Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music in Edwards, Colorado

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music in Edwards, Colorado - Music by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

This vibrant couple didn’t let the pandemic get in the way of their 2020 wedding plans, but their plans did change many times leading up to their wedding, with the safety of their family and friends in mind. They finally ended up with an intimate wedding ceremony at a privater rental home on the top of a mountain, and the end result was stunning!

Our flute and violin duo set the mood with elegant music that the bride chose, including “Ave Maria” (Schubert), “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong), and “River Flows in You” (Yiruma). The ceremony was held outside with a panoramic mountain view as the backdrop.

The bride walked down the aisle to a very special rendition of “A Thousand Years”, which my violinist sung while I accompanied her on flute. From our perch above the ceremony, we could see elk leaping and playing on the mountains as the ceremony was taking place.

From the Bride:

“We Could Not Recommend Someone More”

“Christen is a pleasure to work with. She is organized, timely, and professional. She helped us put together a lovely timeline, and chose music that was perfectly suited to our tastes. She is outstandingly talented and wonderful to work with! We could not recommend someone more.”

Ceremony Music:
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis) - Wedding Party
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) - Bride
Butterfly Waltz from Twilight- After First Reading
Romanza from Eine Kline Nachtmusik (Mozart) - After Second Reading
Amazing Grace - Knot Tying Ceremony
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles) - Recessional

Samples from Cocktail Hour Music:
Canon in D (Pachelbel), You’ll Be in My Heart (Tarzan), Moon River

Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony Music - Flute and Violin Duo - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens
Photographer - Shebli Huston Photography
Videographer - Chris Rasmussen Films

Flute and Violin Make the Perfect Pair!

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music in Denver, Colorado

This Denver wedding ceremony couldn’t have had better timing, with a weather system that pulled the wildfire smoke away from Colorado for just a few days. The bride and groom were graced with brilliant blue skies and perfect weather for their wedding day.

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Denver, Colorado by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Murray

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Denver, Colorado by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Murray

The ceremony took place on a private elegant rooftop garden in downtown Denver. We accompanied the ceremony and cocktail hour with our romantic and joyful flute and harp music.

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Denver, Colorado by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Murray

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Denver, Colorado by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Murray

The ceremony was intimate with just immediate family members, and they were all such amazing and kind people. It was a joy to be a part of this special day.

From the Bride

“Christen Was Phenomenal”

“Christen and her accompanist were absolutely amazing. My husband and I can’t say enough about them! We had them for our intimate wedding in September and she was so amazing to work with. As are most things in 2020, this was always a dream of mine to have a harp at my wedding but it was a last minute decision as we were trying to be COVID conscious. Christen was phenomenal. She was flexible, she learned the songs we had our heart set on and she helped us come up with a wonderful ceremony and cocktail play list. Truly my one regret from our wedding is not sitting down for a few more minutes to just enjoy the beautiful music. I hope to work with Christen again and would 100% recommend her to any friends or family looking to add that special touch to their event. Thank you for helping to make 2020 so memorable for us!”

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Denver, Colorado by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Murray

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Processional - Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Recessional - Signed, Sealed, Delivered (Stevie Wonder)

The bride selected her entire cocktail hour music playlist:
Shallow (Lady Gaga), Perfect (Ed Sheeren), All of Me (John Legend), Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis), Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeren), I’m Yours (Jason Mraz), A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen), Over the Rainbow from the Wizard of Oz, Wonderful Tonight (Eric Clapton), Someone Like You (Adele), Make You Feel My Love (Adele), The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall, And So it Goes (Billy Joel), It Had to Be You, Stand by Me (Ben King), Amazed (Lonestar), Everything I Do from Robin Hood, From this Moment On (Shania Twain), Annie’s Song (Jonh Denver), Come Away with Me (Norah Jones)

Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Harp Duo
Photographer: Laura Murray Photography
Videographer: Elysium Weddings

Add the music of angels to your wedding ceremony or next event!

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Denver, Colorado by Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Photo by Laura Murray

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music in Estes Park, Colorado

flute and Strings by christen stephens, Flute and violin wedding ceremony music in Estes Park, Colorado

I spent the Halloween of 2018 in the best way possible - playing for a romantic Colorado mountain wedding ceremony! The bride and groom were from Florida, and they had their outdoor wedding ceremony in Estes Park at a private home.

The drive to Estes Park is one of my favorite drives because of the beautiful scenery. It was made even better by the fresh snow that had fallen the night before. The snow was still clinging to the evergreens and weighing them down like heavy white frosting.

The house was in a grand setting with a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains. I played flute along with my violinist inside, next to the crackling wood fire in the fireplace. I set up my speaker outside so that our music could be heard both indoors and out.

We played an elegant mix of classical music, and a few modern songs. I made a special arrangement of “All I Ask of You” from Phantom of the Opera and “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes” from Cinderella for the bride. Just before the bride walked down the aisle, we happened to be playing “A Postcard to Henry Purcell” from Pride and Prejudice, and it was such a romantic beginning to the evening festivities.

The wedding ceremony took place outside, and even though it was chilly, the sun shone brightly in a very blue sky. The small group of family and friends stood during the short ceremony. Afterwards, we continued playing more lively classical music as the guests mingled inside and outside.

“It was a Dream Come True”

From the Bride:
”My Wedding was on Halloween this year and as a special touch Christen surprised us with Cinderella- “A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes”, and a few other Disney classics! It was a dream come true and I couldn’t have picked a better company to play for my Wedding. I truly felt like a Princess in white with the music playing perfectly on every step I made down the aisle. Thank you for making our day Perfect!”

flute and Strings by christen stephens, Flute and violin wedding ceremony music in Estes Park, Colorado

Fun Tip: For an outdoor wedding ceremony in the snow, have your ceremony near an indoor location to give your guests the option of mingling indoors before and after the ceremony.

Sample Selections from Prelude and Postlude Music:
Gavotte (Bach), Largo from Winter (Vivaldi), Minuet (Boccherini), Air from Water Music (Handel), Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart), A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella, All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, Allegro from Spring (Vivaldi)

Wedding Processional Music:
Bride’s Processional: Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Recessional: Ode to Joy (Beethoven)

Experience the traditional elegance of my flute and violin duo for your wedding ceremony!

Flute Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at Vail Interfaith Chapel

Recently, our flute trio (flute, viola, cello) played classical and contemporary wedding ceremony music at Vail Interfaith Chapel in Vail, Colorado. We always love playing at Vail Chapel because of the beautiful acoustics that carry our sound throughout the sanctuary. Our very busy bride had a high stress job, so after a short consultation, I put together a music set list for her prelude and worked with her day-of coordinator for the details. I mixed classical and contemporary music and chose songs based on the bride's musical preference. The ceremony was emotional and joyful and the couple had the support of a lot of friends and family. After we played the recessional, a bagpiper played outside and led everyone to the reception site. We left the Vail Chapel to a gorgeous autumn day.

Sample Prelude Music: Allegro from Spring (Vivaldi), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), The Wedding Song (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Make You Feel My Love (Adele), Salzburger Menuette (Mozart),

Wedding Ceremony Music: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach)~ Seating of the Families Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) ~ Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girl, Ringbearer Canon in D ~ Bride Trumpet Voluntary ~ Recessional

Wedding Ceremony Vendors: Venue - Vail Interfaith Chapel, Vail, Colorado Wedding Coordinator - Steps and Stones Photographer - Maheux Studios Photography Videographer - Larisa Graham Videography Florist - Petals and Pours Musicians - Christen Stephens (Flute Trio)

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music at Ten Mile Station in Breckenridge, Colorado

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

In late summer our flute and harp duo played for a wedding ceremony at Ten Mile Station in Breckenridge, Colorado. This busy destination bride relied on her mom to handle most of her wedding planning and her mom did an amazing job with everything including the timeline, decor, and last minute details. The ceremony was outdoors on the patio, and as the guests arrived in shuttles, our duo greeted them with classical music to set the mood. At the bride's request, we finished with "The Lord's Prayer" right before the ceremony began. After the ceremony, we moved indoors to play a mix of classical and contemporary music during the cocktail hour.

Sample Prelude Music:
Adagio (Bach), Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach), Piano Concerto No. 21 (Mozart), Arioso (Bach), The Lord's Prayer (Malotte)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Hornpipe (Purcell) ~ Family and wedding party
Canon in D (Pachelbel) ~ Bride
Meditation from Thais ~ Knot tying ceremony
Simple Gifts ~ Recessional

Sample Cocktail Hour Music:
Clair De Lune (Debussy), Flower Duet (Delibes), The Days of Wine and Roses (Mancini), Minuet of the Blessed Spirits (Gluck), La Vie En Rose (Louis Armstrong), Someone to Watch Over Me (Gershwin), Over the Rainbow, Largo from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi), When I Fall in Love, The Swan (Saint Saens)

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Flute and Guitar Wedding Ceremony Music at Black Canyon Inn in Estes Park, Colorado

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens, Photos with watermark courtesy of Joe Pyle Photography

It was forecast to be a cool and rainy day when our flute and guitar duo headed up to Estes Park to play for this Minnesota couple's wedding ceremony. Everyone's prayers were answered and the sun shone brightly warming the crisp mountain breezes. The wedding was held under the Pavilion at Black Canyon Inn, and the backdrop of mountains and blue skies and clouds was epic. The bride and groom requested that we play a mix of classical and popular music for the prelude and they selected their processional and recessional songs.

From the bride: "Beautiful Music! We chose the flute and guitar. She (Christen) was very easy and fun to work with! Very professional and we are so so so happy we chose her and her team."

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Sample Prelude Music:
Andante from Sonata in C Major (Mozart), Annie's Song (John Denver), To Make You Feel My Love (Adele), The Girl (Dallas Green)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Wedding Party ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Flower Girl ~ Reign of Love (Coldplay)
Bride ~ Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis)
Recessional ~ Could You Be Loved (Bob Marley)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue - Black Canyon Inn
Photographer - Joe Pyle
Ceremony Musicians - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Guitar Duo

Flute and Cello Wedding Music at the GM Ranch in Sedalia, CO

Flute and Cello Duo - Classical Wedding Ceremony Music in Colorado

This past week, I played my flute in the wedding ceremony of a very special young bride awaiting a lung transplant. My heart remains with this couple as they walk together in future trials and hopefully many victories as well. The day of the ceremony was unusually hot for September, with temperatures over 90 degrees. The ceremony site was wisely situated in the shade of the ranch house, facing lovely views of the countryside, mountains, and horses. The shade combined with falling evening temperatures and a nice breeze coming from the mountains felt wonderful, and everyone stayed cool.

The ceremony site was decorated in a simple and striking theme of red and white and the bridesmaids wore red. Because of the bride's health, chairs were provided for the bride and groom and wedding party to sit in during the ceremony. It was a short, moving Catholic ceremony and our flute and cello duo played a prelude before the wedding began and then accompanied the vows and sand pouring with soft music by Schubert and Bach.
 

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Selected Prelude Music ~ Rondo Alla Turca (Mozart), Fairest Lord Jesus, My Heart is Ever Faithful (Bach), St. Anthony's Chorale (Brahms) Processional Music ~ Arioso (Bach) Bridal Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel) Vows ~ Ave Maria (Schubert) Sand Pouring ~ Air on the G String (Bach) Recessional ~ Wedding March (Mendelssohn)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: GM Ranch, Sedalia
Photographer: Rebecca Marie Photography
Wedding Ceremony Musicians: ChristenStephens.com - Flute and Cello Duo

Flute and Cello Duo - Classical Wedding Ceremony Music in Colorado

Wedding Ceremony Music in Colorado

Musician photos courtesy of

Rebecca Marie Photography

Flute, Violin and Cello Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

Flute and String Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

A short while ago, I drove south of Denver to play music for a wedding ceremony and reception in the small town of Sedalia, the home of Gabriel's Northern Italian Restaurant. Gabriel's is a darling Victorian restaurant with a wraparound porch, gardens, and a large stone patio perfectly sized for events and wedding ceremonies. This wedding was to be held in the garden area accompanied by our flute, violin, and cello trio. This was a beautiful outdoor wedding and everyone enjoyed the sunny day that wasn't too hot. This wedding, as with all outdoor weddings, offered a few complications. As we played the prelude music, I had a run-in with a horsefly who kept giving me painful bites on my legs. I knew the music had to go on and I kept playing as smoothly as I could until he finally got bored with me right around the time the ceremony began. However, just as the minister asked the couple to repeat their vows, we heard a very loud, long whistle and a train went roaring by, right behind the guests, and for several moments, it was impossible to hear anything. The minister made a few false starts which were interrupted by more whistles but the couple took it all in stride, and after a good-natured laugh and a little bit of waiting, the ceremony went on and they were married. We then played a lively recessional and transitioned into more upbeat classical music during the outdoor reception.

Flute and String Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

Flute and String Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Prelude music ~ selections from Telemann, Vivaldi, and Mozart Wedding Party and Bridal Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel) Recessional ~ Allegro from Spring from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

Selected Reception Music:
Selections from Water Music (Handel), Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), Minuet (Beethoven), Selections from String Quartet in F major (Haydn)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Gabriel's Northern Italian Restaurant
Photographer: Bob Sullivan
Wedding Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute Trio (flute, viola, cello)

Flute and String Trio, Wedding Ceremony Music at Gabriel’s Northern Italian Restaurant in Sedalia

Flute and Violin Duo, Wedding Ceremony Music in Breckenridge

It's hard to surpass a Colorado mountain wedding in July, and this gorgeous Breckenridge wedding ceremony was no exception. The ceremony was held outdoors at a private home with a sweeping view of the mountains and Breckenridge Golf Course. With only about 8 guests, this was the most intimate wedding I have played for, and among the sweetest. The festivities began as the guests enjoyed appetizers while our flute and violin duo set the mood with elegant classical music. Then the guests gathered around the alter for the wedding ceremony. During the ceremony, friends and family had an opportunity to speak to the bride and groom, and they laughed and cried as words of encouragement and advice mixed with many fond and humorous memories were passed around. Then the daughter of the groom sang "Someone Like You" by Van Morrison, a song that was meaningful to the couple, and I accompanied on the flute. Afterwards, everyone gathered inside to congratulate the bride and groom, visit, and enjoy a special dinner.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Selected Prelude Music ~ Gavotte (Gossec), Rondeau (Mouret), Presto from Sonatina in F major (Telemann), Romanza from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Mozart), selected Menuets (Devienne), St. Anthony Chorale (Brahms), La Rejouissance (Handel), March in D major (Bach)

Bridal Processional ~ Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Special Song (daughter of groom, voice with me on flute) ~ Someone Like You (Van Morrison)
Recessional ~ Danza Pastorale from Spring (Vivaldi)

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Virginia Stiles
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo