On a bright summer’s day in Basingstoke, JAM Duo had the absolute pleasure of providing music for the wedding of Claire and Jeremy at the beautiful Audleys Wood Hotel. This was no ordinary wedding – not only was the day filled with carefully chosen music that reflected the couple’s personality, but it also carried a wonderfully playful theme inspired by The Sound of Music. From flower men dancing down the aisle to the presence of real goats at the drinks reception, this was a wedding full of character, charm, and unforgettable moments.
The Venue – Audleys Wood Hotel
Set in the rolling Hampshire countryside, Audleys Wood Hotel is one of the region’s most sought-after wedding venues. Once a grand Victorian country mansion, it has been lovingly transformed into a luxury hotel while retaining its period charm. The hotel sits within seven acres of private grounds, offering couples the perfect mix of elegance, history, and space for a truly special celebration.
The Garden Pavilion is one of the highlights of Audleys Wood – a light, airy structure that combines the beauty of an outdoor wedding with the comfort and reliability of an indoor ceremony. Couples can also take advantage of the lawns and landscaped gardens for photographs and drinks receptions, creating a seamless flow throughout the day.
For Claire and Jeremy, the grounds provided the ideal backdrop for their drinks reception, complete with a pen of friendly goats brought in by a local farm – a playful nod to The Lonely Goatherd and a detail that their guests will surely never forget.
Pre-Ceremony Music
As guests gathered and anticipation built, JAM Duo began setting the tone with a carefully chosen pre-ceremony playlist. The moment Jeremy, the groom, made his entrance was nothing short of cinematic, walking in to the Andor (Star Wars) theme – a bold and unique choice that reflected his personality.
From there, we created a romantic and uplifting atmosphere with:
- Can’t Help Falling in Love with You
- Million Love Songs (The Greatest Showman)
- High (Lighthouse Family)
- Marry You (Bruno Mars)
These pieces set the stage perfectly, blending heartfelt ballads with a touch of fun, as friends and family took their seats.
A Unique Bridal Entrance
The bridal entrance was one of the most creative we’ve ever been part of. The flower girls and bridesmaids processed first to a playful arrangement of “My Favourite Things” from The Sound of Music. Then, in a wonderfully unexpected twist, the “flower men” made their entrance dancing down the aisle to “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?”, scattering petals over the guests as they went – a moment that had everyone smiling and laughing.
Finally, the room fell silent for the arrival of Claire. She entered to our arrangement of Canon in D, which seamlessly blended into A Thousand Years – a stunning combination that brought together the timeless beauty of classical music with a contemporary romantic ballad.
The Signing of the Register
During the signing of the register, the Sound of Music theme continued with two beautiful and meaningful choices:
- Edelweiss
- The Lonely Goatherd
These songs perfectly captured the couple’s theme while offering gentle, lyrical moments for their guests to enjoy as the legal formalities were completed.
Ceremony Exit
As the newlyweds walked back up the aisle, they did so to a burst of joy and energy with Friday I’m in Love by The Cure – a song that summed up the happiness of the moment and set the tone for the celebrations to follow.
A joyful Sound of Music–themed wedding at Audleys Wood Hotel saw Claire and Jeremy tie the knot with music from Canon in D to Taylor Swift – and even a pen of goats at the drinks reception! 🎶🐐 JAM Duo provided live piano and cello throughout the day, from the cinematic entrance of the groom to heartfelt tributes during the wedding breakfast. A celebration full of personality, laughter, and love. 💍✨
Drinks Reception – Music and Goats
Following the ceremony, guests moved into the gardens of Audleys Wood where canapés and drinks were served. Here, in keeping with the Sound of Music theme, a small pen of goats from a local farm became a charming attraction, delighting guests young and old. It was one of the most original touches we’ve seen at a wedding and added to the sense of fun that ran throughout the day.
Meanwhile, JAM Duo provided a varied set of background music, drawing on favourites from:
- Bridgerton-inspired arrangements
- Disney classics
- Taylor Swift songs
- And a selection of other contemporary pieces.
This mix of music ensured there was something familiar and enjoyable for every guest, keeping the atmosphere light, elegant, and celebratory.
Music for the Wedding Breakfast
As guests took their seats for the wedding breakfast, JAM Duo continued to provide a musical backdrop tailored to Claire and Jeremy’s requests. Their chosen songs included a blend of romantic ballads, pop favourites, and meaningful family tributes:
- Ordinary – Alex Warren
- Love Story – Taylor Swift
- It’s All About You – McFly
- 2002 – Anne-Marie
- Under the Sea – The Little Mermaid
- I See the Light – Tangled
- Iris – Goo Goo Dolls
Particularly poignant was the performance of Angels by Robbie Williams, played in memory of the bride’s mum. This was an emotional and touching moment, adding depth and significance to the day’s music.
We also performed A Whiter Shade of Pale, which had been the bride’s parents’ wedding song – a beautiful way of honouring family history within the couple’s own celebrations.
To round off the meal with a sense of joy, we played Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Queen – a lively and fun piece that had guests tapping their feet and smiling as the speeches and toasts began.
A Wedding Full of Personality
What made Claire and Jeremy’s wedding so special was the way every detail reflected their personalities and their love story. From Jeremy’s bold entrance to the goats at the drinks reception, the day was filled with playful creativity, balanced with moments of real sentiment and emotion. The Sound of Music theme threaded its way subtly but unmistakably through the day, ensuring that the couple’s shared love for the film was represented without ever feeling forced.
For JAM Duo, it was a privilege to be part of such a unique and heartfelt wedding. Providing live music for each stage of the day – from the pre-ceremony to the meal – meant that we could shape the atmosphere, highlight those key moments, and help create memories that will last a lifetime.
Final Thoughts
Audleys Wood Hotel proved once again why it is such a popular choice for weddings in Hampshire. Its stunning grounds, flexible spaces, and attentive staff make it a venue that can accommodate everything from traditional elegance to quirky, personality-filled celebrations like Claire and Jeremy’s.
For us at JAM Duo, this wedding was a reminder of why live music adds so much to a couple’s day. Each arrangement, each cue, each transition was tailored to the moment – from the joyful chaos of the flower men’s aisle dance to the deeply moving tribute to the bride’s late mother.
Congratulations once again to Claire and Jeremy – thank you for choosing JAM Duo to provide the soundtrack to your unforgettable day.
