Elegant Wedding Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado: Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello Quartet

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

On a beautiful summer day, our flute, violin, viola, and cello quartet played for an elegant and modern wedding ceremony at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado. The ceremony was held in the newer event space called The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn. This is a gorgeous building with a wall that opens up completely to showcase stunning mountain views from the comfort of the indoors. As musicians, we love the lively acoustics in the room.

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

As guests arrived, our quartet joyfully welcomed them, beginning with traditional classical music, and easing into romantic and slow contemporary music as the ceremony time drew closer.

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

In the middle of the ceremony, the couple performed a time capsule unity ceremony, and they took their time as we played “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. This song selection delighted many of their family members, who told us later that they recognized the song and loved the sweet moment.

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

After the ceremony, we moved downstairs as guests enjoyed refreshments during the cocktail hour. We played a mix of classical and contemporary music, keeping the feel upbeat with lively Mozart Divertimentos, Coldplay songs, and other popular favorites.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
All of Me (John Legend): Seating of the Family
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri): Wedding Party, Rignbearer, Flower Girl
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis): Bride
Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith): Unity Ceremony (Time Capsule)
Marry You (Bruno Mars): Recessional

Sample Music from the Prelude and Cocktail Hour:
Menuet Op. 11 No. 5 (Boccherini), At Last (Etta James), Salut D’Amour (Elgar), Reign of Love (Coldplay), Diamonds (Rihanna), Divertimento in F (Mozart), Butterflies (Kacey Musgraves), Divertimento in D (Mozart), Holy (Justin Bieber)

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn
Wedding Planner: A Touch of Bliss
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet
Photographer: J La Plante
Videographer: Wolf’s Video
Dessert: The Inventing Room
Florist: The Perfect Petal
Linens and Rentals: Colorado Party Rentals
Hair & Makeup: Doris Lew
Additional Decor/Specialty Lighting: Lighting and Design by Scott

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Our Flute and String Quartet is Sheer Elegance.

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by J. LaPlante

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

This bride was a very special client of mine because she’s not only a music lover, but she’s also a musician herself. The bride is an opera singer, and she comes from a very musical family, so the music portion of the ceremony was very important to the entire family. The mother of the bride particularly wanted to hear “Sheep May Safely Graze” with two flutes harmonizing at the top. We adjusted our normal quartet to include two flutes, along with a viola, and cello. The result was absolutely delightful and full of lighthearted joy!

From the Bride:

“Absolutely Beautiful”

“I can’t emphasize enough how much we enjoyed working with Christen as well as hearing her and the rest of the quartet at our wedding! Christen is super professional and also very flexible. We were able to have a quartet of two flautists, a cellist, and a violist and with the music we picked, it sounded absolutely magical. We used most of their repertoire list but Christen also was able to play a few extra pieces for us that weren’t, some from operas and some from movies that my husband and I have enjoyed watching together during our relationship. You will not regret hiring these wonderfully talented musicians. Thank you again Christen!”

Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

Listen to a Live Music Clip from the Wedding:

Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

The bride chose a prelude set list featuring classical music and music with vocals, including opera pieces. During the ceremony, several family members got up and sang, accompanied by Amy’s mom on the piano. The ceremony was fun, funny, and lighthearted.

The couple even printed their wedding music program (left) like a concert program, and included the songs that they selected for their prelude, in order. Everyone clapped for us between songs, just like a concert.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) - Wedding Party
I See the Light from Tangled - Bride
Wedding March (Mendelssohn) - Recessional

Experience the Joy of the Flute (or two flutes!) with Strings.

Flute and Cello Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Classical Flute and Cello Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens

This wedding ceremony took place on an absolutely perfect July day at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado. It was a significant ceremony to me because it was the first wedding that I played music for after the pandemic hit this year.

My cellist and I played elegant classical music for the arrival of guests before the ceremony. As we played, the pandemic and troubles of life seemed to float away on the breeze, and our music gave the setting such a peaceful and elegant feel. We continued to play classical music after the ceremony concluded and sent everyone off feeling relaxed, to the next stage of the wedding celebration.

Wedding season has certainly started once again for me with four more weddings in Estes Park, Larkspur, Beaver Creek, and Vail over the weekend. Wedding celebrations have become smaller and more intimate, but I truly feel that these smaller ceremonies can be more memorable and so meaningful. And, there’s always the option to celebrate again later with a big party!

Wedding Ceremony Songs:
Seating of the Parents - Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach)
Wedding Party - Hornpipe Finale (Handel)
Bride - Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)
Recessional - Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Black Canyon Inn
Officiant: Reverend Scott Awbrey
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Cello Duo
Photographer: Haley Allen

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Classical Flute and Cello Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens