An Authentic Wedding Celebration at the Boulders at Black Canyon Inn: Flute and Strings Quartet

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, ColorADO, fLUTE AND sTRINGS BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS. pHOTO BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS

 

When I first met this sweet couple, I knew that their wedding day would not be typical! They embraced their personalities and made the day their own. Their family and friends played a big part in every aspect of their celebration, and those of us who weren’t family or friends quickly felt like we were.

 
 

This couple’s wedding took place at the spacious Boulders at Black Canyon Inn. The space features a large wall of windows that opens up to sweeping mountain vistas. Our flute and strings quartet (flute, violin, viola, cello) entertained the guests with nostalgic contemporary music as the guests arrived.

The couple had so much fun selecting their music. They loved the large repertoire that we have for our quartet, and I even gave them a sneak peek into the unlisted music that I was still in the process of arranging, so they would have even more options.

Right as we began playing the prelude music, a dark cloud moved in over the mountains, bringing in strong winds, thunder, and heavy rain. The couple was concerned, since they really wanted to stand outside on the balcony for their ceremony. Thankfully, Colorado weather is fickle and weather systems usually move by quickly. By the time the ceremony was scheduled to begin, the sun was already out again, leaving fresh rain-washed mountain air in its wake.

 

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, ColorADO, fLUTE AND sTRINGS BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS. pHOTO BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS

 

The ceremony was fun and natural with lots of laughter. We played “Just the Way You Are” by Bruno Mars for the puzzle unity ceremony, and when we got to the chorus, everyone recognized it and began clapping. The couple completed the puzzle and the ceremony concluded with lots of cheering.

Afterwards, we moved downstairs to play cocktail hour music, and we kept the feeling lively with upbeat pop and rock songs that the couple had selected.

 

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, ColorADO, fLUTE AND sTRINGS BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS. pHOTO BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS

 

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, ColorADO, fLUTE AND sTRINGS BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS. pHOTO By J La Plante

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Perfect (Ed Sheeran): Family and Wedding Party
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri): Bride
Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars): Unity Ceremony
Marry You (Bruno Mars): Recessional

Sample Selections from the Prelude Music:
Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis), Clocks (Coldplay), Make You Feel My Love (Adele), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), All of Me (John Legend), I Get to Love You (Ruelle), All I Want is You (U2)

Sample Selections from the Cocktail Hour Music:
Beautiful Day (U2), Roses (Chainsmokers), Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), Take Me Home, Country Roads (John Denver), Gimme Some Lovin' (Spencer Davis Group), Bubbly (Colbie Caillat), Here Comes the Sun (Beatles), XO (Beyonce), Home (Edward Sharpe), I Gotta Feeling (Black Eyed Peas), Don’t Stop Belivin’ (Journey), I See the Light from Tangled, A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman, Shallow (Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn
Photographer: Max Lee Photo
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings Quartet by Christen Stephens

 

The Sound of Flute and Strings is the Perfect Pairing.

 

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at The Boulders at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, ColorADO, fLUTE AND sTRINGS BY cHRISTEN sTEPHENS. pHOTO BY J La Plante



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

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

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

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

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