There’s something effortlessly elegant about Coombe Lodge in Blagdon. Nestled in the Somerset countryside with sweeping views over Chew Valley Lake, it’s one of those rare venues that feels both grand and intimate at the same time. The oak-panelled rooms, glowing light, and sense of calm make it a truly magical setting for a wedding — and we were delighted to be part of Dan and Millie’s beautiful celebration there.
Setting the Scene
For this particular October wedding, everything took place indoors — a wise choice given the autumn chill — but that didn’t stop guests from enjoying the crisp countryside air in between moments of music and mingling.
We arrived with our black gloss piano shell and electric cello, creating a stylish, contemporary setup that complemented the elegance of Coombe Lodge perfectly. Before guests were seated for the ceremony, I took the opportunity to play a little solo jazz on the venue’s grand piano — there’s something about filling that space with gentle, improvised melodies as people take their seats that just feels right.
Once everyone was ready and Anne-Marie joined me with her cello, we moved seamlessly over to our own setup, ready to begin the ceremony music.
Ceremony Music
Dan and Millie had chosen a gorgeous, modern setlist for their ceremony — romantic but full of personality. We began with a hand-picked mix of songs that really reflected their story and energy as a couple:
Pre-Ceremony Music
- All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
- The One – Shania Twain
- It’s All About You – McFly
- Accidentally In Love – Shrek
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
- How Long Will I Love You – Ellie Goulding / A Thousand Years
As guests settled and the excitement grew, there was such a lovely atmosphere in the room — that quiet hum of anticipation before the bride’s entrance.
When the moment came, Millie walked in to “Before You” by Benson Boone. It’s such a heartfelt and tender song, and our cello and piano arrangement brought out the warmth of the melody beautifully. You could feel the emotion in the room as she made her entrance — truly a spine-tingling moment.
During the signing of the register, we played:
- If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
- Better Half of Me – Tom Walker
Both songs added a sense of intimacy and reflection, creating the perfect soundtrack to that first few minutes of married life.
Then, as the registrar invited everyone to stand for the newlyweds’ exit, we lifted the tempo slightly with “Belong Together” by Mark Ambor — a joyful, upbeat choice that suited the occasion perfectly and had everyone smiling as Dan and Millie made their way down the aisle as husband and wife.
Drinks Reception Music
After the ceremony, we quickly relocated to the adjacent lounge area for the drinks reception. Coombe Lodge has such a natural flow between spaces that it was easy to transition smoothly — one of the many reasons we love playing here.
The brief from Millie had been clear: “The more modern, the better!” So we put together a lively and contemporary set featuring plenty of upbeat pop favourites alongside a few softer moments. With our electric cello and Nord piano shell setup, we were able to balance energy and elegance, ensuring the music felt vibrant yet unobtrusive.
Our drinks reception set included:
- All You Need Is Love – The Beatles (a nice nod to the ceremony)
- 2002 – Anne-Marie
- Believe – Cher
- As It Was – Harry Styles
- Mr Brightside – The Killers
- Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
- Ordinary – Alex Warren
- Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
- How Will I Know – Sam Smith
- Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
- Love Story – Taylor Swift
- You’ve Got the Love – Florence and the Machine
- A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
- Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
- Lover – Taylor Swift
- Wildest Dreams – Taylor Swift
The mix of classics and modern tracks kept the energy flowing beautifully throughout the afternoon. Guests chatted and laughed, a few sang along in places, and several commented on how refreshing it was to hear recognisable chart songs performed live on cello and piano. It’s something we always love — taking songs people already adore and giving them a new life through live acoustic sound.
The Coombe Lodge Atmosphere
Coombe Lodge has a certain charm that’s hard to describe unless you’ve played there. The acoustics are warm and natural, with the wood panelling gently carrying the sound of cello and piano through the space. Our black gloss piano shell adds a refined visual touch, blending beautifully into the venue’s elegant interior — and the electric cello ensures we can control the balance perfectly, even in busier reception spaces.
Throughout the drinks reception, the room felt alive — that lovely balance between celebration and relaxation that makes this part of the wedding day so special. From Billie Eilish to Taylor Swift, the playlist reflected Millie’s personality wonderfully and gave the afternoon a youthful, joyful energy.
A Note of Thanks
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Dan and Millie for choosing JAM Duo to provide live music for their wedding at Coombe Lodge. It was an absolute pleasure to be part of such a heartfelt celebration, surrounded by family, friends, and so much love.
And, of course, our thanks also go to the team at Coombe Lodge who looked after everyone so beautifully and ensured everything ran smoothly from start to finish. It’s always a joy to return to this venue, and every time we play there, it feels just as magical as the first.
If you’re planning your own wedding at Coombe Lodge…
…and you’d love to add the beauty of live music to your day, we’d be delighted to help. JAM Duo (Jules Addison – piano, Anne-Marie Humphries – cello) provide elegant and contemporary music for weddings across the UK. From the moment your guests arrive to your first glass of champagne, we’ll create the perfect soundtrack to your day.
📍 Venue: Coombe Lodge, Blagdon, Somerset
🎶 Live Daytime Music: JAM Duo – Piano & Cello
