Winter weddings have a special magic of their own — softer light, candle glow, festive warmth, and an atmosphere that feels intimate and full of anticipation. Susie and Shane’s beautiful December wedding at Clevedon Hall in Somerset captured all of this perfectly. With cinematic ceremony music, candlelit elegance, and a wonderfully relaxed celebration in the heart of the Great Hall, this was a day filled with emotion, personality, and love from beginning to end.
JAM Duo were honoured to provide live cello and piano music for both the ceremony and drinks reception, all taking place in the stunning Great Hall. This was made even more special by the fact that Susie had secretly booked us as a surprise for Shane, choosing film-inspired music in the hope that it would help calm his nerves before the ceremony. It was such a thoughtful and personal gesture — and one that worked beautifully.
From the moment we arrived, we were once again reminded why Clevedon Hall remains one of our favourite Somerset wedding venues. The house is full of grandeur yet feels warm and welcoming, especially in winter. The Great Hall is a particularly impressive space, with soaring proportions, beautiful architectural detail, and — at this time of year — the added magic of festive decorations and a Christmas tree that creates a truly enchanting backdrop for a ceremony and drinks reception.
The team at Clevedon Hall were, as always, outstanding — friendly, professional, and incredibly supportive throughout the day. We are always so well looked after here, and it makes such a difference when the entire day flows so smoothly for the couple, their guests, and all the suppliers involved. A heartfelt thank you to the Clevedon Hall team for taking such wonderful care of everyone.
Live Cello & Piano Setup in the Great Hall
For Susie and Shane’s wedding, JAM Duo performed using our Nord Stage piano and Yamaha electric cello with the piano shell, set up at the side of the Great Hall for the ceremony. This allowed us to be clearly seen while keeping the aisle beautifully open for the bridal party and the entrance of the bride.
Once the ceremony had concluded, we relocated slightly to perform beside the Christmas tree for the drinks reception, creating a warm and visually stunning focal point for the next part of the celebration. The soft lighting, seasonal décor, and glow of the tree combined with live music created a truly magical winter atmosphere.
As always, all music was performed completely live with no backing tracks, giving Susie and Shane full musical flexibility and allowing every moment to be shaped naturally in real time.
A Thoughtful Musical Surprise Before the Ceremony
Before a single guest had even taken their seat, the day was already emotionally charged — not with nerves, but with anticipation and warmth. Susie had carefully chosen a series of cinematic and emotionally rich pieces for the pre-ceremony music, all arranged for live cello and piano. Her hope was that this film-inspired music would help soothe Shane’s nerves as he waited for the ceremony to begin.
It worked beautifully.
Pre-Ceremony Music Included:
- Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
- Across The Stars – Star Wars: Attack of the Clones (John Williams)
- For The Love Of A Princess – Braveheart (arranged for Cello & Piano)
- Now We Are Free – Gladiator (Hans Zimmer) (arranged for Cello & Piano)
- The Shire – Lord of the Rings (arranged for Cello & Piano)
- Jupiter – The Planets (Gustav Holst) (optional)
This musical selection was simply stunning. Each piece brought a different emotional colour — from gentle nostalgia to sweeping romance and cinematic grandeur. Guests were instantly captivated by the recognisable melodies, and the atmosphere in the room felt calm, reflective, and full of expectation. Shane later told us just how much the music helped to settle his nerves — exactly as Susie had hoped.
A Beautifully Structured Bridal Entrance
The bridal procession was carefully planned and wonderfully paced, with each part of the bridal party having its own moment.
Bridal Party Order:
- First Bridesmaid (accompanied by a small dog)
- Second and Third Bridesmaids together
- Fourth (and final) Bridesmaid
- Father of the Bride & Bride together
For the bridesmaids’ entrance, we performed:
- May It Be – Lord of the Rings
This piece worked beautifully for the procession — gentle, flowing, and deeply emotional, setting a serene and romantic tone as each bridesmaid made their way down the aisle.
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
As Susie appeared with her father, we transitioned seamlessly into:
- Clair de Lune – Debussy (played softly for the bride)
It was a truly breathtaking entrance. The softness of the piano, supported by the warm, expressive cello line, created an atmosphere of pure elegance and emotion. Susie looked absolutely fabulous in her beautiful wedding dress — radiant, graceful, and glowing as she walked into the Great Hall. It was one of those moments where the room seems to hold its breath, and the emotion is felt by everyone present.
A Warm, Emotional Ceremony
The ceremony itself was heartfelt, personal, and full of warmth. With friends and family gathered around them in such a magnificent space, Susie and Shane exchanged their vows in an atmosphere of genuine love and connection.
For the signing of the register, they chose three beautifully contrasting pieces:
- All We Do – Oh Wonder (from Unforgotten) – JAM Duo
- Your Song – Elton John (arranged for Cello & Piano)
- Grow Old With Me – Tom Odell (arranged for Cello & Piano)
Each piece reflected a different aspect of their relationship — intimacy, devotion, and the promise of a shared future. These are moments we always treasure as musicians, as the energy in the room is always deeply emotional and quietly joyful.
For their recessional, Susie and Shane chose:
- The Wonder of You – Elvis Presley (original track)
This joyful, uplifting exit perfectly captured their happiness as they walked back up the aisle as newlyweds, greeted by huge smiles, applause, and celebration from their guests.
Drinks Reception Beside the Christmas Tree
Following the ceremony, guests remained in the Great Hall for the drinks reception, while JAM Duo relocated slightly to perform beside the stunning Christmas tree. The room was instantly transformed into a relaxed, elegant celebration space — a perfect setting for festive winter drinks, conversation, and live music.
Susie and Shane’s drinks reception playlist was wonderfully eclectic and full of personality. They gave us freedom to play the selections in any order, allowing us to shape the atmosphere naturally as the room filled with guests.
Drinks Reception Music Included:
- Real Love – Tom Odell / The Beatles
- Perfect Day – Lou Reed
- Glasgow Theme – Love Actually (Piano Solo – Jules Addison)
- Dreams – The Cranberries
- Baby I’m Yours – Arctic Monkeys
- Another Love – Tom Odell
- At Last – Etta James
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
- Dancing In The Moonlight – Toploader
- Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac
- Girls Like You – Maroon 5
- Half The World Away – Oasis
- In My Life – The Beatles
- Let It Be – The Beatles
- Christmas Is All Around – Love Actually
- Lovely – Billie Eilish & Khalid
- Nobody Does It Better – Carly Simon
- Nothing Else Matters – Metallica
- Sign of the Times – Harry Styles (Bridgerton version)
- The Cave – Mumford & Sons
- Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey
This blend of romantic ballads, cinematic themes, indie favourites, and recognisable classics worked perfectly for a winter drinks reception. Guests relaxed into conversation, glasses were raised, and the room buzzed with happiness. The Christmas tree beside us created an especially magical atmosphere as the evening light faded outside.
A Huge Thank You
Susie and Shane, thank you both so much for inviting JAM Duo to be part of your wedding day — and especially for trusting us with such an important musical surprise. Your thoughtful planning, beautiful music choices, and the genuine warmth of your guests made this an unforgettable day to be part of.
Susie, you looked truly stunning walking into the Great Hall — elegant, radiant, and completely captivating. We wish you both a lifetime filled with love, laughter, and incredible adventures together.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the wonderful team at Clevedon Hall for once again looking after us so beautifully. It is always a pleasure to work in such a professionally run and welcoming venue, and we are already looking forward to our next visit.
Why We Love Playing at Clevedon Hall
Clevedon Hall is one of those venues that feels genuinely special every time we return. Its grand architecture, warm interiors, and beautifully proportioned Great Hall make it an exceptional setting for both ceremonies and celebrations. The acoustics are superb for live music, allowing cello and piano to resonate naturally throughout the space.
For winter weddings especially, Clevedon Hall comes into its own. With its festive décor, atmospheric lighting, and welcoming atmosphere, it offers couples a truly magical backdrop for their day. It is a venue that combines elegance with comfort — a rare and wonderful balance.
Live Wedding Music with JAM Duo
For Susie and Shane’s wedding, JAM Duo provided:
- Live cello & piano for the ceremony
- Live cello & piano for the drinks reception
All music was performed live with no backing tracks, using our Nord Stage piano and Yamaha electric cello. Every arrangement was tailored to the couple’s personal choices, from cinematic film themes to timeless love songs and festive classics.
