A Harp at Your Wedding

What more romantic instrument is there than the harp? Its supremely elegant harmonic curves and delicate romantic sound lend a sophistication difficult to match.

In the generous acoustic of a church the harp can fill the air with music. For a civil ceremony, in a hotel perhaps, the harp can transport you beyond the mundane surroundings and make a real sense of occasion, setting the mood, at first of solemnity before the ceremony, imposing for the entry of the bride, then romantic when the register is being signed and finally joyful as the new couple leave.

At the drinks reception the gentle sound of the harp both permits and provokes conversation and entertains the tongue-tied guests who know no-one but the happy couple. Granny loves the old songs, the mechanically minded are intrigued by all the moving pedals and discs and children are fascinated by the sound.

At the wedding breakfast the harp again allows conversation to flow uninterrupted but also allows guests to eat without worrying about keeping the conversation going.

It would probably be too much to have harp music at all three stages. If the drinks are to be served in the garden it might be better to have the harp music during the meal as the sound of the harp dies quickly outside.

Jenny has played at more than a hundred weddings, sometimes for the ceremony and sometimes for the reception or both, at all sorts of venues including Blenheim Palace, Hever Castle, Ascot Royal Enclosure, Stansted House, Avington Park, Wentworth Golf Club, The Vineyard, Stockcross, Combe Manor, Hotel du Vin, Winchester, Walpole House, Strawberry Hill, and on board the New Orleans, but also at the bride’s farmhouse home!

Background music is chosen from a range of different styles including light classical Spanish, French and English music, favourite songs from the shows and opera, classic favourites, transcriptions from lute and guitar repertoire.

  • John Thomas  Watching the Wheat  

Suggested harp music for wedding ceremonies

Entrance of the bride

  • Handel Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (shortened version)
  • Handel Chaconne (shortened version)
  • Wagner Bridal March (Lohengrin)
  • Pachelbel`s Canon (shortened version)

Signing the register

  • Debussy First Arabesque
  • Hasselmans La Source  
  • Thomas Love`s Fascination
  • Grainger Bridal Lullaby (featured in ‘Howard`s End’)
  • Tournier Sonatine Slow Movement

Exit of the bride and groom

  • Francisque Bransles
  • Mendelssohn Wedding March (Midsummer Night’s Dream)
  • Handel Harp Concerto Finale
  • Handel Arrival of the Queen of Sheba (full version)

Feedback

‘Really chilly!’

‘Thank you so much for playing the harp so beautifully at our wedding.  We are so glad that we decided to enlist your services as we feel that it really made it special.’

 ‘thank you for the wonderful music at our wedding.  Many of our guests have commented on your lovely playing and also on the quality of your harp.’

 ‘Thank you so much for your beautiful playing of the harp, it was a lovely contribution to the day’s events – lots of friends have said to me how nice it was to hear the harp playing as they arrived – and how they enjoyed it during the meal – not too loud, not too soft – it was perfect!’

 ‘You played so beautifully that a number of guests commented on not having heard a harp played so well before.  You really did give the place the ambience that it needed and you helped to make the day all that much more special for us.’

 ‘We wanted to thank you for making our memorable service so perfect. From the moment I walked in to the time we signed the register and walked out, you turned the air magical and we will never forget that.’