Harry & Alana | 29 December 2025
Late December weddings have a very particular atmosphere — festive without being overly seasonal, elegant without feeling formal for formality’s sake. Harry and Alana’s wedding at De Vere Tortworth Court was exactly that: beautifully styled, confidently planned, and centred around creating a relaxed, luxurious experience for their guests.
JAM Duo were delighted to provide live daytime music for the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, beginning in the main hotel bar and later relocating to the Orangery with our black grand piano shell for the wedding meal. Everything took place inside the hotel, allowing the day to flow effortlessly despite the winter weather outside.
A Grand Gloucestershire Wedding Venue
De Vere Tortworth Court is one of those venues that feels instantly impressive. Set within stunning grounds near Wotton-under-Edge, the historic architecture, sweeping interiors, and varied event spaces make it particularly well suited to larger winter weddings.
With around 100 guests, Harry and Alana’s celebration made full use of the venue’s scale without ever feeling impersonal. The transition from drinks reception to wedding breakfast was thoughtfully planned, allowing each space to shine in its own way.
Drinks Reception Music in the Brunel Room
Following their church ceremony elsewhere, guests arrived back at Tortworth Court for the drinks reception, which took place from 2:30pm to 4:00pm in the Brunel Room and adjoining bar area.
For this part of the day, Harry and Alana asked for a jazz-influenced, easy-listening, upbeat feel — music that would immediately lift the room, feel stylish and timeless, and encourage guests to relax into the afternoon.
Selections included:
- Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield
- LOVE – Nat King Cole
- New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
- Feeling Good – Nina Simone
- La Vie en Rose
- Fly Me to the Moon – Frank Sinatra
This kind of repertoire works beautifully on cello and piano — recognisable, rhythmically relaxed, and elegant without ever becoming background noise. The music set the tone perfectly as guests chatted, enjoyed drinks, and eased into the celebration.
Seamless Transition to the Orangery
At 4:00pm, guests were invited to move from the reception space into the Orangery for the wedding breakfast. Although this involved a short walk outdoors, the transition was carefully planned and timed so that it felt natural rather than disruptive.
We relocated our setup during this window and re-established in the Orangery with our black piano shell, which looked right at home in the light-filled space and added a strong visual focal point to the room.
This kind of mid-day relocation is something JAM Duo handle regularly, and with good communication between venue, planner, and musicians, it can be achieved smoothly — even in winter.
Wedding Breakfast Music in the Orangery
The wedding breakfast ran from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, with speeches scheduled for later in the evening. Harry and Alana also chose to extend our performance time slightly, allowing live music to carry on right through the meal and into the build-up towards speeches.
For this part of the day, the brief shifted toward popular, sing-along favourites, alongside a few deeply personal musical choices that reflected Alana’s heritage.
Highlights included:
- Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
- How Deep Is Your Love – Bee Gees
- Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra
- I Say a Little Prayer – Aretha Franklin
- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
- A selection of Sri Lankan songs, chosen from the playlist we shared in advance
This blend of familiar classics and culturally meaningful music created a warm, inclusive atmosphere in the room. Guests responded immediately — humming along, smiling, and clearly enjoying the way live music softened the space without overwhelming conversation.
Styling, Dress Code & Atmosphere
The dress code for the day was black-tie, which gave the wedding a beautifully polished feel. Bridesmaids wore rich merlot and burgundy tones, perfectly suited to a winter setting, while Harry wore an ivory tuxedo jacket, creating a striking contrast.
We coordinated our own presentation accordingly, ensuring our setup and attire complemented the overall aesthetic of the day — something that’s particularly important when musicians are positioned prominently within the room during a wedding breakfast.
Working with the Venue Team
As ever, it was a pleasure working with the team at De Vere Tortworth Court, and we’d like to thank Kate Wallington and the weddings team for their support and organisation throughout the day.
With straightforward access, ample parking, and excellent coordination between spaces, everything ran smoothly from arrival through to departure.
Thank You, Harry & Alana
Thank you, Harry and Alana, for choosing JAM Duo to provide the live music for such an important part of your wedding day. From stylish drinks reception music through to a joyful, song-filled wedding breakfast, it was a genuine pleasure to be part of your celebration.
We wish you both every happiness for the future and hope the music remains part of your memories of a truly elegant winter wedding at Tortworth Court.
