Wedding with Celtic Flair at Academy of the Sacred Heart 2012-01-07

Congratulations to Mary and Matthew, married last week at Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills.  The church was beautifully decorated with poinsettias, red tea lights, pinecone and evergreen pew decorations.  Mary wore a vintage style dress while her bridesmaids wore elegant black gowns.  All the ladies carried white bouquets of roses and hydrangeas with embellished with white feathers.  It was a lovely effect.  Mary and Matthew had a couple of special requests for us.  Following a prelude of light classics which included, Claire De Lune, the couple’s mothers were seated to “The Ludlow’s” from the romantic movie, “Legends of the Falls”.  The bridal party processed to a Celtic version of “Be Thou My Vision” while Mary entered to another Celtic favorite, “Give My Your Hand”.   Deacon John Schulte delivered a touching ceremony marked with several personal references to the couple.  Wedding coordinator, Danielle, was a tremendous help both to us and the family.  Jenna, cantor and also bridesmaid, did a lovely job with the responsorial psalm and alleluia.  Following their introduction, the couple recessed to Bittersweet Symphony, which has been very popular this year.  We extend our best wishes to Mary and Matthew as they begin their life together.

Academy of the Sacred Heart

Raised Dais Creates Beautiful Setting for Wedding at Palazzo Grande 2011-12-26

Congratulations to Krysten and Brian on their wedding last week at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. The Palazzo was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the couple chose a unique set up for their ceremony. The hall was set up in a “theater in the round” format with a raised dais in the middle and seating for guests extending out from the four sides. The dais had lovely planters on each corner adorned with roses and raised candles which created an elegant atmosphere. Pam Aulgur of Shelby Township led a personal service that included a reading or the poem “Let Love Be”. The mothers were escorted to their seats by their sons to the Louis Armstrong favorite, “What a Wonderful World”. Brian and his groomsmen then entered to the fun “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream. Escorted by her father, Krysten processed to “Unchained Melody” and looked beautiful in a fitted bridal gown. The couple chose to insert a special rose presentation to their parents followed by a sand ceremony during which we played “Time In a Bottle” by Jim Croce. Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a dinner reception. Best wishes to Brian and Krysten as they begin their life together.
The Palazzo Grande

Winter Wedding in Chapel at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion 2011-12-22

Congratulations to Amy and Steve who were married earlier this month in the chapel at Canterbury Village.  The chapel is located a across the square from the carousel and makes a lovely setting for an intimate wedding.  Reverend Phillip Rogers led a beautiful ceremony that included a traditional Irish Blessing. The couple chose contemporary music like Stairway to Heaven, Don’t Stop Believing, Love Story and California Dreaming.  The bridal party wore black dresses and carried red roses as they processed to What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.  Amy processed to the popular Pachelbel’s Canon and the couple recessed to the well known Beatles tune, “Here Comes The Sun”.  Steve requested the Jimi Hendrix hit, “Purple Haze” which is a delight to play and generated several fine compliments.  It’s always fun to play the unexpected!  We wish Steve and Amy the very best as they begin their lives together.

Canterbury Village
Reverend Phillip Rogers

Prose and Poetry Bring Unique Quality to Wedding in Bloomfield Hills 2011-12-22

Best wishes to Maureen and Benjamin on their wedding last week at Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills. Laura West of “Events That Impress” organized an elegant event that included candles along the aisle. The ceremony was led by Reverend Sherry from “A Joyful Celebration” and incorporated personal wedding vows and other elements that represented the uniqueness of this couple. The ceremony opened with a special reading, “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” by Louis de Bernieres, which was read by Beatriz Herraro, Grandmother of the Bride. The bridal party, dressed in navy gowns with an ivory ribbon sash processed to “Trumpet Voluntary” while Maureen walked to the majestic “Queen of Sheba” by Handel. The ceremony was closed by Tommy Kogelschatz, brother of the bride, who read “Oh! The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Following the presentation of the couple, we performed a Beatles favorite, “Here Comes the Sun”. We send our best wishes to Benjamin and Maureen as they begin their life together.

Events That Impress
A Joyful Celebration
Birmingham Unitarian Church

Wedding and Cocktails at the Historic Whitney on Woodward Avenue 2011-12-22

The Whitney mansion is an impressive home on Woodward Avenue near downtown Detroit, and was the venue for the elegant evening wedding and reception for Ryan and Nada last weekend. They chose to have a cocktail hour before the ceremony which we thought was a fantastic idea. The guests had an opportunity to visit and no one was late to the ceremony! The cocktails were held in the Grand Hall, which is dominated by an ornate fireplace and mantelpiece which holds an antique bronze clock. We had the pleasure of performing a great number of contemporary pieces including Dynamite, selections from the Beatles, At Last by Etta James and Viva La Vida by Coldplay. A grand staircase dominates the Great Hall that is elaborately adorned with a bronze balustrade and is richly illuminated by colorful Tiffany stained glass panels on the second and third floors. It was on the landing in front of the Tiffany windows that Ryan and Nada exchanged rings and were blessed by Iman Achmat Salie. Guests were seated on both the second and third floor providing everyone with a view of the beautiful couple. We played the popular Pachelbel’s Canon for Nada’s processional and were greatly appreciative of her sister, Marwa, for her help with cues. We would also like to thank Kristine of The Whitney for her help throughout the evening. Congratulations to Ryan and Nada as they begin life together.

The Whitney

Wedding with Celtic Flair at Academy of the Sacred Heart 2012-01-07

Congratulations to Mary and Matthew, married last week at Academy of the Sacred Heart in Bloomfield Hills.  The church was beautifully decorated with poinsettias, red tea lights, pinecone and evergreen pew decorations.  Mary wore a vintage style dress while her bridesmaids wore elegant black gowns.  All the ladies carried white bouquets of roses and hydrangeas with embellished with white feathers.  It was a lovely effect.  Mary and Matthew had a couple of special requests for us.  Following a prelude of light classics which included, Claire De Lune, the couple’s mothers were seated to “The Ludlow’s” from the romantic movie, “Legends of the Falls”.  The bridal party processed to a Celtic version of “Be Thou My Vision” while Mary entered to another Celtic favorite, “Give My Your Hand”.   Deacon John Schulte delivered a touching ceremony marked with several personal references to the couple.  Wedding coordinator, Danielle, was a tremendous help both to us and the family.  Jenna, cantor and also bridesmaid, did a lovely job with the responsorial psalm and alleluia.  Following their introduction, the couple recessed to Bittersweet Symphony, which has been very popular this year.  We extend our best wishes to Mary and Matthew as they begin their life together.

Academy of the Sacred Heart

Raised Dais Creates Beautiful Setting for Wedding at Palazzo Grande 2011-12-26

Congratulations to Krysten and Brian on their wedding last week at the Palazzo Grande in Shelby Township. The Palazzo was beautifully decorated for the holidays and the couple chose a unique set up for their ceremony. The hall was set up in a “theater in the round” format with a raised dais in the middle and seating for guests extending out from the four sides. The dais had lovely planters on each corner adorned with roses and raised candles which created an elegant atmosphere. Pam Aulgur of Shelby Township led a personal service that included a reading or the poem “Let Love Be”. The mothers were escorted to their seats by their sons to the Louis Armstrong favorite, “What a Wonderful World”. Brian and his groomsmen then entered to the fun “Sunshine of Your Love” by Cream. Escorted by her father, Krysten processed to “Unchained Melody” and looked beautiful in a fitted bridal gown. The couple chose to insert a special rose presentation to their parents followed by a sand ceremony during which we played “Time In a Bottle” by Jim Croce. Following the ceremony, the guests enjoyed a dinner reception. Best wishes to Brian and Krysten as they begin their life together.
The Palazzo Grande

Winter Wedding in Chapel at Canterbury Village in Lake Orion 2011-12-22

Congratulations to Amy and Steve who were married earlier this month in the chapel at Canterbury Village.  The chapel is located a across the square from the carousel and makes a lovely setting for an intimate wedding.  Reverend Phillip Rogers led a beautiful ceremony that included a traditional Irish Blessing. The couple chose contemporary music like Stairway to Heaven, Don’t Stop Believing, Love Story and California Dreaming.  The bridal party wore black dresses and carried red roses as they processed to What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.  Amy processed to the popular Pachelbel’s Canon and the couple recessed to the well known Beatles tune, “Here Comes The Sun”.  Steve requested the Jimi Hendrix hit, “Purple Haze” which is a delight to play and generated several fine compliments.  It’s always fun to play the unexpected!  We wish Steve and Amy the very best as they begin their lives together.

Canterbury Village
Reverend Phillip Rogers

Prose and Poetry Bring Unique Quality to Wedding in Bloomfield Hills 2011-12-22

Best wishes to Maureen and Benjamin on their wedding last week at Birmingham Unitarian Church in Bloomfield Hills. Laura West of “Events That Impress” organized an elegant event that included candles along the aisle. The ceremony was led by Reverend Sherry from “A Joyful Celebration” and incorporated personal wedding vows and other elements that represented the uniqueness of this couple. The ceremony opened with a special reading, “Captain Corelli’s Mandolin” by Louis de Bernieres, which was read by Beatriz Herraro, Grandmother of the Bride. The bridal party, dressed in navy gowns with an ivory ribbon sash processed to “Trumpet Voluntary” while Maureen walked to the majestic “Queen of Sheba” by Handel. The ceremony was closed by Tommy Kogelschatz, brother of the bride, who read “Oh! The Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Following the presentation of the couple, we performed a Beatles favorite, “Here Comes the Sun”. We send our best wishes to Benjamin and Maureen as they begin their life together.

Events That Impress
A Joyful Celebration
Birmingham Unitarian Church

Wedding and Cocktails at the Historic Whitney on Woodward Avenue 2011-12-22

The Whitney mansion is an impressive home on Woodward Avenue near downtown Detroit, and was the venue for the elegant evening wedding and reception for Ryan and Nada last weekend. They chose to have a cocktail hour before the ceremony which we thought was a fantastic idea. The guests had an opportunity to visit and no one was late to the ceremony! The cocktails were held in the Grand Hall, which is dominated by an ornate fireplace and mantelpiece which holds an antique bronze clock. We had the pleasure of performing a great number of contemporary pieces including Dynamite, selections from the Beatles, At Last by Etta James and Viva La Vida by Coldplay. A grand staircase dominates the Great Hall that is elaborately adorned with a bronze balustrade and is richly illuminated by colorful Tiffany stained glass panels on the second and third floors. It was on the landing in front of the Tiffany windows that Ryan and Nada exchanged rings and were blessed by Iman Achmat Salie. Guests were seated on both the second and third floor providing everyone with a view of the beautiful couple. We played the popular Pachelbel’s Canon for Nada’s processional and were greatly appreciative of her sister, Marwa, for her help with cues. We would also like to thank Kristine of The Whitney for her help throughout the evening. Congratulations to Ryan and Nada as they begin life together.

The Whitney