May 05, 2024

An Old Hollywood Inspired Wedding at the Four Seasons in Vail, Colorado: Flute and Cello Duo

May 05, 2024/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Cello Wedding Music at the Four Seasons in Vail, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Cat Galletti

On a snowy day in early December, our flute and cello duo played for an old Hollywood inspired wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. As guests were arriving, we played nostalgic jazz music. Our music, along with the cozy Christmas decor, was a warm counterpart to the cold and snowy winter day.

The ceremony took place outdoors, and because it was in the 20’s (both the inspired era and the temperature!), we played indoors and amplified our music to the outside using my professional Bose sound system. The guests were escorted to the outdoor wedding deck at the last minute, and we played the charming processional songs that the bride chose: “Love on Top” (Beyonce) and the classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (Elvis).

After the ceremony, we segued to fun contemporary music as the guests mingled and had appetizers inside. The space was so crowded, that the wedding planner again had us play in a different room and amplify our music to where the guests were mingling. My second Bose bluetooth speaker was an easy wireless solution, and guests easily heard our music throughout the space.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Love on Top (Beyonce): Wedding Party
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis): Bride
Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Stevie Wonder): Recessional

Sample Music Selections from the Prelude:
Unchained Melody (Righteous Brothers), My Funny Valentine (Ella Fitzgerald), Misty (Ella Fitzgerald), As Time Goes By from Casablanca, All of Me (Ruth Etting)

Sample Music Selections from the Cocktail Hour:
Holy (Justin Bieber), You Are the Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne), Sweet Child O’Mine (Guns N’Roses), Thank You (Led Zeppelin), Here Comes the Sun (Beatles), Kiss From a Rose (Seal), Somewhere Only We Know (Keane), A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Four Seasons Vail
Wedding Planner: Little Valley Weddings
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Cello Duo
Florist: Iva and Grace
Hair and Makeup: BMC Glam
Photographer: Cat Galletti Photography
Videographer: Love Story Films

Flute and Cello Wedding Music at the Four Seasons in Vail, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Cat Galetti

Experience the Nostalgic Ambience of our Flute and Cello Duo.

Listen to Flute and Cello Music Samples

June 30, 2023

Solo Flute Music for a Snowy Wedding Ceremony at the Denver Botanic Gardens

June 30, 2023/ Christen Stephens

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Christen Stephens

Watch Video: Just the Way Your Are (Bruno Mars), Live Solo Flute Cover

This February, I had the pleasure of playing solo flute at the Woodland Mosaic Garden, in Denver, Colorado. In the midst of an unusually cold winter, this day was sunny and mild, and the sounds of my flute perfectly complimented the snow-covered winter garden setting.

As guests began to arrive, I started playing a selection of country and contemporary music with a laid-back and romantic vibe. The acoustics inside the solarium are wonderful, and my flute music filled the indoor and outdoor spaces with fun melodies that set the mood for the entire morning.

The bride had requested that I play "Come What May" from the movie Moulin Rouge. This was a gorgeous melody that I hadn’t heard before, and a dramatic addition to the wedding ceremony. Since not many people were there when I first played it, I played it once more after the ceremony, as the couple took photos inside the solarium.

After the ceremony ended, I continued to play upbeat music, and the guests were delighted to hear more familiar tunes.

I was grateful for the opportunity to bring joy and warmth to this special day, and to meet some wonderful people along the way!

“It was Magical”

“Christen played the flute during our ceremony at the Botanic gardens and it was magical. She was early, communicated well, and tailored the music to the style that we like. Overall great experience!” Cassi F., bride

Married at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado
Solo Flute
Photo by David Gilette

Sample Music From the Prelude:
Annie’s Song
Come what May from Moulin Rouge
Amazed (Lonestar)
Lover (Taylor Swift)
Butterflies (Kacey Musgraves)
Bubbly (Colbie Caillat)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Woodland Mosaic Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Solo Flute
Photographer: Lilly and Lime

Captivate your Guests with the Intimate Sound of Solo Flute.

Listen to Solo Flute Music Samples

June 14, 2023

A Fantasy Inspired Wedding Ceremony and Reception at the Bristlecone Inn in Estes Park, Colorado: Flute and Violin Duo

June 14, 2023/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony and Reception Music at the Bristlecone Inn in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by All Digital Photo

On a crisp winter day in Estes Park, our duo traveled to the charming Bristlecone Inn in Estes Park to play music for an enchanting vow renewal ceremony. The couple had originally planned to hire me to play live music for their wedding in 2022, but due to the Omicron variant of Covid, they decided to elope and renew their vows in front of family and friends one year later.

For their relaxed vow renewal ceremony, the couple requested traditional Irish music along with other favorites that they were excited to hear, including music from Lord of the Rings, and movie music. The sound of our flute and violin duo filled the cozy and intimate space with warmth and elegance.

As guests arrived at the Bristlecone Inn, they were greeted by our lively and upbeat traditional Irish music. We played a mix of fast Irish music and other dramatic and upbeat songs to accompany the appetizers and cocktails during the happy hour. The music set the tone for a lighthearted and joy-filled celebration.

Here are some samples from the happy hour selections:

Banish Misfortune (Irish)
Gigue from Suite #3 in D Major (Bach)
Allegro from Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 #1, Spring (Vivaldi)
Dennis Murphy’s Polka (Irish)
Si Bheag, Si Mhor (Irish)

After the happy hour, it was time for the main event. The bride and groom renewed their vows, surrounded by their closest family and friends. The bride looked stunning in a magnificent black gown, while the groom wore a traditional kilt. The ceremony was filled with emotion and love from close family and friends.

Following the ceremony, the bride and groom cut the cake, and then it was time for their first dance. They chose the delightful “Concerning Hobbits" from the Lord of the Rings soundtrack. The dance ended in giggles, because “Concering Hobbits” is very hard to dance to, but it was all part of the charm of their wonderful day.

For lunch, they requested mellow music and slow Irish pieces. Here are some samples from the dinner music:

Si Bheag, Si Mhor (Irish)
Morning Star (Irish)
Clair de Lune (Debussy)
Carry on My Wayward Son (Kansas)
River Flows in You (Yiruma)

While we were playing, we noticed that a young girl was absolutely fascinated with our music and instruments. Between songs, we had the opportunity to show her our instruments, and now she’s wants to learn to play both the flute and violin!

Afterwards, we were invited to eat a meal of some of the best burgers and cake I’ve ever had. I wish I had the name of the baker because not only did the cake taste incredible, but it looked amazing!

The couple's decision to have live music for their special day added a personal touch and created an intimate and memorable atmosphere that will be cherished for years to come.

Enchanting Melodies for Unforgettable Moments.

Listen to Flute and Violin Music Samples

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Bristlecone Inn
Photographer: All Digital Photography
Cocktail Hour and Reception Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo

June 01, 2023

A Memorable Winter Wedding at the Oaks at Plum Creek in Castle Rock, Colorado

June 01, 2023/ Christen Stephens

String Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at the Oaks at Plum Creek in Castle Rock, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Kenzie Lynn

On a crisp, sunny winter day, I enjoyed playing my cello along with my string trio for a beautiful Christian wedding ceremony. Despite the chill, the sun lent a warmth to the day that set the scene for this charming winter wedding at The Oaks at Plum Creek.

Located in a cozy suburban corner, The Oaks offers an impressive indoor space with a sweeping view of the golf course and city, and our musical performance elevated the space and gave the day a celebratory feel.

As guests began to arrive, we played a prelude of both classical and contemporary pieces. The positive feedback we received from the arriving guests made us feel good that our performance was being well-received and enjoyed.

For the communion the bride selected the hymn "Be Thou My Vision". It was such a lovely pause in the ceremony, a sacred moment shared between the bride and the groom,

After the formal ceremony concluded, our lively music accompanied the guests as they transitioned from the ceremony to the reception.

Winter weddings are less common than celebrations in the spring and summer months, but they lend a unique charm and and beauty that’s just as enchanting. My trio and I were thrilled to be a part of this couple’s special day!

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis): Family and Wedding Party
Turning Page from Twilight: Bride
Marry You (Bruno Mars): Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Oaks at Plum Creek
Ceremony Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Trio
Photography: Kenzie Lynn Photography

Experience the Classic Beauty of Our String Trio.

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

May 19, 2022

Flute and Cello Duo at the Chapel at Beaver Creek in Colorado

May 19, 2022/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Cello Wedding Ceremony Music at the Chapel at Beaver Creek, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

Celebrate your wedding day with the joyful sounds of the flute, accompanied by the rich beauty of the cello.

Listen to Flute and Cello Music Samples

I played flute along with my cellist at the charming Chapel at Beaver Creek for a Christmas day wedding ceremony this year. The couple was from Washington state, but they had their first date in Vail, so they wanted to have their wedding ceremony nearby in the beautiful Colorado mountains. The chapel was postcard perfect, and the Christmas decorations doubled as wedding decorations.

Our music added a special touch and celebratory feeling to the picturesque setting. The wedding had only four guests, and the celebration was sweet and intimate. While the bride prepared to walk down the aisle, we played a mix of classical, traditional wedding music, and Beatles songs. We had to leave quickly after the ceremony to make way for a Christmas day service, but the arriving guests greatly expanded our audience for just a few minutes!

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

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

April 03, 2019

Flute Trio Wedding Ceremony and Reception Music at the Brown Palace Hotel in Denver, Colorado

April 03, 2019/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Trio Classical and Popular Wedding Ceremony Music at the Brown Palace in Denver, Colorado

It was a cold and blustery February afternoon in Denver, Colorado on the day that my flute and string trio played for this winter wedding ceremony. Inside the luxurious Brown Palace it was like a different world, and the perfect setting for an incredibly romantic wedding. The elegant stained glass windows made the room into a sanctuary and blocked out the gusty winter winds and bustling city sounds from downtown Denver.

Our trio played classical music and set the mood as guests arrived. During the ceremony, the bride’s mother sung the Jewish wedding blessings in Hebrew, and a feeling of perfect peace filled the room. The ceremony was lovely to watch, and I never tire of seeing two people who are obviously soul mates joined together in marriage.

Afterwards, it was time for everyone to feast, and we played lively modern music as everyone ate. The groom was so fun to work with, and very interested in every aspect of the music, so I enjoyed putting together a great custom set list to keep everyone celebrating throughout the evening. Everyone enjoyed our music so much that they clapped for us in between songs.

We also had the opportunity to play two first dance songs, and we accompanied the vocals and guitar music with flute and strings. We played “To Make You Feel My Love” and “This I Promise You” and it was a beautiful moment.

We finished playing the dinner music with one of the groom’s favorite songs - a rousing rendition of the “Star Wars” theme! Then I got a request to play the theme from Jurassic Park, which I did briefly, to everyone’s delight.

From the Groom:
“Christen and her crew are all super talented, displayed the utmost professionalism, and are a pleasure to work with with our Feb 2019 wedding. They even were willing to work with us and the musicians in our wedding party to create an ensemble that made the first dance songs extra special. Christen is super accommodating and can't recommend her enough.”

Quick Tip:
Hire us to play for your wedding ceremony and cocktail hour, dinner, and reception. It’s not only very convenient but we also have a large repertoire of classical and modern music to keep your guests celebrating all night.

Sample Selections from Prelude Music:
Romanza from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), Air from Water Music (Handel), Salzburger Minuet (Mozart)

Wedding Processional Music:
Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Boy and Ringbearer ~ Largo from Xerxes
Bride ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Recessional ~ Wedding March from a Midsummer NIght’s Dream

Postlude Music:
Fugue in D (Handel), Humoresque from Op. 101, #7 (Dvorak), Nocturne from Op.9 #2 for piano (Chopin)

Sample Selections from Dinner Music:
Over the Rainbow, Stand by Me (Ben King), Accidentally in Love (Counting Crows), A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis), The Wedding from Legends of the Fall, A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay), Star Wars (Main Theme)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Brown Palace Hotel
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute Trio
Photographer: Kretuzer Photography

Experience the Elegance of the Flute and Strings for your Wedding Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, and Reception!

Contact

November 01, 2018

Live Music for Winter Weddings: Challenges, Tips, and Tricks

November 01, 2018/ Christen Stephens

Flute Quartet wedding ceremony music in beaver creek, colorado, photo by preston utley

A romantic Colorado winter wedding inspires dreams of fairytale snow, twinkle lights, steaming spiced drinks, and a crackling fire. My clients travel from all over the United States to be married in Colorado, and they’re drawn by the allure of the majestic mountains and pristine landscape. Colorado’s brilliant autumn foliage, epic snow covered peaks, and ever-changing vistas are an ideal setting for one of the most special days of your life. Live music adds the perfect warming touch to any winter wedding.

If you’re looking for musicians to play for your winter wedding, you may have discovered that it’s difficult to find musicians who will agree to play outdoors when the weather is cold. In fact, most musicians won’t play if the temperature is below 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Are musicians being overly particular, or are there legitimate reasons for their specific temperature requirements? What is it really like for a musician to play outdoors in the winter?

As both a flutist and a cellist, I decided to test out the claims that live music couldn’t (or shouldn’t) be performed outside in the cold, and I dedicated the winter of 2017 to my experiment, which culminated in playing my flute for an outdoor mountain wedding in the middle of December. I wanted to see exactly what would happen to me, my flute, and my cello! I uncovered the challenges to playing outside in cold weather and discovered a number of helpful tips for musicians who will be playing outside in the cold. I also put together a list of tips for the wedding couple who is planning to have live music for their outdoor winter wedding ceremony.

My Experiment:

As winter began to arrive, I decided to play both my flute and cello outside every day for 15 minutes. At first it was easy, and I enjoyed the time outside, looking at the mountain view in my backyard.

Cello:

The temperatures started to drop as winter approached, and I found that I needed to start wearing my winter coat. My fingers were quite cold, but I was able to play until one day that was in the upper 40’s. I was playing cello, but my winter coat was bulky and it made my movements difficult. My fingerless gloves were also too bulky to wear while playing, and the icy cold metal cello strings felt sharp and unpleasant under my fingers. Without a warm coat or gloves, my fingers went completely numb from the cold and the metal strings after about five minutes. I couldn’t feel the strings any longer and my fingers became quite stiff from the cold, which impeded movement. The result was a rather clunky sounding version of “Frosty the Snowman”. My fingers started to hurt from the cold, so I had to cut my playing time short.

In addition to my own discomfort, the cello itself is a very delicate instrument, and sensitive to temperature and humidity changes. Outdoor performances in hot or cold weather can cause the wood of the instrument to crack or split, especially at the seams, and this has happened to my cello on occasion. Dry air, temperature changes, and temperature extremes can all be culprits.

It’s also very difficult to play in tune on the cello in very cold weather, and I found this out in my experiment. When the weather turns cold, the strings on a stringed instrument contract. In contrast, the wooden part of the instrument expands and contracts in response to humidity. In cold weather, the instrument will go very sharp, and since the strings each contract at different rates, it's very difficult to keep a stringed instrument in tune in cold weather. When musicians have to play together in cold weather, their instruments will change pitch at different rates, so they not only have to stay in tune with themselves, but they have to stay in tune with the other musicians.

In short, I found that playing my cello below the prescribed 55-60 degrees was very difficult for the listener’s ears, my cello, and myself.

Flute:

Playing my flute in the cold worked a lot better than cello. One magical day, I played outside (under my porch) during the first snow, and I felt like I was in a fairy land. My music was so beautiful coupled with the falling snow, and the temperature was still quite a bit above freezing. I was able to wear fingerless gloves while I played, and because flute requires smaller movements than cello, I could also wear my heavy winter clothes to stay warm. My fingers did go numb, but I was still able to play, and my flute sounded great! When the temperatures stayed above freezing with not too much wind, I enjoyed my outdoor sessions a lot.

An Outdoor Colorado Mountain Wedding

When it was time to play my flute for the outdoor wedding in the mountains, I was as ready as I could be! It was a short hike through the snow from my car to the wedding site. By the time the guests began to arrive, I had been outside preparing and waiting for about an hour. By the time I started playing prelude music, my flute was ice cold.

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at sapphire point in dillon, colorado, photo by ian riley

It’s recommended to acclimate a musical instrument to the surrounding temperature before playing. This is true with a wooden instrument, but I found out the hard way that in really cold temperatures with the flute, this is a very bad idea, and that it’s best to keep your instrument as warm as possible. The icy metal of my flute under my fingertips, combined with the brisk wind instantly stripped all remaining warmth from my fingers, and they went numb immediately. I kept putting them into my pockets, and using my hand warmers to try to warm them up, but 5 minutes of playing to 10 seconds of warming wasn’t sufficient.

After I had been playing for about 15 minutes, what had started out as a sunny day in the mid 30's quickly turned cloudy and windy, and the temperature dropped to below freezing.

After 10 minutes of playing in below freezing temperatures, the moisture from my breath froze inside my flute, and it formed a layer of ice that started to thicken. Ice also collected under my keys, and they started to instantly freeze to my flute. There were certain notes that I couldn’t play anymore, so I did my best to avoid using the keys that were frozen to the flute. I changed flutes to my backup flute, which was nice and dry in its case. Unfortunately, it had become so cold, that it only took 5 minutes for ice to form inside my backup flute as well. My lips started freezing to the metal a little, but they were warm enough to not completely stick.

After the ceremony, I played for the recessional and then played some nice postlude music as photos were being taken. Towards the end, my fingertips were starting to feel comfortably warm, and I realized that they weren't actually warm, but that they were starting to get frostbite. After playing and packing up, I had been outside for 2 1/2 hours straight.

The Beauty of Live Music in Winter

The setting for the wedding ceremony was truly a winter wonderland. It overlooked snow covered mountains and an evening lake. The fresh white snow crunched under our feet, and the bare dark tree limbs and green pines stood out against the white sky. My music added the perfect finishing touch to the ceremony, and gave the wild setting a touch of sophistication.

I designed my music set list to celebrate winter and to help the guests feel warmer. The bride requested Christmas songs in addition to classical songs, so I playing songs like “Chestnuts Roasting On and Open Fire”, “Jingle Bells”, and “Winter Wonderland”.

The Challenges for Musicians

The three main challenges that I discovered with playing a musical instrument outdoors in cold temperatures are frostbite, expensive instrument repairs, and a performance that’s not top quality.

Frostbite: After playing for the winter wedding ceremony, my fingers were all in pain, and the pain lasted for a week. I also got frostbite on one of my fingertips, and I was in pain in that spot for three months.
Instrument Repairs: Our delicate musical instruments are handmade using materials that are very responsive to the environment around them. I had my professional flute repaired after that wedding, and the cost for the repair was almost $2000. The ice had cut into the delicate pads that are under the keys. The pads are what creates a seal when the keys are pressed. I had to replace all of my pads and do additional repairs as well.
Performance Quality: Since some of my keys were frozen together, there were several notes that I could no longer play. With stiff fingers, I couldn’t play very fast pieces of music. Also, it wasn’t as easy to play long phrases when I was inhaling very cold air. Intonation (playing in tune) can also be a huge problem, although in my case, I had several guests compliment me on my great intonation. I was also impressed that these well-informed guests were talking about intonation.

I concluded that the challenges for musicians playing outdoors in cold weather are very real, and it must be done with care. I also learned a number of very valuable tips for both musicians and clients to help make live outdoor winter wedding music a better success.

Tips for Musicians

Take time in advance to look at average temperatures, weather, and what kind of shelter or heat sources there will be.
To avoid expensive instrument repairs, have a backup instrument (or two in my case) ready to play in case of inclement weather.
Wear lightweight full coverage under-clothing, and avoid wearing bulky clothing as much as possible.
Wear the warmest clothes that you are able to wear while play your instrument. If your body is warm, your extremities will be more likely to stay warm. Be careful not to overdress, but wear layers that you can adjust as needed.
Arrange to play next to a warm gas patio heater if possible. If it’s very windy, the heater can still help a lot to re-warm your hands and your instrument between songs.
Watch out for frostbite. It feels nice and warm when you’re getting it.
When the temperature is near or below freezing, put hand warmers in your case and keep your flute (or non-wooden instrument) closed in the case until it’s time to play.
Keep hand warmers inside your shoes and your pockets. Prepare them in advance so that they’re toasty warm when it’s time to play.
For flute, plug the holes in the keys so that you won’t have to worry about having to cover them with numb fingers.
If you want full coverage gloves, I found that cycling gloves work the best because they stop the wind, but they are very thin. They also have nice grips on the fingers. I added a small piece of electrical tape on each thumb to add more grip. The downside is that it’s harder to re-warm your hands between songs when wearing full coverage gloves.
If possible bring the following items: hot drink in an insulated container, hand warmers, warm clothing (including warm shoes, hat, and gloves), and alternate instruments.
Do quick aerobic exercises before the guests arrive to encourage good circulation.
Play near a windbreak, or set one up for yourself.
Just say “no” if you don’t think that you can do a performance that’s up to the quality that you and your potential client would want.

Tips For Hiring Musicians for Your Outdoor Winter Wedding Ceremony

Know what the temperature averages are for the time of year and time of day of your wedding. Know what your limits are for the temperature and weather, and have a backup plan ready.
Be flexible. It’s hard to know what to expect from the weather in Colorado. Be prepared for a very wide range of temperatures and weather conditions that can quickly change within minutes.
Consider getting married indoors in front of large windows overlooking the winter landscape.
If you want to be married outdoors, consider inviting your guests to mingle indoors with the live music, and have your guests and musicians move outside for just your ceremony.
Have your wedding in a location where the musicians can play indoors and amplify their sound to the outside for your ceremony.
Choose an outdoor wedding location that’s sheltered from the wind.
Ask your musicians what their minimum playing temperature is. Discuss alternate plans with them in case it’s too cold for them to play outside.
Provide your musicians with one or more gas patio heaters to help them stay warm in cold weather.
Trust your musicians. If they say they can’t play outside if it’s below a certain temperature, then it’s for good reason.

Conclusion:

Featuring live music at your outdoor winter wedding is very romantic, and the music adds a feel of sophistication and warmth to the setting. After my experiment with playing outside in all kind of weather conditions, I concluded that playing a musical instrument in cold weather must be done with care because the challenges for the musician and the risks to the instrument are very real. As musicians, it’s important that we look out for our personal health and prevent our instruments from being damaged. Simply put, our instruments aren’t designed to be played in very cold weather, and neither are we. I also learned a number of tips for clients, and tips to help me with future performances in the cold, and what my limits are to do them safely.

As professional musicians, my team and I really care about you and your wedding. We strive for the highest quality performance, and if our cold-numbed fingers prevent us from moving properly or if our instruments sound bad or go out of tune because of the cold, our performance quality will suffer. I always let my clients know our limits, and options for solutions before they book me. Then we can work together to find the solution that works best for my them, myself, and my team of musicians.

April 05, 2018

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

April 05, 2018/ Christen Stephens

Photos Courtesy of Ian Riley Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at Sapphire Point in Dillon, Colorado

In mid-December, I headed up to Dillon, Colorado to play solo flute for an outdoor wedding ceremony on Sapphire Point Overlook. Sapphire Point has stunning views of the Dillon Reservoir and the surrounding mountains. The mountains and pines were covered with snow, making an incredibly romantic setting for this Texas couple's wedding ceremony. I helped the guests feel warmer by playing a mix of contemporary, jazz, and Christmas music as they arrived and were seated. I think that "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" was particularly inviting to all of us in the steady wind and freezing temperatures.

The ceremony was fairly short and then I continued to play after the ceremony concluded while the wedding party had their photos taken. I can play my flute as long as the temperatures stay above freezing, but the temperatures were below freezing, and soon the inside of my flute was completely covered in a thick layer of ice from the moisture in my breath. I quickly changed flutes to my backup flute but soon that one froze too! Since a few keys froze together, I just avoided the notes that I couldn't play until the end of my booked time. It was quite an adventure!

Samples from Prelude Music:

Isn't it Romantic? (Ella Fitzgerald), Annie's Song (John Denver), Cheek to Cheek (Sinatra), Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall, What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Deck the Hall, The First Noel, Frosty the Snowman, A Holly Jolly Christmas, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Processional Music:

Groom: Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis)
Bride: Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Recessional: Fly Me to the Moon (Sinatra)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:

Venue: Sapphire Point
Photographer and Videographer: Ian Riley Photography
Officiant: Phil Gallagher
Colorado Wedding Musician: Christen Stephens on Solo Flute

Hire me to play my magical and romantic solo flute music at your wedding.

March 26, 2018

Solo Flute Wedding Elopement Ceremony Music in Estes Park

March 26, 2018/ Christen Stephens

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music in Estes Park, Colorado

Around Christmas time, I played solo flute for an intimate elopement wedding at Della Terra Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado. The bride and groom chose to celebrate each other in a private destination ceremony, and I felt so privileged to be a part of their special day. Even though there were no guests, the couple chose to celebrate with a traditional wedding ceremony. The bride's dream was to have a magical outdoor ceremony in a snowy mountain setting. Despite the frosty day, there wasn't any snow on the ground, but there was a chance of snow, and we were all hoping for the best. A few flakes of snow ended up falling during and after the ceremony, and the mountain peaks in the background also had some white, completing a romantic winter backdrop. Since the temperature was well below freezing, and cold enough for ice to form inside my flute, I had to play my flute inside and let my sound float out the windows and doors. The couple was married outside on the patio and they were still able to hear my music clearly. The bride wore a beautiful wedding gown, crown, and a furry white shawl, just like an enchanted snow princess.

The couple selected a set of familiar contemporary songs from my current repertoire, and they customized the set list with additional song requests. I really enjoyed learning the new songs and adapting the vocal parts and instrumental interludes for solo flute.

Because of the frosty weather, the bride and groom decided to have their after-ceremony celebration indoors. The inside of the chateau was dripping with Christmas elegance, and we stayed toasty warm in front of one of several cheerfully crackling fires. I played "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran for the couple's first dance as a married couple. The simplicity of the dance with just the two of them serenaded by my flute was very sweet and romantic. I continued to play while they cut and ate their cake, toasted with champagne, and while they opened their gifts to each other. Being focused completely on each other was such a lovely way for them to spend their first few hours as a married couple.

Sample from the Prelude and Postlude Music: Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran), Got to Believe in Magic (David Pomeranz), Love is All That Matters (David Pomeranz), Valentine (Jim Brickman), Your Love (Jim Brickman), Destiny (Jim Brickman), The Gift (Jim Brickman), Beautiful in White (Westlife), Love Was Made For Us (Cleo)

Processional: A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

Recessional: From This Moment (Shania Twain)

First Dance: Perfect (Ed Sheeran)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Musician: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Solo Flute
Photographer: Crystaline Photography and Video

Add the versatile music of the flute to your wedding ceremony or event. Listen to Music Samples.

August 03, 2017

Flute and Cello Duo at Tapestry House in Laporte, Colorado

August 03, 2017/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Cello duo in Fort Collins, Colorado, by Christen Stephens

Photos courtesy of Ash Meier Photography This spring, my flute and cello duo headed up to the Tapestry House in Laporte, Colorado to play for an elegant wedding ceremony. The charming Queen Anne style Tapestry House is a delightful wedding location. The lush green lawns are highlighted with flowers and graced with mature shade trees that are dripping with elegant twinkle lights. Everyone enjoyed the shade under the trees as our duo played a selection of classical prelude music to set an elegant mood. The bride and groom chose processional and recessional songs to complement their traditional wedding ceremony.

I first thought that the Tapestry House was a beautifully restored historical home, but upon reading the history of the home on the venue's website, I found out that I was mistaken. The house is authentic to the time period but was more recently built. This is because the original house had deteriorated so badly that it was dismantled. The owners carefully salvaged wood, brick, stone, and architectural elements from the original house and incorporated them back into the new Queen Anne Revival Victorian that now occupies the original house site. Featuring six different colors of paint, the Tapestry House is called a “Painted Lady”, which is a term that refers to homes from the late Victorian era that featured three or more contrasting colors of paint. Although the home is new it is such a remarkable reproduction of a Queen Anne Revival style Victorian home that the Poudre Landmarks Foundation has included it twice, since 2002, on its historic homes tour.

Samples from the Prelude Music: March in D (Bach), Spring (Vivaldi), Arioso (Bach), Menuet from the Notebook of Anna Magdalena Bach (Bach)

Wedding Ceremony Music: Air from Overture #3 in D Major (Bach) ~ Groom, bridesmaids, ringbearer, flower girl Canon in D (Pachelbel) ~ Bride La Rejouissance (Handel) ~ Recessional Hornpipe Finale (Handel) ~ Postlude

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Tapestry House
Photographer: Ash Meier
Musicians: Christen Stephens - Flute and Cello Duo

Add the elegance of the flute and cello to your wedding! Listen to Music Samples >

Flute and Cello duo in Fort Collins, Colorado, by Christen Stephens, Photos courtesy of Ash Meier Photography — Flute and Cello duo in Fort Collins, Colorado, by Christen Stephens, *Photos courtesy of* *Ash Meier Photography*

March 07, 2017

Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music in Aspen, Colorado

March 07, 2017/ Christen Stephens

This past weekend in early March, I played flute as part of a quartet for a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour in Aspen, Colorado. It was a beautiful spring-like day when we headed up to Aspen and when we arrived there were many people skiing on the slopes enjoying the warm weather. We took the Silver Queen Gondola up to the sundeck on the top of Aspen Mountain where the wedding ceremony would take place.

The bride chose to get married at sunset. It was chilly, sunny and windy on top of the mountain and the red and orange sunset was spectacular. When dusk fell it became very cold but the bride kept warm in an elegant fur capelet, and hand warmers were passed out to the guests. Our quartet was organized by A Touch of Class Music and it was made up of a flute, violin, cello and guitar. We played classical prelude music before the ceremony began. After the ceremony, everyone moved inside near the large fireplace where they warmed up and enjoyed drinks. We entertained the guests with a selection of jazz tunes.

Sample Prelude Music: Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach), Giga (Handel), Andante Op. 29 (Schubert), Minuet (Beethoven), Allegro and Bourree from Water Music (Handel)

Wedding Ceremony Music: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) ~ Last Prelude Song Largo from Winter (Vivaldi) ~ Parents Air from Suite No. 3 (Bach) ~ Processional Canon in D (Pachelbel) ~ Bride You've Got a Friend in Me (Randy Newman) ~ Recessional

Sample Cocktail Hour Music: Fly Me to the Moon, Autumn Leaves, Don't Get Around Much Anymore, Satin Doll

Wedding Ceremony Vendors: Wedding Planner ~ Nicole from Ashley Nicole Events Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Musicians ~ A Touch of Class Music Venue ~ The Little Nell (Sundeck Patio and Benedict's)

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