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

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.

 

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

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

 

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.

 

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

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

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

Flute and Strings Music for a Romantic Garden Wedding Celebration

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

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.

 

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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!

 

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

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

 

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.

 

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

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

 

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)

 

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

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

 

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

 
 

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

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

 

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