Successful Wedding and Event Planning
Ideas have to be put some place for easy reference or they can become lost. In the creative process of planning a wedding (or any event) many ideas come all at once. An outline or itinerary sketch of one’s event early in planning shows sequence and can be used as a tool to help organize thoughts for later reference. With this done there is a place to put ideas as they come rushing forth. Because a special event starts with music and continues throughout the event we help sketch out the event from beginning to end so that music options can be discussed and ideas don’t get forgotten.
See: Choosing Wedding Ceremony Music
Talk to Sheila and Eric
of Elegant Music: 323-270-3650
Choosing Wedding Music on a busy schedule
It’s fun talking about music. Face to face conversation is best (or “by phone” for busy people). Really, it’s a collaboration.
We did this step over the phone for Stephanie and Christopher because of their film production schedules. While exchanging ideas about music Christopher sent me a link of “O Mio Babbino Caro” from the opera Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. This is a famous opera theme; absolutely beautiful! I started telling them that this piece has the line “give us your blessing we pray” where the bride’s father is dying and she is at her father’s bedside asking for his approval to marry the guy she wants to marry. Only thing is that Dad is not dying but faking it to persuade his daughter not to marry this guy and the daughter for all her pleading has decided to marry the guy anyway with or without her father’s approval! It’s an over the top comedic farce in Italian. Christopher then mentions another beautiful opera melody “Musette’s Waltz” also by Puccini. At this point I’m thinking “this guy knows his music”. So I stopped talking and started listening and found out this cinematographer played the piano when he was younger and I got the back story about how he played this piece for Stephanie when they were dating. A totally romantic moment! (The things I learn when I shut up and listen!) This second song became the perfect choice for the bride’s processional. See wedding ceremony program below.
Stephanie and Christopher chose the ensemble of String Trio for its classic look and standard classical repertoire and decided to add piano for the more contemporary cover tunes later at the cocktail hour. See: Music and Instrument Choices
Contact Elegant Music
for a free consultation and quote: 323-270-3650
Acoustics
Acoustics (noun)
1. The properties or qualities of a room or building that determine how sound is transmitted in it.
Wedding Ceremony in the Formal Garden @ Greystone Mansion
The wedding ceremony was held in the Formal Garden. This space is defined by stone walls that reflect sound naturally throughout the garden. The Trio sounded great in this location! The Trio moving to the Reflection Pond was joined by piano creating a Quartet for the cocktail hour. In both of these locations all of these factors came together: beautiful setting, live music, natural surfaces reflecting sound throughout the space. A perfect combination of design and function!
For more about acoustics see: Planning Wedding Ceremony Music and Acoustics
Wedding Ceremony, Formal Garden @ Greystone Mansion
Here is what we played:
3:30 – 4:00 PM Prelude music as guests arrive.
4:00 Processionals start on cue from coordinator: Natalie Sofer
Officiant
Groom with Parents
Mother of the Bride with Escort
8 Bridesmaids with 5 Groomsmen
1 Ring Bearer
Music: Largo, G.F. Handel
Bride and Father
Music: Musette’s Waltz, Puccini
Recessional
Music: Hornpipe from Water Music, G.F. Handel
Talk to DJ/Master of Ceremonies
Eric Zimmermann
323-270-3650
Working with Artists
This wedding was beautifully coordinated by Wedding Designer Natalie Sofer. Natalie helped Stephanie and Christoper put together a great team of vendors that fit their vision perfectly!
You don’t have to be an art director or cinematographer to plan a beautiful wedding; although I think the combined skills of a couple contribute to the beauty and success of their wedding. Whatever ones profession I think everyone becomes an artist and rises to the occasion of planning their wedding and enjoys creating something beautiful. And I have fun collaborating and making it happen.
Congratulations Stephanie and Christopher!
Sincerely, Eric Zimmermann
Elegant Music 626-797-1795