String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Foote

In early autumn, our string quartet played for a peaceful and traditional wedding ceremony at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge, Colorado. It was a full Catholic Mass, and our music perfectly complimented the sacred feel of the service.

As befitting the serene church setting, our string quartet played hymns, sacred classical music, and selections from Handel’s Water Music as guests arrived. Anticipation for the ceremony peaked as two cantors (singers) and the pianist performed The Summons to signal tat the ceremony was about to begin.

Throughout the ceremony, the cantors and pianist performed the liturgical music in beautiful harmony. Our quartet joined them for the communion song, which was “One Bread, One Body”, and also for “Kyrie, Gloria”. When all seven of us performed, it sounded a little like heaven, as our music carried throughout the church.

Confronted with limited space within the church, I created a novel approach to cello bowing, adapting my technique to accommodate the flow of people. As congregants made their way back to their pews after receiving communion, I greeted them with a warm smile to let them know that they could come by. Then I did an upward bow motion to let them them to glide by without interruption.

Sample Music from the Prelude:
Simple Gifts, O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, Blessed Assurance, Handel’s Water Music (La Rejouissance, Bourree, Hornpipe in F, Coro, Air in F, and Hornpipe Finale)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach): Seating of the Family and Wedding Party
Bridal Chorus: Bride
Kyrie, Gloria: During Ceremony
One Bread, One Body (Talbot): Communion
Wedding March (Mendelssohn): Recessional

After the ceremony, we all drove to Ski Tip Lodge in Keystone to play music for the cocktail hour. Here, we changed the mood completely, and played pop and country music as guests mingled on the lawn and enjoyed cocktails and refreshments. They particularly requested Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and the Beatles. Even though it was late September in the Colorado mountains, the day was beautiful and sunny with a brilliant blue sky.

Sample Music from the Cocktail Hour:
Accidentally in Love (Counting Crows), Butterflies (Kacey Musgraves), Lover (Taylor Swift), Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars), Ten Minutes Ago from Cinderella, How High the Moon (Ella Fitzgerald, Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Breckenridge
Reception Venue: Ski Tip Lodge
Wedding Planner: Pink Champagne Events
Photographer: Laura Foote Photography

Elegant Music in Any Style.

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

Flute and Violin Wedding Music in Copper

This summer my violinist and I traveled up to beautiful Copper Mountain in Colorado to play for an intimate wedding ceremony. This was my first time on a chair lift and I was ready and excited for the adventure, but I'm also afraid of heights! I managed to load myself and all of my equipment onto the chair, but the chair started to move forward before I was ready, and right away things began to fall off! After some assistance to re-load my things, and after a few tense moments while I got used to the height, I began to relax. I enjoyed the brilliant wildflowers scattered in the green grasses below and the scent of the majestic pines, a scent which I look forward to every time that I visit the mountains. I almost made it to the top when the wind gusted and a few of my things flew off the lift. Later, a wedding guest was so kind and drove his truck down and picked them up for me! I was so grateful. The ride down was much smoother because I had learned some tricks in loading my things. They were also kind enough to stop the chair lift this time long enough for me to get situated. I also found a really helpful bar and footrest that I can bring down for added security. I do believe that I'm an expert at this now!

The wedding ceremony was wonderful. It took place at Solitude Station in the Nature Center Gazebo, which is a beautiful work of architecture in addition to being a perfect shelter. My flute and violin duo played elegant classical music and set the mood for the guests as they arrived. It felt like a small private concert. The ceremony was very short and full of humor and joy. At the bride's request, we surprised the groom and all of the guests by playing the theme from Indiana Jones for the recessional. Everyone laughed as soon as they recognized the tune, and it was a really fun and unexpected moment.

From the Bride: Christen at Flute and Strings was amazing to work with! It was so easy to get our music selections to her and she was quick to respond to any and all questions we had. The day of the wedding could not have gone smoother. Both musicians were punctual and flexible. We originally thought we had a larger ceremony space to work with, but ended up in a smaller venue. Both musicians adapted to the surroundings and didn't miss a beat. My now husband really wanted the Indiana Jones theme music as our recessional and Christen worked with me to have that accomplished as a surprise for him. He was totally shocked and it sounded amazing! We could not thank Christen and her team enough for playing such a memorable ceremony. I would highly recommend!

Prelude Music:
Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from Solomon (Handel), Si Bheag Si Mhor (traditional Irish), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach), Spring from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi), Trumpet Tune (Purcell), selections from Handel's Fireworks and Water Music

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Ashokan Farewell (Jay Ungar and Molly Mason) - Mothers and Grandmothers
Rondeau - Bridesmaids and Groomsmen
A Thousand Years - Bride
Theme from Indiana Jones - Recessional
All You Need is Love - Postlude

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Solitude Station
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo
Officiant: Gretchen Abernathy
Photographer: A friend of the family

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A Sacred Catholic Wedding Ceremony at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Breckenridge, Colorado: String Quartet

Elegant Music in Any Style.

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at Copper Mountain, Colorado