Lartington Hall, set just outside Barnard Castle and moments from the rolling countryside of Durham, is one of those rare wedding venues that blends heritage, grandeur, and warmth in equal measure. Its famous chapel — adored for its soaring architecture, soft natural light, and acoustic clarity — is a dream setting for live music. It was here, in this serene and beautifully preserved space, that we had the privilege of providing the soundtrack to Kirsty and John’s wedding ceremony and drinks reception.
Their day combined elegance with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, framed by a navy and silver colour palette. Bridesmaids wore sophisticated navy gowns, while the groom and groomsmen chose crisp blue suits that worked effortlessly with the wintery, refined tones running throughout the celebration.
From the moment we arrived at Lartington Hall, the staff were welcoming and the schedule ran flawlessly — testament to the excellent organisation behind the scenes. The venue’s seamless layout also meant that, although everything took place indoors, each part of the day had its own distinct setting and atmosphere.
Below is a closer look at the music Kirsty and John chose, how it shaped the flow of the day, and the memorable moments it helped create.
The Ceremony in Lartington Hall’s Chapel
The chapel at Lartington Hall is breathtaking — ornate yet peaceful, with an atmosphere that feels wonderfully intimate despite its height and grandeur. JAM Duo performed from the balcony at the rear of the chapel, giving the music a natural resonance that projected beautifully throughout the space. The elevated position also allowed the ceremony to feel visually uncluttered while still filling the room with warm, immersive sound.
Pre-Ceremony Music
As guests arrived and took their seats beneath the soft glow of the chapel’s chandeliers, we set the tone with a handpicked selection of modern love songs arranged for piano and electric cello:
- Friday I’m in Love – The Cure
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
- Make You Feel My Love – Adele
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight? – Elton John
- All of Me – John Legend
These choices brought a relaxed, contemporary feel to the start of the ceremony. The warmth of the electric cello combined with the clarity of the Nord piano created an elegant blend that complemented the chapel’s acoustics perfectly. Guests often comment on how live music transforms the waiting moments before a ceremony, and this was certainly true here — the atmosphere felt calm, welcoming, and quietly expectant.
Entrance of the Bride
For Kirsty’s entrance, the couple chose a timeless favourite:
Canon in D – Johann Pachelbel
Canon is always a beautiful choice for this moment, and in the Lartington Hall chapel it was especially striking. The gentle build of the cello line with the steady, flowing piano accompaniment added a sense of poise and anticipation as Kirsty began her walk down the aisle. Even from the balcony, the emotion of the moment was palpable.
Signing of the Register
Once the couple were seated to sign the register, we moved smoothly into two contrasting but perfectly complementary pieces:
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
This combination offered balance — one tender and heartfelt, the other uplifting and joyful. It matched the mood beautifully as guests relaxed, chatted quietly, and took in the atmosphere.
Couple Exit
For the recessional, Kirsty and John selected:
LOVE – Nat King Cole
An excellent exit piece — classy, cheerful, and full of charm. This classic worked wonderfully with the acoustic and added a touch of vintage sophistication to the end of the ceremony as the newlyweds made their way out of the chapel to greet their guests.
Relocating for the Drinks Reception
One of the benefits of Lartington Hall is that the entire venue flows effortlessly from one space to the next. After the ceremony, we moved from the chapel balcony to a separate part of the main house where the drinks reception was taking place. Because everything is under one roof, the transition was quick and discreet, allowing us to begin playing again almost immediately as guests arrived with their first drinks in hand.
On this occasion, we used our Nord piano and Yamaha electric cello without the black piano shell — a practical and stylish setup that suited the space well and allowed us to adapt easily as the drinks reception unfolded.
Music for the Drinks Reception
Kirsty and John curated a varied and vibrant playlist for this part of the day, blending classical themes, film music, pop, alternative, and musical theatre. This kind of range works brilliantly for a drinks reception, keeping the atmosphere fresh and giving guests plenty of familiar melodies to enjoy.
Their selection included:
- Bridgerton Theme
- Pride and Prejudice Theme
- All About You – McFly
- Another Love – Tom Odell
- The Dying Light – Sam Fender
- Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
- Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
- Crazy Little Thing Called Love – Elvis
- 500 Miles – The Proclaimers
- Ride of the Rohirrim – Lord of the Rings
- Accidentally in Love – Shrek
- Dear Theodosia – Hamilton
- Seasons of Love – Rent
- Believe – Cher
- Bittersweet Symphony – The Verve
- Demons – Imagine Dragons
- Still the One – Shania Twain
This playlist captured everything from gentle background atmosphere to more upbeat crowd-pleasers as the afternoon progressed. Bridgerton and Pride & Prejudice themes added a touch of period-drama romance, while selections from musical theatre and film kept things contemporary and engaging. Chappell Roan, Sam Fender, and Imagine Dragons brought a modern edge, and classics like Elvis and The Proclaimers lifted the energy as the room filled with conversation, laughter, and celebration.
We always aim to read the room in real time — adjusting dynamics and pacing to support the natural flow of the reception — and this varied list worked beautifully with the setting and the mood.
About Lartington Hall
Lartington Hall is one of the North’s most impressive privately-owned venues. The combination of historic architecture, thoughtfully restored interiors, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere makes it a genuine pleasure to perform here. The chapel is undoubtedly one of its most iconic features, and the way it connects seamlessly to the main house creates an effortless progression throughout the day.
From a performance perspective, the venue offers excellent acoustics, ample space, and helpful staff who ensure everything is organised with precision. Whether performing from the chapel balcony or within the reception rooms of the house, the setting always enhances the music.
A Final Thank You
It was a joy to be part of Kirsty and John’s wedding. Their music choices were personal, thoughtful, and perfectly matched to the atmosphere they wanted to create. From the elegance of Canon in D to the uplifting charm of LOVE, and from Bridgerton themes to modern favourites, the day had a wonderful musical identity of its own.
We would like to extend our warmest thanks to Kirsty and John for choosing JAM Duo to provide the soundtrack to their ceremony and drinks reception. It was a privilege to be part of such a refined and heartfelt celebration in one of the North’s most exceptional venues.
We wish them both every happiness as they begin this new chapter together.
