The intimacy of a private wedding is enhanced by elegant and enchanting music played on the harp. Its gentle, lilting sound provides the perfect backdrop to the exchange of vows and rings, and can also entertain guests both before and after the ceremony.
As a classical instrument, the harp commands a vast repertoire spanning several centuries of music, from Bach to Bacharach. In fact, the harp goes back a very long way indeed – the Greek epic poet Homer apparently entertained at weddings, accompanying his story-telling on the harp, nearly 3000 years ago!
Folk origins and popular musical culture
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The origins of the harp and its music are rooted in what we refer to nowadays as folk culture, long before music was written down or ‘composed’ in the way we understand it. The wider repertoire of the harp still draws on this time-honoured aural tradition, so that folk and popular musical culture is strongly represented in the broad spectrum of music available to the instrument.
The music of the harp will grace any occasion
Besides its huge versatility, the harp is an extremely elegant-looking instrument, and lends considerable visual class and cachet to any formal occasion. However, it’s when the harpist strikes up that the full appeal and charm of this most ancient of musical instruments becomes apparent.
Choose your wedding music in consultation with the harpist
It is common practice for harpists to offer a consultation before the wedding day so that the bride and groom can hear some suggested pieces before making their personal selection of ceremony music, as well as discussing more general musical requirements for the later stages of the day, where appropriate. This consultation usually takes place at the harpist’s address.
The majority of wedding harpists can present a wide and varied selection of music drawn from light classical pieces, Celtic and European folk tunes and arrangements of modern popular songs. This versatility makes the harp an ideal instrument to entertain guests after the ceremony is over, either at the champagne reception or during the formal meal.
The blissful, celestial sound of the harp lends an enchanting and ethereal quality to a wedding, either as part of a church service or in a civil ceremony. Its versatile span of repertoire appeals across a broad range of musical tastes, and the delicate rippling textures of its beautiful sound create a magical ambience to enhance a very special event.
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