January 25, 2025

A Joyful Jewish Wedding Celebration at the Denver Botanic Gardens: Flute and Cello Duo

January 25, 2025/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Cello Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado, Photo by Tombrella Photography

Our flute and cello music set a light and joyful tone for this delightful Jewish wedding celebration at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The mid-September day was warm and sunny with an occasional cool breeze, the perfect weather for an outdoor wedding ceremony! The wedding took place inside the solarium at the Woodland Mosaic Garden, and our music sounded magical as it was naturally amplified by the glass. The bride arranged to have us play for both her ceremony and cocktail hour, and guests heard the sound of our music throughout the entire garden area.

We played a mix of classical music, including a good amount of Bach, for the prelude as guests began to arrive. It was a traditional Jewish wedding ceremony, and the Rabbi stood under the chuppah to signal the start of the processional. The chuppah is a canopy that a Jewish couple stands under during their wedding ceremony, and it symbolizes the home that the couple will build together.

The ceremony was a delight because Rabbi Emily Hyatt explained the traditions as they came up during the ceremony, and her joy and enthusiasm made the service so fun to witness. Emily gave the guests a brief tutorial on how to shout “Mazel tov!” after the glass was broken, and they even got to practice a few times. The practice paid off, because they enthusiastically shouted “Mazel tov!” after the groom broke the glass, and the couple walked down the aisle together, accompanied by our duo playing “At Last” by Etta James.

After the fun recessional, we switched to playing a mix of classical and nostalgic contemporary music for the cocktail hour. At the couple’s request, we included a lot of Beatles, Louis Armstrong, and Elvis. When we finished playing, the guests gathered inside the solarium for dinner and the next part of the celebration.

From the Bride:

“Christen Stephens was amazing to work with from start to finish. Christen is very attentive to detailed and organized so all the planning process for our wedding music was easy to follow and clear. Christen worked with us to find another musician to play with her. I was in tears listening to them play our processional song. All the music was absolutely beautiful. My only regret was not booking her for longer because the music was absolutely incredible.” - Esther B., Bride

Selections from the Prelude Music:
Gavotte in G Major (Handel)
Rondeau (Mouret)
Largo from Xerxes (Handel), Traumereri from Kinderscenen, Op. 15 #7
Romanza from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525 (Mozart)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles): Bride and Groom
At Last (Etta James): Recessional

Selections from the Cocktail Hour Music:
Anglaise (Bach)
I Will (Beatles)
Allegro from Sonata in F Major, Op. 1 #11 for Flute (Handel)
Siman Tov U'Mazal Tov
Love Me Tender (Elvis)
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Let it Be (Beatles)
Spring from the Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
All You Need is Love (Beatles)
I Want to Hold Your Hand (Beatles)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Woodland Mosaic Garden at the Denver Botanic Gardens
Officiant: Rabbi Emily Hyatt
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Cello Duo
Photographer: Tombrella Photography

Experience the Light and Joyful Music of the Flute and Cello.

Listen to Flute and Cello Music Samples

January 05, 2025

A Charming Autumn Wedding Celebration in the Colorado Mountains: String Quartet

January 05, 2025/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony Music at the Vail Golf Club in Vail, Colorado, Photo by Kimi D Photography

The autumn foliage was at its peak for this couple’s beautiful wedding day in the Colorado mountains. The overcast sky intensified the vibrant colors of the trees, creating a luxurious backdrop for their wedding ceremony.

With a storm moving in, the couple made the thoughtful decision to relocate their ceremony from the wedding island to a spot closer to the clubhouse. This change allowed easy access to the ceremony site, allowing everyone to enjoy the day without worrying about being caught in severe weather.

Prior to the ceremony, our string quartet enjoyed setting the mood with a personalized music setlist, thoughtfully chosen by the couple. Their selections showcased an eclectic blend of romantic ballads, modern pop favorites, and inspirational melodies, creating a custom musical touch for their special day. We began playing as guests arrived and mingled in the outdoor space, which was alive with vibrant autumn colors.

For the processional, the couple chose traditional music, starting with the very romantic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis for the family. Then, we performed the entirety of Pachelbel’s Canon in D, a very rare occurrence due to the length of the piece. The sweet family dog, Luna, joined the processional, adding a cute touch and eliciting a collective “awww” from the guests.

As the ceremony unfolded, the gusty wind picked up, and big raindrops began to fall. To protect our instruments from the blowing rain, we quickly moved further under the shelter, and the officiant sped up the ceremony. The couple remained focused and calm and the rain lightened just in time for a more serene conclusion to their vows.

After the ceremony, we played for an additional ten minutes, creating a fun and upbeat vibe as guests transitioned to the cocktail hour. Once our portion was complete, we coordinated with the DJ, who seamlessly took over the entertainment for the reception. Fortunately, the heavier rain arrived only after everyone was safely inside!

Selections from the Prelude and Postlude Music:
Simple Gifts
I Will Always Love You (Whitney Houston)
Stand by Me (Ben King)
Don't Want to Miss a Thing (Aerosmith)
O for a Thousand Tongues
Here Comes the Sun (Beatles)
What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Can’t Help Falling in Love (Elvis): Family
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Wedding Party, Ringbearers, Flower Girls
Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach): Bride
All You Need is Love (Beatles): Recessional

Thank you, vendor dream team!

Wedding Vendors:
Planning & Design: BCK Events
Venue: Vail Golf Club
Photography: Kimi D Photography
Ceremony Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens
Videography: Gold Heart Weddings
Florals: Pixies and Posies
Cake: Backyard Bakeries
Hair and Makeup: Divine Beauty Artists
DJ: Vail DJs
Offciant: Phil Gallagher
Rentals: Colorado Tents and Events
Transportation: Timberline Tours
Vail Pedicab: Vail Pedi Cab

Experienced the Classic Charm of Our String Quartet.

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

December 08, 2024

A Warm Family Wedding Celebration at Dillon Marina Park: Flute and Violin Duo

December 08, 2024/ Christen Stephens

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Dillon Marina Park in Dillon, Colorado, Photo by Christen Stephens

This summer, our flute and violin duo was delighted to play for a warm wedding ceremony at the charming Dillon Marina Park. The pavilion that the ceremony was held in overlooked the picturesque Dillon Reservoir, complete with white boat sails against brilliant blue water. The wedding was held on a peaceful weekday, and the park’s usual hustle and bustle gave way to a serene and intimate atmosphere.

From the Bride:

“Christen and the violinist were amazing to work with. My husband and I can be indecisive and she was able to guide us in our song selections to make the perfect playlist. She even coordinated with my dad (our officiant) a week before the wedding and gave him a boost of confidence as he was extremely nervous. Christen went above and beyond and we are so happy she was able to play at our wedding.” - Marcie S., Bride

Flute and Violin Wedding Ceremony Music at Dillon Marina Park in Dillon, Colorado, Photo by Vow of the Wild

My violinist and I set a lively mood as we played an elegant selection of upbeat Baroque music as guests began to gather. Following the prelude music, the ceremony began with a unique touch, as the flower girl and ring bearer handed out wands for guests to wave during the recessional. The bride’s father, serving as the officiant, was so nervous he almost skipped the rest of the processional entirely. With good humor and grace, the bride simply reminded him to wait as she nodded to us to begin playing the processional music for the wedding party.

The rest of the ceremony was very sweet, and the couple’s dog even got to be a witness on their marriage license, since that’s now a legally binding option here in wonderful and wild Colorado.

Shortly after the ceremony concluded, we played “Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You” by Frankie Valli. This was a special music arrangement that I made for our flute and violin duo, at the bride’s request. It was such a pretty and romantic choice! The melody filled the pavilion as the couple shared a sweet first dance. Unfortunately, a storm was moving in, and the couple started to struggle as big gusts of wind blew through the pavilion. Unfortunately, a few particularly big gusts of wind swept through, sending guest favors flying and cutting the dance short as the bride raced to rescue them. We gracefully ended the song early and paused for a moment until the worst of the wind guests passed before we resumed playing.

Selections from the Prelude and Postlude Music:

Rigaudon from Water Music (Handel), Allegro from Flute Sonata in F Major, Op. 1 #11 (Handel), Allegro from Concerto in E Major, Op. 8 #1, Spring (Vivaldi), Si Bheag, Si Mhor (Irish), Haste to the Wedding (Irish), Banish Misfortune (Irish), The Ash Grove, River Flows in You (Yiruma)

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Trumpet Tune (Purcell): Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bride
All My Loving (Beatles): Recessional
Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You (Frankie Valli): First Dance

Enjoy the Vibrancy of Flute Paired with Violin.

Listen to Flute and Violin Music Samples

November 20, 2024

Flute and Strings Music for a Romantic Garden Wedding Celebration

November 20, 2024/ Christen Stephens

Flute and String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Denver, Colorado, Photo by Bree Woolliscroft

There’s something magical about hearing the elegant music of flute and strings playing for a romantic garden wedding ceremony. On a warm summer day at the Denver Botanic Gardens, our flute and string quartet (flute, violin, viola, cello) enjoyed providing the soundtrack for this traditional Jewish wedding ceremony in the delightful and colorful Annuals Garden.

As guests arrived, we played a mix of elegant classical pieces and traditional Jewish wedding favorites, creating a peaceful atmosphere that perfectly complemented the lush surroundings. For the processional, we transitioned seamlessly into the timeless wedding favorite “I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith, followed by Pachelbel’s iconic Canon in D for the bride’s walk down the aisle.

Selections from the Prelude Music:
Air from Suite #3 in D major (Bach), Menuet Op. 11 No. 5 (Boccherini), Humoresque Op. 101, No. 7 (Dvorak), Liebestraum (Liszt), Romanza from Eine Kline Nachtmusik, Dodi Li, Od Yishama

Wedding Ceremony Music:
I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing (Aerosmith): Family and Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bride
Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov: Recessional

The ceremony was a heartfelt and traditional Jewish celebration. A light sprinkle of rain began to fall, cooling off the hot afternoon, as if it was offering a sweet benediction for the couple. During the 7 Blessings, the rabbi alternated between Hebrew and English, delivering the Hebrew portions at an astonishing speed that had us all very impressed with his skill. It was almost like we were hearing a Hebrew auctioneer, and it made the ceremony really memorable!

For the recessional, we launched into the lively and celebratory Siman Tov U’Mazel Tov, as the guest made their way to the cocktail hour. We followed them, setting up nearby to play a selection of contemporary pop and rock songs as refreshments were served.

But as the cocktail hour progressed, the wind began to pick up, and soon the gentle rain turned into a downpour. Guests gathered closer underneath the shelter, and we adjusted our positioning so that we could keep playing despite the rain-laden gusts of wind. Eventually, the weather became too extreme, and everyone, ourselves included, had to make a dash for shelter. The remaining guests kindly encouraged us to prioritize our instruments’ safety—and we couldn’t agree more! Despite the dramatic weather, we loved being a part of this special moment in the couple’s lives!

Selections from the Cocktail Hour Music:
All of Me (John Legend), Sunrise, Sunset from Fiddler on the Roof, I See the Light from Tangled, Married Life from Up, I Want to Hold Your Hand (Beatles), Make You Feel My Love (Adele), At Last (Etta James), Butterflies (Kacey Musgraves)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: The Denver Botanic Gardens - Annuals Garden
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - Flute and Strings Quartet
Wedding Planner: Isabelle Kline Designs
Photographer: Bree Woolliscroft
Catering: Footers Catering
Hair and Makeup: Kim J Beauty

Our Flute and String Quartet will Joyfully Compliment your Special Day!

Listen to Flute and String Quartet Music Samples

October 20, 2024

A Gilded-Age Wedding with Bridgerton Vibes at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton, Colorado: String Quartet

October 20, 2024/ Christen Stephens

String Quartet Wedding Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music at the Arrowhead Golf Course in Littleton, Colorado

This year, we were treated to a stunning long and warm autumn. Our string quartet loved playing for this early September wedding in the golden sunshine, as the the leaves were just beginning to change colors. The bride told us that the music was the most important part of her big day. In fact, we were the first vendors she booked—right after securing her venue. Her inspiration for her wedding and our music was the romantic era of the Gilded Age and the regency vibes of Bridgerton. While she wanted the band to play pop and rock hits at the reception, she wanted us to play a mix of older classics and jazz to provide a more timeless and sophisticated touch for the ceremony and cocktail hour.

Once most of the guests were seated, we played When I Fall in Love, which is one of the bride’s favorite songs. For the processional, I created a special arrangement of Golden Hour by JVKE for our string quartet. Arranging this piece for our quartet was a challenge because it was originally written with a strong emphasis on piano. The extra time that it took to adapt it for our string quartet was absolutely worth it because it turned out so well!

The bride's grand entrance was the classic Pachelbel's Canon in D, and for the recessional, we created a more funky mood with Ray LaMontagne’s You Are the Best Thing. This added a lively, feel-good finish as the couple walked back down the aisle.

Cocktail hour was just as lively, featuring a mix of catchy, upbeat older tunes and jazz. A few guests couldn’t resist the rhythm, breaking into spontaneous dancing during our tangos and more upbeat jazz numbers. We loved connecting with the crowd with our music!

From the Bride:

“Wow, I can’t thank Christen and her team enough for the beautiful music at our wedding, they absolutely exceeded our expectations! From the moment they started playing, their talent and professionalism was evident. Christen is an absolute dream to work with. She was prompt, so nice, and overall just amazing. The music perfectly set the tone for the rest of the day. To an elegant and flawless ceremony, to a lively cocktail hour. Christen worked diligently with us to ensure we would have a beautiful setlist. She and her team created an unforgettable atmosphere. We are so grateful for their contribution to making our special day so magical! Highly recommend!!” - Makayla S., Bride

Wedding Ceremony Music:
Golden Hour (JVKE): Family + Wedding Party
Canon in D (Pachelbel): Bride
You Are the Best Thing (Ray LaMontagne): Recessional

Sample Selection from the Prelude Music:
Anne’s Theme (John Denver), All of Me (John Legend), As Time Goes By from Casablanca, La Vie en Rose (Louis Armstrong), Feather Theme from Forrest Gump, Wildest Dreams (Taylor Swift)

Sample Selections from the Cocktail Hour:
Por Una Cabeza Tango from the Scent of a Woman, Stand by Me (Ben King), It Had to Be You (Harry Connick Jr.), The Shadow of Your Smile (Tony Bennett), At Last (Etta James), Yellow (Coldplay)

Wedding Vendors:
Venue: Arrowhead Golf Course
Wedding Planner: Curate Denver
Photographer: Meredith Diamond Photography
Videographer: KLassy Productions
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Music: Flute and Strings by Christen Stephens - String Quartet

Experience the Timeless Elegance of Our String Quartet.

Listen to String Quartet Music Samples

Blog

From the Bride:

Experience the Light and Joyful Music of the Flute and Cello.

Thank you, vendor dream team!

Experienced the Classic Charm of Our String Quartet.

From the Bride:

Enjoy the Vibrancy of Flute Paired with Violin.

Our Flute and String Quartet will Joyfully Compliment your Special Day!

From the Bride:

Experience the Timeless Elegance of Our String Quartet.