October 01, 2025

A Mountain View Ceremony at Red Rocks: Flute and Cello Duo

October 01, 2025/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Cello Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at Red Rocks Trading Post, Photo by lOWERCASE iMAGING

Colorado is blossoming in early May, and Sarah and David ended up with the most sweet spring day for their Red Rocks Trading Post wedding ceremony. Known for its dramatic sandstone formations and sweeping views of the Front Range, Red Rocks is one of Colorado’s most iconic venues. The Trading Post, a historic stone building nestled among the cliffs, provided the perfect blend of rustic charm and natural beauty for this spring wedding.

The ceremony took place outdoors on the Trading Post lawn. Guests had a breathtaking view of the red sandstone cliffs and surrounding foothills as they were serenaded by our accompanying flute and cello music. Sarah and David combined their American and Chinese backgrounds with blended cultural elements, and a ceremony that was tailored to honor both of their perspectives.

Sarah and David curated a list of prelude music that spoke to their personalities and tastes. We performed everything from Bittersweet Symphony by The Verve and Lana Del Rey’s Young and Beautiful to classics like Can’t Help Falling in Love and Over the Rainbow. The selections flowed seamlessly between romantic pop ballads, movie themes, and timeless standards—creating an atmosphere that was personalized to their elegant and modern vibe.

When the ceremony began, the wedding party entered to the joyful and familiar strains of Canon in D by Pachelbel. Family members and the groom followed with All You Need to Know by Slander, a request that highlighted the couple’s love for electronic music.

The bridesmaids, ringbearer, junior bridesmaid, and flower girl processed to Innerbloom by Rufus Du Sol, a soaring and emotional track that translated beautifully to flute and cello. Finally, Sarah made her entrance with her father to the most gentle part of If I Lose Myself (Alesso Remix), for an emotional entrance.

During the unity ceremony, we played Blackbird by The Beatles, a sweet selection that perfectly represented the couple’s new blended family.

As a reprise, the recessional began with the most lively part of If I Lose Myself, tying the entire ceremony together and bringing the mood into joyful celebration. This was immediately followed by Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, to continue the lively feel of the day, as guests headed towards the shuttles, getting them in the mood for a fun wedding reception.

Flute & Cello: Pure, Fresh, Timeless.

Listen to Flute and Cello Music Samples

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Red Rocks Trading Post
Photographer: Lowercase Imaging
Wedding Planner: Perfect Touch
Beauty: Beauty on Location
Florist: Hutson Floral Design

October 20, 2024

A Gilded-Age Wedding with Bridgerton Vibes at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton, Colorado: String Quartet

October 20, 2024/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton, Colorado

This year, we were treated to a stunning long and warm autumn. Our string quartet loved playing for this early September wedding in the golden sunshine, as the the leaves were just beginning to change colors. The bride told us that the music was the most important part of her big day. In fact, we were the first vendors she booked—right after securing her venue. Her inspiration for her wedding and our music was the romantic era of the Gilded Age and the regency vibes of Bridgerton. While she wanted the band to play pop and rock hits at the reception, she wanted us to play a mix of older classics and jazz to provide a more timeless and sophisticated touch for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

Once most of the guests were seated, we played When I Fall in Love, which is one of the bride’s favorite songs. For the processional, I created a special arrangement of Golden Hour by JVKE for our string quartet. Arranging this piece for our quartet was a challenge because it was originally written with a strong emphasis on piano. The extra time that it took to adapt it for our string quartet was absolutely worth it because it turned out so well!

The bride's grand entrance was the classic Pachelbel's Canon in D, and for the recessional, we created a more funky mood with Ray LaMontagne’s You Are the Best Thing. This added a lively, feel-good finish as the couple walked back down the aisle.

Cocktail hour was just as lively, featuring a mix of catchy, upbeat older tunes and jazz. A few guests couldn’t resist the rhythm, breaking into spontaneous dancing during our tangos and more upbeat jazz numbers. We loved connecting with the crowd with our music!

From the Bride:

“Wow, I can’t thank Christen and her team enough for the beautiful music at our wedding, they absolutely exceeded our expectations! From the moment they started playing, their talent and professionalism was evident. Christen is an absolute dream to work with. She was prompt, so nice, and overall just amazing. The music perfectly set the tone for the rest of the day. To an elegant and flawless ceremony, to a lively cocktail hour. Christen worked diligently with us to ensure we would have a beautiful setlist. She and her team created an unforgettable atmosphere. We are so grateful for their contribution to making our special day so magical! Highly recommend!!” - Makayla S., Bride

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Golden Hour (JVKE): Family + Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bride
You Are the Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne): Recessional

Sample Selection from the Prelude Music:
Anne’s Theme (John Denver), All of Me (John Legend), As Time Goes By from Casablanca, La Vie en Rose (Louis Armstrong), Feather Theme from Forrest Gump, Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift)

Sample Selections from the Cocktail Hour:
Por Una Cabeza Tango from the Scent of a Woman, Stand by Me (Ben King), It Had to Be You (Harry Connick Jr.), The Shadow of Your Smile (Tony Bennett), At Last (Etta James), Yellow (Coldplay)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Arrowhead Golf Course
Wedding Planner: Curate Denver
Photographer: Meredith Diamond Photography
Videographer: KLassy Productions
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Quartet

Experience the Timeless Elegance of Our String Quartet.

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

September 22, 2024

A Golden Summer Wedding Ceremony at the Fossil Trace Golf Club in Golden, Colorado

September 22, 2024/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Arrowhead Golf Club in Golden, Colorado, Photo by Berg Berg Photography

It was an extremely hot summer day for this wonderful couple’s wedding ceremony, but the sweeping views of the golf course, mountain range, and table mountain were stunning under the sun’s golden light. The mother of the bride was the wedding planner, and she did an amazing job, though she said it was way more stressful to plan a wedding than to plan the events that she was more used to planning!

As guests arrived, our flute and string quartet played a mix of classical music, hymns, and a few romantic contemporary songs to set the mood of the ceremony. The ceremony was so sweet and memorable.

After the ceremony concluded, we stayed where we were and we continued to play music for the cocktail hour. Guests enjoyed our upbeat pop and contemporary tunes as they had appetizers and drinks under the shade of the trees.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
The Ludlows from the Legends of the Fall: Family and Wedding Party
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis): Bride

Sample Selections from the Prelude Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring from Cantata #147 (Bach), O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Blessed Assurance, I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith), All I Want is You (U2), Holy, Holy, Holy, I Get to Love You (Ruelle)

Sample Selections from the Cocktail Hour Music:

Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve), Stand by Me (Ben King), Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift), All of Me (John Legend), A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman, Lover (Taylor Swift)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Fossil Trace Golf Club
Photographer: Berg Berg Photography
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and String Quartet
Ceremony Sound/DJ: Quality Mobile Sounds

Enjoy the Golden Sounds of the Flute Combined with Strings.

Listen to Flute and String Quartet Music Samples

May 09, 2022

Six Centuries of Cello Duets and Trios - A Cello Concert

May 09, 2022/ Christen Stephens

You are invited to a cello concert to enjoy Six Centuries of Cello Duets and Trios! The concert will be presented on Tuesday, May 17th 2022 at the Arbor House in Golden, Colorado.

I join my cello duet partner, Molly Niven, along with Susan Crisfield, to raise funds to support Friendship Bridge, an organization empowering indigenous women in Guatemala. All proceeds will go to support Friendship Bridge.

The concert begins at 7:00 pm, but please come at 6:30pm to enjoy a glass of wine or beer and visit our Guatemalan market. You will also enjoy a flute Choro by myself, and a 'musical dessert' on the nyckelharpa by Susan!

Purchase a Ticket

Blog

Flute & Cello: Pure, Fresh, Timeless.

From the Bride:

Experience the Timeless Elegance of Our String Quartet.

Enjoy the Golden Sounds of the Flute Combined with Strings.