LOGISITICS FOR YOUR HARP MUSIC ON THE OAK PATHWAY

CHOOSING YOUR HARP MUSIC ON THE OAK PATHWAY

THE OAK PATHWAY

DRINKS RECEPTION MUSIC INCLUDES

  • Background instrumental harp music immediately following the ceremony, as you and your guests mingle over bubbly and canapés.
    (As mentioned above, if I bring my PA then I can offer vocal music for this slot.)
  • You choose the Music.
    I have an online form that you can fill in if you wish, or you can leave it me to create a varied playlist for you and your guests
  • Have a go on the harp.
    (If you have children present at your big day then often they are drawn like a magnet to the harp. Towards the end of the Drinks Reception, I might invite them to have a go and this also allows a photo opportunity.  I leave it to the end as especially young children will think they can come up and play it anytime even if I'm playing! You can have a go too of course.)
  • Relocation to the Banquet
    (I will keep to know in plenty of time when to relocate to the Banquet space, and this is something that your venue can help with.)

WEDDING BANQUET MUSIC INCLUDES

  • Background instrumental harp music as you and your guests enjoy your meal.
    (I just need a little time to move and re-set up my harp from the Drinks Reception! Also, as mentioned above, if I bring my PA then I can offer vocal music for this slot.)
  • You choose the Music.
    I have an online form that you can fill in if you wish, or you can leave it me to create a varied playlist for you and your guests
  • Right up to the Speeches
    (I will keep playing until the venue starts to circulate the bubbly in readiness for the speeches. NB. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT YOU LET ME KNOW IF THE SPEECHES COME BEFORE THE BANQUET.)
  • Obligatory Harp Selfie
    (Before I go it would be lovely if you can come over and we can have a photo together, you two and my harp & I.)

Oak

The Magic Door

Gaelic: Duir (pron. joo-err) / Latin: Quercus

This symbol is from the Druidic Tree Alphabet dating from 300CE known as, Ogham (pron. Oh-um).This is a simple system of lines carved into mainly wood but also stone (which is how it survives).

Other Associations

  • Planetary body: Jupiter & Mars
  • Element: Earth
  • Seasonal Festival: Summer Solstice
  • Celtic Celebrity: The Dagda, The Green Man, Pan, Cernunnos
  • Stone: Diamond
  • Fauna & Flora: Wren & Stag

Oak Lore

The Druids honoured the oak as one of their most sacred trees, and saw in it’s ancient strength the storehouse of all the Forest’s wisdom. Famed for it’s longevity, the oak can easily surpass 200 years, frequently reaching 500, or even 700 years and more.

A powerful symbol of protection, loyalty, and constancy, these sentinels bring us endurance, stability, and courage, as well as the wisdom of great age. They also symbolise Sovereignty, generosity, justice & honesty.

Thou ancient oak! whose myriad leaves are loud
With sounds of unintelligible speech,
Sounds as of surges on a shingly beach,
Or multitudinous murmurs of a crowd;
With some mysterious gift of tongues endowed,
Thou speakest a different dialect to each;
To me a language that no man can teach,
Of a lost race, long vanished like a cloud.

Longfellow

Oak Magic 

The Magic Door

  • Bind twigs into a cross to make a protective talisman. 
  • Oaken twigs and strings of red deflect all harm, gossip and dread.
  • Carry an acorn for health, youthfulness, fertility and potency. Carry some oak to attract good luck. (Remember to ask the tree’s permission first.)
  • Sit under an Oak tree. You may see an angel sent to give you a message. Or you may hear an answer whispered in the rustling of the Oak’s leaves, or vibrating through its hollow trunk.