Just got back from playing organ for a lovely wedding North of London – look, the sun is shining!!!!!

This was where I set up for the drinks reception…

… and this was the main wedding breakfast room…

The Roaring Twenties remains one of the most adored and coveted eras in fashion, and many current wedding motifs serve as an especially romantic nod to the era. The red lipstick, the feathers, the pearls, and art deco inspired details all exude vintage glamour without seeming too stuffy or forced. Many wedding planners are taking their cues from Old Hollywood and popular shows like Boardwalk Empire whose characters stay draped in decadent dresses and sharply detailed suits. The resurgence of 20s inspired dresses are an especially interesting touch, reflecting the refusal of corsets and a welcoming of higher hemlines and more playful details throughout the decade. Hand-beaded gowns, beautifully adorned headpieces, and even new takes on flapper dresses are seeing a resurgence both at weddings and on the runway.

2. Jazz Music

What’s a Gatsby inspired wedding without a little jazz? Jazz bands originated in New Orleans in the 1920s and provide the perfect backdrop for a wedding cocktail hour or even ceremony exit music. Wedding pianists with jazz leanings are in high demand right now, as are jazz trios that keep your reception sophisticated and exciting. Leading wedding trend blog Gig Masters predicts that with the soon-to-be-released movie version of The Great Gatsby, jazz bands will show no signs of slowing as a wedding trend in 2013.

3. Variations in Bridesmaid Dresses

For many bridesmaids, committing to being a bridesmaid can feel a lot like being drafted. There are strict duties, an occasionally rigid commander, and a uniform involved. Lately though, the traditionally uniform role of bridesmaid seems to be taking notes from the lighter side. Many brides-to-be are now choosing color palettes and textures for their bridesmaid, but then leaving the style and exact color up to their individual bridesmaids. Even more traditional brides are choosing one color but allowing their bridesmaid to choose the top design of their dress, such as halter, strapless, or one shoulder. Brands like Marks & Spencer bridesmaid dresses are becoming increasingly popular due to their selection and re-wearability.

4. Eco-friendly Weddings

Conflict-free engagement rings made of alternative gemstones including vintage-inspired colored stones and recycled diamonds are more popular than ever. Weddings are also seeing a rise in re-wearable short wedding dresses, paperless or recycled paper invitations, and locally sourced menus and gifts. Vintage wedding dresses and decadent vintage wedding ornaments are also seeing a resurgence, allowing couples to keep their weddings elegant and beautiful without making too much of a carbon footprint. There has also been a noticeable shift in wedding gift registries, with many couples choosing charity donations and cash gifting registries as alternatives to gifts.

5. Mini Gourmet Food

According to the food trend researchers at Technomic, 28 percent of consumers would like more mini-sandwich offerings at restaurants, up from 23 percent in 2010. It may seem sightly ridiculous to serve menu items like hamburgers and tacos at an elegant wedding reception, but their gourmet downsized versions serve as a perfectly stylish addition to any wedding. “Serve smaller versions of larger entrees to host more of a heavy cocktail hour instead of a sit-down dinner,” advises event planner Cara Crowley. This of course frees up time for guests to dance and mingle without sacrificing the element of sustenance and warmth that the reception dinner brings.

Just wanted to point out that there are rules you have to follow if you are having a civil wedding ceremony in terms of the music.

If you are having a civil ceremony, you are not allowed music with any religious connections or connotations.

More info here

I’ve just got back from performing at a wedding at the Langham Hotel in London.

For the bridal party entrance they chose “The Swan - Saint-Saens” which is a great choice. On the way out they had “What a Feeling – Flashdance” which I thought was a very cool choice! If you have any other ideas for entrance or exit music please leave a comment – thanks!

Sorry for the long gap since my last post – the second half of 2011 was easily the busiest we’ve ever been. Some people even getting married on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve! If you are looking to hire a pianist for your wedding in Summer 2012 now is the time to get in touch. Please book as early as possible to guarantee availability.

We’ve been so busy for the last few months with weddings and summer parties, time has flown by.

We have performed at more weddings than ever this year and bookings show no sign of letting up!

I played using a “piano frame” for the first time – sort of a hollowed out piano frame with a keyboard sat inside it.

If you have a wedding coming up please book as early as possible!

I’m already booked up most weekends now for the rest of 2011, but please get in touch if you still haven’t booked your wedding pianist!

If I can’t help myself I am happy to recommend similar pianists.

Please visit his profile here: http://members.lastminutemusicians.com/cocktail_pianists.html

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