Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music on the Aspen Mountain Wedding Overlook

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!”

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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

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!

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

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Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

The guests were traveling in from Georgia and Wisconsin and they were greeted by Colorado at its finest with plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast including ATV tours, archery, fishing, and hiking. The entire area is surrounded by the White River National Forest and it’s beautiful untouched land.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

From the Client:
“Christen provided the most beautiful music for our wedding ceremony. The flute and violin together were amazing. They also played after everyone had left the ceremony island for a bit which was lovely. From beginning to end Christen was professional and so easy to get in touch with. I highly recommend Christen and any musician who works with her.”

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

It was my first time playing wedding music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, and I fell in love with this stunning location. This little gem was quite a surprise because it’s so far off the beaten trail, and it’s truly surrounded by wilderness. I reached the camp after driving for many miles through the mountains, but when I arrived at the wedding site, I was greeted by well manicured lawns surrounded by glistening blue water, all with the backdrop of the wild Colorado mountains.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Just as it was time for us to set up to play prelude music, a storm system moved through and everyone was crossing their fingers that an outdoor ceremony would still be able to happen. The sun did come out just as it was time for us to begin playing. There were very strong outflow winds after the storm. Normally, the wind steals the sound from my flute, but this was the first time I had the chance to try out my new Wind-D-Fender, and it worked like a charm! Our amplification also helped carry our sound loud and clear across the island over the sound of the wind.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

The bride had some favorite songs that she wanted to include in the prelude. I made special arrangements of each song, specifically for our flute and violin duo. These included:

  • Bubbly (Colbie Caillat)

  • Somewhere Only We Know (Keane)

  • The Ash Grove

  • A Day Without Rain (Enya)

  • Moon River

  • The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall

  • Love Me Like You Do (Ellie Goulding)

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography


Wedding Ceremony Songs:
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) - Parents
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) - Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel) - Bride
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony Music - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo
Photographer - Dani Cowan Photography
Venue - Camp Hale
Wedding Planner - Isabelle Kline Design
Flowers - Vail Vintage Magnolia

Our flute and violin duo will add a cheerful vibrancy to your wedding day! Listen to music samples here: Flute and Violin Music Samples

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens Contemporary Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Camp Hale in Leadville, Colorado, Photo by Dani Cowan Photography

Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs

It was so lovely to be a part of this gorgeous August wedding ceremony at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs. The combination of the red rocks, the sunset, and the wildfire smoke turned the ceremony location into a pastel watercolor with delicate shades of pinks and blues.


From the Bride:

“Christen and her team were nothing short of amazing! Leading up to my wedding, we were in constant contact and had so much fun with our love of music. I would bounce ideas off of her and she would get back to me almost instantaneously. She is so much fun to work with and is an amazing musician. Alex and Anna accompanied her and they were so talented as well. She was able to organize playing several really special songs for my wedding. Not only amazing musicians but also so very kind. “


Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

The combination of the flute, guitar and cello is just perfect because I can imitate vocals on my flute, the guitar replaces the guitar or piano part with full chords, and the cello fills out the bass. With three very different sounding instruments, this ensemble has an elegant and full sound.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

The songs that the bride selected beautifully complimented the setting. We played restful selections by Jim Brickman, "Have I Told You Lately” (Rod Stewart), “Shallow” (Lady Gaga), and “Stand by Me” (Ben King).

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Butterfly Waltz from Twilight - Flower Girl
Butterflies (Kacey Musgraves) - Bride
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Garden of the Gods Resort
Wedding Planner: A Touch of Bliss
Photographer: Katie Corinne Photography - Thank you for these lovely photos!
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio
Officiant: Writing With Love by Dana

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute, Guitar, Cello Trio wedding ceremony music at the Garden of the Gods Resort in Colorado Springs, Photo by Katie Corinne Photography

Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Breakfast Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

The ranch is a remote campground and rafting center located on the Colorado River. I left my house at 5:30am so that I could have everything set up and ready to go for this pre-breakfast wedding ceremony. The wildfire smoke was thick in the air and made for a stunning sunrise over the mountains (right).

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

 

One thing that I love about my job is being able to travel to many interesting and exciting locations across Colorado. Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado was certainly among the more unusual wedding locations that I’ve been to. Most mountain weddings take place in the Colorado mountain resort towns, and until the pandemic happened, this wedding was likewise to be held at a beautiful Breckenridge venue. When that venue temporarily shut down for safety reasons due to the pandemic, the wedding celebration was moved to the fun and outdoorsy Rancho Del Rio.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Before I even arrived, I felt like I was in a different world. The open plains of the Front Range and the thick pine forests of the Colorado resort towns were replaced by dry grasslands, mysterious types of trees, and scrubby unfamiliar shrubbery.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) - Wedding Party
Bridal March (Wagner) - Bride
All You Need is Love (Beatles) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Rancho Del Rio
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet
Photographer: Roland Mott


Our elegant quartet music almost felt out of place in such a wild setting, but our music became the focal point that guests were drawn to, and this is where they mingled before the ceremony began. The ceremony was beautiful with the backdrop of the Colorado River, and afterwards, the bride and groom made their getaway in a raft (left).

After the ceremony, we continued to play cheerful music for the breakfast, which the guests enjoyed under a pavilion area.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at Rancho Del Rio in Bond, Colorado

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony Music at the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch, Colorado

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

The couple was married in mid-November at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch on a beautiful terrace overlooking the mountains. Snow clouds were moving in, creating a dramatic effect, and perfect lighting for some amazing photos. Before the ceremony, the wedding guests mingled inside to stay warm before the ceremony, and sometimes stepped outside to take photos in front of the mountains. I played my flute inside and set up my amplification outside so that I could be easily heard in both locations.

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado

Just as the ceremony was ended, it began to lightly snow. Guests moved to the cocktail area and I was invited to join as well. It was a beautiful indoor/outdoor space made cozy with a fire and heat lamps. I didn’t stay too long, because it began to snow in earnest, and I had a long drive back to Denver.

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Hire my beautiful and romantic Solo Flute Signature Package to give your special day a feel of joyful celebration. Learn more about my signature package and pricing HERE.

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

From the moment that I spoke with the bride Laura on the phone, I knew that we would be friends. We related on so many things, and I just loved Laura’s taste in music! Laura chose me to play solo flute because she said that the flute has such a celebratory and joyful sound, and it wouldn’t make her cry like a violin would.

From the Bride:

“Christen Stephens was absolutely fantastic and 5 stars isn't nearly enough! She was a complete professional from start to finish, and she truly made our wedding day perfect. I found Christen less than 2 months before our wedding, and even with that short time to prepare, she put together an incredible song list (I should also mention, the songs she has in her repertoire to choose from are also incredible!) A huge variety of songs and genres, and she went over and above by offering to learn any songs that were special to us and were not on her list. We can't thank Christen enough for providing her lovely music and great personality to our ceremony. Highly, highly recommend!”

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Laura loved my large repertoire list, and she chose music from the Phantom of the Opera, Legends of the Fall, John Denver, the Beach Boys and Beatles, pop songs, traditional Irish tunes, and nostalgic jazz tunes. I also enjoyed learning three new songs: Rocky Mountain High (John Denver), California Girls (Beach Boys), and Music of the Night (Phantom of the Opera).

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Wedding Processional Music:
The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall - Bridesmaids and groomsmen, ringbearer
Annie’s Song (John Denver) - Bride
Rocky Mountain High (John Denver) - Recessional

Sample Wedding Prelude and Postlude Selections:
The Way You Look Tonight (Sinatra), Georgia on my Mind (Ray Charles), The Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera, Tobin’s Favorite (traditional Irish), Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran), California Girls (Beach Boys), Don’t Get Around Much Anymore (Duke Ellington)

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado, Photo by Caitlin Hamilton Photography

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado

Solo flute wedding ceremony music at the ritz-carlton, bachelor gulch, Colorado

New Wedding Ceremony Songs for 2016

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens
Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

I am happy to announce that I have added a number of new contemporary wedding songs to my 2016 repertoire. Below, I have grouped these songs in a way that would beautifully compliment each part of a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour.

Prelude Songs: For the First Time in Forever from Frozen (solo flute) To Make You Feel My Love – Adele (flute and guitar, flute trio, flute quartet) What a Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong (flute and violin, flute and cello, flute trio, flute quartet) All You Need is Love – Beatles (flute and violin, flute and cello, flute trio, flute quartet)

Processional Songs: All I Want is You – U2 (flute quartet) All of Me – John Legend (flute and violin) A Thousand Years – Christina Perri (flute and violin, flute trio, flute quartet) Reign of Love – Coldplay (flute trio)

During the Ceremony: On Eagles’ Wings – Michael Joncas (flute and cello)

Cocktail Hour: Don’t Stop Believing – Journey (flute and cello, flute quartet) Feeling Good (solo flute) Let it Go from Frozen (solo flute) Such Great Heights – Postal Service (flute trio, flute quartet) Wildflowers – Tom Petty (flute and cello)

The Flute – Top 10 Questions a Flute Player is Asked….

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1) Where does the sound come out from the flute? Most of the sound comes from the location where the air that the flutist blows strikes the flute. This is the part of the flute that is right in front of the lips and is called the “strike wall”.

2) Are flute players called flutists or flautists?

Both terms are equally correct. I personally prefer “flutist” because what is a “flaut” anyway?

3) Do you ever need a microphone for your flute when performing?

I rarely need a microphone because the flute is a very resonant instrument and its sound carries well both indoors and outdoors. I do need amplification if there is excessive ambient noise, or if I am playing in a band in which all the other members are amplified.

4) How do you hold the flute to play “air flute”?

Hold the flute out to your right with your left hand to the right of your face facing in and your right hand further to the right facing out. Both thumbs will curve naturally under the flute. For a more detailed description of holding a real flute go .

5) What are flutes made out of?

Flutes can be made of many different materials. Many student models are made of nickel or silver plated. Professional models are usually made of silver, gold, or platinum. Flutes have also been made from tin, copper, wood, plastic, carbon fiber, aluminum, palladium, bones, glass, and even carrots. My flute is silver on the inside and rose gold on the outside.

6) Can you play like Jethro Tull?

Ian Anderson is the flute player and leader of Jethro Tull. I’ve never actually spent time trying to copy him, but I do my own style of flute improvisation to various musical genres.

7) What is the difference between a flute and a recorder?

A flute is held horizontally and played by blowing across the tone hole, while a recorder is held vertically and played like a whistle. The flute has a more complex system of keys that cover the holes while a recorder simply has holes that the player has to cover with their fingers. Flutes are typically made of metal and recorders are usually made of plastic or wood. The flute is far more versatile, and most of the music written for recorders by major composers was written in the Baroque period (1680-1720).

8 ) Does playing the flute take a lot of air?

Playing the flute does take a lot of air, but it’s important to learn how to control the air than rather than just to blow hard. A flute player must learn to breathe correctly to take in the maximum amount of air and then use their muscles to support the air stream while releasing it in a very controlled manner. Good flute players also know how to correctly shape their embouchures (the way their lips are shaped) and adjust the space between their lips to focus the air so there is minimal waste. Using these techniques, a flute player can play long phrases without taking a breath.

9) Why are there holes in the keys of the flute?

Most intermediate to professional flutes have keys with holes in them. The benefit of having holes in your keys is that you can partially cover the holes and be able to play notes that are in between the normal notes of a scale. You can also use the holes to slide from one note to another note. This is particularly handy for modern music that uses extended techniques and for Irish music.

10) Why are some flutes so expensive?

Both materials and workmanship have big impacts on the price of a flute. The going price of precious metals and the amounts of those metals in a particular flute will have a strong impact on its current value. Other factors that affect the cost of a flute are the amount of handmade versus machine made parts in the flute and the quality of materials used to make the flute.

Unlike stringed instruments, flutes do not typically gain value with age. However, a well maintained flute, particularly one made of a precious medal, can retain its value. As improvements are made to the design of the flute, people tend to buy newer improved models in favor of the older styles.

Announcing New Event and Wedding Music Samples

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I have recently completed several recording sessions with Brian Hunter at Swallow Hill in Denver, Colorado. This music is now available for you to listen to on my website (see below for links). There are new music samples of solo flute, flute and piano, and flute and cello.

You are probably very familiar with the sounds of the piano or orchestra, but do you know what flute sounds like all by itself? Take that a step further and imagine flute combined with cello, harp or other instruments. The blending of two different sounding instruments makes a new unique sound, which sometimes even sounds like an entirely different instrument. I hope you enjoy the variety of music samples on my website.

Settled in Colorado

During my first few months here in Westminster, CO I have been getting to know local musicians in the Denver and Boulder areas. I am now available to play for weddings and events both with solo flute and piano, and in various ensembles. I am also currently accepting new flute students. In addition to this, I am working with folk songwriter and guitarist John Matthews and along with other local musicians to record several CDs featuring his original music. John describes his music as a mix of folk, country, rock and pop. He has unique and fresh approach to his music writing, and each CD and song has a different flavor. I am writing the flute and keyboard parts and recording them at Swallow Hill Music Association in Denver, CO. We are planning to release a folk style wedding CD in the spring of next year, and I am currently working on some folk rock songs for a future CD.

Solo Flute Speaks for Itself

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Flute

I recently had a conversation with someone about music, and when I told her I play flute for weddings and events, she asked if I play with other musicians. I told her I do, but she was surprised when I told her that I also perform frequently as a soloist. Contrary to what many people assume, the flute  sounds full and complete on its own, and is a beautiful and popular choice for wedding and event music. Solo flute can stand on its own, and here are the reasons why:

It’s Simple - When you listen to music, you probably focus on the melody, and might even hum along with the song, but you probably don’t pay much attention to the harmony beneath the melody. Solo flute gives you a pure and clean melody, and every nuance and expression in the music is highlighted  in its simplicity.

It’s Unique -  After playing solo flute for weddings, it is common for me to hear people say that they had never heard a flute soloist before and were impressed with its beauty and unique sound. Any time two instruments are played together they blend to create a different sound that is a little like each of the instruments played, but a bit different from both. When the flute is played apart from other instruments,  it provides a unique sound that few people have heard.

It’s Affordable – When hiring musicians, it’s important to consider your budget, and solo flute is very budget friendly. With each extra musician you hire, your rates can double, so if you are on a budget, a soloist is the perfect choice.

It’s Versatile - Short on space? A soloist on the flute doesn’t take up much space, and certainly takes up less space than most other musicians

Have an echo? Some venues, particularly churches, have impressive echoes. Locations like Beaver Creek Chapel and Evans Memorial Chapel in Denver are perfect examples. Larger groups may sound muddled if there is too much of an echo, but solo flute has a full and clear sound, that is quite remarkable in these types of buildings.

Outdoor wedding? Flute is an excellent choice for the outdoors because its sound carries better than that of a string instrument. Also, unlike a guitar or keyboard, the flute does not need to be plugged in.

Too many stairs? A flute player has excellent mobility. We are not limited by stairs, grassy lawns, or mountain locations.

Next time you are planning a wedding or event, consider the clear melodies, unique sound, affordability, and versatility of the solo flute.

Listen to Solo Flute Music Samples