On 23 July 2026, JAM Duo travelled to Wildes Inn near Chesterfield to provide live cello and piano music for the wedding of Elisha and James.
It was one of those unmistakably summery wedding days: bright sunshine, cloudless skies and temperatures that made shade particularly valuable. Both the ceremony and drinks reception were held outside, allowing the couple and their guests to enjoy the courtyards, gardens and elegant surroundings of the venue throughout the afternoon.
We provided live music for two important parts of the day. We began with the arrival of the guests and the outdoor wedding ceremony, before moving to a second courtyard beside a fountain for the drinks reception.
With around 50 guests, the wedding had a relaxed and personal atmosphere. The pastel colour scheme, with shades of pink, green and blue, worked beautifully in the sunshine. The bridesmaids wore dusty pink, while the groomsmen were dressed in navy, creating a smart but summery look that suited the setting perfectly.
Arriving at Wildes Inn
Wildes Inn is situated in Clowne, near Chesterfield in Derbyshire. On arrival, we made our way to the first courtyard, where the ceremony was due to take place at 1.30pm.
Outdoor wedding ceremonies always require a little additional planning. Alongside the usual considerations of sound, seating and visibility, musicians must also think carefully about direct sunlight and heat. Stringed instruments, electronic equipment and keyboards should never be left exposed to intense sunshine for prolonged periods.
Fortunately, we were able to secure a position close to one of the courtyard walls where there was a welcome strip of shade. This kept both us and our instruments protected while still placing the music clearly within the ceremony space.
One advantage of using our electric cello and Nord stage piano for an outdoor wedding is that we can carefully control the balance of the music. The sound can carry across a courtyard without becoming intrusive, allowing guests to talk comfortably before the ceremony while still enjoying the music.
There were no particular sound restrictions at Wildes Inn, although our aim is never simply to play loudly. The best wedding music should enhance the surroundings rather than dominate them.
Pre-Ceremony Music in the Courtyard
Before the formal ceremony began, we played a selection of music chosen by Elisha and James as their guests arrived and took their seats.
Their pre-ceremony choices were:
- Love Story by Taylor Swift
- How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
- Marry You by Bruno Mars
- As It Was by Harry Styles
- Enchanted by Taylor Swift
This was a particularly cheerful and romantic selection with a strong contemporary feel.
Taylor Swift’s music translates extremely well to cello and piano. Songs such as Love Story and Enchanted have strong melodies and clear harmonic movement, allowing the cello to take on the role of the singer while the piano provides the accompaniment and rhythmic energy underneath.
How Long Will I Love You brought a gentler moment to the proceedings. It is a simple and sincere song which works particularly well as guests settle into their seats and anticipation begins to build.
Marry You added something brighter and more playful, while Harry Styles’ As It Was gave the set a modern change of pace.
Pre-ceremony music has an important role within a wedding. It is not merely background music while people wait. It creates the first real atmosphere of the ceremony and marks the transition from guests arriving at a venue to becoming part of the wedding itself.
As the courtyard gradually filled, the music helped bring everything together while Elisha and the bridal party prepared for their entrance.
A Very Special Bridal Entrance
For her bridal entrance, Elisha had chosen Rapunzel from Barbie.
One of the things we enjoy most about providing live wedding music is the variety of requests we receive. Couples are not restricted to a list of standard wedding pieces, nor do bridal entrances need to use music that has traditionally been associated with weddings.
A bridal entrance can be inspired by a classical composition, a film soundtrack, a contemporary song, a television series, a video game or, in this case, music from Barbie.
Choosing something personal can make the entrance far more memorable. It immediately gives the ceremony an individual identity and often means much more to the couple than selecting a piece simply because it is commonly used at weddings.
For the entrance of the bridal party and bride, timing is particularly important. The music needs to begin at exactly the right point, allowing everyone to walk naturally without feeling rushed. Because we play every note live, we can adapt the arrangement as the entrance unfolds.
There is no need for someone to fade out a recording abruptly or hope that the chosen track happens to last exactly the right amount of time. We can repeat, extend or move smoothly towards the ending once Elisha has reached James.
This flexibility is one of the greatest advantages of having live musicians at a wedding ceremony.
Music During the Signing of the Register
Following the vows and the formal marriage ceremony, Elisha and James had selected three songs for the signing of the register:
- Turning Page
- Follow You
- The Only Exception
The signing is often one of the most relaxed parts of a ceremony. While the couple and their witnesses complete the legal formalities and photographs are taken, the guests have an opportunity to sit back and listen to the music.
Turning Page is an especially popular choice for this moment. Its gentle piano writing and long melodic lines suit the cello beautifully, creating a reflective and romantic atmosphere without becoming overly dramatic.
Follow You brought a more contemporary sound, while The Only Exception by Paramore worked particularly well as a live instrumental arrangement. Although originally associated with a full band and vocals, its central melody is strong enough to transfer naturally to cello and piano.
This variety ensured that the signing music remained interesting throughout. Rather than playing three pieces with a very similar mood, the selection moved between cinematic romance and modern alternative pop.
It also reflected the broader musical style chosen by Elisha and James, whose requests ranged from Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars to film music and video game themes.
An Energetic Ceremony Exit
For their exit from the ceremony, Elisha and James chose Accidentally in Love.
Originally performed by Counting Crows and strongly associated with the film Shrek 2, it is a brilliantly upbeat choice for the end of a wedding ceremony.
After the more emotional and reflective moments of the vows and signing, the couple’s exit is an opportunity to change the atmosphere completely. A lively piece signals that the formal ceremony is over and that the celebrations are beginning.
Accidentally in Love provided exactly that lift. Its energetic rhythm and instantly recognisable melody accompanied the newly married couple back down the aisle as their guests applauded.
For cello and piano, the song offers plenty of movement. The piano provides the rhythmic drive while the cello carries the vocal melody, giving the arrangement a celebratory quality without needing backing tracks or pre-recorded elements.
Every note performed during the ceremony was played live by the two of us.
Moving to the Fountain Courtyard
Once the ceremony had concluded, guests moved into another courtyard for the drinks reception.
This second outdoor space was arranged around a fountain, providing a lovely setting for the first part of the afternoon reception. The sound of water, bright sunshine and pastel wedding colours created a relaxed summer atmosphere as drinks were served and the photographs began.
We moved our instruments from the ceremony courtyard and set up once again beside a wall where we could make use of the available shade.
Moving between locations is something we regularly do during weddings. We plan our equipment carefully so that we can relocate as efficiently as possible without disrupting the flow of the day.
As guests made their way from the ceremony into the drinks reception, we were able to reposition the piano, cello and sound equipment ready for the next section of music.
Our standard drinks reception performance lasts for around 90 minutes. This is generally the ideal duration for the period between the ceremony and wedding breakfast, although it can be extended when required.
At Elisha and James’s wedding, the wedding breakfast was scheduled for 4pm, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy the courtyard before moving inside.
Live Music for an Outdoor Drinks Reception
The drinks reception has a completely different musical character from the ceremony.
During the ceremony, each piece is linked to a specific moment. There is music for the entrance, signing and exit, with careful attention paid to timing and atmosphere.
During the drinks reception, the music becomes more varied and informal. Guests are moving around, talking, enjoying drinks and having photographs taken. The music should be noticeable enough to create atmosphere but balanced so that it never makes conversation difficult.
Elisha and James had chosen an excellent mixture of songs for this part of the day:
- Here Comes the Sun
- Sweet Disposition
- Demons
- Howl’s Moving Castle
- I Just Called to Say I Love You
- Wildest Dreams
- Latch
- Chasing Cars
- Save Your Tears
- Final Fantasy Theme
- Glimpse of Us
- La Vie en Rose
- A Thousand Years
- Follow You
- Love Story
- How Long Will I Love You
- Marry You
- The Only Exception
- Turning Page
- Can’t Help Falling in Love
The result was a wonderfully varied drinks reception set, combining modern pop, romantic favourites, film music, gaming themes and classic songs.
From Taylor Swift to Final Fantasy
One of the strengths of cello and piano is the range of music the combination can perform.
Taylor Swift featured prominently in Elisha and James’s choices. Love Story, Enchanted and Wildest Dreams all have distinctive melodies that work beautifully on the cello.
Wildest Dreams is particularly effective during a drinks reception. The cello can bring out the sweeping quality of the vocal line, while the piano gives the arrangement momentum and shape.
At the other end of the musical spectrum, the Final Fantasy Theme introduced music associated with one of the best-known video game series. Gaming music is increasingly requested for weddings, and many themes contain sophisticated melodies and harmonies that translate extremely well into instrumental arrangements.
The inclusion of music from Howl’s Moving Castle added another cinematic element. Studio Ghibli music has become particularly popular at weddings, partly because it is melodic, emotional and instantly evocative without necessarily feeling like conventional wedding music.
These choices helped make the set feel personal to Elisha and James rather than simply relying on a standard playlist.
Romantic Favourites Beside the Fountain
Alongside the more unusual requests were several established romantic favourites.
A Thousand Years and Can’t Help Falling in Love remain popular choices for weddings because they work during almost every part of the day. Both songs can accompany a bridal entrance, the signing of the register, a drinks reception or even a first dance.
During the drinks reception, we can perform them with a little more freedom than during the ceremony. The arrangements can become fuller and more expansive, with the piano and cello sharing the melody and accompaniment.
La Vie en Rose was ideally suited to the fountain courtyard. Its elegant French character gave the music a timeless quality and sat comfortably alongside the more contemporary selections.
I Just Called to Say I Love You added some classic Stevie Wonder warmth, while Here Comes the Sun seemed especially appropriate given the intensely bright Derbyshire weather.
There was certainly no shortage of sunshine at this wedding.
Contemporary Music for Cello and Piano
Songs such as Sweet Disposition, Demons, Latch, Chasing Cars, Save Your Tears and Glimpse of Us brought a more modern feel to the drinks reception.
Some of these pieces may not immediately appear to be obvious cello and piano choices. However, the absence of vocals and original production can reveal the strength of the underlying melody.
Chasing Cars is a good example. The original version builds gradually through repetition and texture. In our arrangement, the cello carries the central melody while the piano recreates the sense of momentum.
Latch also works surprisingly well as an instrumental piece. The rhythmic elements can be maintained on the piano, while the cello takes over the expressive vocal line.
Save Your Tears has a bright, recognisable melody which suits a lively drinks reception, while Glimpse of Us provides a more reflective contrast.
By moving between upbeat and quieter pieces, we can keep the music varied without making the set feel disjointed.
Protecting Instruments During Hot Weather
Although sunshine is generally preferable to rain for an outdoor wedding, very hot weather brings its own challenges.
Musical instruments should not be placed in direct sunlight for extended periods. Heat can affect tuning, finishes, strings, electronics and the adhesives used within instruments. It is also important that musicians are positioned somewhere they can perform comfortably throughout the set.
For this reason, access to shade is essential.
At Wildes Inn, the shaded area beside the courtyard wall allowed us to remain outdoors and fully part of the reception while protecting the cello and piano equipment from the strongest direct sunlight.
We always assess outdoor locations carefully on arrival. The best position is not necessarily the most visually obvious place. It needs to provide a stable surface, shelter where necessary, access for equipment and a sensible direction for the sound.
With these considerations taken care of, we were able to concentrate on the performance while guests enjoyed the courtyard and fountain.
A Relaxed Summer Wedding in Derbyshire
Elisha and James’s wedding was a lovely example of how well live music can work across an entirely outdoor wedding afternoon.
The ceremony courtyard created an intimate setting for the vows, while the fountain courtyard provided a natural change of atmosphere for the drinks reception.
The relatively small guest list of around 50 people helped create a warm and personal occasion. Guests could hear and enjoy the music while still having plenty of space to move around, talk and enjoy the sunshine.
The dusty pink bridesmaid dresses, navy suits and pastel colour palette looked particularly effective against the outdoor surroundings.
Most importantly, the music choices reflected the couple themselves. From Barbie and Taylor Swift to Howl’s Moving Castle, Final Fantasy and Counting Crows, the programme was personal, varied and full of character.
Thank You to Elisha and James
We would like to thank Elisha and James for choosing JAM Duo to provide the music for their wedding ceremony and drinks reception at Wildes Inn.
It was a pleasure to be part of their wedding and to perform such a varied collection of music for them and their guests.
We thoroughly enjoyed playing outside in both courtyards, from the build-up to the ceremony through to the relaxed drinks reception beside the fountain.
We wish Elisha and James every happiness for their future together.
Daytime Wedding Musicians at Wildes Inn
JAM Duo provide live cello and piano music for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts throughout Derbyshire and across the UK.
Our performances are always completely live, with no backing tracks, and couples can choose music from our extensive existing repertoire as well as requesting additional pieces for their wedding.
For outdoor ceremonies, we provide suitable amplification and can adapt the music in real time to suit the bridal entrance, signing of the register and couple’s exit.
During the drinks reception, we usually provide around 90 minutes of continuous live music, carefully balanced to create atmosphere while allowing guests to talk comfortably.
Whether your wedding music choices include classical pieces, contemporary pop, film soundtracks, musical theatre, television themes or music from video games, we can create a programme that feels personal to you and fits naturally into your day.
