Dilliard's Bridal Show

Sunday Afternoon The String Group played at the Avenues mall for Dilliard's Bridal Show. We enjoyed meeting all the sweet couples and vendors invited to the show. Breana, Ashlee and Liz played trio, duet and solo music for this event and look forward to working with many of the couples to provide music for their upcoming weddings

"If your dilly-dilly heart
Feels a dilly-dilly way
If you'll answer yes
In a pretty little church
On a dilly-dilly day
You'll be wed in a dilly-dilly dress of
Lavender blue"

Lavender-Blue (Dilly Dilly)
Sammy Turner lyrics

Friday afternoon The String Group played for a wedding ceremony at Club Continental in Orange Park, Florida. After a prelude of classical music the ceremony began with the parents being seated to the quartet's performance of Lavender's Blue (dilly, dilly), a sweet English folk song from the 17th century. This piece was played at the request of the bride and specially arranged for The String Group's quartet by Hannah Barrow.

The beautiful french doors leading to Club Continental's courtyard were closed and re-opened for the entrance of the bride, cued by the quartet's start of the traditional Bridal March. The Bride and Groom recited their own heart-felt vows to one another and walked back up the aisle together as husband and wife while the quartet played The Wedding March by Felix Mendelssohn.

The String Group enjoyed being a part of this lovely ceremony and wishes the sweet couple all the best as they begin their lives together!

Quartet: Breana, Ashlee, Hannah and Beth

Music Coordinator: Jody and Doris

Performing in St Augustine

On Saturday, a quartet from The String Group played at the gorgeous Lightner Museum located in the heart of our countries oldest city, St Augustine. We enjoyed the opportunity to play in such a beautiful garden while being surrounded by such amazing Spanish Renaissance style architecture. We know the friends, family and wonderful couple enjoyed beginning their marriage amongst one of our nations most treasured museums.

The Quartet included Hannah, Ashlee, Jody and Liz. For prelude the quartet performed an assortment of classical pieces and played Ava Maria by Shubert while the parents of the bride and groom entered the garden and took their seats. Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by Bach was played for the Bridal party and the Bride and her doting father came in to Bach's Brandenburg Concerto with Fanfare. After the very sweet ceremony the bride, groom and bridal party left to La Rejouissance from the Royal Fireworks Music by Handel. To continue the joyous mood the quartet played another one of Handel's works, Horpipe as the guest left the courtyard and proceeded to the reception.

Beaches Chapel

On Saturday, Breana and Anna played a violin and cello duet for Kristen and David's wedding. It was held in the lovely little historic Beaches Chapel in Neptune Beach. The bride had a CD of special music she wanted played for the prelude, so the change in sound when the live music began really signaled the beginning of a special time.

We played Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as the parents and grandparents were seated, and Twilight and Mist as the bridesmaids and groomsmen came down the aisle. When Kristen appeared in the doorway, silhouetted against the afternoon light, we played a fanfare, and Pachelbel's Canon in D as she came down the aisle. As the happy couple walked up the aisle at the end of the ceremony, we played the Wedding March, followed by Hornpipe as guests exited the chapel.

The ceremony was beautiful, the location was intimate, the couple was glowing, and both families were overjoyed. What more could you ask?

Friday Night

Last night a trio from The String Group played at Ashlyn and David's wedding in St Mary's, Georgia. The ceremony and reception took place at the couple's home church, Camden County Baptist Church. After a prelude of classical music, the bride and groom's grandparents and parents came down the aisle to Be Thou My Vision, Traditional. Twilight and Mist by Horner was played for the bridal party processional, and Ashlyn came down the aisle to Pachelbel's Canon In D with a Bridal Fanfare. The ceremony also featured special music by a vocal/acoustic group called Breaking Ground from Georgetown Baptist Church in Asheville, NC. We enjoyed hearing their talented voices, moving lyrics and original songs! The trio then played Trumpet Voluntary by Clark for the Bridal Recessional and Handel's Hornpipe for the Guest Postlude. We enjoyed providing music for this sweet couple and know that the Lord is going to continue to bless their lives together.

Last Saturday, The String Group also performed at the Deercreek Country Club for a wedding ceremony. It was a beautiful spring day with a strong breeze to keep the guests cool. Allison played violin, Jody played viola and Liz played cello for this event. The trio played a prelude of assorted classical pieces while the guests were seated, and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring by J.S. Bach while the family entered. For the bridesmaids, the trio played Canon in D by Pachelbel, and for the bride, the classic Bridal March. The ceremony was beautiful! The bride and groom had a sand ceremony while the minister explained the significance of the mingling sand. Upon exchanging vows (and of course that first kiss as husband and wife) the couple exited to the sound of The Wedding March by Mendelssohn. The guests moved to the clubhouse for the reception while the trio played Hornpipe by Handel.

Lovely Avondale

Last Saturday Ashlee played at a lovely outdoor wedding for Mary Baer and Marty Fiorentiono in Elizabeth Park. The small park on the St John's River made for a very romantic and intimate event. As the guests were being seated, Ashlee played an arrangement of solo classical music. The Bridal Party entered the ceremony as she played Bach's, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and the Bride came down the aisle to Trumpet Voluntary by Clark. After a scripture reading of Matthew 7:21, 24 -27 Ashlee played The Lord's Prayer. The Ceremony was full of joy and excitement for the Bride and Groom . After they were introduced for the first time as Mr. and Mrs. Marty Fiorentiono, Ashlee played Spring from Vivaldi's Four Seasons for the Bridal Party's Recessional. The ceremony and music were brought together beautifully thanks to the diligent preparations and professional work of Mary's Coordinator, Jennifer Symmes*.

After the ceremony Ashlee joined the wedding party and guests to perform at the Reception. The Reception took place at a beautiful historic home in Avondale. As the guests enjoyed great food catered by Biscottis, Ashlee played in the courtyard and Cam from Class Act Jazz Group** played jazz piano inside. The String Group would like to thank Cam for contacting us to do this event! The excitement continued as the Bride and Groom made their way around the reception, speaking with all of the people that had had such a special part in their lives.

Matthew 7:24-27 (NAS)

The Two Foundations

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them,

may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house;

and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.
Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them,

will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house;

and it fell--and great was its fall."

Ashlee enjoyed being a part of this lovely day and wishes the Bride and Groom a marriage filled with laughter and love!

*Wedding Coordinator, Jennifer Symmes can be reached at jsymmes@AccessPR.net

**Jazz Pianist, Cam can be reached at ClassAct@TopHatEntertainment.org 904.583.4457