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If you've never been, be sure to take a trip to visit Symmes Chapel, a.k.a. Pretty Place, located on the YMCA Campus outside of Greenville, South Carolina. Elisabeth and Nick were surrounded by their closest friends and family, AND the most gorgeous view for their stunning ceremony back in October! We were thrilled when they asked us to be a part of the celebration to provide beautiful music for this setting! We do A LOT of traveling, and anytime we get to head to the mountains we are game! Our Charlotte violin and cello duet came together in perfect harmony for this couple and their guests. The duo played tunes ranging from the traditional "Canon in D" and "Air on a G String", all the way to the Beatles - "All You Need Is Love" and "My Girl" by the Temptations. Mixing up music genres is always fun for us, and we love to learn new music for couples too. For this couple, we even customized the entrance for the bride by bringing together two classics: "Hornpipe" and "Great Is Thy Faithfulness."  The reception to follow was an elegant dinner and dancing celebration at The Venue in Asheville with their guests, and ended in one of the best confetti send-offs we've ever seen! Check out the amazing images below from Jenna McElroy Photography. Check out our vendor friends that brought this amazing vision to life:
Photography: Jenna McElroy Planner: Nicole with The Planning Asheville Ceremony Venue: Pretty Place Chapel Reception Venue, Catering, Grooms Cake: The Venue Ceremony Music: Deans Duets Florals: Petal & Fern Makeup Artist: Kelli Anne Sewell Hair Artist: Brittney w/ Flawless Airbrush Dress Designer: Sarah Seven Dress Boutique: The Dress Theory Paper Design: Kendra Kay Design Photobooth: Shutter Booth Cigar Roller: Impressa Cigars Transportation:Young Transportation Band: Adrian Duke Project Bride's Cake: Gateaux Film Scans: Photovision
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Allison and Danny chose the beautiful Dairy Barn in Ft. Mill, South Carolina, to celebrate their wedding day! We loved working with this couple and their planner, Hall and Webb, to bring their music vision to life!  This couple was looking for "classical and elegant", and our Charlotte string trio, two violins and one cello, provided the perfect ambience for their ceremony. We kept the music traditional for the processional, but the Mr. and Mrs. walked out to Signed, Sealed, Delivered, to the delight of their guests! We love when our couples combine various music genres to reflect their personalities! Then for cocktail hour our team played a variety of tunes, from jazz standards like "Fly Me To The Moon," all the way to popular hits like "Marry You." One of our favorite details was the inclusion of Allison and Danny's sweet pups who joined the ceremony looking oh so sweet in their floral collars! Check out the pups and more of the beautiful images below from Demi Mabry Photography! Check out our vendor friends who made this beautiful day happen:
Photographer: Demi Mabry Photography Event Planning and Design: Hall and Webb Venue: Anne Springs Close Greenway - Dairy Barn Floral Design: Proper Flower Hair & Makeup: Who's The Fairest Wedding Dress: Hayden Olivia Bridal Videographer: Brian Bunn Films Band: Black and Blue Experience with East Coast Entertainment Catering: Best Impressions Caterers Strings: Dean's Duets Rentals: CSS Special Events Paper Goods: Sealed Design Studio Catie and Nathan's wedding at the Omni Grove Park Inn was the loveliest intimate wedding we've seen, and we were thrilled to be a part of their special day! Early November is the perfect time for a wedding in Asheville, as the leaves are changing and the mountains provide the most stunning colorful backdrop!  Catie and Nathan chose plush lounge sets (complete with cozy blankets for guests) and beautiful florals with deep tones that set the scene for their intimate wedding. The whole wedding, designed by Firefly Event Company, had the most warm and elegant feel for this evening in the mountains! Our team provided a string duo of cello and violin for this sweet couple's ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner. Donna and Brianna played traditional selections such as "Arioso", "Ode to Joy", and "Canon in D" for the ceremony. We are always happy to customize music for our couples and this wedding was no exception. We planned out an arrangement of "Turn Turn Turn" with the officiant that would be played in shorter choruses throughout his message. After the ceremony, guests enjoyed cocktail hour with selections from the Beatles, Disney classics, and Stevie Wonder. The couple specifically wanted the after-ceremony music to be "spirit lifting" and "toe-tapping", and our team made it happen! It is not unusual for our couples to describe the MOOD they want (vs. the songs they want) for their wedding, and then we select tunes that are perfect to fit that mood. Check out all the pretty images below by Asheville photographer, Rachel McIntosh Photography! And here's the full amazing vendor team that made this one happen -
Photographer: Rachel McIntosh Photography Venue: Omni Grove Park Inn Planning: Firefly Event Company Florals and Decor: East West Vintage Rentals Beauty: Powder Me Pretty Asheville Music: Dean's Duets We are thrilled to provide lovely music for weddings, and we have a looooong list of songs from which our couples can select. We are always asked "but how do we know how many songs we need to pick?" Well you've come to the right place! This is your go-to, tried and true advice for how many songs you need to pick when you are discussing music planning with your planner or musicians. Here we go!  If a couple is hiring us for their Ceremony Prelude Music, the Wedding Ceremony, and the Cocktail Hour, here is generally the amount of songs that need to be selected for each of the moments throughout. Ceremony Prelude Music: This is usually a 30 minute time block prior to your ceremony start time while guests arrive and during any last minute preparations for the bridal party. You can select these songs, or certainly we can assist you in selecting these within the genre you prefer. Prelude = 10-12 song selections Wedding Ceremony: There is always a specifically planned flow to your wedding ceremony and it takes place in essentially 3 sections: the Processional, the Marriage of the Couple (welcome, intent, vows, rings, pronouncement of marriage), and the Recessional. Songs selections should be made with these 3 sections in mind. Processional - this is the entrance of family, followed by the bridal party, then the bride is last to enter. Here are the moments you will want to select a song: Entrance and seating of Family 1 selection Entrance of the Bridal Party 1 selection Entrance of the Bride 1 selection It is also perfectly acceptable to select the same song for the Family and Bridal Party. Marriage of the Couple: You do not have to select a song unless you'd like to incorporate a song into this section. For example, if you are doing communion or a unity candle during the ceremony, then you might want to include a song softly played during these moments as a nice touch, and to avoid a bit of awkward silence for your guests :). Recessional - this is the exit of you and your new spouse, followed by the exit of the Bridal Party, and then the exit of the Family. Typically this song is an upbeat selection to celebrate the moment! Exit of Newlyweds, Bridal Party, and Family 1 selection Cocktail Hour: the Cocktail Hour is typically a 45 minute to 1 hour time block between the Wedding Ceremony and the start of the Wedding Reception. During this time guests mingle, enjoy drinks and appetizers, and you might be wrapping up photography. This is a nice time to provide background music for your guests to enjoy! Once again, you can select these tunes, or certainly we can assist you in selecting these within the genre you prefer. Cocktail hour 18-20 selections  Michael and Ashley chose the prettiest pink details and a little shimmer to highlight their wedding celebration in April!! We were thrilled to be a part of their big day as they said "we do!" at Magnolia Woods Events in Huntersville, NC! Our string trio was the perfect fit for their ceremony, and we treated their guests to several timeless classical selections that are mainstays in wedding ceremonies such as Canon in D, Air On a G String, Trumpet Voluntary, and more! We love playing these selections because they are traditional wedding standards. Honestly our musicians have most of these memorized, so it makes it easier to look up and to be aware of who is walking down the aisle, and to make eye contact with the planner for the cue for our next song. Check out a few of the pretty images below from Timothy Montais Photography. Congrats to the new couple! Be sure to check out our vendor friends who were a part of the wedding team:
Venue: Magnolia Woods Event Catering: LKN Weddings Wedding Planner: Beyond the Veil Weddings DJ: Brandon Hyde Photography: Timothy Montais Photography Videography: Premier Shooters Cake: Sweet It Is Florist: White Rose Florals Ceremony Musicians: Dean's Duets Bridal Make Up: Johnatha Camp MUA Bridal Hair: I Am Natural Love 2 Bridal Gown: Classic Bride Alterations: John Emily Studio From time to time we are asked to take part in inspiration photoshoots as a way to partner with some of our vendor friends and collect beautiful professional photographs of our team members doing what they do best! We were thrilled to take part in this stunning photoshoot at Separk Mansion, one of the loveliest Charlotte venues! Three of our Charlotte violinists represented us well to add elegance and of course, beautiful music, to this fun day!  The beauty was in the details at this gorgeous shoot! From custom stationery to lush florals, these vendors provided designs befitting this historic mansion in Gastonia. There was even a wedding pup, and he was so adorable!! Be sure to check out our vendor friends who put together this amazing shoot!
Photography: Kevyn Dixon Photo Planning and Design: 13 Cedar Events, Abby Henderson Musicians: Dean's Duets Catering: Roots Catering Florals: Willow Floral Boutique Linens/Chairs/Dinnerware: CE Rentals Charlotte Stationery: Viri Lovely Designs Hair and Makeup: Beauty Asylum Charlotte Bride's Attire: Bluebird Bridal Groom's Attire: The Tuxedo Lady Vintage Rentals: Evermore Event Company Choosing the right vendors for your wedding day can make or break your entire event. While you may see several options out there, not all vendors are created equal.
So we want you to know what sets Deans' Duets apart from other music vendors! Professionalism. We take our events seriously. Like, really seriously. We are professional musicians, not hobbyists. Our musicians wear all black to keep the focus on the event and the music, they keep their materials organized and out of the way, and they go above and beyond to ensure that the event runs smoothly by working with all other vendors involved. You will always find our team members to be courteous, reliable, and accommodating. Customization. We realize that each client and each event we play is unique, so we provide endless options for you to customize the details to fit your vision. Our clients are able to choose from a variety of ensemble possibilities and can choose each song played. We’ll even learn new songs if you have a special tune in mind! We are also experienced at performing at all different types of venues and varying weather situations, so we can adapt to pretty much any set up. Reliability. We will be there for you on your big day. Our musicians work with us only after we have determined that they are committed to great performance AND to our clients. We will communicate with you throughout the planning process in a friendly and timely manner. We will arrive at your event on time, and we will be ready to play as planned. In the event of an emergency, we’ve got your covered. If for any reason our scheduled musician is unavailable, then we are able to provide an alternate musician to cover your day due to our large team. Talent. We have over 40 professional musicians in our roster who are dedicated to their craft. Our musicians go through an interview and try-out process with us before even becoming part of our team. They are experts in their genres, and they boast music performance degrees, play in orchestras and symphonies, teach music, and enjoy playing in various ensembles across the Southeast. Be sure to check several of our awesome team members on our website to see their credentials! High expectations. From ending processionals at just the right time, to double checking every detail so you have a cohesive sound, we have high expectations for ourselves, and we hope to exceed yours! We don’t just perform music - we want to ensure that our services extend beyond that, so that you feel completely at ease and so everything is perfect for your event. It is an honor for us to take part in our client’s special day and we would love to talk to you about what we can provide! The Sutherland in Wake Forest, NC provided a stunning backdrop for this October affair! Morgan and David had a vision for their wedding ceremony that included a solo harp, so Heather, our Charlotte and Raleigh harpist, was up to the task of creating a beautiful experience for this couple and their guests. The harp is such a unique instrument with the ability to make any genre of music sound charming and ethereal!  As you can see below, the couple had the prettiest details for their day! From blush and white florals, to custom monogrammed cookie favors, these two celebrated in style with planning and design by Premier Party Planners. After the ceremony, guests were treated to a fabulous dinner, cake and mini pies, and dancing! You can see all the pretty below in these images from Magnolia Photography. Congrats to the Whalens on their new adventure as a married couple! Be sure to check out the amazing vendor team that made this one flawless:
Photographer: Magnolia Photography Planner: Premier Party Planners Venue: The Sutherland Rentals: CE Rentals DJ: Bunn DJ Co Florist: Embellished Blooms Hair/Makeup: Silverceiling Ceremony Music: Dean’s Duets Catering: Shuckers Catering Video: Jon Warlick Media Bartending: The Happiest Hostess Photobooth: Spark Photo Booth We were so excited to work with Colleen and Michael for their October wedding! This was our first time at historic Boxwood Estate, and it was simply gorgeous! The bride and groom chose solo guitar for this intimate affair, so our Charlotte guitarist, Drew, was on hand to perform several classic melodies for their guests during the ceremony.  The couple opted for a small gathering of just their closest friends and family, so as you can see below, they were able to create the most lovely dinner set up featuring a twinkling light drape. Enjoy the beautiful images below from Charlotte photographer Amy Kolo Photo. Check out our vendor friends below that made this lovely day come to life!
Photography: Amy Kolo Photo Planner: A Touch of Southern Venue: Boxwood Estate Florals: Taylored Blooms Beauty: Mae's Makeovers Musicians: Dean's Duets Stationery: Art by Addie McElwee Catering: Family Catering Service Bridal Boutique: Ladies of Lineage Gown Designer: Amsale Menswear: The Black Tux Bridesmaids: Brideside Shoes: Vince Camuto Rings: Diamonds Direct Officiant: Gorden Fleming Hiring a violinist for your wedding sets the stage for elegant and timeless music to accompany you down the aisle and wow your guests! It also offers your guests an opportunity to experience a style of music they may not have heard and that they will remember for a long time to come. A wedding violinist isn’t your only option for strings on your wedding day. You could hire a cello, viola, guitar, harp, piano… there are many beautiful options! If you would like to have more than one musician, the violin pairs perfectly with any of these instruments.
1. Google “wedding violinist” in your area. Several options are sure to pop up. If you are in North or South Carolina, or you want us to travel to you, we would love to be your wedding violinist! But, if you are in another location, Google is a good place to start. 2. If you are working with a wedding coordinator or a wedding planner, they can likely recommend a violinist they enjoy working with and who they already know will do a great job. 3. Does the violinist have a website or are they willing to send you videos or audio samples of their playing? This one is important. You want a seasoned performer… Not just someone who has performed for a couple weddings. Here’s why: Many things happen at weddings. There are distractions, delays, changes at the last minute, and you need a violinist who can look up from their music and be aware of what is going on around them. If your violinist is less seasoned, they may be glued to their music and not aware of what is going on around them, which makes for awkward entrances and less than impressive melodies for your guests to enjoy. It can actually turn into a stressful situation for everyone if they see that the violinist is struggling. When performing, it’s important to communicate a sense of “I’ve got this” which becomes evident to guests. This allows guests to sit back, relax, and enjoy the music instead of feeling like they are sitting through a painful student violin recital where they are not sure the performer is comfortable.  4. Does the wedding violinist have reviews? The reviews don’t have to be on Wedding Wire, The Knot, or another popular website, but you need to be able to see that they have positive reviews and that the reviews seem genuine from actual clients. We have gotten many last-minute phone calls from brides two days before their wedding wanting to hire us instead because their hired violinist is not returning calls and may not show up on their wedding day. There is also the added stress of having already paid that violinist a deposit that they may or may not get back. Working with a violinist with a good reputation is so important just because of the peace of mind it will give you leading up to your wedding day. We actually know several performers who are not allowed to advertise on certain websites anymore because they did not show for events. It does happen, and you really don’t want it to happen to you on one of the most important days of your life. Always hire a professional! 5. Does the violinist have a song list? It’s important that your violinist has some ideas to offer you about what they can play. It doesn’t have to be a comprehensive list, but at least some suggestions of tunes they have played in the past and enjoy performing. Be sure to ask them if they are willing to learn any new music as well, as you may have a specific song in mind that you want to make sure is played. If this song is already in their repertoire then great, but if not they may need to learn it for your wedding.
7. Here are some other questions you may want to ask, depending on your specific situation… Do they need power nearby? Do they play with a PA or amplification system? Do they ever play with backing tracks? Do they play different styles of music or only classical music? Will there be any additional fees added, such as travel fees, fees for new music, overtime fees, taxes? Does the violinist require a vendor meal? At what time do they typically arrive? Do they need to talk with your officiant or planner before the wedding day? Of course, every violinist will do things a little bit differently, and you want to make sure that whoever you hire is someone who fits you and your vision for your wedding music. For example, here at Deans' Duets, if you are getting married in Asheville, and you want mainly classical music, we will prioritize a classical violinist who is also an Asheville violinist. But if you are getting married in Charlotte and want a classical violinist we would probably use one of our Charlotte violinists so that you did not have to pay travel fees from Asheville. That’s just the way that we do things… You want to ask these questions to make sure that the person or group you are hiring works for you. As another example of how we work, if our Asheville violinist were to get sick on your wedding day, and we would need to bring in a Charlotte violinist, we would not charge that travel fee since it was an emergency situation. We would be able to bring in a violinist from out of town in order to still play your wedding with a fantastic classical violinist, even if an emergency situation were to arise.
These are just a few examples of the culture of Dean's Duets, and how it’s important to ask many questions of the professional you are hiring, so that you feel comfortable and confident that they will do a great job with your wedding music. We are happy to answer any questions for you and point you in the right direction when searching for your wedding violinist in North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond! Feel free to reach out to us at any time. Happy planning! |
AuthorApril is a professional violinist and the music coordinator for Dean's Duets. Archives
February 2022
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