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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony Music on the Vail Wedding Deck

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Music in Vail, Colorado - Vail Wedding Deck

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Music in Vail, Colorado - Vail Wedding Deck

In late August, my flute and violin duo enjoyed playing for a mountain wedding ceremony at the Vail Wedding Deck. I left Denver well prepared because the weather forecast was predicting cool weather, rain, and thunderstorms. I really hoped that this Wisconsin couple could have the Colorado mountain wedding of their dreams, despite the weather predictions.

As I ascended the mountains and drove to Vail, the temperature dropped into the 40's and it was pouring rain. By the time I reached Vail, the rain had ended and the air had a cool and fresh feel to it. The smoke from the summer wildfires was momentarily completely gone and everything felt bright and clean.

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Music in Vail, Colorado - Vail Wedding Deck

The sun started to peek through the clouds, and as the guests arrived, we greeted them and drew them to the seating area with our elegant classical music. In the middle of the ceremony, we played "Can't Help Falling in Love" by Elvis as a beautiful musical interlude, while the guests had a chance to take in the mountain views and to enjoy the completion of their journey to arrive in this epic setting. Most of the guests had a plane flight, car ride, gondola ride, golf cart ride, and walk to arrive at the wedding deck.

We played a lively recessional at the end of the ceremony, and then we played a mix of classical music and Beatles tunes to entertain everyone and put smiles on their faces as photos were being taken.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) - Bride
Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis) - Interlude to enjoy the scenery
Trumpet Tune (Purcell) - Recessional

Sample Selections from Prelude and Postlude Music:
Ave Verum Corpus (Mozart), Rigaudon (Handel), I Will (Beatles), Blackbird (Beatles), Allegro from Spring (Vivaldi), Minuet (Boccherini), Allegro from Sonata in F Major (Handel)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Vail Wedding Deck
Photographer: Pixel Studio Photography
Officiant: Heather Rawlings
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo

Bring the elegance of live music to the wild and beautiful Colorado mountains.

Colorado Wedding Music >

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Music at The Sevens in Breckenridge

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Wedding Ceremony Music: Canon in D (Pachelbel): Seating of the parents, bridesmaids and groomsmen River Flows in You (Yiruma): Bride's Processional Ode to Joy (Beethoven): Recessional

Samples from Prelude Music: Trumpet Tune (Purcell), Minuet (Boccherini), Amazing Grace, Air from Suite No. 3 in D (Bach), Allegro Non Troppo (Bach)

Samples from Cocktail Hour Music: Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis), Si Bheag, Si Mhor (Irish Air), Allegro from Spring (Vivaldi), Andante from string quartet Op. 29 (Schubert), Postcard to Henry Purcell from Pride and Prejudice, What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Love Leigh Weddings and Events
Venue: The Sevens
Photographer: Bergreen Photography
Ceremony and Cocktail Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens (Flute and Violin Duo)
Band: Narrow Gauge Band

Make your wedding come to life with the joyful music of my flute and violin duo.

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Colorado flute and violin wedding ceremony music

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Photos Courtesy of Brittany Renee Photography

In July, our flute and violin duo played for an intimate wedding ceremony at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The ceremony took place in the Romantic Gardens, which are green and serene, spilling over with roses and transporting one back to the Victorian Era. Our flute and violin duo played under one of the two small gazebos, and it beautifully amplified our sound and also protected our instruments from the sun and rain. Often it was sunny and raining at the same time and the ceremony began with an unusually heavy gust of wind. Despite the erratic weather and a few hitches before the ceremony began, this flexible couple carried on. The weather calmed down and the sun shone brilliantly for a beautiful finish to this wedding ceremony. Our duo played a selection of classical and more contemporary tunes to keep the guests entertained before the wedding and the bride selected her own processional and recessional songs.

Sample Prelude Music:
Aire from Orpheus (Gluck), Allegro Non Troppo (Popp), Andante from String Quartet in A minor (Schubert), Air from Handel's Water Music, Artist's Life (Strauss), Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis), Let Me Call You Sweetheart (Bing Crosby)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Bride's Processional ~ A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)
Recessional ~ All of Me (John Legend)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens
Photographer: Brittany Renee Photography
Musicians: Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Sapphire Point in Dillon, Colorado

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens, Photos Courtesy of Steve Tinetti Photography

In July, our flute and violin duo played for a very intimate wedding ceremony at Sapphire Point in Dillon, Colorado. It was such a small wedding ceremony that there weren't actually any guests! Instead, this destination bride decided to have her ceremony professionally recorded and then share the recording with her friends and family members.

Our duo played soothing prelude music before the ceremony as the bride and groom posed for their wedding photos. Then, we cleared the area of curious hikers so that the bride and groom could make their grand entrance down the winding forest path. Our flute and violin duo played "Postcard to Henry Purcell" from "Pride and Prejudice" as the bride and groom walked. After the ceremony, we played a little more and we both even signed the marriage certificate as witnesses, and posed for a few photos with the bride.

From the bride: "Our wedding was just a small elopement at Sapphire Point in Colorado but we couldn't imagine it without music. Not only did Christen give us several song selections but she arranged a song that I requested. She played beautifully and the music helped calm our nerves. I would highly recommend Christen for any size wedding. Her music is exquisite!"

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Sample Prelude Music:
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Air from Suite #3 (Handel), Ode to Joy (Beethoven), Romanza (Mozart), St. Anthony's Chorale (Brahms), Traumereri (Schumann), Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Bride's Processional and Recessional ~ Postcard to Henry Purcell from Pride and Prejudice

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue ~ Sapphire Point
Officiant ~ Julie Wright-Kyle
Photographer ~ Steve Tinetti Photography
Ceremony Musicians ~ Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music by Christen Stephens

Music Ideas for a Small Wedding Ceremony

When planning a small wedding ceremony, it's important that the music you choose will reflect the intimate feel of the gathering of your closest family and friends. A soloist is perfect for a very small wedding ceremony, and a duo or trio works well with a slightly larger ceremony. A general rule of thumb is to hire at least one musician per 50 guests. If you are having a very small wedding ceremony, you may want to hire a soloist. My specialty is the flute, and I often play solo flute for wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours. Solo flute, along with other single-note instruments, sounds great playing classical music but can also play any genre of music as long as the songs have a distinct melody. The sweet and rich sound of solo flute carries well and is easily heard outdoors, but is especially full and resonant in indoor spaces such as inside a church sanctuary. When I play solo flute for wedding ceremonies, I will often play classical music for the ceremony and then transition to more contemporary and jazz selections for the cocktail hour or reception.

If you are planning to invite more than 50 guests or if the guests will be spread apart over a large area outdoors, I recommend hiring a duo or trio. Both our flute and violin duo and our flute and cello duo give a personal and intimate feel to a small wedding ceremony and have a fuller sound than a soloist. Both of these duos sound wonderful with classical music but many contemporary songs can also be arranged to be performed by these duos.

If you want to hear mostly contemporary music at your wedding, a flute and guitar duo is the perfect choice. This duo retains a feeling of simplicity both visually and tonally, but has the most full sound of the three duos because the guitar can play several notes at once. This duo is very versatile and sounds great playing classical, popular, rock and jazz music. We often amplify this ensemble so that the guitar can be heard well.

A trio is also a great option for a small wedding ceremony. Trios sound much fuller than duos, but still provide an intimate feel. Take a look at the flute trio that we offer.

Whatever music you choose for your small wedding ceremony, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and your vision. If you don't know what ensemble to choose, communicate your thoughts to your local wedding music professional and they will help you choose the perfect ensemble to meet your needs.

Photos Courtesy of Grace Combs Photography

Announcing New Flute and Violin Duo Music Samples

Thanks to Brian Hunter at the Sawtelle Recording Studio in Denver, I'm excited to announce that we now have professionally recorded flute and violin music samples! Take a moment to listen to them on my Flute and Violin Duo page. Our flute and violin duo will add classic elegance to your wedding ceremony or event. Both instruments have a sound that carries well both indoors and outdoors and we don't take up much space! This duo works best with classical music, but we also enjoy playing your own special requests of any kind.

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

Flute and Violin Duo, Wedding Ceremony Music at Red Rocks Trading Post

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

This past Saturday I played my flute for a wedding ceremony at the beautiful Red Rocks Trading Post in Golden, CO. With cold and snowy weather the week before, and the same forecasted for this upcoming week, I was happy to wake up to a beautiful day in the upper 60's. As is usual for Colorado mountain wedding locations, our drive up the mountain to Red Rocks unfolded magnificent views. I also enjoyed my first sight of the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater which is built into the side of the mountain and nestled between two towering rocks with an amazing view of the valley and Denver in the distance.

The wedding took place at the nearby Red Rocks Trading Post, which also overlooked a sweeping vista. The bride chose a flute and violin duo for her wedding ceremony, and I played flute with Keynes Chen on violin. At the bride's request, we played light and upbeat classical music for the prelude, and the bride's special selections for the wedding ceremony. During the processional we played Handel's Hornpipe and just as the music changed in the second part to a faster lighthearted sound, the three flower girls emerged dancing around the guests and tossing out flower pedals, eliciting delighted laughter from everyone. Just as the couple was pronounced husband and wife and began their walk back down the aisle, the sun came out in full glory from behind the clouds as if to bless their union.

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Selected Prelude Music ~ Danza Pastorale from Spring (Vivaldi), Allegro from Flute Sonata (Handel), My Heart Ever Faithful from Cantata #68 (JS Bach), Air from Orpheus (Gluck), Gigue from Suite #3 (JS Bach), Gavotte (Gossec), Sicilienne from Variations on a Theme by Haydn (Brahms)

Seating of the Parents ~ Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (JS Bach)
Attendant’s Processional ~ Hornpipe from Water Music (Handel)
Bridal Processional ~ Waltz from Sleeping Beauty (Tchaikovsky)
Recessional ~ All You Need is Love (Beatles)

Vendors:
Venue - Red Rocks Trading Post
Ceremony Music - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo
Wedding Planner - Entwined Wedding Planning
Photography - Denver Wedding Photographer R. J. Kern / Kern-Photo

Photos courtesy of Denver Wedding Photographer R. J. Kern / Kern-Photo.

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

Wedding Processional Music Ideas for the Flute

Colorado Wedding Ceremony Music

The following is a list wedding processional music that I have handpicked and compiled for 2013. Some of these songs are new and some are old friends paying a return visit, but all of these songs will sound great with the flute.

Classical Wedding Processional Music Ideas: Classical music sounds great with flute and harp, flute and guitar, solo flute, flute and cello, flute and violin, and flute and strings trios and quartets. Visit my Ensembles page for music samples.

Alla Hornpipe (Handel) Bridal Chorus (Wagner) Canon in D (Pachelbel) Chorale from Cantata No. 147 (JS Bach) Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (JS Bach) Overture from Royal Fireworks Music (Handel) Rondeau (Mouret) Spring from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi) Te Deum (Marc-Antoine Charpentier) Trumpet Tune (Purcell) Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) Water Music — Selections (Handel) Wedding March from a Midsummer Night’s Dream (Mendelssohn) Wedding March from The Marriage of Figaro (Mozart) Largo from Winter from The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

Contemporary Wedding Processional Music Ideas:

These contemporary music selections will sound great with flute and harp, flute and guitar, and flute and string trios and quartets.

All You Need is Love – The Beatles At Last – Etta James Bless the Broken Road - Rascal Flatts Come Away with Me – Norah Jones Endless Love - Lionel Richie Edelweiss - Rodgers/Hammerstein Falling In Love At a Coffeeshop – Landon Pigg Fields of Gold – Sting From This Moment On – Cole Porter Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart In My Life - Lennon/McCartney I Will be Here – Steven Curtis Chapman Legend of Zelda Selections The Ludlows from Legends of the Fall Moon River –from Breakfast at Tiffany’s Reign of Love – Coldplay She - Elvis Costello Smile – Uncle Kracker Sunshine of my Life – Stevie Wonder This Year’s Love - David Gray The Wedding from Legends of the Fall Whatever it is – Zac Brown Band What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong When I Fall in Love – Nat King Cole When You Say Nothing At All - Alison Krauss Wonderful Tonight - Eric Clapton You are the Sunshine of my Life – Stevie Wonder

Add Some Sparkle With Live Christmas Music

If you are planning a Christmas party this year, what better way to add to the festive atmosphere than live Christmas music ? All of our ensembles have a large Christmas repertoire. This is the time of year when December dates begin filling up, so book soon to ensure our availability.