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

Dunblane Hydro Wedding

On the 6th September we played at Dunblane Hydro. For Amanda walking in we played Pachelbel's Canon, and at the signing of the register the couple had asked for a special song to be arranged, The Vervepipe's 'Colourful'. The couple then walked out to the traditional wedding march.
We have since received this lovely email from the couple!

Hi Annemarie & Fiona

The new Mrs Dean here! I just wanted to email you to say a huge thank you for being
part of our big day on 6th September 2008 at the Dunblane Hydro. I'm afraid my head
was elsewhere on the day and I can't truly admit to hearing you playing (except when
we were signing the register) but everyone else has informed me that you were
excellent and really added to the ambience of the day.

Thank you so much for all your help with the composition of Colorful, again I missed
most of this but a few of our friends said it was wonderful. I am really excited to
see the video as then I will really get a chance to appreciate the music. Also,
having played the cello myself for 10 years, I think there is something very
beautiful about the sight of a string ensemble playing whether it be a quartet or a
full orchestra!

Once again, thanks for everything you did. I won't forget you.

Kind regards

Amanda & Andrew

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.

Brig o doon weddings

On both the 17th and 23rd we played at Brig o doon House. One of our favourite venues, it never seems to rain there! On the 17th the bride was Diane Ring, and she walked into Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. We then played Stand by Me and God Only Knows by the Beach Boys at the signing of the register and All You Need is Love and Somewhere Beyond the Sea for their exit.
On the 23rd, Diane Doherty walked in to Pachelbel's Canon, at the signing of the register we played Songbird and for their exit we played Here Comes the Sun.

One Devonshire Gardens Wedding

On the 16th August we played at the prestigious One Devonshire Gardens. For Lynette walking in we played the traditional wedding march, Spring at the signing if the register and the traditional exit wedding march for their exit. On this occasion we were playing with Emma Peebles, Paul Livingstone and Katie Rush.

Hill of Tarrit Mansion wedding

On the 8th August we played at the beautiful Hill of Tarrit Mansion near Cupar in Fife. The house is a trust house and the wedding was held in the gardens. We played outside on the steps for the ceremony, where we played Pachelbel's Canon for the bride's entrance, then Vivaldi's Spring at the signing of the register, and Salut D'Amour for their exit. We then moved onto the lawn for the drinks reception. On this occassion we were playing with Jo Wylie and Ian Watson.

We have since received this lovely message!

We are just writing to express our deepest thanks for your lovely performance at our
wedding ceremony at the Hill of Tarvit in Cupar on the 8th of August. Many of our
guests commented on how much they enjoyed listening to you during the
following drinks reception.

We would like to wish you all the very best for future successes.

Kindest Regards

Justin & Jennifer

Western House Hotel Wedding

On the 3rd August we played at Western House Hotel in Ayr (again!) for the wedding of Edwina and Darren. For Edwina walking down the ailse we played the traditional wedding march, then at the signing of the register we played Braveheart and then I Predict a Riot for their exit. I Predict a Riot is a surprisingly popular choice for weddings! On this occasion we were playing with Katie Rush and Gisela Hans.

Turnberry Hotel Wedding

On the 2nd August we played for the wedidng of Claire and Phil at Turnberry Hotel. For Claire walking up the ailse we played Pachelbel's Canon, O Mio Babbino Caro for the signing of the register and the traditional Wedding March for their exit. We then played for their drinks reception outside, with stunning views out over Arran!
On this occassion we were playing with Ian Watson and Jo Wylie.

We have since received this lovely email from Claire!

Guys,

Just an email to say thanks for the wedding. Everyone loved you and the music was
excellent. Thanks ever so much.

Thanks

Claire and Phil

Crieff Hydro Wedding

On the 1st August we played at Crieff Hydro. For Wendy walking down the ailse we played Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring, Air on a G String at the signing of the register and Hornpipe for the couple walking out. It was a lovely day, especially since the couple's children were able to spend it with them. We then played a good mixture of pieces, as well as the playlist they had sent, for the drinks reception and wedding breakfast. On this occassion we were playing with Katie Rush and Paul Livingstone.

We also received this lovely email from Wendy following the event!

Hi Fiona,
I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed the music last Friday. I didn't get a
chance to speak to you myself because you were continually playing (hats off to you
all) or I was being the busy bride/mum. You were so fantastic and made an excellent
start to the day.
I wish you all well in your future careers.

Thanks again,
Wendy

Brig o doon wedding

On the 30th July we played for the wedding of Pamela and Ian at Brig a doon hotel. Pam had asked if we could play a couple of songs to accompany a singer, so after a rehearsal prior to the ceremony, we played Kissing You by Desiree with the singer Joanna while Pamela walked down the aisle, and Songbird with Joanna singing for the signing of the register. For the couple walking out they had asked for Jurassic Park, as it had a lot of sentimental meaning after spending a fantastic day at Disneyland listening to it!
We then played for their drinks reception, and while the guests were being seated for dinner. On this occassion we were playing with Katie Rush and Nicola Connell, and the events manager commented that we were one of the best quartets she had ever heard play at the hotel!

Glenskirlie Castle wedding

On Sunday, the Cairns returned to one of their favourite venues, Glenskirlie Castle for the wedding of Anne Curry and Graham.
We played Canon for Anne walking up the aisle, Coldplay's Yellow for the signing of the register and All You Need is Love by the Beatles for their exit music. On this occasion, Annemarie and Alan were joined by Katie Rush from the Cairn's "All Girl" Quartet and Fiona Ritchie on cello. Due to a late bus arriving from the Southside of Glasgow, the quartet amused the guests with a selection of lively Mozart, and light Jazz.

Photographs of the quartet playing at Glenskirlie Castle

On the 23rd March we had played for the wedding of Lynn and Gary at Glenskirlie Castle. The photographer from the wedding, Alastair Jolly, kindly got in touch with us and sent us the photos he had taken of us on the day. For more photos by Alastair, please visit www.amjphotography.co.uk

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

Western House Hotel Wedding

On May 25th we played for the wedidng ceremony and drinks reception of Hazel and Joe at Western House Hotel, Ayr. Hazel had actually only booked us the week before the wedding, but with her help we managed to get everything organised pronto and the day was fantastic. The ceremony was being held outside, and enjoyed the views of a lovely water feature and Ayr Racecourse. Although it was a really sunny day, it was incredibly windy and we didn't have any clothes pegs with us so it was quite amusing watching us trying to keep our music down! Definately learnt our lesson for the next outdoor wedding! For Hazel walking down the ailse we played the traditional wedding march by Wagner, then for the signing of register we played Gabriel's Oboe (which we played twice through), and the couple walked out to The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. We then moved onto the bandstand to play for the drinks reception, and the couple had chosen a list of songs from out playlist. All the songs were modern and pop songs, and it was a really good fun afternoon!

On this occassion we were playing with Emma Peebles, a postgraduate student from RSAMD, as Annemarie was at her niece's christening in Ireland.

Glenskirlie House Hotel Wedding

On May 24th we were playing for the wedding drinks reception of Douglas and Jacquline. We had met the couple while exhibiting at The Scottish Wedding Show in Ingelston in Febuary this year. They had provided us with a great wide and varied playlist, and there was really something for everyone on it.

Glenskirlie Castle is increasingly becoming one of our most popular venues. However, this was the first time this year we had played in the hotel, which has recently been redecorated. It now looks stylish and classy, and we were all blown away by the transformation it has undergone. It was a spectacularly sunny day, so while we were waiting on the guests arriving we enjoyed some of the sunshine in the beautiful gardens, as you can see from the pics!

On this occassion we were playing with Ian Watson, a Masters student at the RSAMD, and Jo Wylie, a graduate from RSAMD.

Seamill Hydro Wedding

On May 23rd we were playing again at Seamill Hydro in West Kilbride. We were playing for the wedding ceremony of Susan and Chris, and it was held in the Arran Room of the hotel, which looked out onto the beach and the Isle of Arran. Myself and James were playing with Catherine Robertson and Helena Flint, both graduates of the RSAMD, as Alan was on holiday and Annemarie was doing her degree recital!
For Susan walking up the ailse we played Pachelbel's Canon, for the signing of the register Air on a G String and The Secret Wedding from Braveheart, and for the couple's exit we played All You Need is Love by The Beatles (like in 'Love Actually').

Pollokshields Burgh Hall Wedding

On May 11th we played for the ceremony and drinks reception of Laura and Geoff at Pollokshields Burgh Hall, after meeting Laura and her mum at The Royal Concert Hall Wedding Show. This was our first ever wedding at Pollokshields Burgh Hall, and it turned out to be a great venue, with friendly and helpfull staff and beautiful ceremony room looking out onto the park. We were playing again with Ronan MacManus, and for Laura walking down the ailse we played Can't Help Falling in Love, followed by Salut D'Amour for the signing of the register and Arrival of the Queen of Sheba for the couple's exit. They had also chosen a selection of songs from our playlist to play during the wedidng reception, mostly popular and modern songs, and these went down a storm with the guests.

When we met Laura at the wedidng show, she had also been looking for a ceilidh band. We were able to help her out as Alan also plays in a great ceilidh band. After the quartet finished playing, Alan stayed at the venue, where he was provided with dinner, and then began playing with his ceilidh band at around 7.30pm.

Laura and Geoff were a lovely couple, and both themselves and their families and guests were so nice and friendly we had a lovely time!

Seamill Hydro Wedding

On May 10th we played for a wedding ceremony at Seamill Hydro Hotel, West Kilbride. The hotel is set in a beautiful location looking out to sea, and we always try and keep a lookout for seals! On this occassion, myself and Annemarie had the pleasure of playing with George Smith and Ronan MacManus, both collegues of ours from the RSAMD in Glasgow.

Dalmeny Park Hotel Wedding

On May 4th we played for Sheila and Brian's wedding ceremony and drinks reception at Dalmeny Park Hotel, Barrhead. The couple had hoped for an outdoor ceremony in the beautiful gardens that the hotel host, but unfortunately the forecast for storms meant it was held in the room looking onto the gardens. We played a selection of classics for the ceremony, and had been asked to play a number of Irish jigs for the drinks reception due a number of Irish attending the wedding!

Brig O' Doon Wedding

On May 2nd we played for a drinks reception at Brig O' Doon House Hotel. It was a lovely sunny day so we played outside in the bandstand while guests sipped champagne and enjoyed the scenery! Still one of our favourite venues, the beautiful location, scenery and friendly staff make this a perfect venue in both winter and summer.