LOGISITICS FOR YOUR HARP MUSIC ON THE YEW PATHWAY
- Stretchy Time - I won't be watching the clock too closely!
- My harp is very portable so I can carry it quite happily from the Ceremony room to the Drinks Reception space, and then to the Wedding Banquet room or marquee. Plus I can also play outside.
- If your wedding is happening across two separate venues such as a church followed by a hotel, then there will be small re-location charge of £30.
- Check to see if your venue is on my list of venues within that 45min drive-time boundary.
- I am more than happy to travel with my harp further than the 45mins drive time to get to your wedding, and I frequently do. Just let me know where your venue is and I will let you know what the travel costs would be.
- Travel is charged at 45pm per mile for the full amount of mileage, outward and return journeys.
CHOOSING YOUR HARP MUSIC ON THE YEW PATHWAY
- My playlist is huuuuuuuge! And it grows every year with songs being added by couples such as you. Hope on over to The Harpinator to hear some of this playlist and view a full list.
- We use the Open Harp Surgery (See below) to choose the Ceremony Music.
- I have online forms for you to fill in for other aspects of the day's music such as the Drinks Reception, the Wedding Banquet and the Pre-Ceremony slot.
After looking through the list you might not be able to find your special song. Well, no worries, as I can see if I can learn it for you. Hopefully you can see from the playlist that no request is too crazy seeming. Don't think "Harp Music", think "Music on the Harp" - what would your favourite song sound like on my harp? That's the magic!
Extra songs above this allocation are charged at £10 per song.
For your Ceremony it is absolutely essential that you are fully involved in the process, but this does require a little bit more work on your part. Panic not, because we shall get together over tea and cake at one of my Open Harp Surgeries, where, along with some other couples, we will go over your special music. This session does not deal with the Drinks Reception or Wedding Banquet music, for these there are online forms that you can fill in with your choices.
- I am a singer as well as a harpist, so if there is a special song that you want people to really take notice of in the Ceremony, then it's a good idea for me to sing it. I can also do your reception and banquet music either instrumentally or vocally or a mixture of both.
THE YEW PATHWAY
CEREMONY MUSIC INCLUDES
- Background instrumental harp music as the guests gather in the ceremony space.
(Usually a maximum of 20mins depending on when the venue send the guests through, how close the gathering area is to the ceremony area, and how on time the bridal party is!) - The Big Entrance Number!
(If you have an entire squadron as a bridal party, or a very large and long aisle, then you might even have time for 2 pieces of music on the harp.) - Optional Solo in place of a reading.
(If you have a particularly special song you want people to listen to in full, this is a good idea) - Something for the signing of the registers.
(We usually need 3 pieces of harp music here) - The Big Exit
(For when you take your first steps together as a married couple to the rapturous applause of your guests!)
DRINKS RECEPTION MUSIC INCLUDES
- Background instrumental harp music immediately following the ceremony, as you and your guests mingle over bubbly and canapés.
(I just need a little time to move and re-set up my harp! 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) - 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 need 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.)
Yew Lore
The Yew is the only living biological organism that can live indefinitely, and some of Britain's oldest Yew trees are 4000-5000 years old.
Yew is a particularly potent protection from evil, as it represents a doorway to the Underworld, death or the afterlife. In this way it also connects us with our ancestors. Yew facilitate dreams from and journeys to the Otherworld. As well as being a symbol for the Old Magics of our ancestors, as a tree of resurrection and constant renewal, she shows us the wisdom of letting go of old things. Yew can help us overcome our fear of death, and learn to see the process of transformation and regeneration that she manifests.
Old Yew, which graspest at the stones
That name the under-lying dead,
Thy fibres net the dreamless head,
Thy roots are wrapt about the bones.
~Tennyson
Other Associations
- Planetary body: Saturn & Pluto
- Element: Water
- Seasonal Festival: Winter Solstice & Samhain
- Celtic Celebrity: The Cailleach, the Crone aspect of the Triple Goddess
- Stone: Olivine
- Fauna & Flora: Eagle
Yew
The Resurrection Tree
Gaelic: Iodhadh (pron. yoh-ah) / Latin: Taxus
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).
Yew Magic
- Yew is very dangerous to work with unless you know what you are doing, so tread with care and caution.
- It is traditional in Derbyshire to bring sprigs of Yew inside for Winter Solstice window decorations
- However, in Suffolk it is considered very bad luck for any household if any Yew comes in with the other Christmas greenery.
- Perhaps simply find a Yew you can sit beneath and meditate on the ever-turning cycle of life and death, and those who have gone before.