Today we were in the beautiful setting of Llangoed Hall in Wales for the wedding of Jason and Mara.
With a history dating back to 560 AD, Llangoed Hall is a unique and wonderfully elegant country house hotel in the heart of the Welsh countryside.
Formerly owned and refurbished to its former glory by Sir Bernard Ashley, husband of Laura Ashley, each of the 23 bedrooms are uniquely decorated in a classic style.
The Wedding
Jason and Mara
30 December 2021
Llangoed Hall
The weather was very typical of Wales – everywhere slightly grey and a light drizzle. Despite that we found ourselves surrounded by beautiful countryside as we ventured towards mid Wales for this wedding.
Our brief today was to provide music for the wedding ceremony and the drinks reception. Starting in the ceremony room at Llangoed Hall we found a rather pleasing looking Baby Grand. This was mostly in tune and so we slightly de tuned the cello to match. Unfortunately it then transpired the piano wasnt actually that much in tune with itself. However, it was sufficient that we would ‘get away with it’ and it would have looked a bit odd to have put our digital piano along side.
Pianos and Tuning
This is always an issue when we are presented with a venue piano. We have come across everything from ropey School upright pianos through to concert sized Steinways. Obviously the piano needs to be playable, and you would be surprised what we find!! On the whole though most instruments are usable. The trouble is we of course need to tune it to the cello. We can easily make the cello slightly flat or slightly sharp but this then affects the entire instrument and with only 4 strings we have to at least ensure the strings are all in tune with each other even if they are all very slightly flat otherwise… well let’s not go there.
The ceremony was very beautiful and lead by a lovely lady from the local registry office. She was also extremely complimentary about our music which was kind of her.
Music for the Drinks Reception
As we were in Wales and this was December 2021, the rules surrounding Covid-19 were slightly different to those in England. This meant, we believe, that weddings could still go ahead subject to social distancing and table service at the discretion of the venue. Hence why this wedding had around 25 guests.
The drinks reception took place in a lovely lounge just adjacent to the ceremony room. Given that ‘the weather outside was frightful’ it was probably no bad thing to be indoors with a roaring open fire and the comfort and warmth of some Laura Ashley furnishing!
We set up in a corner of the room and given the size and intimacy of the occasion didnt add any form of amplification on this occasion. The sound of the piano through it’s internal speakers would be perfectly sufficient to accompany the cello. This is always our preferred set up as it gives the best blended sound. If we need anything requiring ampliifction then we would move over to our electric cello.
JAM Duo – Cello and Piano
Jules and Anne-Marie travel all over the UK and indeed the world to provide music at weddings. Whether you are looking for music at your Wedding Ceremony or along with a Drinks Reception and your Wedding Breakfast, we have a variety of options to suit.
You can find out more by browsing our website and you can hear us on the listen page.
