The summer wedding season….
This time of year is as usual, particularly hectic, with bookings on 7 days out of 10. Over the weekend, we provided music for four weddings in places as far afield as Le Talbooth near Colchester, Northampton, Rhinefield House in the New Forest down in Hampshire and a little bit closer to home at the Manor of Groves Hotel in Hertfordshire.
With the weather being unsettled, we’ve had all sorts of requirements and last minute changes - with Saturday being particularly wet and the plans for the outdoor wedding were all moved inside. For the two hours we were due to play at the drinks reception, the string quartet had a much more central role and rather than being background music, we entertained the guests with a selection of energetic and upbeat pieces - this amused everyone so despite the fact that nobody could really go outdoors, everyone was able to forget about the horrible weather and enjoy something really different.
In contrast, the day before (Friday) the sun shone and we were able to make the most of the lovely setting at the Manor of Groves Hotel in Hertfordshire - complete with waterfall, manicured lawns, a covered pagoda for the ceremony and a bridal walkway which offered a real elegance to the proceedings. The couple had opted for a string duo and we had especially arranged a requested piece - Gabriel’s Oboe - for two instruments, so that it could be played during the signing of the register. The violin / viola duo was a very good choice for this setting, despite there being 100 guests as people were not always concentrated in one spot.
On Sunday, we entertained about 40 - 50 guests in the gardens of a private house belonging to a couple who had got married during the week. The event was very relaxed and we played a selection of traditional jazz, popular classics and chamber duo’s to create an elegant ambiance which many guests said was a real treat.
Another contrasting wedding followed on Monday with us playing for a church wedding in Essex - followed by a drinks reception at Le Talbooth- a nearby restaurant . The Priest and many guests commented how nice the quartet sounded within the acoustic of the church and the reception venue was equally suited to live music, as we were able to play next to a river with a large marquee for the guests.
Overall a very busy and fulfilling few days where we’ve met some wonderful people, and with the week ahead containing chamber music rehearsals and some recording sessions, it’s certainly one of the busiest periods of the year.
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