New Year's resolution: Post more often on the blog. So I spent New Year's Eve playing with Craig Duncan's band on the General Jackson. Toni Ferguson (she's on the left) and I add sparkle and good looks in the front. We also spent part of the time strolling and playing violin among the tables annoying the waiters but bringing smiles to the guests. Craig's band sounded fabulous with Craig wowing the audience with his rendition of "Devil Went Down to Georgia".

Congratulations to Nina and Kurt who tied the knot at CJ's Off the Square in Franklin on 11/11/11. Just let Kurt try to forget the date of their wedding anniversary. The fun part was sending them off with a Silver Strings version of Alabama's "Dixieland Delight" led by the inimitable Craig Duncan on fiddle. We wish them a long and happy life together.

In the late afternoon of October 22, 2011 Silver Strings reconvened at the Village Chapel near Hillsboro Village to participate in the wedding of Brooke and Michael. They chose an eclectic mix of music that included the 3 Bs...Bach, Beatles and Beach Boys (or is that 4 Bs). Brooke met her groom coming down the aisle to Sigur Ros' "Hoppipolla" ("Jumping in Puddles" for the uninitiated in Icelandic), making a grand entrance. Their service was lovely and truly joyful as Brooke flung her arms around Michael's neck for the kiss. They swept back down the aisle to the Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice". Congratulations to them and their families.

The weekend of October 22, 2011 was a busy one. Katie and Cody started us off in the early afternoon with a lovely service. Katie's brother-in-law, David, sang "Butterfly Kisses" right after Katie and her dad stopped at the end of the aisle. One of my musicians nearly lost it herself on that one. They wrote their own vows after which they sealed their union with the lighting of the unity candle and another song, "When God Made You", sung by David. After the kiss and presentation we sent them off to "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"....yes, the Stevie Wonder song. Smiles all around.

Congratulations to Solange and Chris

Congratulations to Solange and Chris who recently married at Scarritt's Wightman Chapel, the best chapel in town for music. The acoustics there are fabulous. The bride chose a string trio for the prelude playing a selections of traditional classics. Solange entered on her Dad's arm to the grand sound of the organ with trumpet. During the ceremony the trio accompanied a soloist who did a fantastic job singing "I Will Be Here", especially after finding out at the last minute her accompanist couldn't make it and had to adjust to singing with the trio's arrangement.

While the organ played the recessional the trio dashed to the reception area to be ready to play as the guests arrived. The reception was on the top floor of the Hilton Garden Inn on Broadway that has probably one of the best views in town of the Nashville skyline.

I'd also like to acknowledge the wonderful job done by Meredith Zeller of Bridal Blueprints her expert planning and coordination.

Bridal Fairs

Whew! My face is finally recovering from the bridal shows that happened a few weeks ago. The muscles in my face were really tired from smiling and talking for several hours straight...not mention my feet from standing the whole time. I participated in the Perfect Wedding Guide show at the Vanderbilt Plaza hotel as well as the Enchanted Bride fair at Cheekwood. I met so many lovely brides-to-be and loved hearing about their plans so far. How many jobs are there where the clients are happy and excited and every event is totally different from the last? I feel extremely privileged to be doing what I'm doing.

Congratulations to Shara and Dave

Congratulations to Shara and Dave who married earlier this month at CJs Off the Square. In spite of the bumps in the road getting there, their wedding went off without a hitch...except of course for them getting hitched. I have a wonderful sound system to which we tethered the musicians and as the harpist played the prelude which was heard throughout the garden and pavilion, I said to one of my violinists "I think I must be in heaven".

Later at the reception we played a request of "A Case of You" by Joni Mitchell in the style of Diana Krall. Dave introduced the song by reciting some of the lyrics that so described his relationship with Shara. I had gotten to know them a little before the wedding and was really touched by that moment. They are truly a special couple and hope to see more of them in the future.