October 05, 2021

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Reception Music at the Lodge at Breckenridge

October 05, 2021/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, and Reception Music at the Lodge at Breckenridge, Photo by Andrea Stark Photography

From the Groom:

“Christen and her musicians are amazing! They played recently at our July wedding in Breckenridge and the music was beautiful. She even learned a couple of specific songs that we asked for, and our guests loved the mix of contemporary songs they played during the ceremony and part of the reception. Christen was so nice and we are so thankful her and her string quartet crew were a part of our day. Highly recommend!!”

Our string quartet had a wonderful time playing music for this wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception! We played a short prelude of classical and traditional music, and then switched to upbeat contemporary music for the cocktails and reception. The “Flower Boi” played his part perfectly and made us all laugh!

As we played “Forever, and Ever, Amen” during the prelude, I heard a hint of singing from the guests. During the reception, the singing was a little louder while we played “Just the Way You Are”. I couldn’t resist, and we launched into “Take Me Home, Country Roads'“, and the whole room erupted in enthusiastic, off-key singing!

We continued playing lively contemporary music and finished with a requested encore performance of “Take Me Home, Country Roads”. There was so much energy throughout the evening, and we were enjoying playing so much, that we didn’t realize how hungry we had become. The couple had arranged for us to eat food from the buffet afterwards and it was very welcome gesture.

Wedding Ceremony Music:

Bittersweet Symphony (Verve) - Wedding Party
All of the Lights (Kayne West) (slow section) - Bride
Overjoyed (Matchbox 20) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:

Ceremony and Reception Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Quartet
Venue: The Lodge at Breckenridge
Photography: Andrea Stark Photography - Thank you so much for these beautiful photos!

The signage at this wedding is worth highlighting - it was delightful and nerdy!

Our String Quartet is equally comfortable playing elegant classical music and rocking out on contemporary tunes!

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

September 25, 2021

String Trio Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the YMCA of the Rockies and the Twin Owls Steakhouse

September 25, 2021/ Christen Stephens

String Trio Wedding Ceremony Music at the Overlook Chapel at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

This July, my team and I played music for a wedding ceremony at the YMCA of the Rockies Overlook Chapel, which is at the top of Emerald Mountain. We arrived at the chapel after a drive up a winding dirt mountain road. The mountaintop felt wild and isolated, and it was completely silent except for the breeze in the trees and distant thunder.

As we warmed up and did sound check, we were swarmed by biting flies, which were enjoying the fact that we couldn’t really defend ourselves while we were playing our instruments. It was a relief when storm clouds covered the hot sun and the wind blew the worst of the flies away. When it was time to start the wedding, the mountaintop was still empty of people except for us and the officiant. The thunder rumbled louder and we saw lightning, and we hoped that everyone would arrive before the storm did!

Soon everyone arrived at once in a caravan of cars, and we played one prelude song and then launched into the bride’s song so that she could be married before the storm came. The bride walked down the aisle to a special arrangement that I made of “Precious Love” by James Morrison, a song that was meaningful to her.

The ceremony was really quick, and just as the couple was pronounced husband and wife, a few fat raindrops had begun to fall. People hurried away quickly, and we wrapped up the recessional song so that we could get to safety. We packed up under the shelter of our little canopy, during a deluge of wind, rain, flooding, and lightning.

Afterwards, we all made it safely to the Twin Owls Steakhouse, and we played lively contemporary music to entertain the guests during the cocktail reception.

Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Ceremony Venue - YMCA of the Rockies - Overlook Chapel
Wedding Cocktail Hour and Reception Venue - Twin Owls Steakhouse
Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music - Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Trio

Live Music adds Just the Right Touch to your Wedding Celebration!

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

July 11, 2021

String Trio Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at Mount Princeton Hot Springs in Nathrop, Colorado

July 11, 2021/ Christen Stephens

It was such a delight to work with this couple, and I felt privileged to be a part of their wedding celebration! The groom absolutely loves strings, and having live string music at their wedding was a very important part of this couple’s special day. They had our string trio play music with a contemporary feel for their ceremony, cocktail hour, and first dance.

String Trio Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music, Photo by Rachel Case Photography

We began by playing romantic contemporary prelude music as guests arrived before the ceremony, and we added energy with lively pop and rock tunes during cocktails. The bride also requested some special songs that her family loves, including “When I’m 64” (Beatles) , “Over the Rainbow” from Wizard of Oz, and A Whole New World.

We finished our portion of the evening playing the dreamy “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle for the couple’s very romantic first dance.

Wedding Ceremony Music:

A Thousand Years from Twilight - Wedding Party
Turning Page from Twilight - Bride
Viva La Vida (Coldplay) - Recessional
I Get to Love You (Ruelle) - First Dance

Wedding Vendors:

Venue: Mount Princeton Hot Springs
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: String Trio by Christen Stephens
Officiant and Wedding Planner: Clinton Anderson
Photographer: Rachel Case Photography - Thank you for these amazing photos!

Celebrate Your Wedding With the Beauty of Strings.

Listen to String Trio Music Samples

June 22, 2021

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado

June 22, 2021/ Christen Stephens

From the Groom:

“Amazing Musical Team!”

"Christen Stephens and her musicians were incredible! My bride wanted a very specific video game song played as she walked down the aisle and Christen's team pulled it off perfectly! They also did a great job with general contemporary music played on classical instruments, and created a great, classy, yet fun, atmosphere during the pre-ceremony time, and cocktail hour! She was always professional and very easy to work with! Highly recommended!”

Flute and Strings Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Della Terra Mountain Chateau in Estes Park, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens

My musicians and I loved playing beautiful music for this elegant wedding ceremony and cocktail hour! The couple chose our flute and strings quartet, with the addition of a harpist for the bridal entrance. The bride was planning to ride in on a white horse as we played the “Great Fairy Fountain” from Zelda on flute and harp. I didn’t see exactly what happened because I was playing, but one of the many wild turkeys roaming the area spooked the horse and the bride couldn’t ride in, but it was true Colorado mountain wedding experience!

We played a contemporary music program with pop, rock, and country music selections. For the prelude, we began with slower and more romantic music, and then we really lifted the tempo after the ceremony as guests enjoyed cocktails and hors-d’ourves.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
A Thousand Years (Christian Perri) - Wedding Party
Great Fairy Fountain from Zelda - Bride
Marry You - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Della Terra Mountain Chateau
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings Quartet + Harp by Christen Stephens
Photographer: Nicolette Bardos

Our Flute and Strings Quartet is an Impressive Addition to any Wedding!

Listen to Flute and String Quartet Music Samples

May 05, 2021

Flute, Cello, and Guitar Wedding Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens

May 05, 2021/ Christen Stephens

Flute, Cello, Guitar Wedding Ceremony Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado

After many unusually cold and rainy April days, this Nebraska couple got lucky with the perfect spring day for their wedding celebration. They were married at the peaceful Woodland Mosaic Garden, one of several wedding sites at the Denver Botanic Gardens. This secluded woodland location has a charming Victorian solarium, making it my favorite wedding site in the gardens. The spring flowers and delicate new leaves sparkled with life, and the sun was warm and inviting.

The bride is an accordion player, and she was quite knowledgeable in music and made a variety of music selections from classical to traditional Irish, jazz, Beatles, and other contemporary songs. Both the classical and modern songs sounded perfect with our flute, cello, and guitar trio.

We played traditional classical music to greet guests as they arrived and mingled before the ceremony. This couple chose to officiate their own ceremony, and Colorado is one of only a few states where this is easy to do and recognized legally. I played short musical excerpts throughout the ceremony to set the mood and to provide lovely transitions.

After the ceremony, we switched from classical music to pop, rock, and jazz music. Everyone enjoyed our music along with cocktails and mingling. As we played, the solarium was set with tables and chairs for the dinner that would be soon to follow. We wrapped up the cocktail portion of the event with the couple’s first dance, which we accompanied with “Fantasy” by Earth, Wind, and Fire. Our guitarist switched from his classical guitar to his steel string guitar, and we really rocked it!

Ceremony Music:
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) - Groom then Bride
Simple Gifts (Traditional) - Tree Planting Ceremony
Rondeau from Abdelazer (Purcell) - Recessional
Fantasy (Earth, Wind, and Fire) - First Dance

Cocktail Hour Music (sample selections):
Make You Feel My Love ( Adele), Viva la Vida (Coldplay), Shallow (Lady Gaga), All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera, All You Need Is Love (Beatles), Come Away With Me (Nora Jones)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens (The Woodland Mosaic Garden)
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens (Flute, Cello, Guitar Trio)
Photographer: Ryan Dearth Wedding Photography

Our Flute, Cello, and Guitar Trio can have traditional and romantic sound, or pick up the tempo for lively contemporary music.

Contact Christen

January 08, 2021

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

January 08, 2021/ 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!

Listen to Music Samples

November 25, 2020

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

November 25, 2020/ Christen Stephens

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

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.

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!”

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!

Listen to flute and harp music samples

November 17, 2020

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Lionsgate Event Center in Lafayette, Colorado

November 17, 2020/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Lionsgate Center in Broomfield, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens

My string quartet enjoyed playing wedding ceremony and cocktail hour music on this perfect autumn day in late September. We played romantic classical and contemporary music as guests arrived, and for the cocktail hour, we played a mix of lively classical and contemporary music to get the party started.

We just loved all the chandeliers hanging from the trees! These and other elegant touches gave the venue a really classy indoor/outdoor feel.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Canon in D - Wedding Party and Bride
La Rejouissance - Recessional

Timeless and traditional, our string quartet is the perfect addition to your wedding celebration.

Listen to Music Samples

August 25, 2020

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony and Reception Music in Avon, Colorado

August 25, 2020/ Christen Stephens

Solo Flute Wedding Ceremony and Reception Music in Bachelor Gulch, Avon, Colorado, Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens

I played solo flute for both the ceremony and appetizers. I played classical music by Bach, Mozart, and Debussy, and also more contemporary music by the Beatles, Sinatra, and a few jazz numbers along with some fun improvisation. I varied each song with different reverb settings on my amplification, and enjoyed imitating the original performances, and adding my own flair and personality. It completely made my day when one of the guests told me that my flute playing sounded like several instruments were playing, and not just a single flute!

I accompanied the cake cutting with "This is All I Ask” by Frank Sinatra. This was a song that the bride requested in memory of her grandfather, who used to sing it a lot.

From the Mother of the Bride:

“Christen was very easy to work with from start to finish! The flute sounded amazing on the mountain during our outdoor wedding and we would highly recommend using Christen for any and every event indoor or outdoor!!!”

Wedding Ceremony Songs:
Blackbird (Beatles) - Groom and Parents
Scarborough Fair (Traditional) - Bride
All my Loving (Beatles) - Recessional
This is All I Ask (Sinatra) - Cake Cutting

Wedding Vendors:
Photographer: Shane Macomber
Rabbi: Rabbi Joel D. Newman
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Solo Flute

This August, it was such a privilege to have the opportunity to play solo flute for this traditional Jewish wedding ceremony in the Colorado mountains. This New York couple had originally planned to have a large wedding celebration with all the trimmings, but due to the pandemic, they sadly had to cancel the celebration as originally planned. The re-imagined intimate ceremony that they ended up with may have been completely different than their first plan, but it was so full of love, joy, and meaning.

The couple was married on an empty lot with a beautiful view of Bachelor Gulch. The hot sun disappeared behind cooling, dramatic clouds just in time for the ceremony. Afterwards, everyone continued to celebrate with appetizers and cake at their vacation home in the village. The bride is a pianist, so she chose some lovely music selections that I was very excited to learn.

My Solo Flute Signature Package is my most versatile wedding music package, and I love playing everything from traditional classical music to pop and rock music.

Listen to Music Samples

August 13, 2020

Violin and Cello Duo Wedding Music at Piney River Ranch in Vail, Colorado

August 13, 2020/ Christen Stephens

There was so much energy leading up to the ceremony with singing, hugging, ululating and just an atmosphere of good cheer. Everyone was dressed to the nines and I enjoyed seeing so many elegant gowns.

The celebration was filled with so much music from start to finish. There was continual singing before the ceremony began, and the main ceremony was mostly singing as well. Then our violin and cello duo took over for cocktails followed by the DJ for dinner and dancing.

It was such a privilege to be a musical part of this exciting traditional Jewish wedding celebration at Piney River Ranch. The setting is remote and beautiful, and all the more appreciated because you have to work to get there. My car is just not built for rough dirt mountain roads, so I drove slowly and carefully so that I wouldn’t bounce too much and hit the bottom of my car. The trip took me 1 1/2 hours from downtown Vail, but it was worth it. The scenery along the way was so peaceful and I love nothing more than being out in nature, so I enjoyed both the journey and the destination.

For our portion of the music, we played a set of contemporary music including music from the Beatles, the “Butterfly Waltz” from Twilight, and “Sweet Child O’Mine” (Guns ‘N Roses"). We also played a number of Disney songs, as requested by the bride (and my personal favorite as well!).

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Piney River Ranch
Wedding Planner: Eventique Productions
Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Violin and Cello Duo
DJ - Vail DJs
Florist: Petals of Provence

January 13, 2020

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch

January 13, 2020/ Ritz Carlton/ Christen Stephens

Flute and strings by christen stephens, flute and violin Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail hour music in beaver creek, colorado, Photo by preston utley

It’s hard to know what to expect from the Colorado mountains in October, and just two days prior, we had a huge snow storm and frigid temperatures. However, this day the sun shone brightly and the temperatures warmed into the afternoon. The autumn foliage was just finishing up, and the snow was melting quickly, a celebration of both autumn and winter.

The couple chose an elegant mix of classical and contemporary songs, and I supplemented their list to fill out the prelude time. I also made a special arrangement of “Over the Rainbow” to accompany their children as they walked down the aisle, and and arrangement of “Yellow” for the bride’s walk.

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Ritz Carlton - Bachelor Gulch
Officiant: Scott Beebe
Photographer: Preston Utley
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo

I want to give Preston Utley a special shout out and thank you for these lovely photos!

Enjoy the elegance and joy of the flute and violin for your wedding ceremony. Listen to flute and violin music samples.

In mid-October, my flute and violin duo was hired to play beautiful music for a Colorado mountain wedding ceremony at the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch, Colorado. The bride and groom had traveled all the way from Georgia to have their destination wedding ceremony in the stunning autumn Colorado mountains.

After the ceremony, we moved to the outdoor patio where we continued playing a mix of lively classical and contemporary music for the cocktail hour. The sun was setting by now and it was becoming chilly, and we were glad that cocktails finished just in time for everyone to move indoors by the warm fire.

Sample Songs from the Prelude:
Simple Gifts (traditional), Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach), Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach), Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis), A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Ode to Joy (Beethoven)

Wedding Processional Music:
Wedding Party - Over the Rainbow
Bride - Yellow (Coldplay)
Recessional - Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)

Sample Songs from the Cocktail Hour:
Air from Water Music (Handel), On Wings of Song (Mendelssohn), All of Me (John Legend), All My Loving (Beatles), Flower Duet (Delibes), River Flows in You (Yiruma)

December 17, 2019

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Lodge at Breckenridge in Colorado

December 17, 2019/ Christen Stephens

Flute and strings by christen stephens, string quartet wedding ceremony music at the lodge at breckenridge in breckenridge, Colorado

From the Bride:

“Christen and her quartet played for our wedding on 11/10/19. She was so easy to work with and incredibly detail oriented. She was also very responsive and answered my questions and requests usually within the hour. The group sounded fantastic and all the guests enjoyed the wide selection of music. The best part was that I knew I didn't have to worry about a thing on the big day. Thanks, Christen!” - Laurel R.

Our beautiful string quartet is a traditional ensemble, but don’t let that fool you, because we can play just about any kind of music from classical to pop, rock, and jazz.

Learn more >

In mid-November, I had the honor of playing my cello along with my string quartet for my friend Laurel’s wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. I was so happy to have the opportunity to participate in her wedding celebration in such a meaningful way.

It’s hard to know what kind of weather to expect in the mountains in the middle of November, but the day turned out to be absolutely perfect with bright sun and temperatures in the 50’s.

Laurel is a vocalist and former music teacher, so since she knows and loves music, she chose a wonderful and varied music set list for her ceremony and cocktail hour. For her ceremony, she chose a set of mostly Baroque and classical music, and then during cocktails, she chose pop music, romantic songs, jazz, and country songs.

Sample Selections from Prelude Music:
Selections from the “Four Seasons” (Vivaldi), Salut d’Amour (Elgar), La Vie En Rose (Luis Guglielmi), Suite #3 (J.S. Bach)

Wedding Processional Music:
Bride - The Wedding from Legends of the Fall
Recessional - Hornpipe from Water Music (Handel)

Samples from Cocktail Hour Music:
Don’t Stop Belivin’ (Coldplay), Sweet Child O Mine (Guns ‘N Roses), And So it Goes (Billy Joel), All of Me (John Legend), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Take Five (Dave Brubeck), Here Comes the Sun (Beatles), Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Quartet
Venue: The Lodge at Breckenridge
Photographer: ELD Photography
Officiant: Adorkable Weddings

November 21, 2019

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony Music in Aspen, Colorado

November 21, 2019/ Christen Stephens

From the Mother of the Bride:

“Christen played along with a harp at my daughters destination wedding. They were just amazing. Due to some circumstances beyond our control we had to do a last minute change of venue. She didn't bobble at all. She made it so easy and was so accommodating. I received so many compliments and her professionalism was outstanding. She loves what she does and you can tell in every song she/they played. She made sure everything was perfect and it was. I highly recommend her for any and all occasions. She made my daughters wedding very memorable. Thank you again Christen!” - Brenda S.

Wedding Vendors:
Wedding Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Harp Duo
Wedding Planner: Blue Sky Elopements

It’s hard to surpass the elegance of the flute and harp, and with the flute playing the melody like vocals and the harp providing a romantic background, we can play just about any style of music. Listen to our flute and harp music samples.

It was almost the last day of summer when my harpist and I traveled up to Aspen, Colorado to play elegant flute and harp music for a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. We expected it to be cool in Aspen, but it turned out to be a beautiful warm day with a hot sun. The wedding ceremony was held at an elegant mountain home that had a backyard with stunning mountain views and hints of autumn foliage.

The bride loved our large song list, and she selected her entire wedding music program by herself, from the ceremony through the cocktails. Her music choices were varied and included sacred, classical, pop, country, rap, Disney, and jazz music. The guests loved the variety of music that we played, and they particularly enjoyed hearing some of the rap and pop pieces played on flute and harp.

Samples from Wedding Prelude and Postlude Music:
In the Garden (hymn), Jesu of Man's Desiring (Bach), A Thousand Years (Christina Perri), Crazy (Willie Nelson), A Whole New World from Aladdin, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, You Raise Me Up (Josh Groban), Fairest Lord Jesus, When You Wish Upon a Star, The Ludlows,Someday My Prince Will Come

Wedding Processional and Recessional Music:
The Lord’s Prayer - Seating of the Parents
Beauty and the Beast - Bridesmaids, Groomsmen, Flower Girl, Ringbearer
Shallow (Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga) - Bride
Ave Maria (Schubert) - Sand Pouring Ceremony
Hey Ya (OutKast) - Recessional

Samples from Cocktail Hour Music:
Isn’t It Romantic (Ella Fitzgerald), Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars), Dream a Little Dream of Me (Louis Armstrong), Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Try to Remember (Jerry Orbach), Amazed (Lonestar), From This Moment, (Shania Twain), Love Me Tender (Elvis), The Wedding from Legends of the Fall, Hey Ya (OutKast)

October 09, 2019

Flute and Violin Duo Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Arrabelle in Vail

October 09, 2019/ Christen Stephens

I knew from the moment that I spoke to this bride that she was a lovely person, and she was indeed such a delight to work with! This couple in their 50’s hired my flute and violin duo to accompany their wedding ceremony and cocktail hour with classical and popular music to give a mood of understated and classy elegance.

We played classical music selections as guests arrived and to set the mood for the ceremony to follow. For the processional of the wedding party and the bride, we played “Don’t Stop Belivin’” by Coldplay, a special music arrangement for flute and violin that I made specially for the couple. The bride said that the moment she heard us play, she just knew that our music was the most perfect choice for her wedding, and it brought happy tears to her eyes. The happy tears continued as the couple was joyfully united in marriage.

Imagine my surprise when I recognized the bride’s sister when she walked up to do a reading! She was the mom of one of my former flute students. My student and her mom were equally surprised to recognize me as the one playing the flute, and we had a brief and happy reunion.

Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at the Arrabelle at Vail Square in Vail, Colorado

Wedding Processional Music:
Wedding Party and Bride’s Processional: Don’t Stop Belivin’ (Coldplay)
Recessional: All You Need is Love (Beatles)

Sample from Wedding Prelude Music:
Air from Suite No. 3 (Bach), Flower Duet from Lakme (Delibes), Allegro from Spring (Vivaldi), Arioso (Bach), River Flows in You (Yiruma)

After the ceremony was over, we continued to play for cocktails out on the patio of the Arrabelle.

Sample from Cocktail Hour Music:
Rigaudon from Water Music (Handel), Blackbird (Beatles), Minuets I & II (Devienne), I Will (Beatles), Intermezzo (Mascagni)

From the Bride:

“One week post-wedding and we and our guests are still singing the praises of Flute and Strings by Christen. Christen was the only musician I spoke with, unlike the myriad of vendors I spoke with virtually every other aspect of her wedding, instinctively I felt she was exactly what we were looking for. Boy was I correct. She is first and foremost an exceptionally talented musician, which you can hear from her music samples. She also offered a wide variety of music to choose from for both the ceremony and reception, and were flexible and accommodating to my own processional selection. She was quick to respond to my questions, highly organized and professional and showed up early on the big day. And then they played. It was WONDERFUL!!! Having beautiful live music during the ceremony was important to us and to have it played so well really made the day extra perfect. I can't say enough about Christen.” Bobbi B.

Add a touch of class and elegance to your wedding ceremony with the lovely combination of flute and violin. You can listen to music samples here.

Wedding Vendors:
Ceremony and Cocktail Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Violin Duo
Planner: Glitter and Bliss Weddings
Venue: The Arrabelle at Vail Square
Photography: Daniel Alfonzo Photography
Flowers: Petals and Pours

May 04, 2019

Flute Wedding Ceremony Music - Q&A

May 04, 2019/ Christen Stephens

Solo flute wedding ceremony music, photo by rebecca marie photography

My romantic and versatile flute music is a stunning addition to any wedding ceremony. If you don’t know a lot about flute, it may be hard to imagine how live flute music will look and feel on your wedding day. Now it’s time to to meet this hidden gem as I answer the top flute questions that wedding couples ask me.

Is solo flute a good instrument for weddings?
Absolutely! I play the some of the best known music and most beautiful wedding classics on solo flute for weddings every year. Because it’s a more specialized instrument, your guests will also appreciate your discerning musical taste in choosing a flute player! Unlike other instruments that are made from wood, brass, or other materials, my flute is made from solid rose gold and silver, giving it a visually stunning effect and a luxurious, sweet and smooth tone.

Will the flute be loud enough for my outdoor wedding?
Many people think of the flute as a soft sounding instrument, so it may surprise you to know that a flute can sound even louder than a violin. In addition to that, I’ve played for so many outdoor weddings, I’ve trained myself to be able to play even louder than the average flute player, while maintaining an elegant sound. Most importantly, I know how to adjust the volume of my flute playing to perfectly suit any setting, from wide open outdoor mountain settings to intimate indoor spaces. If further amplification is needed, I will use my professional Bose L1 speaker or battery powered system coupled with a clip-on mic designed specifically for flute.

Is the flute a romantic instrument?
The opulent sounds of my solid rose gold and silver flute plus my personal musical touch are wonderfully romantic. I love seeing the looks of blissful transport on people’s faces when they hear me play my flute for the first time. I bring my own passion to my music and I’ve even pleasantly surprised the most skeptical of clients. One of my recent clients was dreaming of having solo violin or harp at her wedding, because she didn’t think that solo flute would be romantic. When her wedding day was forecast to be too cold for strings, she hired me to play flute. When she heard me play, she was surprised and amazed, and she write me a lovely review:

“Christen displayed the utmost professionalism and played such incredibly romantic, beautiful songs on her flute in 15 degree weather! She set the mood for the best day of my life! Her music truly made my ceremony. She has such a vast playlist, she can truly bring your wedding vision to life!”

What kinds of songs can you play on the flute?
The flute is among the earliest known musical instruments, and today it’s one of the most modernized instruments, on the cutting edge of avant-garde techniques. Because of this, the flute is one of the most versatile instruments today. Flute sounds perfectly at home playing everything from traditional classical music to current rock, pop, and jazz. I love taking special song requests, and if you can dream it, I can probably play it! My flute music will soar gracefully or dance joyfully to fit the mood of your marriage celebration.

Because flutists breathe exactly the same way that vocalists breathe, the flute creates a wonderful instrumental version of vocal songs, including romantic love songs and pop songs. When paired with other instruments, the flute can play the vocal parts and the background parts can be filled out with guitar, harp, piano or strings.

What are the outdoor playing requirements for solo flute?
When I play solo flute, I’m much more flexible with outdoor weather conditions than most other instruments. Unlike delicate stringed instruments, I don’t need shade or the shelter of a tent when I play. My flute and I can also tolerate cold weather quite well, and I can even play in some rain. When I play solo flute for your wedding ceremony, you can still have the outdoor wedding music of your dreams even if the weather doesn’t cooperate.

What’s a flute quartet?
There are actually two types of flute quartets! One type is four flutes, and the other type, which is the one that I offer, is a flute, violin, viola cello. I sometimes call this a flute and strings quartet to eliminate confusion. The traditional string quartet consists of 2 violins, a viola, and a cello. A flute quartet replaces one of the violins with a flute, and it can play everything that a string quartet can play. The sounds of the flute and strings beautifully compliment and enhance each other. The four different instruments of the flute quartet gives it a fuller and more varied sound than a traditional string quartet.

October 12, 2018

Flute Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music in Estes Park, Colorado

October 12, 2018/ Christen Stephens

Flute quartet wedding ceremony music in estes park, Colorado

It was a beautiful and crisp day in late summer, when my flute quartet (flute, violin, viola, cello) headed up to a very special location in Estes Park, Colorado. We had the privilege of playing for a wedding ceremony at Camp Timberline, a camp owned by the family. The camp was located in an isolated Colorado location and it featured panoramic mountain views with nothing around for miles.

In addition to playing flute at this wedding, the bride gave me the special opportunity to arrange a number new songs in various musical styles. I rehearsed with my quartet a week before the wedding so that we'd play the new songs seamlessly on the day of the ceremony. Some of the songs that were written for solo voice and guitar were challenging to translate to a quartet setting, but with a little creative thinking and a lot of experimenting, I was really pleased with the end results, and enjoyed the process. This Georgia bride's song requests ranged from Thunderstruck by ACDC, to hymns and contemporary Christian music, to country, pop, and rock songs.

The processional was a mix of contemporary Christian songs played and sung by a few friends of the family, and then we played "Sheep May Safely Graze" by Bach for the moms, and transitioned to Thunderstuck by ACDC for the groomsmen's entrance.

Afterwards, we performed a custom playlist that the bride had selected as the guests enjoyed cocktails out on the lawn.

Wedding Processional Music:
Georgia Fight Song - Last song before ceremony
Sheep May Safely Graze (Bach) - Seating of the Mothers
Thunderstruck (ACDC) - Groomsmen
Gimme Some Lovin' (Spencer Davis Group) - Recessional

Sample Selections from Prelude Music:
Sweet Child O'Mine (Guns N 'Roses), What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong), Stand by Me (Ben King), Home, Marry You (Bruno Mars)

Sample Selections from Cocktail Hour Music:
Tennessee Whiskey (Chris Stapleton), Here Comes the Sun (Beatles), Washed by Water (Need to Breathe), Black River, (Amos Lee), Need You More (United Pursuit), Treasure (Bruno Mars), Moon River, Thunderstruck (ACDC) (last song before reception)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Camp Timberline
Wedding Planner: Tied with a Bow Weddings
Photographer: KJ and Rob Photography
Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute Quartet

September 12, 2018

Flute and Harp Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Music at the Lyons Farmette

September 12, 2018/ Lyons Farmette/ Christen Stephens

My flute and harp duo had a wonderful day playing for this charming wedding ceremony and cocktail hour at the Lyons Farmette in Lyons, Colorado. The venue features wide lawns, an assortment of farm animals, vintage farm equipment, and a riot of color in the beautiful flower gardens. Twinkle lights sparkled from everywhere, and the creek running behind the ceremony site completed the charming effect.

Shortly before we started playing the prelude, the wind guested very strongly and it began to sprinkle rain. I had my music stand set up outside, and a big branch fell from the tree right where I would have been standing, so I was thankful that I wasn't there! We were so happy that the weather calmed down just as we needed to start playing the prelude music. We played elegant classical music to welcome the guests as they arrived.

Then it was time for our big musical surprise, as planned by the bride. We played "Zelda's Lullaby" from the video game "The Legend of Zelda", as the bride walked down the aisle. For the recessional, we played "Shelter" by Porter Robinson and Madeon.

During cocktails, we continued the video game theme. The couple chose a number of special songs to be played during cocktails, and the songs included more Zelda music and the Pokemon Center theme. Many people recognized the tunes and were very excited and surprised to hear songs that they knew from the video games. The tunes worked perfectly on flute and harp.

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach) - Processional
Zelda's Lullaby - Bride
Shelter (Porter Robinson and Madeon) - Recessional

Wedding Music Special Selections:
Zelda's Lullaby, Shelter (Porter Robinson and Madeon), Kakariko Village, The Great Fairy Fountain, Ballad of the Goddess, Path of the Wind from My Neighbor Tororo, The Pokemon Center Theme, Saria's Theme (a surprise addition I included)

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: The Lyons Farmette
Wedding Planner: A Touch of Bliss Events
Musicians: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Harp Duo
Photographer: Dan Hand Photo
Videographer: Garrity Productions

Whether your love Zelda music or want another unique them for your wedding, I can make it happen. Contact me today!

August 21, 2018

String Trio Wedding Ceremony and Reception Music at the Arrabelle in Vail

August 21, 2018/ The Arrabell at Vail Square/ Christen Stephens

String trio wedding and reception music at the Arrabelle in Vail Square

In late July, I played cello with my string trio for a classy wedding ceremony and reception at the Arrabelle in Vail. Since we played for both the ceremony and reception, we were there for about five hours, which rivals my longest performance ever! Instead of having to leave right after the ceremony, it was wonderful to have the extra time to spend playing our music and getting to know and enjoy the guests.

As we arrived, the weather was a little iffy, and it looked like it might rain. We hoped for the best and set up with our instruments on the beautiful balcony just outside the Arrabelle Great Room. The balcony overlooked the green Vail ski slopes and a part of charming Vail Village. Just as we were ready to start playing the prelude music, it began to storm, and the ceremony had to be moved indoors.

Our string trio played peaceful classical prelude music, as requested by the bride. The bride walked down the aisle to "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri, and the couple was married in front of grand fireplace in the Great Room.

Once the ceremony was over, the guests enjoyed cocktails and dinner as we played a set of modern pop and rock songs. It was fun because when we started playing each song, various guests would pay attention as they recognized their a favorite tune. The acoustics in the room worked beautifully for our trio and we didn't overpower the small room.

When there's no dancing, our live music is perfect for your entire wedding ceremony, cocktails, and reception. That way, you only need to book one group! We can start your ceremony and welcome your guests with lovely classical music and then switch to more contemporary music or lively classical music for your cocktails and reception. We can even add amplification if needed. For this couple, it was such an elegant touch to have our string trio play for the entire event, and our music created a beautiful ambiance for the entire evening.

From the Bride:
"We had an intimate wedding in Vail and Christen and her string trio team played for both our ceremony and reception. They did such a great job! Christen was so helpful and accommodating with our vision and timeline while planning the music for our day. Her website provides many great samples of music to choose from. She also worked on and added more music to her string trio repertoire in order to accommodate both our ceremony and reception. We received several compliments from guests on how much they enjoyed their music. They appreciated the elegant touch it added and the fact that they could easily converse with one another while they were playing. She was very responsive and so easy to work with. I would highly recommend her and her team for any special occasion or event! Thank you Christen!"

Experience classical and pop music with the elegance of strings for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception with my string trio.

Selections from Prelude Music:
Air from Water Music (Handel), Wedding Song (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Andantino (Mozart), Romanza from Eine Kline Nachtmusik (Mozart), Arioso from Cantata #156 (Bach)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
A Thousand Years (Christina Perri) - Bride's Processional
Allegro from Spring (Vivaldi) - Recessional

Dinner Reception Music (a small sample):
Moon River (from Breakfast at Tiffany's), Accidentally in Love (Counting Crows), Romantic Flight (from How to Train Your Dragon), The Wedding (from the Legends of the Fall), A Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay), Yellow (Coldplay), Anything Goes (Cole Porter), Don't Stop Believin' (Journey), Chasing Cars (Snow Patrol), Just One of Those Things (Cole Porter), Imagine (Beatles)

July 14, 2018

Flute and Cello Wedding Ceremony Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens

July 14, 2018/ Denver Botanic Gardens/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Cello Duo Wedding Ceremony Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens

Late in June, I had the privilege of playing for a wedding ceremony and cocktail hour at the Denver Botanic Gardens. It was my first time playing in the elegant Woodland Mosaic Garden, which is my favorite garden wedding site. The sun went behind clouds, and what started as a baking hot day turned into a cool day with a gentle breeze. The leafy canopy of trees arched over the conservatory and the sound of singing birds mingled Snow White style with our Disney themed music.

At the bride's request, and to my great delight, we played a lot of Disney pieces, and I even got to make a special arrangement of "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" from Cinderella to play as the wedding party walked down the aisle.

The ceremony and cocktail hour came off beautifully, and as cocktails were ending, a big gust of wind brought in a smattering of rain, and the guests moved to the reception location to enjoy a tropical inspired feast.

Prelude Music Included:
Tis the Last Rose of Summer, A Whole New World, Gavotte (J.S. Bach), Menuet (Bach), When You Wish Upon a Star, Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes from Cinderella - Groomsmen, Bridesmaids, Ringbearer
Canon in D (Pachelbel)- Bride
Largo from Winter (Vivaldi) - Sand Ceremony
Ode to Joy (Beethoven) - Recessional

Cocktail Hour Music Included:
Roses from the South (Strauss), Jr.), In the Still of the Nite, Rondo Alla Turca, Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Simple Gifts, Blue Spanish Eyes

Wedding Ceremony Vendors:
Venue: Denver Botanic Gardens
Planner: Serendipity Catering
Wedding Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens, Flute and Cello Duo

Are you getting married in the Denver Botanic Gardens? I love playing there because I'm passionate about gardening and plants. I'm familiar with all of the wedding sites at the Gardens.. Learn how to add our beautiful music to your wedding!

March 19, 2018

Flute and Harp Duo Cocktail Hour Music at the Wellshire Event Center in Denver

March 19, 2018/ Christen Stephens

This fall, my flute and harp duo was hired to play for an elegant fall dinner for the Swiss American Friendship Society. Cocktails and dinner took place at the charming Wellshire Event Center in Denver, Colorado. The Wellshire Event Center is situated on a golf course and has a quaint German feel that isn't too common in Denver.

My flute and harp delighted the guests with a mix of elegant classical, jazz, and ballads as the guests enjoyed cocktails. The room was charmingly decorated with fall decor and candles. Many of the guests were excited to have the opportunity to hear a concert harp so close up, and the beautiful instrument added the the elegance of the room. The music of my flute soared over the harp as I played well-loved melodies.

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Our String Quartet is equally comfortable playing elegant classical music and rocking out on contemporary tunes!

Live Music adds Just the Right Touch to your Wedding Celebration!

Celebrate Your Wedding With the Beauty of Strings.

From the Groom:

“Amazing Musical Team!”

Our Flute and Strings Quartet is an Impressive Addition to any Wedding!

Our Flute, Cello, and Guitar Trio can have traditional and romantic sound, or pick up the tempo for lively contemporary music.

From the Bride:

“We Could Not Recommend Someone More”

Flute and Violin Make the Perfect Pair!

From the Bride

“Christen Was Phenomenal”

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

Timeless and traditional, our string quartet is the perfect addition to your wedding celebration.

From the Mother of the Bride:

From the Bride:

From the Mother of the Bride:

From the Bride: