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I had the best time playing for Kim and Ryan’s wedding at Cross Creek Ranch! I know, I know... I always blog about how much I love Cross Creek Ranch. I can’t help it! Every time I visit there is something new. Kim and Ryan had their wedding ceremony under the majestic old oak tree. Whimsical lanterns hung from it’s branches. The florals that adjourned the arch where incredible. This ceremony site is one of my favorites! Speaking of favorites, my favorite thing about this wedding was the bride’s entrance. Kim was escorted down the aisle by her parents AND her brother. Her brother walked out in front of Kim, and her parents were on each of Kim’s arms. When they walked, they sort of formed a triangle. When they reached the start of the aisle, her brother walked down by himself, then the stunning bride made her grand entrance. I LOVED this, I thought it was so special...but that’s not even the best part! The couple requested I play “I Need My Girl” by The National (now you understand the title of the blog!). If you could only have seen the bridal party’s reaction when I began playing the song. There were snickers, oohs, and shocked surprises. I couldn’t have hoped for a better reaction! It was obvious how very special this song was to the couple and I was so happy to learn it for them! This wedding was the perfect combination of sweet and fun! Kim and Ryan had the best bridal party! It was a large bridal party and they all seemed like best friends. While playing the cocktail hour, I got to observe the guests. Everyone was laughing, joking, and having the best time. I’m so thankful to have been a part of this special wedding! Wishing Kim and Ryan a lifetime of laughter and love. P.S. This nature lover was excited to see a banded water snake beneath the bridge! :) Rebecca and Austin had THE perfect wedding! They tied the knot at one of my favorite venues, the Outback Oasis. This place is truly an oasis and the perfect venue for a wedding. The lush landscaping, filled with butterfly attracting plants, was the perfect backdrop for the ceremony! I’m not exaggerating when I say that Rebecca was the most easy going and relaxed bride I’ve ever met. She had such a great attitude about her wedding day and because of that she was able to REALLY enjoy marrying Austin. It was so obvious how excited Rebecca and Austin were to marry each other. I don’t think I saw Rebecca without a huge smile the entire evening. Did I mention how incredibly stunning she looked besides? The couple choose to have an intimate wedding ceremony and reception filled with only their closest family and friends. I was delighted to have been asked to play the entire wedding, ceremony and reception. At the end of the night, I felt like part of the family. My favorite parts of the wedding were all of the sentimental details they included. Rebecca’s grandfather married the couple. They toasted with the same champagne glasses that Rebecca’s parents used at their wedding. They also had their first dance to “At Last”, beautifully song by their cousin (A capella and she rocked it!). I don’t think there was a dry eye around. Rebecca and Austin were the sweetest and I’m so thankful to have been included in such a special time of their lives. I had the honor to play for Laura and Greg’s special day at the gorgeous Sunken Gardens in St Petersburg. Sunken Gardens is a historical gem and this was my first time playing at this beautiful venue. I had been looking forward to playing for Laura and Greg. The sweet couple had requested a special song, “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones. Initially, I wasn’t sure how this song would sound on the harp. Some “guitar-y” songs don’t always translate the best but I LOVED how it turned out. I’m pretty sure Laura is a model. She was the most stunning bride! Greg said to her “you’re going to end up on a bridal magazine”. I’m pretty sure he’s right! (Hey Laura, are you published yet?) The ceremony was great and full of laughter. The couple chose an old friend of Greg’s to officiate the ceremony. I’m pretty sure he’s a comedian because I, and all of the guests, couldn’t stop laughing. The wedding party consisted of the couple’s daughters. I love witnessing the merging of families. My favorite part of the day was watching the daughters interact with each other. It was obvious that they were good friends. They were acting like BFF’s, giggling and talking with each other. (Insert Heart Eye emoji) My heart was so happy. <3 After the ceremony I had the pleasure of entertaining the guests during cocktail hour. These guests were SO fun! It’s enjoyable for me to talk with the guests and interact with them while I’m playing. It’s nice to not be ignored! Lol I’m so grateful that this beautiful family choose me to share their wedding day with me. I wish Laura, Greg, and their girls the best on their new adventure together. (OH and my phone died at the wedding so I didn’t get to take many pictures. :( I was also “that one-person” taking pictures with a giant iPad. ) Casey and Kenneth had the most beautiful, intimate wedding ever. In my opinion, everything about their day was perfect! The weather was just right! Since it was in the morning, it was a little cooler, not too hot. The ceremony took place on the North Straub Park lawn and had the best views of the bay. The gorgeous Banyan tree was the perfect backdrop for the ceremony. The couple had donuts and coffee waiting for the guests when they arrived to the ceremony location. You know it’s going to be a great wedding if there are donuts, am I right? The bride, groom, and flower girl arrived to the site by a horse-drawn carriage. I’m a sucker for the classic, romantic details like that. I played “Game of Thrones” for the processional (how fun!) and the classic “Pachelbel's Canon” for the bride. Casey was absolutely breathtaking and obviously so happy to be marrying her groom. I don’t think she could stop smiling! After the ceremony, a brunch followed at the very elegant Museum of Fine Art’s Membership Garden. The museum is stunning and the harp was perfect there! One of my absolute favorite things about this wedding… the couple had “newspapers” at each table setting that had stories and facts about the couple. I wish I grabbed one to read! This was the first time I had seen something like this and I loved the idea so much! I had so much playing for this Casey and Kenneth’s wedding. I wish the lovely couple a lifetime of love and adventure! I LOVE playing at the beautiful Bryan Glazer Family JCC. When you walk up to the venue you’re greeted with these incredible, artistic, slanted glass windows. Rachel and David had a trolley waiting out front. What a great way to transport the bridal party to the venue! It also makes for some really cool pictures! In a traditional Jewish wedding the bride and groom take part in the signing of the Ketubah. The couple’s closest family and friends were witness to this intimate ceremony. I felt like an intruder during this special moment and stepped out of the ceremony site. I did get to peek in on it and it was definitely a special thing to witness. Rachel looked absolutely breathtaking!! I loved all the accents and details the couple thought of. The drapery, greenery, and the wedding color (burgundy/wine) were perfect! The couple used all live music for the wedding which was AMAZING. I was there for the ceremony, a saxophonist for the cocktail hour, and a band for the reception. THE BAND! They were amazing. The band was rehearsing/warming up while I was setting up. They played “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now”. I just so happened to hear that song, which I haven’t heard in forever, on the way to the venue. This made my day, what are the chances? Definitely a sign of good things to come, in my opinion! I’m so thankful that Rachel and David included me in such a special and beautiful wedding! Wishing them all the best! Shoutout to the amazing Melanie from Chantilly Chic Celebrations for being amazing!! I love her! :) |
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Kristen Elizabeth
Thank you for visiting my blog! Check out my entries for pictures and summaries of all my weddings and event performances. A great place for ideas and sharing! Archives
May 2019
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