April 04, 2026

A Joyful Riverside Wedding Celebration with Llamas: Violin and Cello Duo

April 04, 2026/ Christen Stephens

Violin and Cello Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Grand Hyatt, Vail, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Pres Out West

This morning, I woke up in Vail, having stayed the night, after playing for another wedding the previous day. The weather forecast called for a perfect day full of sunshine, but when I looked out the window, it was deluging rain! Even stranger, my weather app didn’t show the rain at all, as if it was gaslighting me. I spent the morning writing a custom song arrangement for one of my other clients, as I watched the rain fall into the lake outside my window. It was still raining when I arrived at the venue that afternoon, but as I began setting up, the rain finally abated and a ray of sunshine burst through the clouds. It looked like this couple would have their outdoor dream wedding after all!

I set up our sound system on the ceremony lawn at the Grand Hyatt in Vail, and then my violinist and I did a sound check and tuned. By the time guests were arriving, it was beautiful outside, and our violin and cello duo played a mix of classical and modern pieces to welcome everyone. The loved the classic selections such as La Vie En Rose, Can’t Help Falling in Love, Enchanted, and A Thousand Years. The air was fresh and clean, and you could tell that everyone was having a good time.

From the Bride

“Christen and team (violin and cello) played at our ceremony and cocktail hour this past September. Christen was incredibly professional and communicative prior to the event and the music day of was stunning! They created such a wonderful ambiance, and guests were talking about the live string music the rest of the evening! I would 10/10 recommend.”

We began the ceremony with Home for the officiant, family, and wedding party. Then, it was time to welcome the bride to Spring Recomposed by Max Richter. When the bride first requested this song for our duo, I saw the 13 instrumental parts in the original, and had a moment of slight panic - was this even possible for just two instruments? However, I took on the challenge and the bride loved the result!

The ceremony ended with Love Me Like You Do, and guests cheered as the bride and groom kissed for the first time as a married couple. As soon as we finished the song, we packed up and moved to the cocktail area, which took place in a courtyard garden. And then we saw them - llamas! They were being walked around in cute outfits and they were the talk of the day among the guests - such a charming touch!

Cocktail hour featured a more upbeat setlist, and my sound system carried our music tastefully throughout the courtyard space. Guests enjoyed the charm of music such as Wildest Dreams, Here Comes the Sun, A Sky Full of Stars, and Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Between the food, music, and llamas, the cocktail hour was a delightful time for all.

Once cocktail hour was over, we sent guests off with one final upbeat song - Sweet Child ‘O Mine. It was the perfect segue to the reception, and a lovely end to our day, which turned out to be unexpectedly smooth sailing.

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Grand Hyatt, Vail
Wedding Planner: Ivory Events
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens
Photographer: Pres Out West

Experience the Joyful Elegance of Violin and Cello.

Listen to Violin and Cello Music Samples

March 12, 2026

A September Love Story at Camp Hale: Flute and String Trio

March 12, 2026/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Red Cliff, Colorado, Photo by Lindsey Kusterman @larkstudio.co

On a brisk and windy day in mid-September, our flute and string trio (flute, viola, cello) traveled to the remote Camp Hale in Red Cliff, Colorado. Autumn was arrayed in all its glory, and the fall foliage contrasted beautifully with the blue water of the lake.

Because of the strong winds, I arrived early and set up our sound system to amplify our trio, so that we would be heard easily. Soon, guests began arriving, walking across the wide expanse of lawn to the ceremony site. They were welcomed by our elegant music - every single song carefully chosen by the bride from our extensive repertoire list. The music included selections such as “Such Great Heights”, “Over the Rainbow”, “Chasing Cars,” “Young and Beautiful,” “Love on Top,” and “Clocks”.

Right before the ceremony began, we shifted into “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, which was a perfect selection for guests who traveled from both near and far to celebrate this couple in Colorado’s beautiful mountains.

When it was time for the processional to begin, Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love” set the tone for the family and wedding party, and created a romantic anticipation for the bride’s grand entrance. The bride had requested that we learn “Nobody Gets Me” by SZA, re-imagined in an instrumental style inspired by Bridgerton. Despite the strong winds, the moment felt romantic and sweet, almost like her processional was was suspended in time.

The recessional was accompanied by another new song request “We Found Love” by Rihanna. The energy was contagious as the guests applauded and began to make their way off the wedding island and back to the tent for cocktail hour.

The timing was perfect, as the sun went behind the clouds and the temperature plummeted. It was easy to feel the chill of the coming winter in the air! We packed up and headed out, with the catchy tunes still in our heads for the drive back to Denver.

Experience the Warm Elegance of our Flute and String Trio.

Listen to Flute and Strings Music Samples

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Camp Hale
Wedding Planner: L Elizabeth Events
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens
Photographer: Lindsey Kusterman
Caterer: Vail Catering Concepts
Hair and Makeup: Weemala
Florist: Wild Holly Flower Co.
Rentals: Event Rents
Desserts: Dang Sweets
DJ/MC: Kristopher Keith

January 30, 2021

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Year in Review

January 30, 2021/ Christen Stephens

October 19, 2020

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado

October 19, 2020/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

The guests were traveling in from Georgia and Wisconsin and they were greeted by Colorado at its finest with plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast including ATV tours, archery, fishing, and hiking. The entire area is surrounded by the White River National Forest and it’s beautiful untouched land.

From the Client:
“Christen provided the most beautiful music for our wedding ceremony. The flute and violin together were amazing. They also played after everyone had left the ceremony island for a bit which was lovely. From beginning to end Christen was professional and so easy to get in touch with. I highly recommend Christen and any musician who works with her.”

It was my first time playing wedding music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, and I fell in love with this stunning location. This little gem was quite a surprise because it’s so far off the beaten trail, and it’s truly surrounded by wilderness. I reached the camp after driving for many miles through the mountains, but when I arrived at the wedding site, I was greeted by well manicured lawns surrounded by glistening blue water, all with the backdrop of the wild Colorado mountains.

Just as it was time for us to set up to play prelude music, a storm system moved through and everyone was crossing their fingers that an outdoor ceremony would still be able to happen. The sun did come out just as it was time for us to begin playing. There were very strong outflow winds after the storm. Normally, the wind steals the sound from my flute, but this was the first time I had the chance to try out my new Wind-D-Fender, and it worked like a charm! Our amplification also helped carry our sound loud and clear across the island over the sound of the wind.

The bride had some favorite songs that she wanted to include in the prelude. I made special arrangements of each song, specifically for our flute and violin duo. These included:

Bubbly (Colbie Caillat)
Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)
The Ash Grove
A Day Without Rain (Enya)
Moon River
The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall
Love Me Like You Do (Ellie Goulding)

Wedding Ceremony Songs:
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) - Parents
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) - Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel) - Bride
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony Music - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo
Photographer - Dani Cowan Photography
Venue - Camp Hale
Wedding Planner - Isabelle Kline Design
Flowers - Vail Vintage Magnolia

Our flute and violin duo will add a cheerful vibrancy to your wedding day! Listen to music samples here: Flute and Violin Music Samples

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From the Bride

Experience the Joyful Elegance of Violin and Cello.

Experience the Warm Elegance of our Flute and String Trio.