CARLA BRAY - harpist

Choosing your wedding ceremony music can be a bit overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. But I’m here to help! I have performed my harp for literally hundreds of weddings, and for just about every type of service you can imagine: Catholic Mass, Christian, Greek Orthodox, Jewish, Non-Denominational, Persian, and Vow Renewals.

There are three main musical selections that will need to be made for your ceremony: Entrance of the Bridal Party, Bride’s Entrance, and Recessional. Here are some suggestions to get you started. And don’t worry; all these selections sound beautiful on the harp! These are all very traditional and favorite wedding music choices:

Entrance of Bridal Party

• Canon in D - Pachelbel
• Prelude in C - Bach
• Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring - Bach
• Air on a “G” String - Bach
• Air from “Water Music” - Handel
  

Bridal Procession

• Bridal Chorus - Wagner
• Canon in D - Pachelbel
• Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke

Recessional

• Trumpet Voluntary - Clarke
• Ode To Joy - Beethoven
• Spring from “Four Seasons” - Vivaldi
• Trumpet Tune - Clarke
• Wedding March - Mendelssohn

Of course, if you have a special song in mind, let me know! You can also check my website for audio samples of some of these wedding music selections, or you can view my complete repertoire list.

Looking for wedding ceremony or reception music? Consider harp to set the perfect mood.

Photo by Becky Spencer Photography at The Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa

The contract has been signed, the music has been selected, the plans have been made…so what happens on the event day? How does it all work?

Arrival

I generally arrive to the event location and rolling the harp into the performance spot 30-45 minutes prior to my scheduled performance start time so I’ll have plenty of time to set up. If I’m bringing amplification or if I’m not familiar with the location, chances are I’ll be arriving a bit earlier than that.

Attire

For weddings, I tend to wear formal black so that I will fit in with/blend in with any color scheme. For other events I will be either wearing dressy black or other suitable attire/colors.

Change of Location

Ocassionally there may be a location change midway through an event (i.e., from one room to another, from wedding ceremony site to reception site, etc.). Since I have a lot of equipment to move (music stand, bench, and the harp itself), this will require a break in performance in order to pack up and move everything to the new location.

Assigning a designated helper ahead of time to give me assistance moving from one spot to another can allow for a much smoother and faster transition.

Outdoor Locations

The harp (and its player) needs to be on a solid, flat surface and in a shaded location. We most likely have previously discussed the needs for the specific location. Is an umbrella needed? Hotels and banquet venues will already have umbrellas for use. If an umbrella is required, please be sure it is set up and ready before my arrival; that way, we can avoid any unexpected delays. Is it especially cold? A heat lamp may be needed; hotels and banquet venues quite often have these available for use as well.

For further information, please read my blog article on outdoor location requirements. And, of course, feel free to ask any questions you may have about your specific venue.

Payment

Please arrange to have payment handed to me before I start the performance. This makes life easier for both of us; you won’t have to worry about writing a check or gathering the cash in the middle of your event, and I won’t have to hunt around for the person with my payment after I’m finished! It’s easier for both of us to take care of business beforehand.

Interested in booking an event? Have any questions? Please do not hesitate to contact me. I’m always happy to help!

Photo by Scott Robert Photography - wedding at the Hyatt Huntington Beach

The end of one year and the start of the next year always brings a time of reflection. 2007 has been a great year with many opportunities for me: the 2007 MTV VMA show with Kanye West, some great orchestral performances with great music, lots of parties and special events. And, of course, weddings…many, many weddings! I feel like I’ve been all over the Los Angeles and Orange County map this year…

Ryan & Cammie at The Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa (photos by Becky Spencer Photography)

Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica (personal photo)

Tran cocktail hour at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel (personal photo)

Scott & Kathy at the Surf & Sand in Laguna Beach (photos by Jim Kennedy Photographers)

Eric & Liz in Laguna Hills (photos by C. Van Rensburg Photography)

Steven & Monika at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest (photo by Carrera Photography)

Gary & Tiffany at Lawry’s in Beverly Hills (photo on a thank-you card from the couple)

Keith & Judy at La Venta Inn in Palos Verdes Estates (coming soon)

Looking for wedding ceremony or reception music for your upcoming wedding? Consider harp to set the perfect mood.