On Thursday 28 May 2026, we were back at the beautiful Cider Mill Barns for the wedding of Charlotte Kelly and Jack Bennett.
This was a really lovely day for us, not only because Cider Mill Barns is such a beautiful wedding venue, but also because it reminded us why experienced venues, kind people and live musicians can make all the difference when something does not quite go according to plan.
Charlotte and Jack had planned a 1pm ceremony, with guests being seated from 12.30pm, followed by drinks and photographs outside, dinner at 3.30pm and speeches after the meal. It was a relaxed, stylish and very personal wedding, with around 55 guests and a soft colour palette of lemon yellow, sage green and baby pink. It was a pretty combination for a late May wedding and suited the setting at Cider Mill Barns beautifully.
Cider Mill Barns is one of those venues which always feels welcoming. Set near Pebworth, on the edge of Warwickshire and the Cotswolds, it has that lovely blend of countryside charm and modern wedding practicality. The barns feel warm and characterful, but the venue also works extremely well from a supplier point of view, which is something couples may not always see but which makes a huge difference on the day.
We have played at Cider Mill Barns several times now, and it is always a pleasure to return.
A Special Thank You to Adrian at Cider Mill Barns
Before talking about the music itself, we must give a very special mention to Adrian Roberts, the owner of Cider Mill Barns.
Adrian was incredibly helpful to us on the day, particularly with regard to the ceremony music. He helped make sure everything was calm, practical and properly thought through, and we really appreciated his support.
JAM Duo do not usually get involved with playing backing tracks. Our whole approach is based on live music: live piano, live cello, no backing tracks and no pre-recorded accompaniments. This is partly because we believe live music creates a better experience, but it is also because recorded tracks introduce extra technical variables. Phones, Bluetooth connections, cables, speakers, volume levels, file formats and unexpected glitches can all become potential problems at exactly the wrong moment.
For Charlotte’s entrance, there was a plan involving a track to be played from the best man’s phone through a speaker. This had been agreed with Charlotte in advance, and Adrian very kindly provided and set up the speaker at the venue so that everything could happen as smoothly as possible.
In the end, however, the best man’s phone did not work at the crucial moment.
This is exactly the kind of situation where live musicians are invaluable.
Because we were there, ready and prepared, we were able to step in immediately. Rather than there being silence, panic or an awkward delay, we played our own arrangement of the piece for Charlotte’s entrance. It worked beautifully, and the ceremony continued seamlessly.
It was one of those moments where guests probably would not have known there had been a problem at all, which is exactly how it should be. From the outside, everything simply appeared to work. Behind the scenes, it was a perfect example of why we are always ready to adapt, respond and support the moment as it unfolds.
So a huge thank you to Adrian at Cider Mill Barns. Not just for helping with this particular situation, but for always being one of the kindest, most genuine and most helpful venue owners we have worked with. Every time we visit Cider Mill Barns, he and the team go out of their way to be welcoming, practical and thoughtful. That matters more than people realise.
Ceremony Music at Cider Mill Barns
Charlotte and Jack had chosen a lovely selection of music for their ceremony, with a very personal mix of Lana Del Rey, Taylor Swift, film-style romantic pieces and classic wedding favourites.
For the pre-ceremony music, their choices included:
Video Games by Lana Del Rey
Say Yes to Heaven by Lana Del Rey
Young and Beautiful by Lana Del Rey
Lover by Taylor Swift
Brooklyn Baby by Lana Del Rey
My Love by L.A. Band
This gave the guest arrival music a very distinctive atmosphere. Lana Del Rey’s music works particularly well on piano and cello because so many of her songs have a dreamy, cinematic quality. The melodies are often quite understated, but they have a strong emotional pull, especially when arranged instrumentally.
Video Games is a beautiful choice for pre-ceremony music. It has that slow, atmospheric quality which allows guests to settle into the space without the music feeling too direct. Say Yes to Heaven has a similarly delicate feel, while Young and Beautiful brings a more dramatic, almost film-score quality to the room.
Lover by Taylor Swift was a lovely contrast. It is now a modern wedding favourite, and on piano and cello it becomes soft, romantic and elegant. It is instantly recognisable, but it still works beautifully in the background as guests arrive.
Pre-ceremony music is important because it sets the emotional tone for the wedding before anything formal has happened. Guests may be chatting quietly, finding their seats, looking around the venue and waiting for the ceremony to begin. The music needs to create atmosphere without demanding too much attention. Charlotte and Jack’s choices achieved that very well.
Bridal Party Entrance
Charlotte and Jack had three bridesmaids and two flower girls, and the planned entrance music for the bridesmaids was Dandelions. This is a lovely modern choice for a bridal party entrance, with a gentle romantic feel and a clear melodic shape.
For Charlotte’s entrance, the chosen piece was Turning Page.
Turning Page is one of those pieces which has become very closely associated with emotional wedding moments. It has a stillness and intensity which suits a bridal entrance beautifully. It is not overly grand, but it has real emotional weight. On live piano and cello, it can be shaped around the pace of the entrance, allowing the music to breathe with the moment.
As mentioned above, the original plan involved a recorded version for Charlotte’s entrance, but when the phone did not work, we were ready to perform our own arrangement. That is one of the great strengths of live music. It does not rely on a device behaving itself. It does not depend on a phone connection, a file loading, or a speaker picking up the right source. Live musicians can watch, listen, respond and make the music fit what is happening in real time.
For a bridal entrance, this is especially important. The walk down the aisle is not something you want to feel rushed or awkward. It should unfold naturally. If the bride pauses, if the bridal party takes longer, if someone needs a moment, we can adjust. We can repeat a phrase, extend a section, hold back, or bring the piece to a natural close when the bride reaches the front.
Charlotte’s entrance worked beautifully, and it was a real privilege to be able to support that moment.
Signing of the Register
For the signing of the register, Charlotte and Jack chose L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole.
This was a charming choice. After the emotion of the ceremony and the bridal entrance, L-O-V-E brings a lighter, classic feel to the signing section. It is elegant, familiar and cheerful without being too big for the moment.
The signing of the register often has a slightly different energy from the rest of the ceremony. The formal vows have taken place, the couple are married, and everyone relaxes a little. Guests often smile, whisper to one another, take photographs if allowed, and enjoy the brief pause before the couple’s exit. A piece like L-O-V-E works perfectly here because it keeps the atmosphere warm and celebratory.
Couple Exit Music
For their exit music, Charlotte and Jack chose How Long Will I Love You by Jon Boden, Sam Sweeney and Ben Coleman.
This was a beautiful choice for the end of the ceremony. It has a folk-like simplicity and a very natural warmth, making it ideal for that first walk back down the aisle as a married couple. It is joyful without being too loud or showy, and it carries a lovely sense of sincerity.
The exit is always one of our favourite moments to play. The ceremony has been full of anticipation, emotion and quiet focus, and then suddenly the room lifts. The couple turn, everyone applauds, and the music helps carry them into the celebration. How Long Will I Love You suited that moment perfectly.
Drinks Reception Outside
After the ceremony, guests moved outside for the drinks reception and photographs. Cider Mill Barns works beautifully for this part of the day. The outdoor areas have that relaxed countryside feel, and guests can enjoy drinks, conversation and photos while still feeling connected to the main venue.
Charlotte and Jack had hoped to be outside if the weather allowed, and it was lovely for guests to be able to enjoy that part of the day outdoors. Drinks receptions are such an important part of the wedding day. They are the bridge between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast, and they give everyone time to relax, congratulate the couple and enjoy the venue.
Live music during the drinks reception helps bring the atmosphere together. It fills the space gently, gives guests something to enjoy, and prevents that post-ceremony period from feeling empty. It also allows the couple’s personality to come through in a slightly more relaxed way than during the ceremony.
Charlotte and Jack’s drinks reception music choices were full of character.
Their list included:
Baby I’m Yours
Brown Eyed Girl
The Fate of Ophelia
A Million Dreams
Can You Feel the Love Tonight
I See the Light
Kiss the Girl
Part of Your World / Under the Sea
Path of the Wind from Totoro
Wildest Dreams
Lover
Never Ending Story
Love Me Like You Do
Marry You
The Joker and the Queen
Photograph
Lollipop
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
This Will Be an Everlasting Love
Bridgerton Theme
This was a really enjoyable set to play because it mixed Disney, film music, pop, classic songs and more contemporary choices. Disney music works especially well in a drinks reception because it brings warmth and nostalgia without needing to dominate the atmosphere. Can You Feel the Love Tonight, I See the Light, Kiss the Girl, Part of Your World and Under the Sea all bring slightly different colours to the set.
Path of the Wind from My Neighbour Totoro was a particularly lovely choice. It has a gentle, magical quality and works beautifully on piano and cello. Studio Ghibli music has a wonderful way of creating atmosphere, and it can be a very elegant choice for a wedding day.
The Bridgerton Theme added a stylish, period-drama feel, which is always effective for a wedding venue like Cider Mill Barns. Bridgerton-style music has become very popular for weddings because it combines classical instrumentation with a modern cultural reference. It feels elegant but not old-fashioned.
There were also some fun, upbeat choices, including Brown Eyed Girl, Marry You, Crazy Little Thing Called Love and This Will Be an Everlasting Love. These songs help lift the energy during the drinks reception and give the afternoon a celebratory feel.
Wedding Breakfast Music
Charlotte and Jack also asked us to play for the wedding breakfast, which began around 3.30pm, with speeches planned after the meal.
Wedding breakfast music is very different from ceremony music. It needs to create atmosphere over a longer period, but it must never become intrusive. Guests are eating, chatting and enjoying the meal, so the music needs to sit at the right level and provide a relaxed background.
Their wedding breakfast choices included:
Shallow
Champagne Problems
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Enchanted
Halo
Perfect
Tale as Old as Time
Love Story
Snow on the Beach
The Only Exception
Tenerife Sea
State of Grace
Latch
Harry in Winter
Accidentally in Love
You’ll Be in My Heart
The Cave
Romantic Flight
She
This was another beautifully varied list. There were several Taylor Swift choices, including Champagne Problems, Enchanted, Love Story, Snow on the Beach and State of Grace. Taylor Swift songs translate surprisingly well to piano and cello because the melodies are often strong and the harmonic structures allow for expressive arrangements.
Perfect and Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran were lovely romantic choices for the meal, while Shallow and Halo brought a bigger emotional sound. Tale as Old as Time and You’ll Be in My Heart continued the Disney thread from earlier in the day, while Harry in Winter and Romantic Flight added a cinematic element.
Accidentally in Love is always a cheerful choice, and The Cave by Mumford & Sons brought a more folk-inspired energy to the set. She is another lovely song for a wedding breakfast, with a classic, elegant quality that suits live instrumental music very well.
The wedding breakfast is often the point in the day where guests really settle in. The ceremony nerves have gone, the drinks reception has created a relaxed atmosphere, and the meal allows everyone to pause and enjoy being together. Live music during this part of the day can make the room feel warm, connected and special without taking attention away from the conversation.
Why Live Music Matters
Charlotte and Jack’s wedding was a perfect example of why live musicians are such an asset on a wedding day.
Of course, live music sounds beautiful. Piano and cello bring warmth, expression and elegance to a ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. But live music is not just about sound. It is also about flexibility.
When something unexpected happens, live musicians can respond.
If an entrance takes longer than planned, we can extend the music. If a registrar needs a moment, we can keep playing. If guests are still moving, we can hold the atmosphere. If a technical plan involving a phone does not work, we can step in and perform the piece live.
That is exactly what happened for Charlotte’s entrance. Rather than the moment being interrupted by a technical problem, it became a seamless live performance. The day carried on exactly as it should, and Charlotte still had a beautiful entrance.
This is also why we are careful about backing tracks. We are not against couples having personal music choices — quite the opposite. We love making wedding music personal. But when music is played from phones or devices, there is always a risk. A phone may not connect. A track may not load. A speaker may not behave. A volume level may be wrong. A notification may interrupt. There are so many small technical possibilities.
With live musicians, the music is present, responsive and adaptable.
A Beautiful Day at Cider Mill Barns
Charlotte and Jack’s wedding had a lovely atmosphere from start to finish. Their colour palette of lemon yellow, sage green and baby pink was soft, fresh and very pretty for a late May wedding. Their music choices were personal, varied and full of character, moving from Lana Del Rey and Taylor Swift to Disney, Studio Ghibli, Bridgerton, Ed Sheeran, Queen, Mumford & Sons and romantic film music.
Cider Mill Barns provided a beautiful setting for the day, and once again the team were a pleasure to work alongside. We are always grateful when venues understand the practical side of live music and help everything run smoothly. Adrian’s support on the day made a real difference, and we are genuinely thankful for the kindness and professionalism he showed us.
It is easy to say that a venue is beautiful, and Cider Mill Barns certainly is. But what really makes a venue stand out is the people behind it. The way suppliers are treated, the way problems are solved, and the way a team responds when something needs attention all contribute to the success of a wedding day. At Cider Mill Barns, we have always found that care and thoughtfulness to be very real.
Congratulations Charlotte and Jack
It was a real pleasure to play for Charlotte and Jack’s wedding at Cider Mill Barns.
From the romantic ceremony music to the relaxed drinks reception and wedding breakfast, their day had a lovely personal soundtrack. We were especially pleased that we could step in for Charlotte’s entrance when the original plan with the backing track did not work, and we were so glad the moment unfolded beautifully.
A huge thank you again to Adrian Roberts and the team at Cider Mill Barns for being so kind, helpful and supportive. It is always a pleasure to work at venues where people genuinely care about making the day run well.
Congratulations Charlotte and Jack. We wish you every happiness for your future together.
