Packard Proving Ground Wedding: Live Music Provides an Atmosphere for Conversation

Sara and Donovan Wedding at Packard Proving Ground - A+D Photography

A+D Photography

Packard Proving Grounds has quickly become a sought after location for those couples looking for a “rustic industrial” venue.  Located on Van Dyke in Shelby Township, the facilities provide clients with a blank canvas on which to create their own feel for their wedding day.  Sara and Donovan had the help of friends and family to create their dream wedding day.  Cousin Jason Schneider officiated the wedding which included the song “You Are the Best Thing” by Ray LaMontagne for the processional and the theme from “Star Wars” for the recessional.  IMG_20180203_191326_333Twinkling lights in wine bottles amidst the snow led guests from the ceremony to the reception hall and that’s where Sara and Donovan’s dream became reality.  Sara shared with us that they wanted a “relaxed feel” for their wedding day where their guests could “visit and share conversation.”  It was this goal that led them to use our string quartet for their reception instead of a DJ or band.  Often the music is so loud that guests have difficulty talking. While dancing is enjoyable, many couples want the opportunity to visit with their guests in a casual setting. We played a wide mix of music and took requests while the guests enjoyed an outstanding meal provided by Kristina’s Catering .  A&D Photography was on hand to capture the memories and created some beautiful shots around the antique Packard cars.  It was a lovely night for everyone involved and we send our very best wishes to Donovan and Sara! 20180203_173429

Packard Proving Ground

A&D Photography 

Kristina’s Catering

 

Rondo String Quartet Awarded Gigmasters “Best of 2017” Award

We are honored to receive the Gigmasters Best of 2017 Award and send a special thank you to all our couples who submitted lovely reviews about our work and its impact on their wedding day.  This award comes on the heels of winning the  Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award.  We are proud to say that we have over a decade of continuous awards for our work in the wedding industry.

GigMasters - Best of 2017!

Colony Club Offers Old World Elegance for Durell and Karla’s Wedding Day

20171229_164113_001The historic Colony Club is centrally located in downtown Detroit on Park Avenue.  It is one of the most beautiful and popular event spaces in the city for weddings and private events.  Nothing says old world elegance like gold leaf ceilings, impressive crystal chandeliers and Louis XVI decor.  Karla and Durell were married here among family and friends by Pastor Jerry.  The large wedding party walked down the aisle to the worship song “10,000 Reasons”.  Karla and her parents processed to the ever popular “Kanon in D” by Pachelbel.  A highlight for us was accompanying Durell’s Aunt, Dorianne Denard, while she sang the spiritual “It is Well”.  Her moving rendition was the perfect compliment to her nephew’s wedding ceremony.  20171229_181943

As always, The Colony Club staff was superb.  Molly, the venue wedding coordinator, was incredibly helpful with cues.  With a large wedding party, extra eyes are always helpful and we appreciate her assistance.  The guests enjoyed a cocktail hour downstairs followed by dinner in the grand ballroom.   We send our best wishes to Karla and Durell as they being their life together as husband and wife.

Colony Club

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A Starry Night, A Snowy Day and Lots of Love for Sarah and Matt

20171209_155756Few venues offer the the feeling of a tropical garden with the protection of an indoor climate. Located in Farmington Hills, Planterra Conservatory is a glass-enclosed, botanical garden venue.  With European curved trusses, indoor koi ponds and a dramatic stone gabian archway, the Conservatory houses a wide collection of lush, exotic botanicals.   Providing views of the stars on a clear night and soft, natural light during the day, Planterra Conservatory is a unique event space for weddings, corporate events and social functions.

Sarah and Matt shared their nuptials with many family and friends in this beautiful setting.  We enjoyed speaking with several of their guests before the wedding and discovered that we had an audience of knowledgeable musicians in the house.  It’s always a pleasure to perform for an appreciative audience!  Sarah and Matt’s mothers walked in to the song “Here Comes the Sun” and lit their child’s individual candle that were later used in the unity candle portion of the ceremony.  Sarah and her bridal party processed to “Can’t Help Falling In Love” with the ring bearer setting the tone for the ceremony.  “Best Day of My Life” was a fitting recessional for the couple who clearly were enjoying the day.20171209_161923

Planterra always looks lush and beautiful.  The candelabras and lit trees sparkled under the glass ceiling and created a magical effect. Tiffany, the Planterra wedding coordinator, is one of the best in the business.  She’s always helpful and on top of every detail. It was a beautiful night for a lovely couple in an enchanting garden.

Planterra Conservatory

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Thinking Outside the Box Creates a Vintage Wedding Day for Lindsay and Jeff

20171104_161240_001If you follow our blog, you know that we perform an average of 65 weddings and/or engagements each year.  We see a lot of weddings!  The ceremony is one of most meaningful events in an individual’s life and all too often couples get caught up in doing what others couples have done for their wedding day thinking that this is the way it “should” be.  A wise teacher once told me to avoid the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” approach to life.

That’s why we enjoy seeing couples embrace their individuality and step “outside the 20171104_161230box”.  Lindsay and Jeff’s wedding showed great creativity starting with their venue. The Ford Piquette Avenue Plant is a museum and former factory located within the Milwaukee Junction area of Detroit.  The unpainted walls, worn wooden floors and historic Ford vehicles makes it a unique and memorable venue to hold an event.  Jeff and Lindsay’s ceremony was held on the 2nd floor and officiated by our friend, Roy Thomas.  There were several readings including one recited by Josh and Stephanie and the beautiful poems, “These Are The Hands” and John Lennon’s poem “A Dream is Just a Dream” read by Roy.

The couples creativity extended to their music as well.  We played “Kissing You” by Des’ree for the bridal party and Lindsay’s’ processional.  The well known Beatles hit “Here Comes the Sun” was the couple’s recessional.

The reception was held on the third floor where the couple again made their personalities  known in the decor and floral arrangements by Royalty Linens and Events and Slows BBQ for the dinner.  Approaching life on their own terms, Jeff and Lindsay are sure to have a long and happy life together.

Ford Piquette Avenue Plant

Royal Linens and Events

Roy Thomas, Marry Us In Michigan

Slows BBQ

Melissa Marie Events

Why Be “just another wedding” – Come See Rondo String Quartet at The Inn at St. John’s Bridal Show for Inspiration

We all want to be unique.  It’s in our nature as human beings to be more then just another teacher, journalist, mother, wife, etc.  We make our individuality known in a variety of ways – our wardrobe, hair color, careers, jewelry to name just a few.  It’s  no surprise that couples want a wedding that helps them stand apart from the crowd. 

 If you are looking for inspiration, consider using a STRING QUARTET  and the wedding MUSIC as a means of making your wedding more then average.  Music is a universally loved experience that conveys feelings and sets a mood.  The music that you choose for  your ceremony should be reflective of you and your fiance’s personalities and make a lasting impression on  your guests.  You no longer have to settle for the church organist/pianist and the traditional “Here Comes The Bride”.  A string quartet offers endless options and the versatility for outside or inside venues.  We don’t require amplification or special equipment.  Just four chairs. 

If this sounds like an idea you’d like to consider – come see us on Sunday, November 12th at The Inn at St. John’s Bridal Show in Plymouth.  We’ll be there from 1:00 – 4:00 playing a variety of songs from our playlist of 700 titles.  We’ll have our calendar to check availability and will even take requests.  Come check us out and see why we have the received the following accolades. 

#1 Vote for the Best Detroit for Wedding Music

2017 Wedding Wire Couple’s Choice Award

2017 The Knot Best of Weddings

The Knot Best of Weddings Hall of Fame

Family, Friends and the Words of Shakespeare Combine for Jenny and Sam’s Henry Ford Wedding

20171007_171811The Henry Ford , is a large indoor and outdoor history museum complex and a National Historic Landmark in the Detroit suburb of Dearborn, Michigan.  One of America’s greatest museums, one portion is The Museum of Modern Innovation which allows guests to experience the strides of America’s greatest minds while fully immersing you in their stories.  The complex has many architecturally beautiful places for wedding ceremonies and a staff of wedding coordinators that are experienced and efficient.  We had the assistance of Cindy and Gary for this wedding and appreciated their knowledge and assistance.

Family and friends played an important role throughout the day.  Jan Wilson acted as DOC for the day.  Wedding photographer Adrian Seetho, friend of the couple was on hand to capture the day.  Betsy Brown acted as videographer, Cindy Wills and Susan Stahly created the floral arrangements, and Uncle John Logue officiated the ceremony. Sam and Jenny chose the Pennsylvania Courtyard with the iconic water tower for their nuptials.  Fitting to the picturesque setting, we played the music of Bach and Handel while guests were seated.  Jenny’s Uncle, John Logue, officiated the ceremony which included Shakespeare’s Love Sonnet 116 and many sweet moments!

The cocktail hour was held in the museums “Driving America Car Court”, a premier automotive exhibit in the heart of the museum.  We played a wide selection of contemporary music and took several requests.  It was there that we noticed Jenny’s gorgeous bouquet.  When I asked “who did your flowers?”  She replied, “My family and I did and it took us about two years”.  A closer look revealed that the flowers were paper – elegantly cut and arranged to look incredibly lifelike.  A picture is worth a thousand 20171007_193444words and family members Cindy Wills and Susan Stahly clearly have special gift!  We were so honored to be a part of Jenny and Sam’s wedding day and wish them the very best and they grow together as husband and wife.

The Henry Ford

Adrian Seetho

 

 

Vows and Voices Join for Wedding at St. Cyril and Methodius Church

20171021_123337Anthony and Abbie had a gorgeous autumn day for their wedding!  St. Cyril and Methodius Slovak Church is a Catholic Parish located on Ryan Road in Sterling Heights.  Fr. Libor Marek officiated the ceremony which was enhanced by the beautiful voices of Joe Long, church music director and organist, and Ashley Rozanski, a member of the bridal party.  Ashley sang a beautiful rendition of Ave Maria and a duet with Mr. Long during the communion.  They both gave a beautiful performances that heightened the spiritual beauty of  Abbie and Anthony’s ceremony.  It was an honor to be a part of their wedding day.  Best wishes Anthony and Abbie!

St. Cyril and Methodius

Wedding Brunch at Masonic Temple

20170910_102627Congratulations to Nick and Dee on their wedding celebration this past weekend.  The Crystal Ballroom of the Masonic Temple in downtown Detroit was beautifully decorated.  The couple was married earlier this year but chose to celebrate their nuptials with a cocktail hour and brunch for family and friends.  Dee wore a beautiful floor length gown with a small train that conveyed the importance of the event while still maintaining a relaxed feeling for the day.  With such a beautiful venue at hand, we witnessed many families making use of the beautiful setting for family and group photos.

Robert Navarre of Full Effect Productions was on hand to provide DJ service for the afternoon.  Always gracious and helpful, Full Effect Productions has 10 straight years of 5 star ratings.   We encourage you to check them out before hiring anyone else!

Graf’s Pastry of Farmington Hills did a beautiful job on the wedding cake.  The couple performed the traditional cutting of the cake and we heard several guests commenting on how delicious it tasted.  Nick took a moment to speak to his guests about his beautiful bride, Dee and their life together.  It was a tender moment and one Dee and her family will cherish.                                                                                                                   20170910_102651

Nick selected the music we played which included many selections of classical music along with some Beatles and Disney melodies.  Our Harry Potter medley received compliments as did Build Me Up Buttercup.  Best wishes to this lovely couple as they continue their journey together as husband and wife.

Masonic Temple, Detroit

Full Effect Productions

Graf’s Pastry

 

Anchored in Love! Wedding professionals are the key to a Detroit Yacht Club Wedding

Detroit_Yacht_Club_1[1]The Detroit Yacht Club on Belle Isle is one of metro area’s unique treasures.  Located on a private island along the banks of the Belle Isle Park in Detroit, the DYC is of Mediterranean design and was completed by George Mason in 1922. Mr. Mason also designed the Gem Theater, Masonic Temple and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

We had the pleasure of playing for Amelia and Jeff’s wedding in front of the majestic fireplace.  It was clear throughout the ceremony that this couple had a great sense of humor and filled each other’s life with laughter. We know they had a blast selecting the music because it was fun for us to play and greatly appreciated by their guests. Who wouldn’t enjoy “My Girl” by Smokey Robinson for the bridal party, “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton for the Amelia’s processional the familiar Beatles standard “All We Need is Love” for the recessional?. We ran into some old friends while there including Ashley from Festoons and Flourishes who always does a phenomenal job and DeOndre of My Touch Weddings who can turn a wedding into an experience!  Ashley and the staff at Festoons and Flourishes are a class act and took the time to send us a thoughtful note the following week; “THANK YOU again for all of the amazing work that you and your team did to make their Wedding day such a great success!  As always…the music was beautiful!”  One of the pleasures of working in the wedding business is coming in contact with individuals such as Ashley and DeOndre whose sole purpose is to create the best possible PERSONAL experience for their clients.  It’s an honor to work with such outstanding professionals.  Amelia and Jess chose wisely and their wedding day was a memorable one. Best wishes to the happy couple!

Festoons and Flourishes

My Touch Weddings

Detroit Yacht Club