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
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