On Friday 29 May 2026, we travelled to St Tewdrics House near Chepstow for the wedding of Roseanna and Hywel.
This was a beautiful wedding day in South Wales, with an outdoor ceremony followed by drinks reception music before guests went inside for the wedding breakfast. It was also one of the hottest weddings we have played this season, and the outdoor ceremony space at St Tewdrics House was in full sun with very little natural shade.
As musicians, we are always very happy to play outside. Outdoor ceremonies can be absolutely wonderful, especially in a setting like St Tewdrics House, with its gardens, countryside views and elegant house as the backdrop. But for live musicians, shade is not simply a comfort issue. It is a practical necessity. When we are playing for an outdoor ceremony and drinks reception, we can often be in position for around two hours, starting roughly half an hour before the ceremony itself. During that time we are not moving around; we are sitting in one place, playing, watching the ceremony and remaining ready for each musical moment.
On a day like this, with direct sun and no tree cover, that creates several challenges. Apart from the obvious risk of sunburn, our iPads, instruments and equipment can all suffer in the heat. iPads can overheat, screens can become difficult to read, instruments can be affected by temperature, and electronic equipment needs to be protected. So, while we love outdoor weddings, some form of shade is crucial.
At St Tewdrics House, there was no natural shade in the ceremony area, so we used one of the venue umbrellas to create a small shaded space. We do carry our own larger canopy, but it is not always the best visual fit for a ceremony space, especially when the couple have planned a very elegant outdoor setup. In this case, a venue umbrella was a much neater and more discreet solution.
It meant we could play outside safely and comfortably, while still keeping the ceremony looking beautiful.
St Tewdrics House Wedding Venue
St Tewdrics House is a very striking wedding venue near Chepstow in Monmouthshire. The venue describes itself as an exclusive wedding venue in South Wales, surrounded by grounds, countryside views and a seasonal wildflower meadow. It has an elegant country house feel, with outdoor and indoor spaces which allow couples to create a wedding day that feels personal, stylish and very much their own.
Visit Monmouthshire describes St Tewdrics House as a 19th-century Italianate villa set within 10 acres of Monmouthshire countryside, with views over the Severn Estuary. That sense of space and outlook is a huge part of the venue’s appeal. On a sunny day, it is easy to see why couples choose to hold their ceremony outdoors here.
For Roseanna and Hywel, the plan was for guests to arrive at 12pm, be seated at 12.40pm, and then for the ceremony to begin at 1pm. Drinks reception music followed from around 1.35pm, with guests due to be seated for the wedding breakfast at 3pm.
Their wedding colour scheme was lovely: bridesmaids in champagne gold, groomsmen in navy suits, and bright pastel flowers in pinks, lilac, lemon, blue and peach tones. With around 72 guests, it felt like a full and happy gathering, but still personal and relaxed.
Setting Up Outside
For this wedding, Roseanna and Hywel had added our piano shell, which always gives the setup a particularly elegant appearance. The piano shell houses our Nord Stage piano, giving couples the visual impression of a baby grand piano while still allowing us to use the flexibility and reliability of our professional stage piano.
Outside ceremonies require a little more thought than indoor ones. We need to consider where the couple will stand, where the guests are seated, where the aisle is, how the sound will travel, whether there is power nearby, and whether we can see the ceremony properly. For live ceremony music, sightlines matter. We need to see the bridal party, the registrar or celebrant, and the couple so that we can time everything naturally.
At this wedding, the biggest issue was the sun. The outdoor ceremony space looked beautiful, but there was no shade where we needed to sit. We are used to working outside and we always try to adapt to the venue, but heat can be surprisingly difficult when you are stationary with instruments and screens.
A tree is often enough. Sometimes a pergola, wall, parasol or slight overhang will do the job. But when there is nothing at all, we have to find a practical solution. The venue umbrella was ideal because it gave us the protection we needed without making the ceremony space feel cluttered.
It is always worth remembering this when planning outdoor wedding music. Couples often think about rain, but hot sun can be just as challenging. Shade for musicians is not about being difficult; it helps protect the performance, the instruments and the equipment so that the music can happen exactly as planned.
Pre-Ceremony Music
Roseanna and Hywel chose a lovely selection of pre-ceremony music for their guests arriving and being seated.
Their choices included:
Shallow by Lady Gaga
Another Love by Tom Odell
Songbird by Eva Cassidy
Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
I’m Kissing You by Des’ree
This was a beautiful and emotional set of songs to begin the day. Pre-ceremony music is one of those parts of a wedding that can easily be underestimated, but it makes a real difference. Guests arrive, find their seats, greet one another quietly and begin to settle into the atmosphere of the ceremony. The music gives that time a sense of shape and anticipation.
Shallow works very well on piano and cello because it has such a strong melodic build. Even without the lyrics, the emotion of the song comes through clearly. Another Love by Tom Odell has a more intense, contemporary feel and brings a slightly darker romantic colour to the pre-ceremony atmosphere.
Songbird by Eva Cassidy is always beautiful for weddings. It has a stillness and sincerity which suits a ceremony setting perfectly. Iris by Goo Goo Dolls is another modern classic that translates wonderfully to piano and cello, with a melody that feels heartfelt but not too formal. I’m Kissing You by Des’ree brought a romantic, cinematic quality to the set.
Together, these songs created a warm, emotional atmosphere before the ceremony began.
A Surprise Message from Violet
One particularly lovely detail in Roseanna and Hywel’s ceremony was a pre-recorded message from Violet, their flower girl, to the groom.
This was a surprise for Hywel. The message was around 20 seconds long and ended with the words, “see you soon, bye boop.” After the recording finished, we began Fast Car by Tracy Chapman for Violet, the flower girl, and the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle.
This kind of personal detail is what makes a wedding ceremony feel completely individual. Music is often the emotional thread that holds the ceremony together, but little spoken moments like this can be incredibly touching. They also need careful coordination. The recorded message had to happen first, then the live music needed to begin at exactly the right point.
From our side, that means staying alert, watching the ceremony carefully, and being ready to start the music cleanly once the recording has finished. These are small details, but they matter. When handled well, the whole entrance feels seamless.
Bridal Party and Bride Entrance
For the flower girl and bridesmaids, Roseanna and Hywel chose Fast Car by Tracy Chapman.
This was a lovely and slightly unexpected choice for a bridal party entrance. Fast Car has such a strong, recognisable melody, and when arranged for piano and cello it takes on a gentle, reflective quality. It has movement without feeling rushed, which makes it a very effective aisle piece.
For Roseanna’s entrance, the chosen song was Can’t Help Falling in Love.
This is one of the most enduring bridal entrance choices, and it is easy to understand why. The melody is simple, romantic and instantly recognisable. On cello, it has a warmth that feels especially suited to the bride’s entrance, while the piano supports the harmony and flow underneath.
Having separate music for the bridal party and the bride is something that works particularly well. It creates a clear musical distinction between the entrance of the bridesmaids and flower girl, and then the arrival of the bride. With live music, we can make that transition naturally, giving each moment its own character.
For Roseanna’s entrance, Can’t Help Falling in Love brought a timeless, romantic feel to the outdoor ceremony. Even with the heat and practical challenges of the day, it was a beautiful moment.
Ceremony Signing Music
For the signing of the register, Roseanna and Hywel chose:
Better Together by Jack Johnson
Good Riddance by Green Day
Ironic by Alanis Morissette
This was a great mix for the signing section. Better Together is relaxed, warm and ideal for a wedding. It has a gentle acoustic feel in its original version, but on piano and cello it becomes slightly more elegant while keeping the same easy-going charm.
Good Riddance by Green Day is another song that works surprisingly well for weddings. Although it comes from a very different musical world, the melody is strong and reflective, and it has become a popular choice for meaningful moments. On live instruments it feels thoughtful and intimate.
Ironic by Alanis Morissette added a nice personal and slightly playful touch. One of the joys of modern wedding music is that couples no longer feel limited to a fixed list of traditional ceremony songs. If a song means something to them, or simply reflects their taste, it can usually be arranged in a way that suits the moment.
The signing section is also a practical part of the ceremony, so having several options is always useful. Depending on how many photographs are taken and how the formalities are handled, this part of the ceremony can vary in length. Live music allows us to continue naturally until everyone is ready.
Exit Music: Man I Need
For their exit music, Roseanna and Hywel chose Man I Need by Olivia Dean.
This was a wonderfully current and upbeat choice for the end of the ceremony. The exit music needs to lift the atmosphere immediately. Once the couple are married, everyone relaxes, applauds and celebrates, and the music should reflect that shift.
Man I Need brought a fresh, contemporary energy to the moment. It worked really well as the couple walked back down the aisle together, with guests smiling, clapping and enjoying that first properly celebratory moment of the day.
We always enjoy playing exit music because it is such a clear emotional release. The ceremony has been full of anticipation, stillness and focus. Then, suddenly, the couple are married, the applause starts and the whole atmosphere changes. The right piece of music makes that transition feel joyful and complete.
Outdoor Drinks Reception Music
After the ceremony, we continued with music for the drinks reception.
The drinks reception began at around 1.35pm, with guests moving into the next part of the day before being seated for the wedding breakfast at 3pm. This meant we were playing outside through the hottest part of the early afternoon, so the shade from the umbrella remained very important.
Roseanna and Hywel wanted the drinks reception music to feel upbeat, current and fun. Their choices included:
When You Say Nothing at All by Ronan Keating
Pompeii by Bastille
My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion
All the Small Things by Blink-182
Brown Eyed Girl
360 from Bridgerton
Dancing in the Moonlight
Teenage Dirtbag
Pink Pony Club
Golden by HUNTR/X
Firestone by Kygo
Angels by Robbie Williams
Sweet Disposition
Baby Where’s My Husband by Raye
Kiss Me
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac
Feel the Love by Rudimental
Here Comes the Sun
Ordinary by Alex Warren
Wonderwall by Oasis
Stargazing
Any upbeat Bridgerton
This was a brilliant drinks reception list because it mixed classic favourites with newer, more current choices. That is exactly what works well after the ceremony. Guests are chatting, having drinks, taking photos and enjoying the venue, so the music needs to have energy without becoming too much.
Brown Eyed Girl, Dancing in the Moonlight, Wonderwall and Here Comes the Sun are all perfect drinks reception songs. They are familiar, relaxed and sunny, and they work especially well outdoors. Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams and Everywhere brought a softer, classic feel, while Angels by Robbie Williams and When You Say Nothing at All added a more romantic thread.
There were also some fun and contemporary choices, including Pink Pony Club, Golden, Baby Where’s My Husband and Ordinary. We always enjoy including current songs in our drinks reception sets because it keeps the music feeling fresh and personal. Couples often want a mixture of songs their guests will know and songs that feel more reflective of their own tastes.
The Bridgerton choices are also ideal for this kind of setting. Upbeat Bridgerton-style arrangements work beautifully on piano and cello because they combine classical instrumentation with a modern pop energy. For an elegant venue like St Tewdrics House, they sit very naturally in the overall atmosphere.
Why Shade Matters for Outdoor Wedding Musicians
Roseanna and Hywel’s wedding was a perfect example of something couples may not always think about when planning an outdoor ceremony: shade.
Rain is the obvious concern. Everyone knows that if it rains, there needs to be a wet-weather plan. But hot sun can be equally difficult for live musicians.
For an outdoor ceremony, we are usually set up well before guests arrive. We may start playing around 30 minutes before the ceremony begins, continue through the ceremony itself, and then carry straight on into the drinks reception. That means we can easily be in the same place for around two hours.
In full sun, that can become a problem very quickly. Our iPads can overheat or become difficult to read. Instruments and electronic equipment can be affected by direct heat. We also need to avoid sunburn and remain comfortable enough to perform properly.
This does not mean outdoor music is a problem. Far from it. We love outdoor ceremonies and drinks receptions. Some of our favourite weddings are outside. But shade is crucial.
Often, a tree is enough. Sometimes the venue has a parasol, awning or terrace area. Sometimes our own canopy is the right answer. But in a ceremony space, a large canopy is not always ideal visually, especially if the couple has planned a neat and elegant outdoor setup. In this case, using one of the venue umbrellas was the best option.
It protected us and the equipment while keeping the overall appearance of the ceremony space as discreet as possible.
For couples planning outdoor live music, it is always worth speaking to the venue in advance about where the musicians will be positioned and whether shade is available. It is a small detail, but it can make a big difference to the success of the music on the day.
Live Music for a Hot Summer Wedding
Despite the heat, Roseanna and Hywel’s wedding was a really lovely day to play for. St Tewdrics House looked beautiful in the sunshine, and the outdoor ceremony gave the day a very special atmosphere.
There is something wonderful about live music outside when the conditions are right. Piano and cello carry gently through the space, giving the ceremony a sense of occasion without overwhelming it. During the drinks reception, the music helps connect the outdoor areas and gives guests a relaxed soundtrack while they enjoy drinks and photographs.
For this wedding, the music moved from emotional pre-ceremony songs to a personal flower girl and bridesmaid entrance, then a timeless bridal entrance, relaxed signing music, a contemporary exit and a lively drinks reception set. It was a varied and very personal soundtrack.
That is one of the things we love most about modern wedding music. A couple can have Tracy Chapman, Elvis Presley, Jack Johnson, Green Day, Alanis Morissette, Olivia Dean, Fleetwood Mac, Bridgerton, Blink-182, Raye, Oasis and Robbie Williams all within the same wedding day, and when arranged for live piano and cello it still feels cohesive.
Congratulations Roseanna and Hywel
It was a pleasure to play for Roseanna and Hywel’s wedding at St Tewdrics House.
Their outdoor ceremony was beautiful, their music choices were full of personality, and the day had a wonderful late-May summer feel. It was certainly one of the hottest weddings we have played recently, but with a little help from a venue umbrella, we were able to create the shade needed to keep the instruments, iPads and musicians protected while still providing live music outside.
Outdoor weddings can be magical, and St Tewdrics House is a stunning setting for them. With a little practical planning, especially around shade, live music can work beautifully in the open air.
Congratulations Roseanna and Hywel. We wish you every happiness for your future together.
