An outdoor ceremony in the rain, a railway arch, and a day that never lost its atmosphere
Some weddings stay with you for very particular reasons.
Katie and Ollie’s wedding at Tower Hill Barns was one of those — not because everything went perfectly to plan, but because it didn’t… and yet the day still worked beautifully.
Rain, adjustments, quick decisions, and a ceremony that moved under the shelter of a railway arch — all of it coming together in a way that felt completely natural.
We were there to provide music for the ceremony and drinks reception, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear this would be a day where flexibility mattered.
Arrival at Tower Hill Barns
Tower Hill Barns is always a stunning venue to arrive at.
Set just outside Llangollen, it has a real sense of space — open views, clean lines, and a layout that allows for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. It’s a venue that adapts well, which proved invaluable on this particular day.
Access was straightforward, with a paved path leading from the car park to the ceremony area. Even with a full setup, including our piano and cello, everything moved smoothly.
Katie and Ollie had planned for an outdoor ceremony.
And to their credit, they stuck with it.
Despite the weather.
When the Weather Has Other Ideas
There’s always a moment on days like this where a decision has to be made.
Go inside — safe, controlled, predictable.
Or stay outside and make it work.
Katie and Ollie chose the latter.
The rain wasn’t light. It was persistent, and at times fairly heavy. Guests were mostly under cover in the seating area, but the ceremony itself shifted slightly to adapt.
We positioned ourselves under the railway arch alongside the couple, using the natural shelter it provided.
It’s not something you plan for in advance.
But it worked.
And more importantly, it felt right.
There’s something about live music in moments like this that really comes into its own. A recording would have carried on regardless, disconnected from what was happening.
But live musicians can respond.
We adjusted placement.
We adjusted dynamics.
We worked with the space that was available rather than the space that had been planned.
And the result was a ceremony that felt intentional — not compromised.
Pre-Ceremony: Holding the Atmosphere
Guests began arriving from midday, gathering under cover as the rain settled in.
This part of the day becomes even more important in less-than-perfect weather.
The music needs to do a little more work.
It needs to warm the space.
Lift the mood slightly.
Reassure people, without being obvious about it.
Katie and Ollie had chosen a lovely mix of music for this:
- The Shire – Lord of the Rings
- Loch Lomond
- Can’t Take My Eyes Off You – Frankie Valli
- Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles
- Dancing in the Moonlight – Toploader
It’s a great combination.
Some pieces soft and reflective, others more upbeat and familiar.
In a setting like this, that balance is key.
You don’t ignore the weather — but you don’t let it define the atmosphere either.
The music quietly holds everything together.
The Entrance: A Blend That Always Works
For the bridal entrance, Katie and Ollie had chosen something we know works beautifully:
A blend of:
- Can’t Help Falling in Love (for the bridesmaids)
- into Canon in D (for the bride)
It’s a structure we’ve shaped many times, but it never feels repetitive.
Each time is different because the timing is different. The movement is different. The pace of the walk is different.
On this occasion, with the adjusted layout and the presence of the rain, the entrance had a slightly different feel.
More contained.
More focused.
We began gently with Can’t Help Falling in Love as the bridesmaids made their way in.
Then, as Katie appeared, we transitioned seamlessly into Canon in D.
The key here is making that transition feel completely natural.
Not a stop and start.
Not a noticeable change.
Just a shift — musically and emotionally — that supports the moment.
Even with the rain, even with the adjustments, the entrance landed exactly as it should.
The Ceremony Under the Arch
The ceremony itself, set partially under the railway arch, had a unique atmosphere.
Sheltered, slightly enclosed, but still very much outdoors.
Rain visible just beyond the edges.
It’s the kind of setting that could feel awkward if not handled carefully.
But it didn’t.
Because everything adapted.
We kept the music controlled and balanced, ensuring it carried clearly without echoing too heavily within the arch space.
Every note had to sit properly — not too much, not too little.
That’s where experience comes in.
Reading the space.
Understanding how sound behaves.
Adjusting instinctively.
The ceremony moved smoothly through to the signing.
Signing: Lightness and Familiarity
For the signing, Katie and Ollie chose:
- Accidentally in Love – Counting Crows
- Married Life – Up
- Can You Feel the Love Tonight – Elton John
A perfect set for that moment.
Light, recognisable, and full of warmth.
After the slightly dramatic setting of the ceremony itself, this part of the day allowed everything to soften.
Guests relaxed again.
Smiles returned more freely.
The mood lifted without needing to be forced.
Live music makes this transition effortless.
We can extend where needed, shorten if required, and keep everything flowing without any awkward gaps.
The Exit: A Proper Release
The couple exit is always a release point.
And Katie and Ollie chose I’m a Believer (Smash Mouth) — a brilliant choice.
Instantly recognisable. Upbeat. Fun.
After the rain, after the slightly unusual ceremony setting, this was the moment everything opened up.
Guests responded immediately.
Applause, smiles, movement — the energy shifted in an instant.
And that’s exactly what you want.
Moving Inside: Drinks Reception
With the weather continuing, the drinks reception moved indoors.
This is where adaptability becomes essential again.
A change in space means a change in sound, presence, and approach.
We repositioned near the bar area, allowing the music to carry naturally without dominating the room.
Katie and Ollie had put together a fantastic drinks reception list:
- At Last – Etta James
- Feeling Good – Nina Simone
- Pink Pony Club – Chappell Roan
- All About You – McFly
- Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
- This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
- One Day Like This – Elbow
- All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
- Signed, Sealed, Delivered – Stevie Wonder
- Sweet Disposition – The Temper Trap
- Starlight – Muse
- Rule the World – Take That
- How Deep Is Your Love – Bee Gees
- If I Ain’t Got You – Alicia Keys
And more besides.
It’s exactly the kind of varied, recognisable mix that works perfectly for a drinks reception.
We moved through it organically, reading the room as always.
Some moments called for something relaxed and understated.
Others allowed for a little more lift.
The key is always balance.
A Lovely Surprise to Finish
One of the nicest moments of the day came right at the end of our set.
Katie and her sister had planned a surprise — a piano duet of Dancing Queen.
A second piano had been quietly positioned nearby, blending into the setup so as not to draw attention.
As we finished, they stepped in.
And suddenly, the focus shifted.
Guests gathered.
Smiles spread quickly.
The atmosphere lifted again — this time in a completely different way.
It’s a rare thing to see at a wedding, and it worked beautifully.
Not over-rehearsed.
Not staged.
Just a genuine moment.
And a perfect way to round off the drinks reception.
When Things Don’t Go to Plan (And Why That’s Fine)
If there’s one takeaway from Katie and Ollie’s wedding, it’s this:
Things don’t need to go exactly to plan for a wedding to work.
The rain could have been a problem.
Instead, it became part of the day.
The ceremony setting shifted.
Instead of feeling compromised, it felt unique.
And throughout it all, the music adapted.
That’s the difference.
Live musicians don’t rely on fixed conditions.
We work with what’s happening — adjusting, responding, shaping the moment as it unfolds.
A Day That Stayed True to Itself
Despite the weather, despite the changes, the day never lost its identity.
It remained exactly what Katie and Ollie had intended:
Relaxed. Personal. Full of warmth.
And that’s what matters.
A Pleasure to Be Part Of
Katie and Ollie were an absolute pleasure to work with.
Calm, open, and completely trusting — even when the weather could have made things more stressful.
Weddings like this are a reminder that it’s not about perfection.
It’s about how the day feels.
And this one felt just right.
JAM Duo – Daytime Wedding Musicians
Always live. No backing tracks.
