When to have a harpist play?

[zoebartlett]

We have just asked a family friend if she would be interested in playing the harp at our wedding. She lives far away from us so I wanted to give her plenty of time to think about it and see if it''s doable for her. This woman was asking me what part of the ceremony I''d want her to play and I have absolutely no idea. What do you think would be good? Pre-ceremony? While I''m walking down the aisle? During the cermony at some point? I''d like her to enjoy the cocktail hour and not feel as though she''s missing anything, so I''d rather not have her play during that. Otherwise, anything would be fine, but I''m not sure what would be good. Any thoughts?

I also have no idea what music we''re interested in. I''m terrible at knowing music, especially classical. Clueless, really. I have no idea what to suggest she play.

 

[E B]

zoe,

I would think before the ceremony, during (as you and family walk down the aisle), as you and your *husband* are walking up the aisle, and perhaps a bit after, as people are leaving the ceremony site. That's when we're hiring a string duo or trio to play.

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks Ebree! Do you think it would be wise to have her be the only one playing? We haven''t gotten far in thinking about the ceremony, but we wondered if we should also look into a trio or duo as well. That could get tricky though -- our friend would have to coordinate with the others (she wouldn''t know them). We want it to be easy for her.

Also, our ceremony would be outside on the grounds of a restaurant. We need to make sure there''s a good flat space for her harp. There is a deck off the restaurant, and she could possibly play there. I''m just not sure the harp would be heard well. It''s not a great distance between the ceremony spot and the deck but it may be enough that it could be hard to hear her music.

 

[So_happy]

The Knot has a full list of recommended classical songs to play during all the "parts" to a ceremony..........if you do decide you want classical, which would probably sound great on a harp anyway.

My question is what did your friend mean when she asked which parts? The only part I can see not having any music to would be when you''re actually taking your vows. Hmm.......

 

[Independent Gal]

Here''s a thought: In terms of what music she should play, I suggest you ask her for her ideas and suggestions to begin. It''s lots of work for a musician to learn lots of new pieces, which means if you want pieces she doesn''t already know, you may be placing serious demands on her time.

So maybe start by asking her "are there pieces you know that you would like to play?" Then see if you like them. You can hear a taste of most things at the iTunes store for free.

 

[E B]

I don't know how it'd work re: her coordinating with others (she'd definitely need to weigh in), but a harp sounds beautiful on it's own, IMO.

If you want to listen to samples of harpists playing traditional/contemporary wedding songs, many professional harpists include sound bites on their webpages, like this woman:

Harp Samples

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 7/8/2007 11:59:50 AM
Author: Independent Gal
Here''s a thought: In terms of what music she should play, I suggest you ask her for her ideas and suggestions to begin. It''s lots of work for a musician to learn lots of new pieces, which means if you want pieces she doesn''t already know, you may be placing serious demands on her time.

So maybe start by asking her ''are there pieces you know that you would like to play?'' Then see if you like them. You can hear a taste of most things at the iTunes store for free.

I really like this! I''ll admit that as long as it''s pretty (which it will be), I really don''t care what''s played. I say that because I don''t know classical music, but my parents'' friend does. My FI has a few in mind of ones he''s heard and liked at other weddings but he can''t remember what they are. We''ll probably rely on her suggestions. Thanls!

 

[akw94]

Date: 7/8/2007 11:41:51 AM
Author: EBree
zoe,


I would think before the ceremony, during (as you and family walk down the aisle), as you and your *husband* are walking up the aisle, and perhaps a bit after, as people are leaving the ceremony site. That''s when we''re hiring a string duo or trio to play.

I would agree with this. We''re having violinist play and she''s doing the same. I also agree w/asking her what she suggests for the ceremony. I''m sure she''ll have plenty of ideas that you can choose from. Will you be able to hear her play before the ceremony? If you do, she can play samples that you can pick from. My violinist did this and we agreed on many of the choices that she had and also agreed to let her pick and play what she thinks is appropriate for before and after the ceremony, given that she knows the kind of stuff that I like.
As for whether to have her and others, I''m not sure. Sorry! I think a harpist would be beautiful on its own though.

 

[ladyciel]

Hmmmmm, my first thought was how is she going to get her harp there since she lives so far away. Is she driving? Secondly, she probably asked about when you wanted her to play because although there are obvious times she COULD play, it wouldn''t be right to assume you wanted her to do all the music and that would have a big impact on how long she would be performing. Keep in mind you''ll probably want pre-ceremony music for half an hour or so, since that''s the time guests will mostly likely start arriving. If you don''t mind if the music isn''t already going when people arrive, then that''s fine, but be sure you work out with your family friend how much time she''ll need to fill with her selections! (and also be sure she understand what you''re asking for - she may have an upper limit to how long she really wants to play)

I''m sure the harp on its own will be really lovely - I wouldn''t worry about getting an ensemble together unless your friend isn''t keen on doing all the music by herself.

 

[zoebartlett]

Date: 7/8/2007 6:04:00 PM
Author: ladyciel
Hmmmmm, my first thought was how is she going to get her harp there since she lives so far away. Is she driving? Secondly, she probably asked about when you wanted her to play because although there are obvious times she COULD play, it wouldn''t be right to assume you wanted her to do all the music and that would have a big impact on how long she would be performing. Keep in mind you''ll probably want pre-ceremony music for half an hour or so, since that''s the time guests will mostly likely start arriving. If you don''t mind if the music isn''t already going when people arrive, then that''s fine, but be sure you work out with your family friend how much time she''ll need to fill with her selections! (and also be sure she understand what you''re asking for - she may have an upper limit to how long she really wants to play)

I''m sure the harp on its own will be really lovely - I wouldn''t worry about getting an ensemble together unless your friend isn''t keen on doing all the music by herself.

All good points. I didn''t want her to have to coordinate with any other musicians, and although I think the music would sound fantastic, I think I''ll just ask her and no one else. The DJ will be there also by that point and I could use him as back up if needed. If she wants to play the whole thing, that''s fine but I don''t want to assume. I should mention that the ceremony will be approx. 20-30 minutes, tops.

I had thought of the distance thing too. They live in NC (just moved there from NH), we live in NH (as do her daughter''s family), and the wedding''s in Maine. I just talked to my mom about this and apparently, they want to rent a house up here for a month every summer so they can easily visit family and friends. This woman''s harp would be at home in NC but my mom just told me that she''d use her instructor''s harp in NH. It sounds confusing I know, but I don''t think it would be too much. Plus, if it looks like it''s too much to coordinate, she can always say no. I''ve asked but I haven''t gotten an answer yet. I''m just trying to think ahead.

 

[FireGoddess]

We had a single harpist. She played while guests were milling about (before the ceremony - it was an outdoor ceremony), during the entrance of the bridal party and the bride, during the departure of the bridal party after the ceremony, and during the cocktail hour.

 

[Skippy123]

Paging Zoe!!! You are wanted in who''s who