'The Drum' Wedding

On 26th July we played for the wedding of Lindsay and Alexander at 'The Drum', Edinburgh. The Drum is a beautiful counrty house which is the family home of Alexander, and the ceremony was held outside in front of the house, with the bridal party on the steps leading up to the house. For the bridesmaid's walking up, we played Salut D'Amour, and then played Pachelbel's Canon for Lindsay walking up the ailse. At the signing of the regsiter we played Air on a G String and for the couple walking back down the steps, down the ailse and onto the lawn we played 'All You Need is Love' by the Beatles (like in Love Actually.)
We then moved onto the lawn for the drinks reception, where we all got a wee bit of a tan! We played mostly jazz, which seemed to be going down well with the guests.

Cornhill House Wedding

On 25th July we played at the beautiful Cornhill House. It was the hottest day of the year so far I think, and it was absoutely stunning (as was the bride, Leigh!) For Leigh walking in she had asked to have arranged 'Falling Slowly' from the film 'Once' which was a fantastic choice. We then accomapanyed a singer for 'Come to a Wedding' (sung to the tune of Morning has broken). We then played 'Falling Slowly' again for them walking out (after a moment of confusion between ourselves and the piper!) We then moved out on the veranda for their drinks reception where we played a mixture of jazz, tangos, classical and The Beatles.
We also recieved this lovely feedback from the bride!

You were absolutely wonderful and so many people commented on 'Falling
Slowly'...from what I hear it started quite a few tears!

Thank you so much for playing so beautifully!

Best wishes,

Leigh & Chris

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.

Lochgreen House Hotel Wedding

On 11th July we played for the drinks receptiona and dinner of Caroline and Stuart. It was a beautiful sunny day and so we played outside on the patio for the drinks reception, and played a mixture of jazz, tangos, rags and more popular numbers. We then moved inside for the dinner, and played to welcome guests into the dining room, and then played 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You' for Caroline and Stuart walking in. We then played a mixture of Classical, Opera and traditional.
We particularly enjoyed the day as Caroline had been so lovely to organise everything with, and we had the met the couple previously.
On this occassion we were playing with Emily Carr and Elspeth Luke.

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.'

Norton House Hotel wedding

On 6th July we played for the wedding of Nicola and Darren at Norton House Hotel, Ingelston. For the bridesmaid walking down the ailse we played Gabriel's Oboe, followed by Pachelbel's Canon for Nicola walking down the ailse. We then played Air on a G String at the signing of the register. The couple were piped out, and then us and the piper took it in turns to play at the drinks reception. On this occassion we were playing with Jo Wylie and Helena Flint.

No Reply to your email????

The Cairn's are off this week 17th-23rd July on the renowned "Cadenza" course. If you need to contact us please phone 07968783440.
Best Wishes
Annemarie and Fiona

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

Pollokshields Burgh Hall Wedding

On the 3rd July, after playing for Eleanor and Stuart's wedding in Motherwell, we hopped in the car and headed for Pollokshield's Burgh Hall, Glasgow, where we were playing for the wedding of Martine and Stephen. Martine had decided to have 'Just Like Heaven' by The Cure arranged for her walking down the ailse, and at the signing of the register we played 'Stand By Me' by Ben E. King. For their exit we played 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You', and they had also chosen mostly popular songs for their guests arriving.

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.

Culcreuch Castle wedding

On 28th June the string trio were playing at the lovely Culcreuch Castle in Fintry. Nicola walked down the ailse to Pachelbel's Canon, and walked out to Eine Kleine Bricht Moonlicht Nicht Musik (the piece that encompasses both Mozart's Eine Kleine and Scottish traditional music!) For the signing of the register the trio accompanied a singer, who sang 'Come What May', after a rehearsal prior to the ceremony.

Solsgirth House wedding

On 28th June we played for the ceremony and drinks reception of Louise and James at Solsgirth House, Dollar. Louise had had 2 specific pieces of music arranged for the ceremony, Will Young's 'All Time Love' for her walking down the ailse, and Feeling Good by Nina Simone for the signing of the register. They then walked out of the chapel to Good Day Sunshine by The Beatles. This was an apt choice as when the ceremony started it was drizzling with rain but by the time they were walking back down the ailse it was nice and sunny, so much so that we then moved out onto the veranda to play for the guests sipping champagne on the grass!
We were playing on this occassion with Emily Carr and Catherine Robertson.

Pollok House wedding

On the 21st June we played for the wedding of Kenny and Chatsuda at Pollok House. We played for the ceremony, drinks reception and after dinner drinks. For the ceremony and drinks reception the couple had chosen mostly classical music for us to play, and for the ceremony itself we played Handel's Largo. After the drinks reception we had a 2 hour break while the party had their dinner, and we played mostly jazz and more popular tunes for their after dinner party, held in the scullery downstairs.
On this occassion, Lamond Gillespie was playing with us as Alan was playing in the RSAMD Opera.

Norton House Hotel wedding

On 21st June we played for the wedding ceremony and drinks reception of Karen and Ben at Norton House Hotel, Ingelston. It was a fantstic day, and on this occassion the musicians playing were Katie Rush, Dyzelle Sutherland, Kirsty Brown and Robert Anderson.
Following the wedding, Karen sent us a lovely Thank You email with some great comments, and here it is!

Hi All

Just back from Honeymoon and wanted to say a big thanks to you all for the
wedding music.

In the lead up to the day both Fiona and Annemarie were really friendly,
helpful and professional.

You really did us proud, I know you had a bit of a hard time as I was late to
the aisle (I was ready at 1.55pm but they didn't come and get me and then the
Registrar took ages!!)

Would absolutely recommend you and if you need anything completed for VOWS
etc just give me a shout.

Thanks again you really did make it special.

Karen

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