Saturday was one of those days that reminds me exactly why I do what I do.
As a Devon wedding musician, no two wedding days are ever the same, but this one was a little different. Two weddings. Two venues. Five hours of driving. A ceremony, drinks reception, first dance and a full live band party. By the time I got home it was nearly 2am, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception at Sandy Cove Hotel
The day started early, with the car loaded and ready to go by 9am.
My first stop was the stunning Sandy Cove Hotel on the North Devon coast for Belle & Phil's wedding.
If you've never been there, it's one of those wedding venues that makes an impression the moment you arrive. The views across the coastline are incredible and it provided the perfect setting for a relaxed and emotional wedding ceremony.
I provided live music throughout the ceremony, including Everlong by Foo Fighters for the aisle walk, You Got The Love by Candi Staton during the signing of the register and Come And Get It by Redbone as Belle & Phil made their way back up the aisle as newlyweds.
One of the things I love most about wedding ceremonies is seeing all the planning suddenly become real. Real moment with family and friends
After the ceremony, I moved straight into the drinks reception, playing live acoustic music while guests enjoyed the err, rain and caught up with family and friends and celebrated with the happy couple.
The atmosphere was fantastic all afternoon. Relaxed, happy and full of smiles.
As I packed away and prepared to leave, I even got a round of applause from the room, which genuinely meant a lot.
Then it was time to hit the road.
Across Devon to Carswell Weddings
Wedding number two was waiting.
After a drive across Devon, I arrived at Carswell Weddings for Neil & Carly's evening celebration.
Carswell Weddings is a beautiful South Devon wedding venue and their marquee looked incredible as guests gathered ready for the evening party.
After a quick setup and listening to the marvellous tunes and voice of another local musician who is a firm favourite of wedding couples, Ollie Stephens it was time for one of my favourite parts of any wedding day.
The first dance.
Neil & Carly chose Songbird by Fleetwood Mac and I performed a stripped-back piano and guitar version as they shared their first dance together as husband and wife.
It's always an honour being trusted with moments like that.
For a few minutes, the whole room seems to stop and focus on what really matters.
Then the party starts.
A Packed Dancefloor with New Heroes
For the evening entertainment, I was joined by my band, New Heroes.
Once the first dance was finished, we kicked straight into a full live wedding band set and the dancefloor quickly filled up.
There were singalongs.
There was dancing.
There were plenty of hands in the air.
Exactly what you hope to see when a couple have spent months planning their wedding celebration.
One of the best things about performing at weddings is seeing people of all ages sharing the same dancefloor. Grandparents, parents, friends and children all enjoying the same songs and celebrating together.
That's what makes wedding entertainment so special.
By the end of the night the marquee was bouncing and the dancefloor was still busy.
Mission accomplished.
One Very Long Day
By the time the final song finished, the gear was packed away and the journey home was complete, it was nearly 2am.
Four hours of driving.
Two Devon weddings.
One wedding ceremony.
One drinks reception.
One first dance.
One packed dancefloor.
A lot of miles.
A lot of music.
And one very tired musician.
But also one very happy one.
Congratulations again to Belle & Phil and Neil & Carly. Thank you for trusting me to be part of such an important day.
Looking for a Devon Wedding Musician?
I provide live music for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, wedding breakfasts and evening parties across Devon, Cornwall and the South West.
Whether you're planning a coastal wedding at Sandy Cove Hotel, a marquee wedding at Carswell Weddings or a celebration somewhere completely different, I'd love to hear about your plans.