Wedding Ceremony & Reception Music - Apr 6, 2019
Matt & Elisabeth, Columbus Art Museum, Ohio
When the lady and I began planning our wedding, the only aspect of it for which I was immovable was having a pianist. Under no circumstances did I want a DJ ruining my wedding. This was the most important part of the wedding to me. Music is everything -- it sets the mood of your wedding and reception, it makes you feel a certain way, and it makes your guests feel a certain way.
I searched the internet high and low, finally sending Emily an email. It was an instant connection. Emily is very talented, but also very knowledgeable. I myself was classically trained on the piano from a young age, toured in a couple rock bands, and minored in music in college. The lady and I are also season ticket holders to the symphony. As such, Emily graciously allowed us to be a part of the music selection and ordering.
I'm not sure what this experience is like for other couples, but Emily allowed us to have great input into planning the music. We went back and forth selecting and ordering the music; we offered a lot of suggestions on specific songs and how the overall feel/phases of the day would go while she would say yay or nay, fill in gaps we missed, and offer her own suggestions based upon her vast knowledge and experience.. She learned new music for the occasion, including a special arrangement just for our first dance and for the Bride's entrance. She played classical music, jazz standards, Broadway, pop songs, and hybrids. She intermixed all the styles seamlessly.
The result was magical. I started crying from the first note of the prelude, and I know my Elisabeth felt like the classiest and most special woman ever. There is a lot of that day that has become fuzzy in the months since, but I will always remember the music -- the way I felt that day in the ambiance that Emily created, and the way I still tear up just remembering it.
Planning a wedding sucks. Vendors do not care about you, they care about making money. The live on their own timelines and generally do not respond to you. Our caterer was prompt with communication, but we were still just a number. Emily, however, cared. She was prompt in her communications; she always remembered our names (that sounds dumb, but other vendors didn't), and she was genuinely excited to play our music at our event.
Emily, thank you.