The Royal Berkshire in Ascot was the setting for India and Ronnie’s beautiful summer wedding, where JAM Duo provided live cello and piano music for their outdoor ceremony in the walled garden, followed by drinks and canapés on the terrace.
As wedding musicians at the Royal Berkshire, this was exactly the kind of day we love. Elegant surroundings, a relaxed outdoor flow, thoughtful music choices and a venue team who looked after everyone with real care. The Royal Berkshire is a superb country house wedding venue in Sunninghill, near Ascot, with gardens, terraces and ceremony spaces that work particularly well for live acoustic-style wedding music.
India and Ronnie’s wedding took place on 3 July 2026, with around 75 guests arriving from midday ahead of the ceremony at 1pm. The couple had asked us to wear black, which suited the elegant setting beautifully and gave the whole occasion a refined, classic feel.
Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Music in the Walled Garden
The ceremony took place in the walled garden at the Royal Berkshire. This is a lovely setting for an outdoor wedding ceremony, offering a sense of privacy and occasion while still feeling relaxed and natural. The Royal Berkshire describes its Secret Walled Garden as an outdoor ceremony space with capacity for up to 150 guests, surrounded by red-brick walls and romantic greenery, making it an ideal setting for couples who want an outdoor ceremony with structure and charm.
For India and Ronnie’s ceremony, we were positioned at the front right of the walled garden. This gave us a good view of the ceremony space and allowed us to time the music carefully for the bridal party entrance.
Before the ceremony began, we played a selection of music as guests arrived and took their seats. India and Ronnie had chosen a lovely mix of modern, romantic and feel-good songs, including Accidentally in Love from Shrek, Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley, Stuck on You by Lionel Richie, Ordinary by Alex Warren and Save Your Tears by The Weeknd.
This was a particularly nice pre-ceremony set because it gave the atmosphere a warm and familiar feeling without becoming too formal. For outdoor ceremonies, this part of the day is important. Guests are arriving, greeting one another, finding their seats and enjoying the setting, and the right live music helps everything feel calm, stylish and properly prepared.
Bridal Entrance: Turning Page by Sleeping At Last
India chose Turning Page by Sleeping At Last for her bridal entrance. This is a beautiful choice for cello and piano. It has a quiet intensity and a very romantic shape, which works particularly well for a walk down the aisle.
With four bridesmaids in the bridal party, timing was important. One of the advantages of having live wedding musicians for the ceremony is that we can follow what is happening in real time. Rather than being tied to a fixed recording, we can extend, repeat, soften or move forward musically as needed.
For India’s entrance, Turning Page created a lovely moment in the walled garden. It has enough emotional weight to feel special, but it is not overly dramatic. It suited the outdoor setting very well and gave the ceremony a calm, romantic opening.
Signing of the Register
For the signing of the register, India and Ronnie chose three songs: So Easy to Fall in Love With by Olivia Dean, Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez and A Thousand Years by Christina Perri.
This combination worked beautifully for live cello and piano. Olivia Dean brought a modern, soulful feel, Stephen Sanchez added a soft vintage romance, and A Thousand Years remains one of the most enduring wedding ceremony choices. These pieces gave the signing section a gentle, romantic atmosphere while guests watched and enjoyed the moment.
The signing of the register can vary in length depending on the practicalities of the ceremony, photography and paperwork. We always prepare enough music so the moment never feels rushed or awkward. Live music allows us to shape that part of the ceremony naturally, ending at the right point rather than cutting a track short.
Couple Exit: Shape of You by Ed Sheeran
For their exit music, India and Ronnie chose Shape of You by Ed Sheeran and asked whether it could be performed in an upbeat style. The answer, of course, was yes.
This is where cello and piano can be surprisingly effective. Although people often think of cello and piano as purely romantic or classical, the combination also works very well for modern pop when arranged with energy and rhythmic lift. Shape of You made a fun, upbeat exit piece as India and Ronnie walked back up the aisle as newlyweds.
It was a lovely contrast after the more romantic entrance and signing music, giving the end of the ceremony a celebratory feel.
A Thoughtful Venue Team
We should also say a particular thank you to the team at the Royal Berkshire, who looked after us extremely well during the day.
Outdoor weddings are always beautiful, but they do bring practical considerations for live musicians, especially with instruments and equipment. During the ceremony, the venue team brought an umbrella or canopy for us so that we could shelter properly while still remaining in position with our instruments. That sort of care makes a real difference, both for the musicians and for the smooth running of the wedding.
During the drinks reception, they also kindly brought us drinks while we were playing. It was a hot summer day, and those small acts of attention are very much appreciated. From our point of view as wedding suppliers, it is always a pleasure to work at venues where the team are not only focused on the couple and guests, but also thoughtful towards everyone helping to deliver the day.
Drinks Reception on the Terrace
After the ceremony, guests moved through to the terrace for drinks, canapés and photographs. The Royal Berkshire works particularly well for this kind of outdoor flow, with its gardens and terrace spaces giving guests room to mingle while still feeling connected to the main house. The venue’s wedding spaces include outdoor terraces and gardens, with larger reception spaces also offering access to the grounds.
For the drinks reception, we played outside under the shade of a large tree. This was a very pleasing setup. It gave us a naturally sheltered position and also placed us in an excellent spot for the music to carry across the area where guests were enjoying drinks, canapés and photographs with the couple.
Positioning is important for drinks reception music. Live music should be present enough to create atmosphere, but never so loud that it dominates conversation. Being under the tree allowed us to project the sound gently across the terrace area, helping to create a relaxed, elegant backdrop while everyone enjoyed the afternoon.
Modern Drinks Reception Music
India and Ronnie chose a fantastic drinks reception set with a strong modern feel. Their selections included Coldplay, Adele, Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Billie Eilish, McFly, Bruno Mars, Stevie Wonder, Dua Lipa, Myles Smith, Chappell Roan, Callum Scott, JVKE, Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Cher, Elton John, Robbie Williams, Ben E. King and Toploader.
This gave us a lot of scope to create a varied and enjoyable drinks reception set. We played music including A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay, Make You Feel My Love by Adele, Love Story by Taylor Swift, All of Me by John Legend, Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish, All About You by McFly, Marry You by Bruno Mars, I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder, Love Again by Dua Lipa, Stargazing by Myles Smith, Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan, Dancing On My Own by Callum Scott, Golden Hour by JVKE, If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys, Believe by Cher, Your Song by Elton John, Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift, Angels by Robbie Williams, Stand By Me by Ben E. King and Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader.
It was a brilliant collection of songs for a summer drinks reception. Some pieces brought a relaxed romantic feel, while others added a brighter, more upbeat energy. The overall result was modern, stylish and very personal to the couple.
Why Cello and Piano Works So Well for Drinks Receptions
Drinks receptions are one of the best parts of a wedding day for live music. After the ceremony, the atmosphere relaxes. Guests have a drink in hand, photographs are taking place, canapés are being served and everyone begins to settle into the celebration.
Cello and piano is ideal for this part of the day because it adds atmosphere without becoming intrusive. The sound is elegant, but it can also be modern and recognisable. Guests often enjoy hearing familiar songs performed in a different way, especially when the music includes artists such as Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Adele, Dua Lipa and Chappell Roan.
For India and Ronnie’s wedding, the outdoor terrace setting gave the drinks reception a lovely summer feel. Playing beneath the tree meant the sound carried naturally across the space, reaching guests without needing to be overpowering.
Wedding Musicians at the Royal Berkshire
For couples looking for wedding musicians at the Royal Berkshire, the venue offers several excellent opportunities for live music. The walled garden is a beautiful space for ceremony music, especially for a live bridal entrance. The terrace and garden areas are ideal for drinks reception music, allowing guests to enjoy live music outdoors while photographs and canapés take place.
The Royal Berkshire is a country house venue in Ascot with indoor and outdoor wedding spaces, including the Secret Walled Garden and reception rooms for larger celebrations. The venue’s wedding spaces are designed for ceremonies and receptions of different sizes, making it a flexible choice for couples planning either an intimate wedding or a larger celebration.
From a musician’s point of view, it is also a venue where the practicalities work well. Good access, helpful staff and sensible outdoor positioning all make a difference to the smooth running of the day. India and Ronnie’s wedding was a good example of how well live music can work at the Royal Berkshire when everything is planned carefully.
Live Music Without Backing Tracks
At JAM Duo, all our music is performed live by the two of us on cello and piano. We do not use backing tracks. This is an important part of what we offer, particularly for ceremonies.
During a wedding ceremony, timings are never exactly the same from one wedding to another. A bridesmaid may walk more slowly than expected. The bride may pause before entering. The registrar may take a little longer during the signing. With live music, we can respond to all of this naturally.
For India and Ronnie, this meant we could shape Turning Page for the bridal entrance, provide enough music for the signing, and perform Shape of You by Ed Sheeran in a more upbeat style for the exit. Everything was live, responsive and fitted to the moment.
A Beautiful Summer Wedding in Ascot
India and Ronnie’s wedding at the Royal Berkshire was a wonderful summer celebration. The outdoor ceremony in the walled garden felt romantic and elegant, while the drinks reception on the terrace had a relaxed and joyful atmosphere.
Their music choices reflected them beautifully, with a mixture of modern love songs, classic favourites and upbeat popular music. From Turning Page for the bridal entrance to Shape of You for the exit, and from Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish to Stevie Wonder and Toploader during drinks, it was a day filled with personal, recognisable and stylish music.
Thank you so much to India and Ronnie for choosing JAM Duo to be part of your wedding day. It was a real pleasure to provide your ceremony and drinks reception music at the Royal Berkshire.
Our thanks also go to the team at the Royal Berkshire for looking after us so kindly throughout the day, from helping us stay sheltered during the outdoor ceremony to bringing us drinks during the reception. It makes such a difference to work with a venue team who are attentive, practical and genuinely thoughtful.
