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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Solo Flute Signature Package
Venue: Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch
Photographer: Caitlin Hamilton Photography
Flowers: Vintage Magnolia
Officiant: Father Michael Messina

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

Top Wedding Songs for 2017

Are you selecting songs for your wedding this year? Or are you planning a romantic event such as an anniversary or engagement? With all the decisions that you have to make in planning a wedding or event and so many options for music, it's helpful to start with some great ideas. These songs are are compilation of some of the most romantic wedding songs for 2017. Some of these songs are new and some are classics that have endured the test of time, and all of them are songs that we have in our repertoire. In addition to the song selections on my repertoire list, I also love arranging new songs and can create custom arrangements for your wedding or event. I'd love to hear your ideas for songs, and even if you think they're a little out there, I can usually make an arrangement that will work beautifully.

All of Me (John Legend)

Best Instruments: My flute and piano/keyboard duo is the perfect combination for this song with the flute taking the place of the vocals. Violin also sounds great as a replacement for the vocal line.

Amazed (Lonestar)

Best Instruments: The flute can beautifully replace the vocals in this song and piano/keyboard or guitar easily replaces the background chords and rhythms.

A Thousand Years (Christina Perri)

Best Instruments: This song sounds wonderful with my flute and piano/keyboard duo, string quartet, or flute quartet.

Bittersweet Symphony (The Verve)

Best Instruments: This very orchestral song works well with with my string quartet or flute quartet.

Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis)

Best Instruments: My flute and guitar duo or flute and piano duo is a perfect fit for this song with the flute taking the place of the vocals and the guitar or piano playing the background.

In My Life (Beatles)

Best Instruments: My flute and guitar duo is a perfect fit for this song.

Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars)

Best Instruments: My flute and guitar duo is great for this song because the flute can replace the complex vocals and the guitar will provide a solid chord structure and rhythm underneath.

Make You Feel My Love (Adele)

Best Instruments: My flute and piano/keyboard duo or violin and piano duo is perfect for this song. It also works really well with my flute quartet or string quartet.

Reign of Love (Coldplay)

Best Instruments: This song sounds great with my flute and piano duo, flute trio, string trio, flute quartet, or string quartet. The flute is a great replacement for the vocals in this song.

The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra):

Best Instruments: My flute and guitar duo is a great fit for this song.

Twist and Shout (Beatles): Best Instruments:

My flute and guitar duo is the best combination for this song.

Unforgettable

Best Instruments: This classic song sounds best with my flute and guitar duo, flute quartet, or string quartet, all of which help to fill in the complex chords.

Viva La Vida (Coldplay)

Best Instruments: This very orchestral based song sounds great with my flute quartet or string quartet.

What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

Best Instruments: You can't beat the Louis Armstrong version of this classic song. The best ensembles are the flute to imitate Louis' husky voice, accompanied by guitar, harp or piano/keyboard.