St. Augustine Harpist – Cedar House Inn
Over the course of 6 years as a special event harpist, I have played for many a wedding…but this ceremony stands out from all the rest. The ceremony was charming and simple – only 7 people were in the room including me. A single vase of flowers, a bottle of champagne and a petite wedding cake to decorate the parlor of the Cedar House Inn.
The bride and groom had an extremely touching love story of rekindled romance that spanned many years and obstacles. Along with that, the wedding start time had to be moved earlier in the day twice because Hurricane Matthew was headed right towards us. On my way to the Inn, I passed boarded windows, empty streets and sand bags in downtown St. Augustine. The Inn owner (who happened to hold the right qualifications) had to stand in for the officiant, who couldn’t make it due to weather. After a very sweet ceremony, cake cutting and a toast, we all had to leave quickly – the Inn was in a mandatory evacuation zone, and from the color of the sky we knew the storm was on its way.
Which it was…Hurricane Matthew ended up to be a category 3 hurricane, that left St. Augustine and the surrounding areas with flooding, downed trees and power lines, and a concerted clean up effort afterwards. For myself and those who were there, this will be remembered as a sweet little wedding ceremony that took place in the calm before the storm!
Here is what I played, at the bride and groom’s request:
- Prelude ~ Hymns and other sacred greats:Â How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace, Eternal Father Strong to Save, The Way That He Loves, Fairest Lord Jesus
- Groom & Officiant ~Â The Gael (from Last of the Mohicans)
- Bride’s Staircase Entrance ~Â Canon in D
