August 25, 2024

A Cinematic Wedding Ceremony at the Manor House in Littleton, Colorado: String Quartet

August 25, 2024/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Manor House in Littleton, Colorado, Photo by Sun Prairie Films

On a cool and windy spring day, our string quartet played for a romantic wedding ceremony at the Manor House in Littleton, Colorado. The Manor House is a historic mansion, and it’s such a charming and elegant setting for a wedding!

The ceremony was originally supposed to take place outside, but it was moved indoors because of the high winds and cool temperatures that day. The indoor ceremony space carried our music beautifully, as it was naturally amplified by the warm wood floors and soaring ceiling. As guests arrived, we played a mix of contemporary music and Christian music that the bride selected.

For the processionals, the bride requested music from Father of the Bride, which is one of her favorite movies. We made special arrangements of the theme song and of “Snow Scene” to play for the wedding party and bridal processional, respectively.

From the Mother of the Bride:

“It was such a pleasure working with Christen on the music for our daughter's wedding. She is so professional. My husband and I live in Arizona and the wedding was in Colorado. Christen was happy to accommodate us by hosting multiple Zoom appointments so that we could all be together to plan the music. She took the time to listen to our ideas and even arranged two beautiful songs for us from The Father of the Bride movie.

When it came to the wedding day, Christen and the other musicians played beautifully and truly helped to make the ceremony special.” – Cindy A.

During the ceremony, we had the privilege of hearing the couple recount their love story, and it was definitely like a fairy tale. The bride had been among the last of her friends to be married, and she was over the moon with her guy, and that her special day had finally arrived. Her touching story truly made it feel like the climax in a hearwarming movie.

After the ceremony concluded, we played a few upbeat rock and jazz songs as the guests made their way out to take photos and enjoy the remainder of the festivities.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Family and Wedding Party
Snow Scene from Father of the Bride: Bride
Blessed Assurance: Communion and Ring Warming
Wedding March (Mendelssohn): Recessional

Sample Selections from the Prelude Music:
Make You Feel My Love (Adele), Romantic Flight from How to Train Your Dragon, Washed by the Water (Need to Breathe), All of Me (John Legend), La Vie en Rose

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Manor House in Littleton, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Manor House
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Quartet
Photographer: Sun Prairie Films

Our String Quartet will Create the Soundtrack for Your Special Day!

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

July 31, 2024

An Intimate Jewish Wedding Ceremony at the Oxford Hotel in Denver, Colorado - Flute and Guitar Duo

July 31, 2024/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Guitar Wedding Ceremony Music at the Oxford Hotel in Denver, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

In early April, our flute and guitar duo played for a small Jewish wedding ceremony at the Oxford Hotel in downtown Denver. The day had dangerously high winds, and I found out later that it was blowing over 100mph at my house while I was gone! Despite the possibility of the power being shut off for safety reasons, the wedding went off beautifully, and the power remained on for us in Denver.

Prior to the ceremony, our duo played elegant classical music as the guests enjoyed a pre-ceremony cocktail hour. After the cocktail hour, we moved to the Oxford Theatre for the ceremony. We sat up in the mezzanine, and our sound carried throughout the space. We played a short classical prelude as guests took their seats, and then the couple joined us up in the mezzanine, preparing for their walk down the aisle.

When it was time for the ceremony to begin, we wrapped up the prelude music and I turned around to ask the couple if they were ready to walk down the stairs and to start the ceremony. They were nervous but ready, so we played their song, and they perfectly processed down the stairs and then circled around the other 3 times and then once together before facing each other at the front.

From the Groom:

“Christen and Jeff (guitar) were amazing. Their talent was obvious and their choice of music superb. They were professional, talented and wonderful to work with. You couldn’t find a better flute/guitar combo if you tried.”

Then, the ceremony was off with the wonderful Rabbi Birdie Becker presiding. I got to meet Rabbi Becker later, and being a fellow musician herself, she was delightful to chat with about all things musical.

My drive home was hazardous with the strong winds, and I had to dodge blowing rocks, a low swinging traffic light, a large metal gate swinging across the road, a tree that fell across the road, and numerous other random flying objects. It all ended well and safely, and I now fondly remember this wonderful couple and their joyful wedding day much more than the wind!

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bride and Groom
Wedding March from Figaro: Recessional

Sample Music Selections from the Pre-Ceremony Cocktail Hour:
Trumpet Tune (Purcell), Misty (Ella Fitzgerald), The Girl From Ipanema, Gavotte (Gossec), Entrance of the Queen of Sheba (Handel), The Wedding from the Legends of the Fall, Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis), Liebestraum (Liszt), As Time Goes By from Cassablanca

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Oxford Hotel
Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Guitar Duo
Officiant: Rabbi Birdie Becker
Photographer: Yellow Paddle Photography

Experience the Classic Romance of Flute and Guitar.

Listen to Flute and Guitar Music Samples

December 12, 2023

A Fun Loving Wedding Ceremony at the Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colorado: String Quartet

December 12, 2023/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by June Cochran Photography

Our string quartet was delighted to play fun contemporary music for this casual spring wedding ceremony at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colorado. It was a breezy and damp day, threatening more spring rain, but other than a few sprinkles prior to the ceremony, the rain held off! Our delicate wooden stringed instruments were protected by the canopy covering that the bride provided for us, and we were able to play continuous prelude music as the guests arrived and mingled. The bride made a selection of fun contemporary and jazz music for both before and after her ceremony.

Due to having family in various different locations, this was their third wedding ceremony, but that fact didn’t detract at all from the couple’s joy and the excitement of their special day. They were fun-loving and casual, and it was wonderful to be a part of their Colorado wedding!

From the Bride:

“Christen and her fellow musicians provided lovely music for our wedding ceremony, and she was incredibly easy to communicate with leading up to our wedding day. She took into account all of our suggestions and did a good job of organizing music for pre-ceremony versus the ceremony itself. One thing to note is that you'll need to provide a canopy or umbrellas for them to sit under if your ceremony is outdoors (and waterproof if you're expecting it may rain). Thanks so much for helping to make our day super special!” - Kaitlin H., Bride

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Family, Wedding Party, Flower Girl, Ringbearer
Bridal Chorus (Wagner): Bride
Wedding March (Mendelssohn): Recessional

Sample Music from the Prelude:
Home (Edward Sharpe), Holy (Justin Bieber), Lover (Taylor Swift), Married Life from the Pixar Movie "Up, Make You Feel My Love (Adele), All of Me (John Legend)

Add Fun and Elegance to your Wedding Day with Our Joyful String Quartet!

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

October 15, 2023

A Rainy Day Wedding at the Mirabelle Restaurant in Beaver Creek, Colorado: Flute and Cello Duo

October 15, 2023/ Christen Stephens

Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Mirabelle Restaurant in Beaver Creek, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Emmkayy Photos

In the midst of a very rainy spring, I drove through the wet weather to Colorado’s mountains to play my flute for a peaceful wedding ceremony in Beaver Creek. Once I arrived at the charming historic Mirabelle Restaurant, I was greeted by a continuous downpour. I ate lunch and then my cellist and I warmed up on our instruments indoors. By the time we were preparing our setup in the cool outdoor air, the rain had retreated, leaving a clean and sweet rain-washed air in its wake. Several gas patio heaters, kindly provided by the restaurant staff, offered a toasty counterpoint to the day's chill.

As we warmed up on our instruments outside, my cellist colleague noticed something amiss. String lights hanging above the ceremony area were touching one of the patio heaters, generating wisps of smoke. We immediately alerted the restaurant staff, preventing what could have been an unfortunate event. Disaster averted!

Shortly afterwards, the bride’s brother was facing a challenge of his own. He had volunteered to sing "All of Me" and accompany himself on his keyboard, using borrowed sound equipment. Unfortunately, the speakers were barely audible and produced a distorted sound even at low volumes. I noticed the problem, and I offered my backup sound equipment. My spare speaker and microphone allowed him to sing and be heard above the murmur of the creek and the whisper of the trees.

We played an elegant prelude of classical music. This was followed by the ceremony, which went off without a hitch, except for the bride and groom getting hitched, of course! With the sun breaking free from the clouds and the soothing sounds of the nearby creek providing a natural soundtrack, the bride and groom exchanged their vows. We continued to play after the ceremony as guests mingled and enjoyed appetizers. I selected a mix of classical and contemporary music for the cocktail hour set list, and so many people came up to us and said that we were playing their favorite songs, or songs with special memories attached. That made me so glad that our music could be a meaningful part of this special day!

From the Mother of the Bride:

“Perfect Music for my Daughter's Wedding”

“Christen and a cellist played at my daughter's wedding in Beaver Creek. She was very helpful with planning the music for each part of the ceremony. Her website is an excellent resource for selecting the music. She was very responsive and even reached with questions so that we stayed on track with planning. We ended up adding an hour of music for the cocktail hour. My son, who is very musical, was impressed with the popular music they played, such as music from the Greatest Showman. On the day of the wedding, she went above and beyond to help my son, who was singing, set up his sound equipment. Having the flute/cello duet definitely elevated our wedding experience. I would highly recommend working with Christen.”

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke): Wedding Party
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach): Bride
Amazing Grace and Be Thou My Vision: Communion and Prayer
Wedding March from a Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mendelssohn): Recessional

Sample Music from the Prelude and Cocktail Hour:
Chorale from Cantata #140 (Wachet auf), Spring from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi), Air from Suite #3 in D Major (Bach), Si Bheag, Si Mhor (Traditional Irish), Anglaise (Bach), La Vie En Rose (Louis Armstrong), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), I Get to Love You (Ruelle), A Million Dreams from the Greatest Showman, Married Life from “Up”

Wedding Vendors:
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Cello Duo
Venue: The Mirabelle Restaurant
Photographer: Emmkayy Photos

Our Enchanting Flute and Cello Duo is Pure Elegance.

Listen to Flute and Cello Music Samples

October 03, 2023

A Joyful Wedding Ceremony at the Chapel at Beaver Creek: Flute, Viola, Cello Trio

October 03, 2023/ Christen Stephens

On a vibrant day in late May, I had my first mountain wedding for 2023. My drive up to the mountains was a mix of sunshine, rain, and even some snow over the continental divide. The ceremony took place in Beaver Creek, Colorado, and the town was brimming with energy because it was hosting a lively Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival for Memorial Day Weekend.

Just on the outskirts of the festival's buzz, the Chapel at Beaver Creek offered a secluded haven. The quaint chapel, cozily situated amidst a forest of spring trees was a nostalgic and peaceful setting. A cool mountain breeze and sounds of the rushing river water whispered throughout the chapel through the open windows.

Flute and Strings Trio (flute, viola, cello) Wedding Ceremony Music at Beaver Creek Chapel in Beaver Creek Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Autumn Cutaia

The preparation leading to the ceremony was spent in collaboration with the mother of the bride. She requested traditional classical music for the prelude, and she specifically wanted to hear the Hornpipe Finale from Handel’s Water Music. I chose a mix of upbeat and slow classical pieces, befitting the solemn, yet joyous, ceremony.

As the ceremony concluded, we played the lively Rigaudon from Handel’s Water Music to send the couple joyously on their way.

Sample Music from the Prelude:
Prelude from Te Deum (Charpentier, Marc-Antoine)
Intermezzo Sinfonico from Cavalleria rusticana (Mascagni)
Alleluja from Exultate Jubilate (Mozart)
St. Anthony’s Chorale (Brahms)

Ceremony Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) - Wedding Party
Air from Handel’s Water Music - Bride
Rigaudon from Handel’s Water Music - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Chapel at Beaver Creek
Wedding Planner: Gemini Planning and Design
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and String Trio
Photographer: Autumn Cutaia
Floral: Amy Lauren Floral Design

Experience the Elegance of our Flute and Strings Trio.

Listen to Flute and Strings Trio Music Samples

September 19, 2023

A Calming Sacred Wedding at Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur, Colorado: String Trio + Piano

September 19, 2023/ Christen Stephens

String Trio + Piano Wedding Ceremony Music at Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Katie Corinne

On a brisk May day, I found myself traveling to the idyllic Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur, Colorado. My string trio and pianist were gathered to play music for a traditional Christian wedding ceremony. The setting was in a beautiful indoor space with gorgeous acoustics for our music, and pastoral views of rolling hills outside the large roll-up door.

In the weeks leading up to this special day, I enjoyed working closely with the groom on the music selections. One of his requests was that I arrange a number of hymns to accompany the ceremony, specifically during the congregation's singing and the communion. He also expressed a desire to enhance our traditional string trio with the inclusion of piano, providing a traditional accompaniment for the singing. The piano combined with our strings gave a full orchestral sound that perfectly complimented the congregational singing and prelude music.

The bride also had a special request that lent a unique touch to their wedding. She had chosen a processional song – the meditative 'Spiegel im Spiegel'. This song is traditionally played with a violin and piano, but it can also be played with other instruments. In this case, the couple requested the song be performed with my cello, accompanied by piano. Unlike a traditional processional, the bride wanted the serene melody of 'Spiegel im Spiegel' to play throughout the entire wedding party's entrance, culminating in her entrance at a precise moment 6:50 into the song. Thanks to a metronome, meticulous planning, and the skilled coordination of the wedding planner and DJ, the timing was executed almost flawlessly. The tranquility invoked by the music left the guests in a state of peace and calm, and when the processional was over, you could hear a pin drop.

The entire service was tied together with music and filled with spiritual readings, hymn singing, and the sacred rite of communion. I loved playing my cello along with my team on the day of the wedding, and it was so satisfying to see this couple’s wedding day vision come to life!

Sample Prelude Music Selections:
Stand by Me (Ben E. King), Southwind (traditional Irish), Across the Stars from Star Wars, Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis), I’ve Got You Under My Skin (with piano), What a Wonderful World

Wedding Ceremony Music Music:
Spiegel im Spiegel - Cello and Piano Duet: Wedding Party + Bride
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty (Piano and Strings) - Congregational Hymn Singing
Be Thou My Vision (Piano and Strings) - Congregational Hymn Singing
Praise God from whom all Blessings Flow and Abide with Me (Strings): Communion
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach): Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Spruce Mountain Ranch
Wedding Planner: Flourish Event Company
Ceremony Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Trio + Piano
Photographer: Katie Corinne

Enjoy the Peace of Sacred Music on our String Trio.

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

September 08, 2023

String Quartet Nature-Inspired Wedding Ceremony Music at Moss Denver

September 08, 2023/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Moss, Denver, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Sunnie Heers

Warm spring sunshine and blooming flowers set the stage for this elegant nature-inspired wedding celebration at Moss Denver. Our string quartet was delighted to return to this charming venue, because of its hip atmosphere and exceptional acoustics.

I worked closely with the groom during the entire music planning process, and he told me that he wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for his beautiful bride on their wedding day. The couple's vision was romantic with a hint of disco flair, and it came together seamlessly under the expert guidance of Natalie, the wedding planner. I listened carefully to their music requests so that that their special day would be exactly as they envisioned it.

The couple's musical preferences gravitated towards pop music with a classical feel, reminiscent of the soundtrack from the popular series Bridgerton. They carefully curated their prelude set list to reflect their unique taste and provided a list of additional favorite songs that were not in our repertoire. They trusted my judgement on which of these songs would sound the best with a string quartet. Although some of these selections weren't suitable, Rihanna's "Diamonds" caught my attention, and it meshed perfectly with the industrial chic atmosphere and the sound of our strings.

Throughout the ceremony, the bride playfully laughed and exchanged endearing glances with her groom. As the ceremony concluded, our quartet accompanied the recessional with a lively, upbeat melody that perfectly captured the mood of the celebration. The festivities continued outdoors as guests gathered for a memorable group photo, capturing the magic of their unforgettable spring wedding.

Sample Prelude Music Selections:
Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis), Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve), All of the Lights (Kanye West), All of me (John Legend), Diamonds (Rihanna), Perfect (Ed Sheeran), Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Air from Suite #3 (Bach): Family and Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bride
Marry You (Bruno Mars): Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Moss Denver
Wedding Planner: A Touch of Bliss
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Quartet
Photographer: Sunnie Heers Photography
Officiant: Jane’s Personalized Weddings

Experience the Bridgerton Feel of our String Quartet.

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

October 10, 2022

String Trio Wedding Music at Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larksupur, Colorado

October 10, 2022/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at Spruce Mountain Ranch in Larkspur, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

This couple’s Spruce Mountain Ranch wedding was originally to take place at Trey’s Vista, which is a wide open ranch area with sweeping views. However, with the threat of wind and rain, they decided to move their ceremony to the more sheltered courtyard outside the Spruce Room.

A little rain during the ceremony didn’t take away this bride and groom’s joy, and perhaps it brought them a little extra good luck, because their day was amazing! The couple chose to have elegant classical prelude music as their guests arrived, followed by fun and upbeat contemporary music for their cocktail hour. This black tie celebration was an elegant and formal affair, and every detail was perfection, thanks to their expert vendor team! After cocktails, we left them smiling and celebrating with their first dance.

From the Father of the Bride (excerpt from his letter to me):

”… I wanted to thank you for your elegant music during Kelly and Jacob’s wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. Live music was such an important element to us and lent class to a wedding deemed “black tie”. Several guests paid compliments on the decision to include your trio… As well, Christen, you were a pleasure to work with as we prepared for the big day. I appreciated your responsiveness and organizational skills.”

Wedding Processional Music:
Canon in D - Seating of the Family
A Thousand Years - Wedding Party
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis) - Flower Girls and Bride
All of Me (John Legend) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Spruce Mountain Ranch
Wedding Planner: Kenzie Kerr Weddings
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Trio
DJ: Elite DJ
Photographer: Sierra Dawn Photo

Our String Trio Adds the Perfect Touch of Class to Any Event!

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

September 16, 2022

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens

September 16, 2022/ Christen Stephens

The bride chose a lovely set list of classical and traditional contemporary music to create a relaxed and romantic feel for her wedding day. I played music as the guests arrived and mingled, for the processional and recessional, and then for a little while afterwards as the guests enjoyed champagne.

Afterwards, the bride told me that everyone loved my music, and that it was the perfect touch for her wedding day. Her kind comments made my day!

I love soloing on my flute and I also love gardening, so playing my flute for this wedding ceremony at the Denver Botanic Gardens was a wonderful day for me! The temperature reached 100 degrees, tying a record high for that June day in Denver, but we stayed cool under the shade of the gazebo.

Samples from the Prelude Music:
Fly Me To The Moon (Sinatra), As Time Goes By (Casablanca), Hornpipe From Water Music (Handel), Amazing Grace (Hymn), Salut De Amour (Elgar), Everything I Do (I do it for you) from Robin Hood

Wedding Ceremony Music:
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) - Bride
Amazed (Lonestar) - Recessional

Enjoy the Romance of my Solo Flute Music for your Wedding Ceremony.

Listen to Solo Flute Music Samples

July 19, 2022

Flute and Violin Duo at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado

July 19, 2022/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Violin Wedding Music at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

This Ohio bride didn’t let a late spring snowstorm dampen her spirits for her intimate mountain wedding ceremony! We got a little over a foot of snow, but most of it had melted by the afternoon. However, it was still quite chilly when we had all originally been expecting an outdoor ceremony in warm spring sunshine. Because of this, the wedding was moved indoors to Dannen Chapel, and it brought everyone together in a way that the outdoor wedding wouldn’t have.

The bride wanted to hear happy, simple and relaxing music, and we played a selection of classical and contemporary music that she picked out. She did a great job, because her music selections filled the prelude time exactly.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) - Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel) - Bride
Hornpipe Finale (Handel) - Recessional

Prelude Music Sample Selections:
Air from Handel’s Water Music, Clair De Lune (Debussy), As Time Goes By from Cassablanca, All of Me (John Legend), Flower Song (Delibes)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: YMCA of the Rockies
Ceremony Music: Flute and Violin Duo - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo
Officiant: Greg Bunton

Experience the beauty and joy of our flute and violin duo.

Listen to Flute and Violin Music Samples

June 24, 2022

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music at Sapphire Point in Dillon, Colorado

June 24, 2022/ Christen Stephens

What a joy it was to solo on my flute for this beautiful family’s wedding ceremony! This couple was delightful to work with, and they were both fun and loving. The children of this blended family were delightful, confident, and silly!

April weather in the mountains can be unpredictable, and the forecast was calling for temperatures in the lower 40’s and 20mph wind guests! This is what we were all expecting, but it turned out to be a calm and sunny day, with the temperature warming up to a balmy 55 degrees. It couldn’t have been more beautiful outside, and guests took advantage of of the warm sunshine to linger both before and after the ceremony, feeding the friendly chipmunks and taking photos.

From the Bride:

“Christen was amazing. Very professional and brought an elegant vibe to our micro wedding. She was easy to work with, fun, and laid back. She was able to help plan our music so it fit our styles perfectly. If you are unsure who to utilize for your wedding Christen is an easy choice. Affordable, efficient, and she knows how to elevate any event.”

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music at Sapphire Point in Dillon, Colorado

I played a mix of classical and contemporary music as guests mingled, and I also learned a few new songs that the couple and their kids knew and loved. The bride and groom’s children were the bridesmaids and groomsman, and they stood up with their parents during the ceremony. During the ceremony, the bride gave each of them a special gift, each with different family photo to represent their family’s joining. It was a a really sweet take on a traditional unity ceremony.

Wedding Processional Music:
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd) - Groom seats parents
Blank Space (Taylor Swift) - Bridesmaids, Groomsman, Flower Girl
Bridal Chorus (Wagner) - Bride
Wedding March (Mendelssohn) - Recessional

Selections from the Prelude Music:
10,000 Hours (Dan+Shay), Speechless (Dan+Shay), Flower Duet (Delibes), River Flows in You (Yiruma), Minuet (Boccherini), Perfect (Ed Sheeran)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Sapphire Point
Ceremony Music: Solo Flute by Christen Stephens
Photographer: Nina Action

Enjoy the joy and elegance of my solo flute music.

Listen to Solo Flute Music Samples

December 09, 2021

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at the 10th in Vail, Colorado

December 09, 2021/ Christen Stephens

After a week-long spring heatwave, storms moved through just in time to provide a beautiful cool afternoon for this couple’s wedding ceremony. The storms moved off just before it was time for the guests to be transported up the mountain on the gondola - perfect timing!

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at the 10th in Vail, Colorado, Photo by Jamee Photography as featured in Couture Colorado

The bride wanted a classic feel with a modern flair for her wedding ceremony and music. She chose our flute and violin duo for that classic touch, and mostly modern song selections, which we played to welcome the guests as they arrived from the gondola. After the ceremony, we amped up the energy with some lively Coldplay selections accompanied by beats on my drum machine.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri): Grandparents, Parents, Groomsmen
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bridesmaids
Bridal Chorus (Wagner): Bride
Wedding March (Mendelssohn): Recessional

Wedding Prelude Music (Sample Selections):
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Amazing Grace, All of Me (John Legend)

Listen to Music Samples Recorded Live from the Wedding:

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The 10th
Wedding Planner: Snapdragon Celebrations
Ceremony Music: Flute and Violin Duo by Christen Stephens
Photographer: Jamee Photography

Experience the Vibrant Joy of our Flute and Violin Duo for Your Wedding Ceremony

Listen to Flute and Violin Music Samples

July 11, 2021

String Trio Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at Mount Princeton Hot Springs in Nathrop, Colorado

July 11, 2021/ Christen Stephens

It was such a delight to work with this couple, and I felt privileged to be a part of their wedding celebration! The groom absolutely loves strings, and having live string music at their wedding was a very important part of this couple’s special day. They had our string trio play music with a contemporary feel for their ceremony, cocktail hour, and first dance.

String Trio Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music, Photo by Rachel Case Photography

We began by playing romantic contemporary prelude music as guests arrived before the ceremony, and we added energy with lively pop and rock tunes during cocktails. The bride also requested some special songs that her family loves, including “When I’m 64” (Beatles) , “Over the Rainbow” from Wizard of Oz, and A Whole New World.

We finished our portion of the evening playing the dreamy “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle for the couple’s very romantic first dance.

Wedding Ceremony Music:

A Thousand Years from Twilight - Wedding Party
Turning Page from Twilight - Bride
Viva La Vida (Coldplay) - Recessional
I Get to Love You (Ruelle) - First Dance

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Mount Princeton Hot Springs
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: String Trio by Christen Stephens
Officiant and Wedding Planner: Clinton Anderson
Photographer: Rachel Case Photography - Thank you for these amazing photos!

Celebrate Your Wedding With the Beauty of Strings.

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

June 22, 2021

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado

June 22, 2021/ Christen Stephens

From the Groom:

“Amazing Musical Team!”

"Christen Stephens and her musicians were incredible! My bride wanted a very specific video game song played as she walked down the aisle and Christen's team pulled it off perfectly! They also did a great job with general contemporary music played on classical instruments, and created a great, classy, yet fun, atmosphere during the pre-ceremony time, and cocktail hour! She was always professional and very easy to work with! Highly recommended!”

Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens

My musicians and I loved playing beautiful music for this elegant wedding ceremony and cocktail hour! The couple chose our flute and strings quartet, with the addition of a harpist for the bridal entrance. The bride was planning to ride in on a white horse as we played the “Great Fairy Fountain” from Zelda on flute and harp. I didn’t see exactly what happened because I was playing, but one of the many wild turkeys roaming the area spooked the horse and the bride couldn’t ride in, but it was true Colorado mountain wedding experience!

We played a contemporary music program with pop, rock, and country music selections. For the prelude, we began with slower and more romantic music, and then we really lifted the tempo after the ceremony as guests enjoyed cocktails and hors-d’ourves.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
A Thousand Years (Christian Perri) - Wedding Party
Great Fairy Fountain from Zelda - Bride
Marry You - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings Quartet + Harp by Christen Stephens
Photographer: Nicolette Bardos

Our Flute and Strings Quartet is an Impressive Addition to any Wedding!

Listen to Flute and String Quartet Music Samples

June 12, 2021

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

June 12, 2021/ Christen Stephens

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

Listen to a Live Music Clip from the Wedding:

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.

Listen to Flute and String Quartet Music Samples

June 02, 2021

String Trio Wedding Music at the Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colorado

June 02, 2021/ Christen Stephens

The sun came out on a stormy day just in time for this couple to have a beautiful wedding ceremony at the Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colorado. Our string trio played peaceful classical prelude music to give the setting a feeling of calm and serenity. The stunning pavilion felt like a safe haven from the storm, and provided the perfect acoustics for our music. In addition to our live music, there was an artist doing a live painting of the wedding scene, adding an additional and unique artistic touch to this couple’s wedding day.

String Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at the Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, Colorado - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Sanket Mane

From the Bride:

“THANK YOU for creating such a beautiful entrance for our ceremony! We didn't meet in person until the wedding day but working with Christen was effortless and smooth. She communicated with us regularly and kept us in the loop on what to expect, I really appreciated her flexibility and communication! She rearranged my entrance piece to make it exactly what I had envisioned. I'm so grateful, Thank you!”

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Liebestraum (Liszt) - Parents
Serenade (Schubert) - Flower Girls
Intermezzo (Mascagni) - Bride
Andante (Schubert) - Recessional

Wedding Prelude Music:
Saint Anthony’s Chorale (Brahms), Schubert Andante from String Quartet in A Minor, Romance (Mozart), Largo from Xerxes (Handel), Etude in E major, Op. 10 #3 (Chopin), Andante from Handel’s Water Music, Chorale from Cantata #140 (Bach), Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart), Nocturne from a Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mendelssohn), Arioso from Cantata #156 (Bach)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Sanctuary Golf Course
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens (String Trio)
Photographer: Sanket Mane - Thank you for these beautiful photos!

Experience the traditional elegance of our String Trio.

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

April 22, 2021

Flute and Violin Duo at a Rental Home in Breckenridge, Colorado

April 22, 2021/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music in Breckenridge, Colorado. Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

Our flute and violin duo was the perfect fit for this intimate early spring wedding ceremony in Breckenridge, Colorado. I’m beginning to think of this beautiful rental home as the “Breckenridge Wedding Rental”, because it’s become a popular venue for weddings.

This busy bride was excited to have the beauty of live music for her wedding ceremony, but other than her choice of Pachelbel’s Canon in D for her walk down the aisle, she left the music selections to me. I put together a beautiful music program that I felt matched her joyful personality and the rustic and stunning Colorado mountain setting.

A fresh blanket snow had fallen the night before, and the ceremony setting looked just like Christmas despite the April calendar date. It even started to lightly snow towards the end of the ceremony, and the effect was magical!

We continued to play after the ceremony as guests mingled indoors and enjoyed refreshments before the dinner was to be served. I was so glad that our music put a smile on everyone’s faces and made the event feel so joyful and festive.

Our flute and violin duo is the perfect music choice for an intimate wedding ceremony.

Listen to Music Samples

March 27, 2021

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music on the Aspen Mountain Wedding Overlook

March 27, 2021/ Christen Stephens

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music in Aspen, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

The calendar may have confidently declared that it was spring, but it’s not unusual for the Colorado mountains to enjoy some of their biggest snowstorms in the month of March. This out of state couple was debating on having their wedding anywhere from a tropical retreat to a snow covered mountain, and an Aspen mountain wedding ceremony won the day! They got the true Aspen mountain wedding experience with heavy snow, freezing cold, and whiteout conditions, but they stayed positive and enjoyed their wedding day adventure.

I accompanied the arrival of guests with my romantic and joyful solo flute music, a perfect fit for the mountain setting. My music greeted guests as soon as they reached the top of the gondola. They enjoyed the music as I played through the songs that the couple chose. As they mingled, they enjoyed hot drinks, snacks, and fluffy blankets. Soon, everyone was guided to the seats at the ceremony site and the ceremony took place in a surreal winter wonderland. What is normally a sweeping mountain view, was a dramatic backdrop of pure white.

I continued to accompany various parts of the ceremony with my music, and then played a lively recessional after the couple was pronounced husband and wife. Everyone quickly went inside to warm up after that!

From the Groom:

“Christen was a delight to work with! “

“Christen was a delight to work with! She did a few video calls with us during Covid as we were destination wedding to Aspen. Her website gave some good samples and she picked up a song we requested to learn to help make the moment special. We picked up a song list and she delivered! Her music created a special backdrop to our wedding, and I can't wait to rehear her during our wedding video. :)”

Ceremony Music:
Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton) - Parents and Ringbearer
Canon in D (Pachelbel) - Bride
Butterfly Waltz from Twilight and River Flows in You (Yiruma) - Readings
Secrets (One Republic) - Sand Ceremony
Wedding March (Mendelssohn) - Recessional

Prelude Music (sample selections):
Musetta’s Waltz (Puccini), Gigue from Suite #3 in D Major (Bach), A Day Without Rain (Enya), Beautiful in White (Westlife), Spring from Vivaldi’s Seasons

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Aspen Mountain Wedding Overlook
Wedding Planner: Aspen Event Solutions
Photography: KiKi Creates
Ceremony Music: Solo Flute by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

Enjoy the romance and flexibility of my Solo Flute Signature Package for your Colorado wedding ceremony.

Listen to Music Samples

June 25, 2020

Featured Venue: Sapphire Point

June 25, 2020/ Christen Stephens

Sapphire Point is one of my favorite wedding venues in the Colorado mountains. I enjoy playing elegant wedding ceremony music at the overlook each year, and I’m excited to share my favorite highlights of this stunning wedding location. Sapphire Point is perfect for intimate wedding ceremonies, and it can accommodate up to 35 guests. The wedding site is beautifully situated and features sweeping views of the Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges. A short walk down a mountain trail brings you to the overlook, where you can enjoy the shade of the surrounding pine trees on hot summer days or the mountaintop sunshine when it’s chilly outside. The chipmunks are especially friendly and children and adults both enjoy feeding them before and after the wedding.

Sapphire Point is stunning in every season

A Summer Wedding at Sapphire Point

www.ChristenStephens.com - photo by christen stephens

A Winter Wedding at Sapphire Point

An Autumn Wedding at Sapphire Point

A Spring Wedding at Sapphire Point

www.ChristenStephens.com -photo by mallory munson

Feeding the Chipmunks

The chipmunks at Sapphire Point are very friendly and will climb into your hand if you have food. They certainly make for some great photo ops!

www.ChristenStephens.com -photo by Christina Craddock

Beautiful Sunset Photos

Sunsets at Sapphire Point are spectacular, and many couples time their wedding ceremony to end shortly before sunset so that they have time to get that perfect shot.

www.ChristenStephens.com -photo by ian riley

www.ChristenStephens.com -photo by munson photography

Intimate Elopements

Sapphire Point is the perfect elopement destination, and intimate enough for weddings with just the bride and groom, like this one.

www.ChristenStephens.com -photo by steve tinetti

Tie it all together with elegant live music

Live music perfectly accompanies the stunning views at Sapphire Point. The space is small, so a soloist or a duo makes an elegant accompaniment to the natural beauty of this location. Most of the weddings that I book for Sapphire Point are for my joyful solo flute music.

www.ChristenStephens.com -photo by infinite pixels

Are you ready to book beautiful live music for your Sapphire Point wedding? Contact me today and let’s customize your wedding day music!

Contact Christen

July 26, 2019

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music at Sapphire Point in Dillon, CO

July 26, 2019/ Christen Stephens

It was the end of May, and the Colorado mountains had been blanked in snowy weather and thick clouds for weeks. When I was hired to play solo flute for this wedding ceremony on Sapphire Point, I prayed for a beautiful day. Wow, were my prayers answered! The day started off very cold, but the hot mountain sun came out just in time for this magical wedding ceremony to take place. The mountains were covered in a fresh layer of gleaming white snow, which contrasted beautifully with the brilliant blue of Dillon Lake.

The couple was married under a birch wedding arch which was bursting with purple and pink flowers. The flowers and greenery in the arch and the bouquets were chosen to create an Elvin forest feel, and I was absolutely in love with them! My joyful flute music completed the picture, bringing to mind dancing nymphs in a secluded forest setting.

I played a mix of classical, pop, and Irish songs on my flute to greet the guests as they arrived. The bride walked down the aisle to Wagner’s “Bridal March”, and the ceremony was short and intimate. Afterwards, I continued to play as guests mingled and as photos were taken. My solo flute music added an air of festivity and beauty and announced that something special was happening at this park.

A Sampling from the Prelude and Postlude Music:
Romanza from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall, The Swan (Saint-Saens), Come Away with Me (Norah Jones), To Make You Feel My Love (Adele), Manx Lullaby (traditional Irish), When You Wish Upon a Star from Pinocchio

Enjoy my solo flute signature package to add romance and a classy, modern feel to your wedding ceremony. Listen to solo flute music samples and learn more here. Learn more about solo flute by reading this recent solo flute blog post.

Fun Tip: In natural Colorado settings like this one, live music is the very first touch that will draw guests in and announce that a wedding is taking place. The music will be heard even before anything else is revealed. Then have welcoming signs to draw your friends and family in, and add fresh flowers for an elegant finish.

Blog

From the Mother of the Bride:

Our String Quartet will Create the Soundtrack for Your Special Day!

From the Groom:

Experience the Classic Romance of Flute and Guitar.

From the Bride:

Add Fun and Elegance to your Wedding Day with Our Joyful String Quartet!

From the Mother of the Bride:

“Perfect Music for my Daughter's Wedding”

Our Enchanting Flute and Cello Duo is Pure Elegance.

Experience the Elegance of our Flute and Strings Trio.

Enjoy the Peace of Sacred Music on our String Trio.

Experience the Bridgerton Feel of our String Quartet.

From the Father of the Bride (excerpt from his letter to me):

Our String Trio Adds the Perfect Touch of Class to Any Event!

Enjoy the Romance of my Solo Flute Music for your Wedding Ceremony.

Experience the beauty and joy of our flute and violin duo.

From the Bride:

Enjoy the joy and elegance of my solo flute music.

Listen to Music Samples Recorded Live from the Wedding:

Experience the Vibrant Joy of our Flute and Violin Duo for Your Wedding Ceremony

Celebrate Your Wedding With the Beauty of Strings.

From the Groom:

“Amazing Musical Team!”

Our Flute and Strings Quartet is an Impressive Addition to any Wedding!

From the Bride:

“Absolutely Beautiful”

Listen to a Live Music Clip from the Wedding:

Experience the Joy of the Flute (or two flutes!) with Strings.

From the Bride:

Experience the traditional elegance of our String Trio.

Our flute and violin duo is the perfect music choice for an intimate wedding ceremony.

From the Groom:

“Christen was a delight to work with! “

Enjoy the romance and flexibility of my Solo Flute Signature Package for your Colorado wedding ceremony.

Sapphire Point is stunning in every season

A Summer Wedding at Sapphire Point

A Winter Wedding at Sapphire Point

An Autumn Wedding at Sapphire Point

A Spring Wedding at Sapphire Point

Feeding the Chipmunks

Beautiful Sunset Photos

Intimate Elopements

Tie it all together with elegant live music