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

September 12, 2025

A Glorious Autumn Wedding at the Westin Riverfront Resort: Flute and String Trio

September 12, 2025/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at the Westin Riverfront Resort, Photo by Gillespie Photography

When Maddie and Nate reached out to me about music for their September wedding at the Westin Riverfront in Avon, they knew they wanted music that felt personal, modern, and full of joy. From our first emails, it was clear that live music would play an important role in making their wedding day vision come true.

In the months leading up to the wedding, we refined the music for every part of the ceremony through the cocktail hour. Maddie knew exactly how she wanted her entrance to feel, so we coordinated the timing down to the second. We also selected a set of upbeat, contemporary favorites for the cocktail hour so the celebration could flow naturally from ceremony to mingling.

I recommended musician amplification for both the ceremony lawn and the patio reception, so guests could enjoy the music comfortably without overpowering conversation. Our ensemble for the day was flute, viola, and cello—a great fit for contemporary songs with a warm, full sound.

From the Bride:

“Christen from Flute and Strings was an absolute pleasure to work with for our wedding. She was incredibly responsive to emails and truly understood the vision we had for our ceremony music. She was able to learn multiple new songs we wanted for the processional and recessional to make our wedding personal to us. Her professionalism and talent made the entire process seamless, and the live instrumentals added such a special touch to our day. I would highly recommend Christen to anyone looking to incorporate beautiful live music into their wedding!”

The day of the wedding was surprisingly warm for late September, and the ceremony site was flooded with warm, golden sunshine. The single patio umbrella didn’t quite shade our group, and I was so glad that I brought my floppy hat so that I could be the one sitting in the sun and still see my sheet music! Unlike stringed instruments, my flute won’t be damaged by sunshine.

Maddie’s entrance was set to “Yellow” by Coldplay, carefully timed so the most expressive part of the song aligned with her walk. For the recessional, they chose “Long Live” by Taylor Swift—joyful and celebratory as they walked out together.

Cooler air flowed down the mountains just as we were finishing up the cocktail hour music, and guests moved inside to the reception. We were then treated to one of most delicious meals from the Westin, a great way to end the evening and prepare for our drive back to Denver.

Joyful Flute and String Trio Music for a Shimmering Autumn Wedding.

Listen to Flute and String Trio Music Samples

Sample Selections from the Prelude Music:
Perfect (Ed Sheeran)
Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol)
Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift)
Daylight (Taylor Swift)
Stand By Me (Ben E. King)
Young and Beautiful (Lana Del Ray)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Simply the Best (Billianne): Family and Wedding Party
Yellow (Coldplay): Bride
Long Live (Taylor Swift): Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Westin Riverfront Resort
Wedding Planner: Pink Champagne Events
Photographer: Gillespie Photography
Videographer: Wedding Videos Colorado
Florist: Blush & Bay
Ceremony Musician: Flute & Strings by Christen Stephens
DJ: Elite Entertainment
Hair Stylist: Liana Kathryn Makeup
Makeup Artist: Liana Kathryn Makeup
Stationer: Minted
Signage: SJ Letter Co.
Baker: Crumbl Cookie

April 28, 2024

A Romantic Classical Wedding Ceremony at the Westin Riverfront Resort in Avon, Colorado: Flute and String Quartet

April 28, 2024/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Music at the Westin Riverfront Hotel in Avon, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by MKR Photos

It was the last day of September in the beautiful Colorado mountains, and this couple had the most gorgeous day for their wedding ceremony! The setting at the Westin Riverfront Resort perfectly showcased the peak autumn foliage, mountain and river views, and a blue sky as the backdrop. This Kansas couple certainly experienced the best that Colorado had to offer for their wedding day!

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Westin Riverfront Resort in Avon, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by MKR Photos

Watch Video: “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, Performed Live by our Flute and String Quartet

Our quartet was flute and strings (flute, violin, viola, cello), and I played the flute. The bride requested all classical music, and she and her fiancee chose a custom list of romantic pieces to fit the mood that they wanted. After the ceremony, we played two contemporary songs - “At Last” by Etta James, and “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. This contemporary vibe segued into the celebration to come later that day.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Air on the G String (Bach): Family
Bridal Chorus (Wagner): Bride
Wedding March from A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mendelssohn): Recessional

Sample Selections from the Prelude and Postlude Music:
Air in F from Water Music (Handel), Salut D’Amour (Elgar), Serenade (Schubert), Liebestraum (Liszt), Panis Angelicus (Franck), Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)