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

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.

Royal Wedding at Borru House

On August we played for the wedding of James and Cheryl at their beautiful home in Erskine. James is a direct descendant of Brian Borru of Ireland, and the wedding signinfied the first Scottish wedding of the clan since the 10th century. As well as the normal wedding vows and rings exchanged, Cheryl also received a royal ring, and was named a Lady. It was held in a marquee in the formal gardens and although it was raining it didn't put a dampner on the day. The music had a distinct Irish feel and we played the Brian Borru march for James arriving, the Prince of Denmark's March for Cheryl walking down the ailse and From Clare to Here at the signing of the register.

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!

'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

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.

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.

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.

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

Surprise wedding! at 'The Club', Broxburn

On 7th June we played for the wedding of Kevin and Marissa at 'The Club' in Broxburn. This was a very exciting day for us for 2 reasons. The first was that it was our first experience of a pagan wedding. It was very beautiful, and they talked about the bonds that held them together and then they 'jumped over the broom' together, symbolising them going into their new life together. We were quite heavily involved in the proceedings, with many musical interludes throughout the ceremony.
The second reason was that the quartet was actually Kevin's wedding present to Marissa. The couple had seen us at a wedding show and Marissa in particular had really wanted us to be a part of their day, keeping our flyer in her wedding planner book for months after the show. However, they had decided that their budget would not be able to stretch to us and that we were a luxury that they couldn't afford. Kevin, however, contacted us, with strict instructions to keep it a secret from Marissa as he had decided that we would be a surprise until she was walking down the aisle to us playing instead of a CD. We sent him our playlist and he listened to every single song on our playlist on his ipod to try and pick the songs she would love! He mainly picked from our popular songs, and was very appropriate for the feel of the day. When we arrived, Marissa had to subtly be taken into another room while we set up, and there was a wall of men standing in the doorway so as she couldn't see us. We tuned up quietly, and started playing for the guests arriving. By this time Marissa had guessed what was going on, but it made the whole day very special and very personal and we felt really appreciated!

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.