On 2 January we wrapped up our 2013 season with our first 2014 wedding :) We headed to Ardfert outside Tralee for Gemma and Barry's wonderful winter wedding! Gemma is a Soprano herself, so carefully selected her musicians and her ceremony music. Leanne Fitzgerald joined us for this ceremony, and this is the programme Gemma put together (with all the planning being done in Canada): 

Entrance: Edelweiss
Lighting of the Individual Candles: Glasgow Love Theme from Love Actually
Psalm: Mo Ghrá Thú
Alleluia: Mozart's Alleluia from Exultate Jubilate
Lighting of Unity Candle: Glasgow Love Theme
Offertory: When You Were Sweet 16
Sign of Peace: Laudate Dominum 
Communion: Caccini Ave Maria 
With the Communion Reflection: Kissing You
Signing of Register: 1. Married Life 2. Your Song
Recessional: All You Need Is Love

Their beautiful boy Lochlainn joined them at the front and there were some gorgeous photos taken at the altar after the Signing of the Register! 

Gemma and Barry both came up to us afterwards to have a quick chat and thank us for the music, we really appreciated that! Thank you for having us, and best wishes to the three of you as you start a new chapter now! 


 ♥

On 19 December we travelled aaaaaaaaall the way to Tarbert in Co. Kerry for Maura and Colm's wedding. We were joined by local girl Laura Enright who sang with us, and it was totally worth the trip! The ceremony was gorgeous, the priest was so kind to us and really did an amazing wedding, At the very beginning, he got guests from both sides of the church to cross the aisle and shake hands with someone on the other side so people could get to know each other, and he kept everyone very relaxed and happy throughout!

Here's the music Maura and Colm chose::
Entrance: Pachelbels Canon 
Lighting of the Separate Candles: Air by Bach
Responsorial Psalm: Eagle's Wings with Laura
Alleluia: Leonard Cohen (Instrumental)
Lighting the Marriage Candle: Air by Bach
Offertory- Gabriel's Oboe
Sign of Peace: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring
Communion: 1. O Holy Night with Laura 2. Silent Night (Instrumental) 
Signing of the Register: 1. Your Song with Laura 2. A Thousand Years
Recessional: November Rain

After November Rain we threw in a bit of "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC as Maura had informed us Colm was a big fan. I have to say, Laura did a super job and has a bright future ahead! 

Maura and Colm's wedding was our last for 2013, and what a beautiful way to wrap things up for the year. Congratulations to you guys! 

On 6 December we played for Kieran and Sarah's wedding at the Honan Chapel, University College Cork. Outside the chapel we bumped into a familiar face, one of the photographers from Bismark Photography who we were working with for the third time in 2013! The outside of the church had cute little lanterns and gorgeous Christmas wreaths on the doors, and inside was looking beautifully festive too. 

Before the ceremony we played Christmas music, including Sarah's favourite "O Holy Night". For the ceremony itself they chose:

Entrance: Gabriel's Oboe
Lighting of the Individual Candles: Air on a G String
Between Readings: Inis Oirr
Lighting of the Marriage Candle: Air on a G String
Offertory Procession: Canon in D
Sign of Peace: Ave Maria (Schubert)
Communion: 1. One Day Like This 2. Pure Imagination
Signing of the Register: 1. Waltz of the Flowers 2. Viva La Vida
Recessional: Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

My very first time playing in the Honan Chapel was for UCC Choral Society's "Carols by Candlelight" one Christmas, and I always remember O Holy Night being one of my favourite songs they sang. When I shared that with Sarah, she said the same thing, that she loved the Carols by Candlelight and O Holy Night was a personal favourite of hers and she adored the chapel at Christmas.

Sarah and Kieran were, in fact, continuing on a long tradition of weddings in the Honan Chapel; Sarah's parents got married there as did their parents, Sarah's grandparents! What a wonderful tradition to be able to keep alive in a family! Long may the happiness continue on all sides of the family, congratulations guys!!!