There are some wedding days that just radiate joy from start to finish – and Penny and Rob’s beautiful celebration at Coombe Lodge in Blagdon, Somerset was exactly that. Set against the stunning backdrop of Somerset hills and bathed in glorious sunshine, the day unfolded with effortless elegance, heartfelt emotion, and, of course, a soundtrack created live by JAM Duo.
We were honoured to provide music for the ceremony and drinks reception, adding our signature cello and piano sound to one of the loveliest weddings we’ve had the pleasure of playing.
Coombe Lodge – A Perfect Setting in Somerset
Perched above Blagdon Lake with sweeping countryside views, Coombe Lodge is one of Somerset’s most enchanting wedding venues. Its graceful architecture, beautifully kept gardens, and peaceful setting offer a perfect blend of grandeur and intimacy – and on a sunny day like this, the venue truly shines.
The staff at Coombe Lodge are always helpful and courteous, and it’s clear they care deeply about giving couples the perfect day. While the venue does have its own piano (more on that shortly), the setting overall is wonderful for musicians and guests alike.
The Ceremony – Love and Sunshine in the Garden
With the weather on side, Penny and Rob were able to hold their wedding ceremony outside, surrounded by lush greenery and the gentle warmth of the sun. We set up in the garden with Jules at the venue’s piano and Anne-Marie on her electric cello, bringing live music to this romantic outdoor setting.
Although we always follow our couples’ preferences, we typically recommend using our own Nord Stage Piano, which ensures consistent sound quality and tuning. In this case, we were asked to use the venue’s piano – which, unfortunately, despite assurances, was not properly in tune. While it didn’t meet our usual audio standard, we adapted accordingly and focused, as always, on delivering a heartfelt and seamless performance. The couple and their guests were incredibly appreciative, which is what truly matters most.
The pre-ceremony music created a warm and welcoming atmosphere as guests arrived and took their seats. Penny and Rob’s choices blended soul, pop, and romance, including:
- Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye
- Stand By Me – Ben E. King
- Lover – Taylor Swift
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
For Penny’s entrance, we performed Pachelbel’s Canon in D – a timeless, elegant piece that added a classical touch to the outdoor setting. Penny looked absolutely stunning in her fabulous dress, radiating elegance as she walked down the aisle to join Rob.
During the signing of the register, we played:
- Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
- River Flows In You – Yiruma
Both selections added a moment of reflection and calm before the joyful close of the ceremony. And for the recessional, we struck a more upbeat note with Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift – a modern and stylish choice that perfectly matched the couple’s vibe.
Drinks Reception – Music, Views and Celebration
Following the ceremony, guests spilled out onto the lawns for a sunny drinks reception, with panoramic views and a gentle breeze completing the picture. We continued to provide music throughout, this time with our full setup – electric cello and the venue piano (still slightly out of tune, but we made it work!).
Penny and Rob had selected a joyful, contemporary playlist full of love songs and uplifting tunes. We particularly enjoyed weaving in multiple Taylor Swift tracks, as well as a few soulful classics and upbeat covers. The set included:
- Enchanted – Taylor Swift
- Love – The Hit Crew
- Delicate – Taylor Swift
- Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows
- Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
- Your Song – Elton John
- At Last – Etta James
- You’re Beautiful – James Blunt
- Let Her Go – Passenger
- Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
- Love Story – Taylor Swift
- Don’t Go Breaking My Heart – Elton John
- My Girl – The Temptations
- For Once in My Life – Stevie Wonder
- Can’t Help Myself – Four Tops
- What a Wonderful World – Sam Cooke
- Crazier – Taylor Swift
- Shape of You – Ed Sheeran
- Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
- Carry You Home – Alex Warren
- Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
- Hero – Enrique Iglesias
- Hopelessly Devoted to You – Olivia Newton-John
- Invisible String – Taylor Swift
- I Want It That Way – Take That
The variety gave us a chance to showcase our versatility – from gentle, romantic melodies to energetic classics that kept the mood light and celebratory. The guests were clearly enjoying the sunshine, fizz, and live music, and it was a joy to be part of that atmosphere.
A Grateful Note from JAM Duo
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Penny and Rob for inviting JAM Duo to be part of your wedding day. Despite the slightly less-than-perfect piano tuning, it was an honour to provide the soundtrack to such a beautiful and love-filled celebration.
Your music choices were thoughtful and fun, and it was a real pleasure to bring them to life for you and your guests. Penny, you looked absolutely stunning in your dress, and the joy shared between you and Rob was clear in every moment.
🎻 At JAM Duo, we bring your music vision to life – with real instruments, real musicians, and a completely live soundtrack tailored to your day.
If you’re planning a wedding at Coombe Lodge or anywhere else in the UK, and you’re looking for live music that flows effortlessly through your day, we’d love to hear from you.
