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I played for Mr. and Mrs. Jackson Dovey, who enjoyed a comfortable day, slightly overcast in beautiful Newport Beach where they became husband and wife on July 21, 2007. Later that week, I received this note from the Bride’s dad…

“Krista,

I wanted to take this opportunity on behalf of Alyssa and Jackson and my wife and I, to thank you for your outstanding performance at their wedding on July 21, 2007. Your music was so important to set the tone for the entire ceremony and the cocktail hour that followed; we had several guests comment on how your music gave the evening a romantic yet relaxed atmosphere. I personally want to thank you for your professionalism and communication both prior to and at the ceremony site, I never had to worry about you or your performance.

We look forward to contacting you in northern California to perform at our other daughters wedding next summer.

Sincerely,

Steve Lantz
Father of the Bride”

I had the honor of playing a private concert for a very special couple on the evening of July 4th. The client requested an intimate setting in the Wine Cave at Calistoga Ranch to re-propose to his wife of nine years, in celebration of their upcoming ten years of marriage. It was a complete suprise to his wife! I performed for just the two of them while they enjoyed wine and appetizers.

Mr. and Mrs. Antonio DeCarlo celebrated their union with cocktails and dinner at Hans Fahden Vineyards in Calistoga on June 22. I performed in the gardens under a large umbrella as guests arrived for the cocktail hour.

I performed for the “Meet the Artists” reception in Napa Valley on June 18th. Here are my friends Fran Abbott and Judith Caldwell. The event benefitted The Candy Hughes Memorial Kids Fund at Cope Family Center and celebrated local artists, artisans, winemakers, musicians and authors who donated their work to raise funds to fight child abuse in Napa.

Cherylyn and Christopher Pasetto made their commitment to eachother on the sand at the La Jolla Shores Hotel on June 16th.

Cherylyn chose a soft yellow for her colors and had bubbles laid out on each chair for her guests to blow after the ceremony.

Cherylyn was a beautiful bride. She chose the traditional “Bridal Chorus” for her entrance.

This darling couple flew all the way from Minnesota to get married at Cuvier Park in La Jolla over the weekend. The ceremony was lovingly officiated by Reverend Christopher MacFarlane Tuttle with the sound of the waves crashing below us. Cuvier Park is also called “The Wedding Bowl”, maybe because it is set off by a stairway/sunken lawn area that can keep your vows slightly less public. The views are amazing, it’s no wonder there are an incredible number of ceremonies performed here every year. I think this is one of the best ocean locations for a ceremony, perfect for intimate ceremonies. Katie and Jason took their vows in front of their closest family and friends, a group of about ten. Congratulations to Katie and Jason Bierwerth!

Reverend Christopher was very easy to work with. Here he is talking with Katie’s mom prior to the ceremony. Rev. Christopher also performs quite a few elopements throughout Southern California (and beyond) and is a great resource for wedding information and ideas.

Erica and Nate Wrobel became a happily married couple on June 9. They took their vows in front of a cascading fountain, lakeside at the Wyndham Hotel & Resort located across the street from the Orange County Performing Arts Center. Erica really liked Ave Maria, which I performed right before the ceremony started. She selected Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring and Canon in D for the bridal party, with the traditional Bridal Chorus for her entrance. After the ceremony, I moved the harp over to the cocktail hour and played a mix of broadway and light jazz tunes.

Congratulations to Steve and Ayumi Garcia who tied the knot June 1st on a slightly hazy (this is great for pics!), summer afternoon at Anaheim Hills Golf Club in Southern California.

My friend, Reverend Bruce Danzara, officiated a simple and sweet service that included a Sand Ceremony, which is a perfect alternative to a unity candle…sand doesn’t blow out! The couple set aside a moment during the ceremony to fill a small glass heart with two colors of sand that made a really cool pattern once finished. They topped the jar off with a cork and now have their “unity candle” to display wherever they like in their new home. Reverend Danzara is great about offering this special service to couples, he even brings the conch shells, heart container, and sand to help out with the details.

Ayumi requested Canon in D to be played as long as possible, because this is her all time favorite song. So, I performed it for both the parent’s entrance and the bridal party, all the way up until the flowergirls and ring bearer made it up the aisle. Then she processed in with the traditional Bridal Chorus.