Dreamy Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding

Just last month, we had the pleasure of being part of Samantha and Ryan’s Barns at Wesleyan Hills wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. Samantha, a sweet 2nd-grade teacher whose students adore her (wait til you see what they did for her wedding!), and Ryan, a brilliant systems engineer, are the kind of couple that makes you believe in soulmates.

The Setting: Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding

The Barns at Wesleyan Hills ceremony site has all the elements of a fairytale—rustic charm, lush greenery, and, of course, the unpredictable New England weather! The willow trees remind me of The Notebook every time and they’re my favorite.

Even though we had to dodge a few passing showers, we didn’t let a little rain dampen the day. Instead, we set up underneath the porch, amplified our sound, and let the music carry down the hill to the ceremony.

Our string quartet played a classical prelude as guests arrived (What’s Prelude? Find out here!), creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere despite the rain.

Ever wonder how we time your music perfectly?

As classical wedding musicians who have performed for 650 weddings over the last 15 years, we’ve learnt what works and what doesn’t. That’s why we have added our own, special music coordinator to ensure that we bring your musical vision to life. Our rockstar coordinator, Billy, worked closely with the venue’s team to make sure the timing was flawless and sound carried beautifully down to the ceremony space.

The family processional began with the timeless "Canon in D," setting a classic and elegant tone. Ryan, along with his mom, followed by Samantha’s mom and stepmom, made their way down the aisle, and you could feel the excitement building. Then, the wedding party made their entrance to "A Million Dreams” from The Greatest Showman.

Fun fact: A Million Dreams is our top processional song this year!

Then came the moment everyone was waiting for—Samantha’s walk down the aisle to "A Thousand Years." It was pure magic. The love between Samantha and Ryan was so palpable, it felt like time stood still.

From Ceremony to Celebration

After the vows were exchanged and the couple made their grand exit to "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," the party kicked off inside the barn. The cocktail hour was a blast, with a party mix that included everything from Adele’s "Rolling in the Deep" to "Love Me Like You Do." The vibe was electric, and it was clear everyone was ready to celebrate!

One guest even came up afterward to share that she’d never heard "Material Girl" on strings before and thought it was fantastic—moments like these are what make playing weddings so special.

So Happy Together

Samantha and Ryan were so happy that they gave us 5 stars on The Knot and wrote:

“Ariana and her string quartet were the BEST! She is extremely knowledgeable, talented and was very helpful throughout the planning process. The music was absolutely beautiful and elevated our wedding to a whole nother level.” - Samantha, 2024 Bride

Samantha and Ryan, it was an honor to be part of your day, and we’re so grateful for the opportunity to provide the soundtrack to such a special moment in your lives. Wishing you both endless love, joy, and music.

Vendor Dream Team

Venue: The Barns at Wesleyan Hills

Florist: The Green Petal

Photographer: Katie Slater Photography

DJ & JP Powerstation

Hair & Makeup: Nadia's Beauty Spot

Ceremony and cocktail hour entertainment: Ariana Strings Quartet

A Heartfelt Farmington Gardens Wedding: Chelsea & Chris

Credit: Simply K Studios

It’s hard to believe that a whole year has passed since Chelsea and Chris tied the knot at Farmington Gardens! As the violinist and founder of Ariana Strings, I had the absolute pleasure of being a part of their special day, and it's a memory that still brings a smile to my face. Their Farmington Gardens wedding was not just beautiful—it was filled with personal touches and the timeless elegance of our classical wedding musicians.

The Perfect Setting: Farmington Gardens Wedding

With its lush gardens, elegant greenhouse, and inviting ballroom, Farmington Gardens set the stage for a day that was both beautiful and intimate. The love these two share was reflected in every corner of the venue, making it an ideal choice for their celebration. As a string quartet for weddings, we couldn’t have asked for a more picturesque setting to perform.

Seamless Musical Timing

One of my trickiest parts of the day is orchestrating the processional. Behind the scenes, unbeknownst to the couple, our coordinator, Madison, was working tirelessly with the venue coordinator, Katie. Together, we made sure that Chelsea and Chris' vision for their processionals came to life.

Chris and his groomsmen lined up by the bar window in the ballroom during our prelude music (What's Prelude Music?) Once the gents were in place, the bridesmaids and little Lottie, the flower girl, made their way down the aisle to "Stand By Me." Seeing everything come together so perfectly was a joy, and I was thrilled to play a role in setting the tone for their ceremony.

When Chelsea walked down the aisle to our string quartet playing "Pachelbel's Canon in D," it felt like time stopped in the best way. The love and joy in the air were palpable, and it was such a privilege to witness. The combination of traditional string quartet wedding music with a modern twist made it a day to remember.

A Ceremony Full of Heart

The ceremony was particularly special, with Chelsea’s brother-in-law, Adam, serving as the officiant. As a Justice of the Peace, he brought a personal touch that made the ceremony feel even more intimate.

To make sure every note was heard clearly, we provided amplification (of our instruments) and ceremony sound (microphones for the officiant and couple). This setup ensured that the music filled the greenhouse beautifully, without overpowering the intimate atmosphere. Providing the right ceremony sound was crucial in making sure everyone could hear Chelsea and Chris' love story perfectly.

A Special Request and Skilled Vendor Team

After the heartfelt ceremony, we kicked off the party with a brand new custom arrangement of "Paper Rings" by Taylor Swift for the recessional. It was the perfect song to capture the excitement and joy of the moment as Chelsea and Chris walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.

After the greenhouse ceremony, the space was quickly transformed into the cocktail hour venue. The team had just 8 minutes to make the transition, and they did so flawlessly. The couple chose to have a receiving line, giving them a chance to personally greet each guest out in the main gardens before the festivities continued.

Bridgerton-Inspired Music and a Joyous Recessional

Chelsea and Chris wanted their wedding to have a touch of Bridgerton-inspired elegance, so we included some of the beautiful Bridgerton songs for weddings in our repertoire.

The day continued with a fun and lively cocktail hour, where we played an eclectic mix of tunes, including an ABBA medley, "Electric Love," a Harry Potter Medley, and "Blank Space." It was so much fun to see guests enjoying the music and each other’s company, and the energy was just incredible. Our role as string quartet musicians in CT has never felt more fulfilling!

Reflecting on a Year of Wedded Bliss

Chelsea and Chris, as I think back on your wedding day, I’m filled with so much happiness and pride. It was an honor to be part of your journey, and seeing you both so happy on your anniversary reminds me of why I love what I do. Your Farmington Gardens wedding was a perfect blend of love, music, and personal touches, and I’m so grateful to have been there to share in your joy.

Here’s to many more years of love and happiness! Happy Anniversary, Chelsea and Chris!

Sophisticated Wedding at Waveny House: Julia & Will

Credit: Gayle Brooker Photography

Julia and Will’s Waveny House wedding in New Canaan was a day overflowing with love, joy, and music, all made even more special by our wonderful classical wedding musicians. From the breathtaking setting of the historic venue to the thoughtfully curated details, it was a celebration to remember.

I really got to know Julia, Will, and their families in working closely together leading up to the wedding. We had multiple planning calls to ensure every musical detail was perfect. The lovely mother of the bride was early involved and brought so many wonderful ideas to the table. Her trust in my professionalism gave me the room to take her ideas to the moon! It makes me so happy whenever we work with families who care so deeply. The result was a day that felt deeply personal and full of meaning.

The couple knew they wanted to have a blend of classical wedding music, but also a modern reflection of their love story with Bridgerton vibes. The celebration was so sophisticated and elegant, as the couple strictly chose only love songs to fill the air.

Sophisticated and Elegant Waveny House Wedding

The festivities began as guests arrived at the historic Waveny House, greeted by the warm sound of our solo cellist, Elizabeth, performing in the majestically adorned foyer. Here, we elevated the atmosphere with all classical and traditional wedding music, like solo Bach Sonatas and Partitas, surrounded by lush greenery and candlelight. So romantic!

A Crisis Averted by Expert Teamwork

Just as the ceremony was about to begin, the skies opened up with a heavy downpour. The ceremony site in the lush English garden was nearly soaked, but thanks to the quick and expert work of Beth Marie Events, what could have been a major hiccup turned into a display of seamless coordination. While guests stayed dry inside the main house, enjoying our solo cellist's music, the team sprang into action. They covered the chairs and florals with tarps, protecting everything from the rain, and dried off the site just in time for the ceremony to proceed.

Off Without a Hitch

When the skies cleared, the ceremony began, and it was nothing short of beautiful.

Our Ariana Strings music coordinator, Madison, played a crucial role in ensuring everything ran smoothly. With the string quartet sheltered and view blocked by tall boxwoods, we needed help to bring Julia and Will's wedding music to life.

With our coordinator up high up on the hill, she expertly managed the many changes, assisting and cueing our wedding string quartet, all while ensuring she stayed out of the photographer’s way. (For those of you that don't know, this is a feat!)

The wedding party entered to the classic "Canon in D," followed by "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King as Julia, accompanied by both her parents, made her way down the aisle. A particularly touching moment came when Betsy lit a candle at the altar in memory of her late son, adding an emotional and heartfelt element to the ceremony.

A Special Song Request

The recessional was a custom arrangement of "Just Like Heaven" by The Cure, a piece that held special meaning for Julia and Will.

With the rain long gone, the we took the party to the terrace for an elegant cocktail hour. The mood was light and sweet, with over 200 guests enjoying a mix of love songs and classic rock. The playlist featured favorites by Dua Lipa and Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You," perfectly capturing the upbeat energy of the day.

Whether you’re dreaming of a Bridgerton-inspired string quartet for your wedding or a solo cellist to add an elegant touch to your special day, our team of classical wedding musicians is here to make your vision come to life.

Inquire with Ariana Strings today to start curating the soundtrack to your love story today. In the meantime, check out how this incredible vendor team brought Julia and Will's vision to life.

Full Planning: Beth Marie Events

Venue: Waveny House

Photography: Gayle Brooker

Video: Yours Truly Media

Floral and Event Design: KD&J Botanica

Tent: Greenwich Tent Co.

Hair and Makeup: Pre Dame Beauty

Catering: On the Marc Events

Pre-Ceremony, Ceremony, and Cocktail Hour Music: Ariana Strings Reception Band: The Sultans

Rentals: Smith Party Rentals and Petunia Rose China

Linens: BBJ La Tavola

Napkins: Nuage Designs Inc.

Stationary: Blush Waters

Lighting: Vivid Event

Cake: Everything Lulu

Restroom Trailer: Sperry Tents