On a beautiful September day, JAM Duo were delighted to provide the music for Pia and Kyle’s wedding at Stretton Manor Barn in Derbyshire. From the ceremony in the main barn through to the drinks reception that followed, we had the privilege of creating a live soundtrack for their day on piano and cello.
Stretton Manor Barns is a venue we always enjoy performing at. The combination of rustic charm, sweeping countryside views, and elegant modern styling makes it one of Derbyshire’s most sought-after barn wedding venues. For Pia and Kyle, the barn’s warm and welcoming atmosphere was the perfect setting to say “I do” in front of family and friends.
The Ceremony – Music in the Main Barn
The ceremony took place in the main barn, with its high vaulted ceilings, rustic beams, and panoramic views across the rolling Derbyshire landscape. The space is both intimate and dramatic, and it provides a wonderful acoustic for live music.
As guests gathered, Pia and Kyle had chosen a set of pre-ceremony music that reflected both their personalities and their love of cinematic and contemporary sounds:
Pre-Ceremony
- Bridgerton Theme Tune (string quartet style, perfectly suited to cello and piano)
- Dancing on My Own – Calum Scott (Bridgerton version)
- I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston (Bridgerton version)
- F1 Theme Tune (a quirky and personal choice that brought a smile to guests’ faces)
- River Flows in You – Yiruma
This blend of period-drama romance, iconic ballads, and a nod to sporting passion created a beautiful and memorable atmosphere as guests awaited the entrance of the bridal party.
Entrance of the Bride
For the processional, Pia and Kyle had chosen a unique blend of songs. The bridesmaids entered to Forever After All by Luke Combs, after which we seamlessly transitioned into Canon in D by Pachelbel for Pia’s entrance.
The transition between modern country music and timeless classical elegance worked perfectly, building anticipation for Pia’s arrival before the unmistakable opening chords of Canon in D set the stage for her entrance. Pia looked absolutely fabulous in her wedding dress — radiant and graceful as she walked down the aisle to join Kyle.
Signing of the Register
While the couple signed the register, we performed:
- Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift
- Better Together – Luke Combs
Romantic and heartfelt, these songs provided the perfect underscore to a moment filled with love and quiet reflection.
Couple’s Exit
For their joyful exit as newlyweds, Pia and Kyle chose Theme from New York, New York – Frank Sinatra. This upbeat and celebratory piece had everyone smiling as they clapped and cheered the couple out of the barn.
Drinks Reception
After the ceremony, guests moved seamlessly into the drinks reception. At Stretton Manor Barns, the outside terraces and lawns provide a beautiful space for mingling, photographs, and games, and the atmosphere was lively and relaxed.
JAM Duo performed a set of contemporary and romantic songs, chosen by Pia and Kyle to keep the mood light and celebratory:
- Life Goes On – Ed Sheeran
- Thank God – Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown
- In Case You Didn’t Know – Brett Young
- Stargazing – Myles Smith
- Pink Skies – Zach Bryan
- Forever – Chris Brown
- Young Forever – Jay-Z
- Ordinary – Alex Warren
- Beautiful Crazy – Luke Combs
- A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
- Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
- Anyone – Justin Bieber
- All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
- L.O.V.E. – Nat King Cole
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- Demons – Imagine Dragons
- Carry You Home – Alex Warren
The combination of country favourites, soulful ballads, pop anthems, and classic love songs provided something for everyone. Guests were clearly enjoying the atmosphere, and our music carried gently across the barn and terraces, creating the perfect soundtrack for champagne and canapés.
Live Music – The JAM Duo Difference
One of the things that couples often comment on is how special it feels to have live music at their wedding. At JAM Duo, we pride ourselves on the fact that every note is performed live on piano and cello. We never use backing tracks or pre-recorded elements — it’s always just us, Jules on piano and Anne-Marie on cello, performing in the moment.
This is what makes our music so personal and so flexible. We can adjust tempos, blend songs seamlessly, or extend a piece as needed — ensuring that key moments such as the bridal entrance are timed to perfection.
For Pia and Kyle, this was particularly meaningful. Their ceremony music included transitions between songs, such as Forever After All into Canon in D, which we arranged and performed live to match their vision. These are the kinds of touches that simply aren’t possible with recorded music.
Thank You to Pia & Kyle
It was an absolute pleasure to provide the music for Pia and Kyle’s wedding. Pia looked stunning in her beautiful wedding dress, and together they created a celebration that was filled with joy, love, and laughter.
We’d like to thank them for choosing JAM Duo as their wedding musicians and for trusting us with such an important part of their day. It was an honour to provide the soundtrack to their ceremony and drinks reception, and we wish them both a lifetime of happiness together.
Venue Spotlight: Stretton Manor Barn
For couples considering Stretton Manor Barn as their wedding venue, here are some key highlights that make it such a popular choice:
- Location: Nestled in the Derbyshire countryside near Chesterfield, the venue combines rustic charm with easy accessibility. It’s close to major road networks, making it convenient for guests travelling from across the UK.
- The Main Barn: A stunning purpose-built wedding barn with exposed beams, high ceilings, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic countryside views. The barn is licensed for civil ceremonies and can host both ceremonies and receptions.
- Ceremony Spaces: The main barn provides a dramatic setting for vows, with options for indoor or outdoor ceremonies depending on the season and weather.
- Reception Options: Guests can enjoy drinks and canapés on the terraces overlooking the rolling fields, with plenty of space for outdoor entertainment and photography.
- Wedding Breakfast & Evening Celebrations: The barn transforms beautifully from ceremony space to wedding breakfast and evening reception, accommodating up to 140 seated guests and larger numbers for the evening party.
- Style: A perfect blend of rustic barn features and modern elegance, with flexibility to style the space to your own taste.
For us as musicians, Stretton Manor Barns is a wonderful place to perform. The acoustics are warm, the spaces are versatile, and the setting is as picturesque as it is practical. It’s easy to see why so many couples fall in love with this venue.
Planning Your Wedding Music
If you’re planning your wedding at Stretton Manor Barns — or indeed anywhere in the UK — JAM Duo would love to provide the soundtrack to your celebration. Whether it’s a classical bridal entrance, a Taylor Swift ballad, or a country favourite, we bring your vision to life with live cello and piano.
With over 300 songs in our repertoire (and the ability to arrange new requests), we tailor every performance to each couple, ensuring your day is as unique as your love story.
🎶 Explore our repertoire here: jamduo.com/listen
