This 2010 wedding season has been slower than usual in bookings because of the state of the economy, and most of my friends in the wedding biz agree that yes, indeed, brides are looking around for the best "deal" they can get.
There are always those bookings that come in last minute however, and true to form a friend and colleague called me about a wedding on 4/24/2010 that needed musicians. I was given the time, location, and went over music details with the bride as usual.
It was to be a simple, yet elegant wedding. The sun was out when we arrived about 4pm for the 5:30pm ceremony and it looked like it was going to be a nice day for Jennifer Duhamel's wedding.What I did not know until I arrived at the Ace Convention Center in Pa. was that the wedding was actually taking place on the helicopter launching pad! My dear friend and wonderful harpist Barbara Gallagher and I were in awe when we saw the guests' chairs set up on the launching pad with only two solitary but beautiful bouquets of flowers at the altar.
As we set up, the sun went in and it became a bit more chilly outside than it had been upon our arrival. Even though musicians anticipate these changes and bring an extra sweater or jacket, I always feel sorry for the bride and bridesmaids in their scant albeit gorgeous attire.
But Jennifer and her groom were not feeling a thing. The wedding party consisted of only Jennifer's Mom, the matron of honor and Jennifer processing to the Pachelbel Canon in D. They walked slowly and paced as we had suggested and we were able to play all the prettier parts of the Pachelbel Canon that are often abbreviated during a shorter processional time. The Canon wound up beautifully and timely as Jennifer approached the altar. Jennifer was already crying tears of joy!
The officiant then told the story of how the couple had met in college, and 20 years later were reunited through that wonderful communication device, the internet, and had embarked on many an adventure together before it was quite evident to both of them that they wanted to live out the rest of their lives together.
The bride and groom read their own words to each other, and there was not a dry eye on that helicopter landing pad at the Ace Conference Center on April 24th, just a few minutes following 5:30pm as they did so.
After they were pronounced, announced and applauded man and wife, Barbara and I played the traditional Mendelssohn processional as they happily walked arm and arm together toward the cocktail hour inside.
I daresay I handled blowing into my flute with tears in my eyes quite well. After 20+ years of playing for weddings, it never fails to amaze me that this happens. And I always secretly pray as I play that this marriage will last many happy years as well as endure the sad times that life inevitably deals us, together. Geri Rizzo, April 25, 2010 |
