A winter wedding in Scotland brings with it a special atmosphere, and Katy and Michael’s December celebration at GG’s Yard in Dumfries and Galloway was a perfect example of how seasonal styling, a beautiful venue, and thoughtfully chosen live music can come together seamlessly.
JAM Duo were delighted to provide live cello and piano music for both the wedding ceremony and drinks reception, creating a continuous musical backdrop to the day. With Christmas trees framing the ceremony space and a relaxed but joyful energy throughout, it was a wedding full of warmth, personality, and memorable moments.
A Festive Setting at GG’s Yard
Located in the heart of the Scottish countryside, GG’s Yard, Laggan is a distinctive and characterful wedding venue. Its layout allows for a smooth flow between ceremony and reception spaces, which worked particularly well for Katy and Michael’s day.
The ceremony took place with JAM Duo positioned discreetly at the rear of the ceremony space, ensuring clear sound coverage while allowing guests’ attention to remain firmly on the couple. After the ceremony, guests moved only a short distance into the main hall for drinks, where we relocated to the right-hand side of the room, very close to the ceremony area. This made the transition effortless and kept the music flowing naturally as celebrations continued.
With Christmas décor and trees enhancing the space, the venue felt both intimate and festive — an ideal backdrop for a December wedding.
Live Cello and Piano for the Ceremony
For this wedding, JAM Duo performed using our Yamaha electric cello, played by Anne-Marie, and Nord Stage piano housed within our black gloss piano shell, played by Jules. This setup allowed us to deliver a polished visual aesthetic while maintaining full control of sound levels and tone throughout the day.
Guests were welcomed with a carefully chosen pre-ceremony selection that blended timeless love songs with modern classics:
- Your Song – Elton John
- Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
- Marry You – Bruno Mars
- Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
- Yellow – Coldplay
Each piece was arranged for cello and piano to create a warm, calm atmosphere as guests arrived and took their seats.
Bridal Entrance & A Very Special Aisle Moment
Katy was joined by five bridesmaids, each walking in alongside pageboys and groomsmen — a lovely, unhurried entrance that set the tone beautifully.
For Katy’s own entrance, she chose the timeless Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley, performed live on cello and piano. It’s a piece that works exceptionally well for winter weddings, and it created a gentle, emotional moment as she walked down the aisle.
One of the standout moments of the ceremony came with the arrival of the ring bearers — two dogs, Rosie and Bob, who did an excellent job delivering the rings down the aisle. It was a charming and personal touch that brought smiles across the room.
Signing of the Register
For the signing, Katy and Michael chose two modern, heartfelt songs that worked beautifully as live instrumental arrangements:
- Ordinary – Alex Warren
- One Day Like This – Elbow
These pieces provided a reflective pause within the ceremony while keeping the overall mood warm and celebratory.
Recessional: Ending the Ceremony on a High
As the newly married couple made their exit, JAM Duo played This Will Be an Everlasting Love by Natalie Cole — a joyful, upbeat choice that perfectly marked the transition from ceremony to celebration.
Drinks Reception Music
Following the ceremony, guests gathered for drinks in the main hall, where JAM Duo continued playing live throughout the reception. The music was designed to be upbeat, familiar, and relaxed — encouraging conversation while adding energy to the room.
The couple’s selections spanned decades and genres, from classic soul and rock through to modern pop, creating something for everyone. Highlights included:
- Friday I’m in Love – The Cure
- Africa – Toto
- All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
- Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
- Mr Brightside – The Killers
- Rule the World – Take That
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
- You’re Still the One – Shania Twain
- Feeling Good – Nina Simone
With Christmas in full swing, festive touches such as Christmas Is All Around blended naturally into the set, adding seasonal charm without overpowering the wider musical mix.
Special Requests from the Couple
Katy and Michael also had a few specific requests they were keen to hear during the drinks reception, all of which we were delighted to include:
- I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
- Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
- When You’re Looking Like That – Westlife
These personal choices helped make the music feel truly reflective of the couple, something we always encourage.
Travelling to Scotland for Weddings
As with many of our Scottish weddings, we travelled up from Wiltshire the day before to ensure a relaxed and well-prepared arrival. On this occasion, we stayed overnight near Carlisle, allowing for a short and stress-free journey to GG’s Yard on the morning of the wedding. This approach ensures plenty of time for setup, sound checks, and coordination with venue staff ahead of the ceremony.
Thank You Katy & Michael
It was a pleasure to provide live music for Katy and Michael’s winter wedding at GG’s Yard. Their thoughtful song choices, relaxed approach, and warm guests made the day a joy to be part of.
Thank you both for choosing JAM Duo to soundtrack your wedding day — we wish you every happiness for the future.
