On Monday 25 May 2026, we had the pleasure of playing for the wedding of Paul and Deanne Morallee at Fentham Hall in Hampton-in-Arden, near Solihull.
This was a beautifully relaxed wedding day with an indoor ceremony followed by drinks and photographs afterwards. The weather was extremely warm, so while guests naturally drifted outside onto the patio after the ceremony, we stayed just inside the venue with the doors open, allowing the music to carry out gently into the outdoor space without putting the piano, cello, or sound equipment directly in the heat.
It was one of those wedding days where the practical details really mattered. Live music should feel effortless for the couple and their guests, but behind the scenes there is always a balance to strike: where to position the instruments, how to support the atmosphere, how to make sure the sound travels naturally, and how to keep everything comfortable and reliable in the conditions of the day.
At Fentham Hall, the arrangement worked very well. With the doors open onto the patio, we were able to remain inside while still providing music for the drinks reception atmosphere outside. Guests could enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, while the live piano and cello created that elegant background which helps the afternoon feel properly connected.
Arriving at Fentham Hall
Fentham Hall is set in the village of Hampton-in-Arden, a lovely part of the West Midlands with a real countryside feel, despite being conveniently placed for Solihull, Birmingham and the surrounding area. The venue has a traditional village hall character, but with plenty of flexibility for weddings. It is the sort of space that couples can shape around their own plans, colours and style, which makes it particularly well suited to relaxed and personal celebrations.
For Paul and Deanne’s wedding, the predominant colour was navy, with the groomsmen and bridesmaids in navy outfits. It gave the day a classic, smart feel without being overly formal. Around 70 guests joined them for the ceremony, which made the room feel full and celebratory while still retaining a relaxed atmosphere.
Before we started setting up, we also spotted two Painted Lady butterflies on a bush outside the venue. This is always something we love to see. We travel all over the country for weddings, and although most of the day is naturally focused on the music, the couple, the logistics and the timings, these small moments in nature often stay with us too. A beautiful venue, a warm summer afternoon, and two Painted Ladies resting outside before the ceremony began — it was a rather lovely start to the day.
Setting Up for the Ceremony
The ceremony was due to begin at 3pm, with guests arriving from around 2pm and being seated from approximately 2.30pm. This gave us time to set up carefully, check the sound, and make sure everything was ready before the first guests entered the room.
For this wedding we played as JAM Duo with live piano and electric cello. One of the things we are always conscious of during a ceremony is that the music needs to feel present without ever becoming intrusive. Guests are arriving, finding seats, greeting one another quietly, and waiting for the ceremony to begin. The music at this point helps set the tone for everything that follows.
Paul and Deanne had chosen a lovely selection of pre-ceremony music, mixing contemporary songs, film music and romantic piano pieces. Their choices included:
Nuvole Bianche by Ludovico Einaudi
Can You Feel the Love Tonight from Disney’s The Lion King
Hero by Enrique Iglesias
Marry You by Bruno Mars
Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding
This was a lovely mix for guests arriving. Einaudi always works beautifully on piano and cello, especially during the quieter moments before a ceremony. Nuvole Bianche has that gentle, flowing quality which creates an immediate sense of calm. It is recognisable to many people, but it never feels too obvious or overpowering.
Can You Feel the Love Tonight brought in a Disney element, which is always popular for weddings. Disney songs work especially well when arranged for piano and cello because they often have strong melodies and a warm emotional shape. On live instruments, they become elegant rather than theatrical, which makes them ideal for a ceremony setting.
Hero by Enrique Iglesias and Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding gave the pre-ceremony section a more contemporary feel, while Marry You by Bruno Mars added a touch of brightness and fun. This is often the ideal balance before a wedding ceremony: a little romance, a little familiarity, and a sense of anticipation.
The Entrance Music
For the entrance of the bridal party, Paul and Deanne chose two separate songs: one for the bridesmaids and page boy, and another for the bride.
The bridesmaids and page boy entered to the Jurassic Park theme. This is a wonderful choice for a wedding ceremony because it has such a sweeping, cinematic quality. It is grand without being too formal, emotional without being sentimental, and instantly recognisable without feeling too obvious. On piano and cello, the theme works beautifully. The piano gives it shape and movement, while the cello brings out the warmth of the melody.
For Deanne’s entrance, the chosen piece was River Flows in You by Yiruma. This is one of the most popular modern piano pieces for bridal entrances, and it is easy to understand why. It has a gentle, romantic simplicity, but it also has enough emotional depth to carry the moment. When arranged for piano and cello, it becomes especially effective: the piano keeps the flowing accompaniment moving, while the cello can sing the melody in a very natural, expressive way.
Having separate entrance pieces for the bridal party and bride is something we often recommend, particularly when there are bridesmaids, page boys or flower girls involved. It allows the ceremony entrance to have a clear musical shape. The first piece brings in the bridal party, and then the music changes for the bride’s entrance, creating a distinct moment when everyone knows the bride is about to appear.
With live music, this can be timed very precisely. We can extend, repeat, pause or resolve the music depending on what is happening in the room. No two ceremonies are exactly the same, and this is where live musicians make such a difference. The aisle walk might take slightly longer than expected, a page boy might pause, a bride might wait for a moment before entering, or the registrar might need a little extra time. With live piano and cello, we can respond naturally and make the music fit the moment rather than forcing the moment to fit a recording.
Music During the Signing
For the signing of the register, Paul and Deanne chose:
The Joker and the Queen by Ed Sheeran
All of Me by John Legend
Tale as Old as Time from Beauty and the Beast
These were excellent choices for the signing section. The signing of the register can vary in length from wedding to wedding, so it is always useful to have several songs available. Sometimes it takes only a few minutes, and sometimes it takes longer if there are photographs, witnesses, or additional certificate moments. We always prepare enough music to cover the section comfortably so there is no awkward silence.
The Joker and the Queen has a gentle, understated quality which works very well for piano and cello. It is emotional, but not too large for the moment. All of Me by John Legend is another modern wedding favourite, with a strong melody and heartfelt lyrics which translate beautifully into an instrumental arrangement.
Tale as Old as Time added another Disney touch to the ceremony. Like many classic Disney songs, it has a melody that feels timeless, and on cello it becomes particularly warm and elegant. It also tied nicely with the other Disney choices in the day, creating a subtle thread through the ceremony and drinks music.
The Exit Music
For their exit as a married couple, Paul and Deanne chose All About You by McFly.
This was a perfect upbeat choice for the end of the ceremony. The exit music should feel joyful and celebratory. It is the first piece of music guests hear after the couple are married, so it needs to lift the atmosphere immediately. All About You has a cheerful, affectionate feel and works very well as a live instrumental arrangement.
As Paul and Deanne made their way back down the aisle, the mood changed instantly from the quiet concentration of the ceremony to the happiness of the celebration. This is one of our favourite moments in any wedding ceremony: the couple smiling, the guests applauding, the room suddenly full of energy, and the music carrying everyone into the next part of the day.
Drinks Reception with the Doors Open
After the ceremony, there was no formal sit-down wedding breakfast. Instead, guests enjoyed photos and drinks before the evening meal and entertainment later in the day. This gave the afternoon a relaxed, sociable feel.
Because it was so hot, guests moved outside after the ceremony, making the most of the outdoor patio area. For us, however, the best option was to remain inside with the doors open. This meant we could keep the instruments and equipment protected from the heat while still allowing the music to flow outside.
This is a good example of how live wedding music can be adapted to the practical realities of the day. Outdoor drinks receptions are always lovely, but direct heat can be challenging for instruments, particularly when using electronic equipment, speakers, cables and a piano setup. By staying inside with the doors open, we were able to give the couple the best of both worlds: live music for the drinks reception atmosphere, while keeping the setup safe and the sound controlled.
It also worked very naturally for the guests. The music was present without being too loud. People could chat, enjoy drinks, have photographs taken, and move between the indoor and outdoor areas while the piano and cello created a relaxed musical backdrop.
Drinks Reception Music
Paul and Deanne gave us a brilliant list of music for the drinks reception. It was varied, personal and full of contrast, which is exactly what works well for this part of the day.
Their choices included:
A Million Dreams from The Greatest Showman
Africa by Toto
All the Small Things by Blink-182
Ave Maria by Schubert
Bedshaped by Keane
Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley
Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Dancing On My Own by Callum Scott
Golden by HUNTR/X
Good Riddance by Green Day
High by Lighthouse Family
I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
Mr. Brightside by The Killers
Never Enough from The Greatest Showman
Nothing Else Matters by Metallica
Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid
The Sound of Silence by Disturbed
You’ll Be in My Heart from Tarzan
Beautiful Girls by Sean Kingston
You’re Still the One by Shania Twain
Love Story by Taylor Swift
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan
Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars
All My Life by K-Ci and JoJo
Beneath Your Beautiful by Labrinth
This was a really enjoyable list to play because it moved across so many styles. One of the things we love about arranging music for piano and cello is that songs from completely different genres can sit together beautifully when played live.
A song like Ave Maria brings a classical and traditional feel, while All the Small Things, Mr. Brightside and Good Riddance add a completely different energy. The Greatest Showman choices, A Million Dreams and Never Enough, gave the set a big musical theatre quality, while Disney songs such as Part of Your World and You’ll Be in My Heart added warmth and nostalgia.
There were also some lovely romantic choices. Can’t Help Falling in Love is always a favourite for weddings, and You’re Still the One by Shania Twain works beautifully in a drinks reception set because it has such a relaxed, affectionate quality. Chasing Cars, Just the Way You Are and All My Life all gave the afternoon that modern romantic feel.
Then there were the slightly more unexpected choices, which we always enjoy. Nothing Else Matters by Metallica is a fantastic example of a song that transforms beautifully on cello and piano. The melody is strong, atmospheric and surprisingly elegant when taken away from its original rock setting. The Sound of Silence in the Disturbed version brings a darker, more dramatic quality, which can be very effective as an instrumental arrangement.
Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan has become a very popular contemporary request, and it brought a more current feel to the set. Wedding music does not have to sit in one narrow category. A drinks reception is often the perfect moment for couples to include songs that reflect their personalities and shared tastes, while still keeping the overall atmosphere stylish and suitable for the occasion.
Why Music Matters During a Drinks Reception
The drinks reception is sometimes overlooked when couples are planning their wedding music, but it is one of the most important parts of the day. After the ceremony, guests are often moving around, congratulating the couple, having photographs taken, finding drinks, and settling into the celebration. Without music, this part of the day can sometimes feel a little empty, particularly if there are gaps between photographs and the next scheduled moment.
Live music helps bring everything together. It gives guests something to enjoy while they are chatting, and it creates a sense of continuity after the ceremony. It also helps define the atmosphere. For Paul and Deanne’s wedding, the music kept the afternoon feeling relaxed, warm and celebratory without becoming too formal.
Because there was no traditional wedding breakfast immediately afterwards, the drinks reception had an even more important role in the structure of the day. It was the main daytime celebration after the ceremony, before the evening entertainment began later on. The music helped bridge that gap and gave guests a lovely atmosphere to enjoy while the couple had photos and spent time with everyone.
A Relaxed Wedding Day in Hampton-in-Arden
Paul and Deanne’s wedding at Fentham Hall had a lovely relaxed feel. The 3pm ceremony allowed the day to build gently, with guests arriving during the afternoon and then moving into drinks and photographs afterwards. The evening meal was planned for around 6.30pm, with the DJ and evening entertainment starting from around 5.30pm, so our role was to provide the live music for the ceremony and the early part of the celebration.
This is a format we often enjoy. Not every wedding needs to follow the traditional pattern of ceremony, drinks reception, formal meal and speeches. Some couples prefer something more relaxed, with a later ceremony and a more informal evening meal. Music can still play a central role in that structure, especially during the ceremony and drinks reception.
Fentham Hall suited this very well. It has the flexibility of a hall venue, but with countryside surroundings, outdoor space and a layout that can be adapted to the day. For a warm late May wedding, having the option for guests to move outside while keeping the music connected through open doors was ideal.
Live Piano and Cello for a Personal Wedding Soundtrack
One of the things that stood out about Paul and Deanne’s wedding was the variety in their music choices. From Einaudi to Jurassic Park, from Yiruma to McFly, from Disney to Metallica, from Schubert to Chappell Roan, their soundtrack felt personal and full of character.
This is exactly what we love about modern wedding music. Couples are no longer restricted to traditional ceremony pieces or a small set list of standard wedding songs. With live piano and cello, almost anything can be arranged in a way that feels suitable for a wedding. Film themes, pop songs, rock tracks, Disney music, musical theatre, classical pieces and current chart songs can all sit together when arranged carefully.
For Paul and Deanne, the ceremony had a lovely emotional shape. The pre-ceremony music created a calm and romantic atmosphere, Jurassic Park gave the bridal party entrance a cinematic opening, River Flows in You brought Deanne into the room beautifully, and All About You sent everyone into the drinks reception with a smile.
The drinks reception then opened up into a much wider musical selection, giving guests a relaxed and varied soundtrack as they enjoyed the afternoon.
Congratulations Paul and Deanne
It was a real pleasure to play for Paul and Deanne’s wedding at Fentham Hall. From the two Painted Lady butterflies outside the venue before the ceremony, to the warm afternoon drinks reception with the doors open onto the patio, it was a day full of simple, lovely details.
Their music choices were personal, varied and great fun to play, and the relaxed structure of the day suited the venue beautifully. We were delighted to provide live piano and cello for their indoor ceremony and drinks reception, and we wish Paul and Deanne every happiness for their future together.
