Some weddings feel like they’re pulled straight from a dream, and Clinton and Luke’s Bushnell wedding was no exception. Held in July, their special day was a perfect blend of theatrical flair and heartfelt moments. I got particularly attached to Clinton and Luke, as we had multiple planning calls together and I really got to know them. We bonded over our love of Broadway musicals and found ourselves gushing over every detail. I had so much fun with them and it made their day that much more special to me.
Hi, I’m Ariana - I’m a wedding violinist and the founder of Ariana Strings. I’ve performed for 725 weddings and private events over the last 15 years and love sharing our couples’ wedding stories. Here you’ll find inspiration for your wedding ceremony music, cocktail hour playlist, as well as incredible photos from our Summer 2024 wedding at The Bushnell. Let’s dive in!
Despite the summer heat, everyone stayed cool and comfortable thanks to the indoor ceremony in The Bushnell’s checkerboard lobby. From start to finish, their wedding was a masterpiece, utilizing the full venue and bringing every detail to life with a Broadway-inspired theme that captured their love story beautifully. Guests entered on a red carpet to a custom video trailer of Clinton and Luke in all their favorite musicals - it was so fun and unique!
The wedding ceremony took place in The Bushnell’s lobby, where Clinton and Luke walked down the aisle together to a song as unique and meaningful as their bond. They requested a custom string quartet arrangement of “Maybe Love” from Shucked, the new Broadway musical. Seeing their tears of joy as the music played was such a powerful moment. Knowing how much the song meant to them, my team and I poured our hearts into the arrangement, and it felt incredible to see it resonate so deeply.
We also created custom string quartet arrangements of Aerith's Theme from Final Fantasy 7 and Just a Little Lovin' by Dusty Springfield.
Their personal touches didn’t stop there. Clinton and Luke’s Playbill-inspired programs were a brilliant nod to their love of theater. Clinton and Luke’s yellow color palette tied the entire event together, and we loved being part of it. To complement their vision, we wore vibrant yellow dresses, blending seamlessly into the cheerful and elegant atmosphere.
Among the ceremony music highlights was My Neighbor Totoro, a song from the movie that holds deep significance for the couple. I went the extra mile to make it perfect: ordering sheet music from Japan and collaborating with my colleague, the conductor of the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, to translate it and make sure we didn’t miss a single detail. These moments remind me how much joy music can bring to a wedding day.
The celebration continued in the Seaverns Room for cocktail hour. As classical wedding musicians, we’re no strangers to creating ambiance, but performing in the Seaverns Room was extra special. Its elevated stage and warm wood paneling made it the perfect spot for our performance, allowing the music to shine (and it was an extra special spot for the flower girl to twirl to our string quartet performance of Taylor Swift’s Love Story). For this part of the day, we played a lively mix of pop favorites and Broadway hits—an homage to Clinton and Luke’s shared passion for musicals and a personal favorite genre of mine.
For the reception, the newlyweds took center stage—literally—on The Bushnell’s main stage. It was such a fitting conclusion to a day filled with theatrical magic.
A special shoutout goes to Carla Ten Eyck, who captured the day so beautifully. Carla is a true artist, and her photos of the day are absolutely breathtaking. Her work reflects the love and joy that filled every corner of The Bushnell that day.
“Working with Ariana was such a fantastic experience. From the moment we first met, we knew we made the right choice. Ariana immediately understood what we wanted for our wedding and made the whole process smooth and enjoyable. She was incredibly easy and fun to work with. My husband and I always looked forward to our one-on-one planning sessions!
We even asked for a special piece of music that wasn’t in her usual repertoire, and she went above and beyond by sourcing it from Japan, rearranging it, and learning it within just a few weeks! That kind of dedication blew us away. The musicians were true professionals, and the music they played set the perfect mood for both the ceremony and cocktail hour.
Our guests couldn’t stop talking about how beautiful everything sounded. If you’re looking for live musicians for your wedding or any event, stop looking and contact Ariana Strings. They truly made our day unforgettable, and we would work with them again in a heartbeat!”
Clinton and Luke, thank you for letting us be a part of your Broadway-inspired wedding. Your love for each other and for the arts shone in every detail, and it was a privilege to help bring your vision to life.
Planning Your Own Bushnell Wedding?
If you’re dreaming of a Bushnell wedding or looking for classical wedding musicians to bring your special day to life, let’s connect! Whether it’s custom arrangements or a unique playlist, we’re here to make your music as unforgettable as your love story.
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