Sam and Jenna’s wedding at Glen Manor House was the epitome of modern elegance paired with personal touches. As classical wedding musicians, we were thrilled to create a unique blend of traditional and modern music that perfectly reflected the couple’s vision.
Hi, I’m Ariana — wedding violinist and founder of Ariana Strings. I’ve performed for 725 weddings over the last 15 years and love sharing my experience with you as inspiration for your special day.
For Sam and Jenna’s wedding, we brought our acoustic violin and viola duet to this historic Rhode Island venue, providing classical wedding ceremony music and an unforgettable Bridgerton-inspired cocktail hour set. Let’s dive into the highlights of this stunning wedding at Glen Manor House!
Planning Music for a Wedding at Glen Manor House
From the very first call with Sam and Jenna, I could tell how much heart they were putting into their special day. They had been referred to me by my incredible colleague, Sarah Brehant Events, so I knew their wedding would be flawless and styled beautifully. Alongside their 4-month-old foster kitten, they shared their ideas and excitement with me.
We talked through all of their ensemble options, the setup possibilities, ideas for amplification in a garden ceremony setting, and the possibility of expanding the ensemble if they wanted a fuller sound. Ultimately, the amplified violin and viola duet struck the perfect balance for their wedding ceremony and cocktail hour music.
Whimsical Ceremony Details
The ceremony at Glen Manor House was held in the garden, with chairs facing the water and an aisle adorned with a breathtaking floral design (by Florals by Justine) that featured a winding, asymmetrical aisle—a whimsical and enchanting setup unlike anything I’d ever seen before. Michelle Lyerly captured such truly unique shots that I cannot wait to share!
To match the wedding’s color palette of greens, light blues, and pops of blush, we wore dusty rose dresses, to tie in with the overall aesthetic. (Our go-to backup look, as always, was concert black.)
The ceremony was officiated by the couple’s friend, Max, who charmed everyone with his heartfelt humor and engaging storytelling. He struck the perfect balance of emotion and comedy, keeping everyone fully present in the moment.
For the music, the couple opted for a mix of classical and personal selections. The prelude featured classical wedding music that set a sophisticated tone for the event.
The highlight of the ceremony was Jenna’s processional to All I Ask of You from Phantom of the Opera. This special request held deep meaning for Jenna, and I was honored to bring it to life. As a violinist who played in the pit orchestra for the North American tour of Phantom, the song is close to my heart, too.
The ceremony concluded with a bit of royal wedding flair: The recessional to Handel’s Queen of Sheba, sending Sam and Jenna down the aisle as newlyweds in Baroque style.
Bridgerton Strings for Cocktail Hour
Cocktail hour at this Glen Manor House wedding was a perfect blend of elegance and fun. We started with classical wedding staples like Vivaldi’s Spring from The Four Seasons and Handel’s Air from Water Music Suite. Then, we snuck in popular classical music pieces The Swan and Schubert’s Traumerei, and transitioned to pop strings arrangements that had guests buzzing.
When Sam and Jenna told me they really wanted to lean into Bridgerton strings, I created a custom library of pop string arrangements just for their violin and viola duet, featuring hits that bridged the gap between throwbacks and current pop:
Artemas - "I Like the Way You Kiss Me"
The Beatles - "All You Need is Love"
The Beatles - "Here Comes the Sun"
Bonnie Tyler "Total Eclipse of the Heart"
Bridgerton - Main Title from Netflix's Bridgerton
Bruno Mars - "Marry You"
Callum Scott "You Are the Reason"
Christina Perri - “A Thousand Years” (from The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1)
Ed Sheeran "Perfect"
Ed Sheeran - “Thinking Out Loud”
Edith Piaf - "La Vie En Rose"
Etta James - "At Last"
Jason Mraz - “I'm Yours”
John Legend - “All of Me”
John Williams - Jurassic Park (Main Title)
Katy Perry "Firework"
Leonard Cohen - “Hallelujah” (in the style of Rufus Wainwright)
Madonna - "Material Girl"
Maroon 5 - "Girls Like You"
Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"
Pitbull - "Give Me Everything (Tonight)"
Taylor Swift - "Wildest Dreams"
Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me"
Train - “Marry Me”
from Disney-Pixar's Up - "Married Life"
Despite the hot and humid weather—so intense that my bow slipped through my hand at one point!—the lively energy of the guests kept the atmosphere vibrant. Many guests wore bold, colorful outfits that added to the festive mood, making this cocktail hour truly one for the books.
Unforgettable Moments
As the evening progressed, the celebration only became more electric. Gabi Rose, the saxophonist, wowed everyone with her set, which I was lucky enough to catch as I was packing up. Her performance added an incredible layer of energy to the event, perfectly complementing the vibe created by DJ June of June Events.
DJ June’s custom mixes kept the party alive well into the night, seamlessly blending genres and ensuring the dance floor was packed from start to finish. It was a true team effort to create an unforgettable evening for Sam and Jenna and their guests.
Working with Sam and Jenna was such a joy. Their passion for music and their thoughtful approach to every detail made this wedding truly memorable and they wrote us the kindest testimonial:
“We were beyond thrilled with Ariana Strings for our 2024 RI wedding. From the very beginning, Ariana's communication was exceptional. She was incredibly responsive and accommodating, making the whole process of planning the music feel effortless. She took the time to meet with us multiple times prior to the big day, which made a huge difference in our comfort level & making sure everything was in line with our expectations.
One of the highlights of our experience was Ariana's willingness to play a custom song with sentimental value to us. In addition to the custom add, she walked us through every step of the music selection process, offering expert advice on which pieces would work best for each moment. Our last meeting session before the big day really solidified our trust in her as she took the time to play samples of each option under consideration so we could truly envision what the string renditions would sound like and fit during each phase of the ceremony.
On the wedding day, Ariana and team were able to execute the logistics of an outdoor ceremony smoothly with our planner. Their music added another layer of beauty, depth, and character to our ceremony and cocktail hour that wouldn't have been achievable without them.
If you're looking for an amazing string duo with incredible talent, top-notch communication, and the willingness to go above and beyond for your special day, I can't recommend Ariana Strings highly enough!”
If you’re planning a wedding at Glen Manor House or dreaming of Bridgerton-inspired pop strings for your big day, we’d love to help bring your vision to life. Let’s connect! Don't forget to check out the vendors below who made this day come to life. For Fearless Hearts did a stunning trailer of their day as well, so check it out below!
Planning & Design Sarah Brehant Events
Venue Glen Manor House
Caterer Morins Catering
Photo Michelle Lyerly
Video For Fearless Hearts
Florist Floral Designs by Justine
Lighting & Draping Ryan Designs RI
Rentals @kadeemarentals @laaffitto @nuagedesignsinc Peak Event Services @sweetlydesignedevents
Ceremony and cocktail hour music Ariana Strings
Glam Upstyle.co
Stationery Nob Hill Jane
Dress Khya studios
Officiant Max Frost
コメント