December 31, 2021

Violin and Cello Wedding Ceremony Music at the Lionsgate Center in Lafayette, Colorado

December 31, 2021/ Christen Stephens

My violinist and I loved playing beautiful music for this couple, who were finally celebrating their vows before family and friends. Their ceremony date was exactly one year after they were married in a private ceremony in 2020. The ceremony took place at the Lionsgate Center’s Dove House in Lafayette, Colorado.

It was a very meaningful and special occasion, and we were so glad to be a part of it! We played elegant classical music that the bride selected, both as guests arrived and after the ceremony concluded. The rain held off just long enough for a lovely outdoor ceremony, and cooling cloud cover.

Ceremony Music:
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach) - Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel) - Bride
Allegro from the Bach Suite #3 in D Major - Recessional

November 06, 2021

Violin and Cello Wedding Ceremony Music on the Holy Cross Event Deck in Vail, Colorado

November 06, 2021/ Christen Stephens

I played cello along with my violinist for this fun and sweet wedding ceremony amidst the July wildflowers on the Holy Cross Event Deck. We were crossing our fingers for no rain, and the weather stayed sunny and dry for this Mississippi bride. The haze from the California wildfires was thick in the mountains that day, and it gave the landscape a soft and dreamlike quality.

As we were setting up to play, we had a freak accident! As I was kneeling to set up, the wind carried the patio umbrella that was over us right out of the stand! The umbrella pole hit me right in the center of the forehead! I was very dazed and felt sick, so we asked for help and I was carted off to the medic. The folks at the wedding deck promptly replaced our umbrella with a more secure one, but I’ll be double checking that every umbrella is secured in its stand for the rest of my life now!

I was grateful to be able to play music despite being very dizzy! I didn’t get any photos of the wedding because of my injury, but John Cain was so generous in sharing his professional photos with me! The photos are stunning and made even more so by the wildflowers, which were prettier than they’ve ever been, due to all the rain we’ve been getting.

The bride let me select all of her prelude and ceremony music, only requesting nothing sad and no tears! She said in her wonderful Southern accent, “I don’t want to be bawlin’ as I walk down the aisle”. I think we succeeded with a selection of upbeat classical and contemporary music, and there wasn’t a single tear but smiles all around!

Wedding Ceremony Music
I Will (Beatles) - Wedding Party
Butterfly Waltz from Twilight - Bride
All You Need is Love (Beatles) - Recessional

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Holy Cross Event Deck
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Violin and Cello Duo
Officiant: Elevate Wedding Officiant
Photographer: John Cain Photography - thank you for these incredible photos!

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

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