Some weddings begin long before the first note is played. Alisha and Andrew’s day in Scotland was one of those — shaped not just by the ceremony itself, but by the journey, the setting, and the quiet anticipation that builds as everything comes together.
For us, it began the day before, driving north and settling just outside Glasgow ahead of the wedding. There’s something about travelling for a wedding that shifts your mindset slightly — it becomes less of a routine performance and more of an occasion in its own right. By the time we arrived at Balbirnie House the following morning, everything felt purposeful and calm.
Arrival at Balbirnie House
Balbirnie House is a striking venue — a grand Georgian mansion set within parkland, with a sense of scale that immediately lends weight to the day.
On arrival, we were greeted by Sophie on reception, who showed us through to the West Room where we would be based for guest arrival. It’s always appreciated when someone takes a moment to orientate you properly at the start of the day, and even more so when it comes with a coffee — a small detail, but one that sets the tone.
Interestingly, beyond that initial welcome, we had no further interaction with the wedding team throughout our time at the venue. In many ways, this made little difference to us — we are entirely self-sufficient and very used to working independently — but it is somewhat unusual, particularly at a venue of this scale and reputation.
That said, the day itself flowed smoothly, and from a musical perspective everything ran exactly as it should.
Guest Arrival – Creating the Atmosphere
From 12pm, guests began arriving into the West Room ahead of the 1pm ceremony.
This part of the day is often underestimated. It’s not simply background music — it’s the moment where the atmosphere of the entire ceremony is set. Guests are arriving, finding their seats, greeting one another, and gradually shifting into the mindset of the occasion.
Alisha and Andrew had chosen a beautifully varied and thoughtful selection of music for this hour:
- So Easy to Fall in Love – Olivia Dean
- Perfect – Ed Sheeran
- I Get to Love You – Ruelle
- Songbird – Eva Cassidy
- Better Together – Jack Johnson
Alongside a wider extended list including:
- L-O-V-E – Nat King Cole
- Just the Way You Are – Bruno Mars
- Love Story – Taylor Swift
- A Thousand Years – Christina Perri
- Lost Without You – Freya Ridings
- Half the World Away – Oasis
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
- Dancing On My Own – Calum Scott
- Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
- Believe – Cher
- Loving You – Paolo Nutini
- Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
This kind of playlist works exceptionally well for arrivals. It moves gently between styles and eras, giving guests something familiar to connect with while maintaining a consistent, elegant tone.
Performed on piano and electric cello, the arrangements softened the energy just enough — creating a space that felt welcoming, calm, and quietly anticipatory.
The Ceremony – Positioned at the Heart of the Room
For the ceremony itself, we were positioned at the bottom of the aisle — always one of the most effective placements.
It allows the music to travel naturally through the space, following the movement of the bridal party and framing the key moments without ever feeling detached from them.
With 88 guests gathered, the room felt full but not crowded — a perfect balance that allowed both intimacy and presence.
Bridal Entrance – A Personal Touch
Alisha’s entrance was set to Yellow by Coldplay, with a request for it to be slowed slightly.
These are often the most rewarding moments to shape musically. A well-known song, reimagined in a way that suits the pace of the walk, the length of the aisle, and the feel of the room.
Slowing the tempo allowed the piece to breathe — giving space for each step, each glance, and each moment of anticipation as she made her way down the aisle.
It’s a small adjustment, but one that transforms how the moment feels.
Signing of the Register – Light and Personal
During the signing, the tone shifted slightly — becoming lighter, more reflective, but still firmly within the emotional arc of the ceremony.
The chosen pieces were:
- All About You – McFly
- Feels Like I’m Falling in Love – Coldplay
- Grow Old With Me – Tom Odell
These are songs that sit beautifully in this part of the ceremony — recognisable, heartfelt, but not overpowering. They allow the moment to unfold naturally, giving guests time to absorb what has just taken place.
The Couple Exit – A Lift in Energy
For the exit, Everlasting Love by Natalie Cole brought a clear lift in energy.
This is always an important transition — the point where the formality of the ceremony gives way to celebration. The right piece here changes the feel of the entire room, and this choice did exactly that.
It gave a sense of momentum, of movement, and of something beginning rather than ending.
A Day That Ran on Its Own Rhythm
What stood out most about this wedding was how self-contained it felt.
Without the usual level of interaction from the venue team, the day relied more heavily on the natural flow between suppliers and the structure already in place. For us, this is something we are entirely comfortable with — it allows us to focus fully on the music, reading the room and responding to what is happening in real time.
And in truth, that’s often where live music works best.
Not when it is directed, but when it is allowed to sit naturally within the day — adjusting subtly, supporting quietly, and enhancing without drawing attention to itself.
The Setting and Style
Alisha and Andrew’s colour palette — pale yellow, buttercream, and natural tones — felt perfectly suited to Balbirnie House.
Soft, understated, and in keeping with the light of a spring wedding, it complemented the venue rather than competing with it.
There was a sense of ease to the entire day — nothing forced, nothing overdone. Just a well-judged balance of elegance and warmth.
Final Thoughts
It was a pleasure to provide music for Alisha and Andrew’s wedding at Balbirnie House.
From the calm build-up during guest arrival to the carefully shaped ceremony itself, the music was able to sit exactly where it should — supporting each moment without ever needing to lead it.
A beautiful setting, a thoughtful selection of music, and a day that unfolded with quiet confidence.
We wish them both every happiness for the future.
