Prestonfield House Wedding

On the 7th September we played at the spectacular Prestonfield House near Edinburgh. This was the first time we had played there, and it was amazing, like nothing you've ever seen before! For Mhairi walking in we played Moon River, and then during the silent prayer, at the signing of the register and for their exit we played a selection of Josh Groban songs that they had had specially arranged. We also accompanied the hymn, In Christ Alone.
The couple have since sent us these kind words -

Dear Annemarie, Fiona and the Cairn Quartet,

Just back from honeymoon and wanted to thank you all for the beautiful music for our
wedding at Prestonfield on Sunday 7 September. You were absolutely breathtaking and
even better than we'd imagined so thank you so much.


From the pieces you played before our ceremony, to the special arrangements during
our ceremony (including our hymn In Christ Alone which sounded wonderful) everything
was perfect.

Moon River from Breakfast at Tiffany's (which I walked down the aisle to) and You
Raise Me Up by Josh Groban (which was played during silent prayer) especially were
both huge hits with our family and friends and there wasn't a dry eye in the house
at those points.

We have had so many compliments on the music we just had to let you know how happy
we were with it and also to let you know that it was an absolute pleasure to work
with you. Your customer service and whole approach was fantastic - so friendly and
helpful - nothing was too much trouble and your calming and laid back manner
was much appreciated!

We wouldn't hesitate to use you again or recommend you to friends and family (in
fact I recommended you to a colleague Melissa Ferrie a number of weeks ago who
has since booked you for her wedding at the Botanics in Glasgow this autumn).

Our photographs should be ready any day now so I'll forward the link to our web
gallery as soon as they are ready so you can see yourselves on camera and perhaps
use a photograph on your blog.

Take care, speak to soon.

With love from Mairi & Paul Gordon xxx

Glasgow University Chapel Wedding

On the 23rd August we played at the lovely Glasgow University Chapel. It is one of my favourite places to play as it is where my parents were married! For Joanne walking in we played Pachelbel's Canon, at the signing of the register we played Braveheart, and then the couple were piped out by a friend. The hymns were accompanied by the organ. We then moved outside to the cloisters to play for their drinks reception.

St. Anthony's, Balfron/The Barony Wedding

On 24th July (after a week off!) we played for the wedding of Natalie and Andrew. It was an incredibly sunny and warm day, and they had chosen to get married in a beautiful church in Balfron. We played classical music for the guests arriving, and then a piper friend of Natalie's (who also happened to be one of the priests taking the ceremony!) piped her down the ailse. We accompanyed 3 hymns throughout the service, 'Be Still for the presence of the Lord', 'Let the be love shared among us', and 'Bind Us Together Lord.' At the signing of the register we played the whole 6 minutes of Pachelbel's Canon (perfect timing) and the couple were then piped back out (after a quick change from the priest!)
We then moved onto The Barony in Glasgow for the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, where we played a good mixture of everytthing. On this occassion we were joined by Elaine Sexton.

Stepps Parish Church Wedding

On 12th July we played for the wedding of Nikki and Crawford. Before the ceremony, they had asked us to play some modern pieces, such as Hoppipolla and Chasing Cars. Nikki walked in to Pachelbel's Canon, followed by Stand By Me and Can't Help Falling in Love at the signing of the register, and they walked out to Brandenberg 3. We also accompanyed 2 hymns, 'Let there be love shared among us' (a personal favourite of the quartet, and a very popular choice for weddings) and 'Give me joy in my heart'. We had met the couple before, and Nikki had been quite ill, so we got such a shock when one of the most beautiful brides we had ever seen walked down the ailse!
We have since received this lovely email from the couple!

Hi,
I am sorry that it has taken me this long to get around to thanking
you all. The music was sensational and all of our guests couldn't stop
raving about you. It was such a nice touch to have a combination of
classical and modern pieces played at our wedding. I have voted you 10
in every column. You have been fantastic.

Shieldhill Castle Wedding

On 8th July we played for Lesley and Gavin's wedding in the chapel at Shieldhill Castle. It was a really lovely ceremony, and a very sunny day, and the couple had had some personal songs arranged for them. We played Braveheart for Lesley walking down the ailse, and at the signing of the register they had asked for 'She' by Elvis Costello. We then played Hoppipolla by Sigur Ros for their exit. We also accompanyed 2 hymns, 'We comne dear lord to celebrate', and 'As Man and Woman we are made.'

Dalziel St. Andrew's Church wedding

On 3rd July we played for the wedding of Eleanor and Stuart at their church in Motherwell. We had met the couple only the week previously at our showcase, and they were so lovely and it meant we really felt like a part of the proceddings rather than just doing a job. We played Pachelbel's Canon for the bridal party entrance, and then Eleanor decided to walk into the Wedding March, played on the organ. A singer accompanyed by a piano then sang during the signing of the register, and the bridal party walked out to the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. On this occassion we were playing with Emily Carr and Elspeth Luke.

Lochgreen House Hotel Wedding

On 20th June we played at a beautiful church ceremony at the Holy Family and St. Ninian's church in Kirkintilloch. It was a lovely ceremony, and although it was long the minister was great and really had everyone listening all the way through. For the signing of the register and the communion, we accompanyed a singer, who was singing Panis Angelicus and Ave Maria. We had been sent the music by the bride, and then we had a rehearsal on the day with the singer and it all went brilliantly!
Laura, the bride, walked down the ailse to Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring and walked back out to the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. Although there were hymns the organ was playing for these, and we sang along!
We then moved onto the Lochgreen House Hotel for the drinks reception.

Laura later sent us this lovely email to thank us!

Dear All,

I'm so sorry I've not been in touch! Have been meaning to write for ages!
I was delighted with your performance on our wedding day - it made the mass
so special. You accompanied Toby so fantastically well, and all after just
one rehearsal with him - amazing! Thank you for going above and beyond and
learning the Panis Angelicus and the Ave Maria for me. It's so clear on the
DVD and brings back lovely memories. It was the one bit of the ceremony
that nearly brought a tear to my eye!
It's a shame we didn't get to hear much of your performance at the hotel as
we were away having pictures done - I knew that would happen! All my
friends and family have said how lovely it was to have you playing in the
background during the drinks reception.
I have a couple of pictures you might like for your blog - will email them
over this week.

Laura
x