This Modern Love: A Walk to Remember

After we were done taking the bridal party photos outside, we headed back to the penthouse to chill for a few minutes before the ceremony--at this point it was around 3:45pm and with a start time of 4pm, guests were starting to arrive, so we didn't want to be seen beforehand.  While up there, we actually took some awesome photos using the WeddingParty App, but I'll share those in a later post.

Before we knew it, our wedding planner Rachel called up to the room to let us know that all the guests had arrived.  It was finally showtime!  We all headed down and as we were lining up for the processional, I heard the sweet sounds of our string quartet, Cadenza Strings, playing the songs we had previously chosen.

All photos by Sarelle Photos

The beautiful sounds of Cadenza Strings

Guys, I can't rave enough about these musicians.  Prior to the wedding, I worked with the owner Brenna to choose all the music from the Pre-Lude to the Recessional.  Not only did they have a huge repertoire of the classic wedding songs, but they also had a vast selection of pop and modern songs.  There were a few songs that we special to us that were not included in their repertoire, so they charged a small amount to learn the 3 additional pieces.  

They played so incredibly beautifully and in that moment, I truly felt the gravity of what was about to happen.  I was surrounded by my friends and family, about to marry the love of my life, while classically trained musicians played some of the songs that have defined our relationship over the past 8 years.  This memory is stored in my mind as one of the most perfect moments of my life.

As Cadenza Strings started to play Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis, it was time for Mr. M to walk down the aisle with his parents, followed by the groomsmen.

Mr. M looks like he's about to lose it

And he regains his composure

Mr. M and his brother/best man share a hug

After the guys were done, the musicians switched over to the song I had chosen for both my bridesmaids and myself to walk down the aisle to--it was Fix You by Coldplay.  I had known I would walk down to this song about 8 months earlier, when I first heard the Vitamin String Quartet version of this.  I was on the train one day and it literally brought tears to my eyes.  I knew then that I absolutely had to choose this song as my processional.  You have to listen to it to really get a sense of the moment (and Cadenza played it just as beautifully as VSQ).  My grand entrance was around the 3:20 mark.

The ladies lined up and ready to go

My sister/MOH

I love my mom's smile here!

 And with the long walk over, it was finally time to get married :)

Here is a list of the music we had Cadenza Strings play.

Pre-Lude:
Falling Slowly (from the movie Once)
Something - by the Beatles
Haiti - by Arcade Fire
Moon River - by Henry Mancini
So Here We Are - by Bloc Party

Groom & Groomsmen Processional:
Can't Help Falling in Love - by Elvis Presley

Bridesmaids & Bride Processional:
Fix You - by Coldplay

Recessional:
Home - by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes

Are you using any of these songs for your ceremony?

Miss a recap?  Fret not!  Catch up below;

• Despite the rain, we get creative with bridal party shots.
• We have a fun first look session.
• We get all bridal-y and groom-y.
• I put on the most beautiful dress I'll ever wear.
• The guys do guy-like things and get dressed.
• We jam out to seriously awesome tunes and get very pretty.
• The girls get gifts as we prep to get primped.
• How I became the most relaxed bride ever.
• With a potential crisis thankfully averted, I reveal my welcome dinner surprise to Mr. M.
• A scary and dramatic start to the welcome dinner.
• Feelin' hella good with hella expensive champagne.
• Practice, practice, practice!