The planner: “So here’s our vision: You’ll be in dressed in a head-to-toe pink sequined ballgown on the balcony overlooking the garden. You’ll walk out in total darkness and then the spotlight will turn on and focus only on you. You’ll start singing an electro-pop club house remix of Bette Midler’s “The Rose” while we’ll do a fully choreographed light show that illuminates the entire garden as the surprise grand finale.”
Me: “Count me in”
Hi! I'm Ariana, founder of Ariana Strings - the premiere wedding music company in Connecticut. As a professional violinist who has performed for 725 weddings and events over the last 15 years, I love curating special musical events and sharing our behind-the-scenes as inspiration for you.
I’m beyond thrilled to share the details and photos of this extraordinary collaboration we recently had with none other than Lancôme! The planner and designer, Powerstation Events, brought us in especially for this corporate event and we knew exactly what do to.
The Event
The premiere of Lancôme’s newest fragrance line, celebrating The Rose, their emblem and signature in their latest campaign, #MessWithLancome
The Setting: Mayflower Inn and Spa
Our performance was broken into four parts (Three parts, originally, but they enjoyed working with us so much that they asked for more. It was the greatest compliment!)
Part 1
Our string quartet performed as the welcoming committee and main entertainment for Lancôme's exclusive product demonstrations, unveiling Lancôme's newest fragrance line to the nation’s top beauty editors.
This event was one of a kind—not your typical fragrance launch. Each fragrance had its own elaborate floral pedestal in the garden at Mayflower Inn and Spa.
Each of the 12 fragrances was assigned its own song (See below), which we performed live as each scent was introduced to the guests. Imagine the surprise and delight when, instead of a simple reveal, the room filled with music that perfectly captured the essence of each fragrance. It was such a fresh, unexpected twist, and the energy was incredible! From sultry to playful, the music brought each scent to life in a way that was immersive and so much fun.
Rose From the Moon – Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra
1001 Roses – A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton
Thunder & Roses – Thunderstruck by ACDC
Not Your Rose – Roses by Chainsmokers
6:00 AM Rose – Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper
La Rose Absolue – The Rose by Bette Midler
Hot As Rose – Hot in Herre* by Nelly
I Burnt a Rose – We Didn’t Start the Fire by Billy Joel
Rose or Die – Only The Good Die Young by Billy Joel
Hell of a Rose – Gives You Hell by All American Rejects
Rose Gone Oud – Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf
*Yes, Dad, it is spelled with two R's. I double-checked!
You know what I didn't expect? Our performance of “Hot in Herre” was the biggest hit—the editors couldn’t get enough! Who would have thought a classical wedding music ensemble could make that one a showstopper at a luxury fragrance event?
Part 2
After the fragrance demos, the editors were treated to the ultimate pampering experience with spa treatments at the beautiful Mayflower Inn and Spa. Meanwhile, we took a quick break to get ready for the next part of the evening.
Our string quartet returned to keep the energy going with upbeat pop hits during the cocktail hour, setting the perfect mood for the guests to relax and mingle. Lancôme gave us totally free reign to select all the music and we chose our favorites:
My string players were about to pack up, but Lancôme loved our performance so much that they requested we stay all the way through dinner!
Part 3
For dinner, we pared things down to a violin and cello duet, serenading guests as they enjoyed their gourmet meals at The Mayflower Inn and Spa's world famous restaurant . The atmosphere was intimate and elegant, the music adding just the right touch of sophistication to the night.
Part 4
After being completely glammed up by Lancôme’s top beauty team (seriously, talk about star treatment!), I dashed into hiding for the grand finale. The guests were invited out into the garden and the lights cut out to total darkness. A single spotlight appeared and I stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the Mayflower Inn's stunning garden. Then, I began to sing an electro-pop remix of Bette Midler’s “The Rose”. Suddenly, the space came to life with a dazzling light show that illuminated the entire garden in sync with the music.
It was a magical night that none of us will soon forget—Lancôme truly knows how to make an event unforgettable, and we were thrilled to be a part of it! From the innovative fragrance introductions to the show-stopping finale, this partnership was pure magic.
This unforgettable partnership with Lancôme and PowerStation is a perfect example of how versatile live music can be, whether you’re looking for classical wedding musicians to create an elegant atmosphere or dynamic corporate event music to energize your guests. Our string quartet seamlessly transitioned from sophisticated introductions to upbeat pop hits, showing just how well live music can elevate any occasion. Whether it’s an intimate wedding or a high-profile launch like this, we love bringing our talent to both weddings and music for corporate events, creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Check out the gallery below, by Colleen Anne Leenehan (morning through spa) and Powerstation (cocktail hour thorugh finale).
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