blessed Spirits – Gluck
- Arioso – Bach
- Chanson De Nuit – Elgar
- Chanson De Matin – Elgar
- Morning Prayer – Tchaikovsky
- Minuet in G – Bach
- Bist du bei mir – Bach
- Hornpipe from Water Music – Handel
- Spring – Vivaldi
- Danza Pastorale –Vivaldi
- Largo from “The Four Seasons” – Vivaldi
- Sheep May Safely Graze – Bach
- Waltz – Johannes Brahms
- Thanks Be To God – Handel
- Wachet Auf – Bach
- Music for the Royal Fireworks – Handel
- Te Deum (Trumpet Tune) – Marc-Antoine Charpentier, arr. Lynne Latham
If you have a specific song in mind, I can absolutely play it.
Ceremony/Reception
- Canon in D – Pachelbel
- Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring – Bach
- Trumpet Tune – Henry Purcell
- Trumpet Voluntary – Jeremiah Clarke
- Meditation from Thais – Jules Massenet
- Air on the G String – Bach
- Pie Jesu – Gabriel Fauré
- La Rejouissance – Handel
- Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier – Bach
- Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel
- Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 – Bach
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- Eleanor Rigby – The Beatles
- Hello Goodbye – The Beatles
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
- All You Need is Love – The Beatles
- Stand by Me – Ben E. King
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
- Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
- Hey Jude – The Beatles
- All Of Me – John Legend
- Palladio – Karl Jenkins
- I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton
- Marry Me – Train
- Now I See the Light – Alan Menken
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Make You Feel My Love – Bonnie Rait
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Clocks – Coldplay
- When You Say Nothing At All – Alisson Krauss & Union Station
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri