Natalie & Neil | 28 December 2025
There is something quietly magical about a winter wedding in Scotland. The light is softer, the landscape feels closer somehow, and when live music is part of the day, it carries a particular warmth that guests remember long after they’ve gone home.
Natalie and Neil’s wedding at The Lodge on Loch Lomond was exactly that kind of day — thoughtful, beautifully planned, and unmistakably personal. JAM Duo were delighted to provide live daytime music for their ceremony, drinks reception, and wedding meal, supporting the flow of the entire celebration from the moment guests arrived through to the afternoon and early evening.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Loch Lomond in late December, this was a winter wedding that embraced the season fully — even when temperatures hovered around just 2 degrees.
A Stunning Winter Setting on Loch Lomond
The Lodge on Loch Lomond is a venue that never fails to impress. Nestled right on the edge of the loch near Luss, it offers sweeping views across the water and surrounding hills, making it one of Scotland’s most striking wedding locations — particularly in winter, when the landscape feels calm, dramatic, and quietly atmospheric.
Natalie and Neil chose to hold their ceremony outdoors, overlooking the loch itself. It was a bold and brilliant decision. Yes, it was cold — but it was also utterly unforgettable. Wrapped-up guests, clear winter air, and live cello and piano music drifting across the water created a moment that felt intimate and cinematic all at once.
At JAM Duo, we’re always happy to go the extra mile for our couples if that’s what they want — and providing live music outdoors in December is a perfect example of that. With careful planning, suitable equipment, and a flexible approach, we ensured the music flowed seamlessly despite the chilly conditions.
Wedding Day Timings & Flow
Natalie and Neil’s day was beautifully paced, allowing each part of the celebration to breathe:
- 12:00pm – Guests arrived
- 12:30pm – Outdoor ceremony
- 2:00pm – Bridal lunch
- 4:00pm – Drinks reception
- 7:00pm – Evening reception
Our role focused on the daytime elements, supporting the emotional arc of the ceremony and creating a relaxed, uplifting atmosphere through the afternoon.
With around 70 guests, the day felt sociable without ever feeling busy — ideal for live background music that enhances conversation rather than overpowering it.
Outdoor Ceremony Music Overlooking Loch Lomond
The ceremony music was carefully chosen, blending contemporary favourites with songs that felt meaningful and reflective — perfect for an outdoor winter setting.
Pre-Ceremony Music
As guests arrived and took their seats overlooking the loch, we performed a selection of beautifully arranged songs for cello and piano, including:
- Open Your Eyes – Snow Patrol
- Helium – Sia
- High and Dry – Radiohead
- Slide Away – Oasis
- The Circle – Ocean Colour Scene
These pieces set a calm, emotional tone, allowing guests to settle into the moment while enjoying familiar music presented in a gentle, elegant way.
Entrance of the Bridal Party & Bride
For the entrance, the music choices were perfectly judged:
- Wildest Dreams – for the bridesmaids, junior bridesmaid, and flower girls
- A Thousand Years – for Natalie’s entrance
Hearing A Thousand Years performed live as Natalie arrived, with Loch Lomond stretching out behind her, was a genuinely moving moment — one of those rare combinations of music, setting, and timing that simply works.
Signing of the Register
During the signing, we performed:
- Candy – Paolo Nutini
- You and Me Belong Together – Mark Ambor
These lighter, more playful pieces brought warmth and ease to the ceremony’s closing moments.
Couple Exit
Natalie and Neil chose Grace (the Irish ballad) for their exit — a bold and emotional choice that worked beautifully on cello and piano, sending them back down the aisle to a huge sense of warmth and celebration.
Drinks Reception Music: Relaxed, Upbeat & Seasonal
Following the ceremony and bridal lunch, the day moved naturally into the drinks reception. This is one of our favourite parts of any wedding day, particularly in winter, when guests are keen to relax, warm up, and enjoy good company.
Natalie and Neil asked for upbeat, feel-good music, and their selections gave us plenty to work with. Highlights included:
- Pink Pony Club
- You’ve Got the Love
- Bittersweet Symphony
- Higher Love – Kygo
- Riptide – Vance Joy
- Stick Season – Noah Kahan
- Belter & Disco Land – Gerry Cinnamon
- Roll With It – Oasis
- We Found Love – Calvin Harris
- I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston
- Mr Brightside
- Maggie May
- Hungry Eyes
- Somewhere Over the Rainbow
- Ave Maria
To reflect the time of year, we also included a handful of cheerful Christmas songs, such as:
- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas
- Santa Baby
- All I Want for Christmas Is You
This mix worked perfectly — festive without being overbearing, and upbeat enough to lift the energy of the afternoon while still allowing guests to chat comfortably.
Live Music During the Wedding Meal
JAM Duo also provided live background music during the wedding meal, performing a relaxed selection that complemented the room rather than dominating it.
Natalie requested Old Note by Lisa O’Reilly, followed by an open brief of “anything at all,” which gave us the freedom to read the room and respond to the atmosphere as it developed.
This is exactly where live musicians really come into their own — adjusting tempo, volume, and repertoire in real time to suit the pace of the meal, the level of conversation, and the mood of the guests.
Styling, Colour Scheme & Atmosphere
The styling of the day was beautifully understated and elegant. The bridesmaids wore wine red dresses, complemented by black tuxedos for the groomsmen — a rich, winter-appropriate palette that looked particularly striking against the loch and the seasonal surroundings.
With three bridesmaids, a junior bridesmaid, and three flower girls, the ceremony felt full and joyful without being overly formal — a balance that matched Natalie and Neil’s approach to the entire day.
A Pleasure to Work With
From start to finish, Natalie and Neil were a pleasure to work with — clear in their vision, relaxed in their approach, and genuinely appreciative of the role live music plays in shaping a wedding day.
We’d also like to thank the team at The Lodge on Loch Lomond, and in particular Kelley Niven, for their support and smooth coordination on the day. With easy access, on-site parking, and a well-organised team, everything ran effortlessly from our perspective.
Thank You, Natalie & Neil
Thank you, Natalie and Neil, for trusting JAM Duo to provide the live music for such an important day. Playing for your winter wedding — especially an outdoor ceremony on the shores of Loch Lomond in December — was a genuine privilege.
We wish you both every happiness as you begin married life together, and we hope the music stays with you as fondly as the memories of the day itself.
