Every now and again, we get an awesome, out of the norm request from a bride and groom. This May, we got to perform for one of these weddings, and it was over the top awesome!
Black Barn Winery in Rives Junction, Michigan | Cocktail Hour as captured by Allie Siarto Photography
Rebecca and Jake got in touch with me last July about having a group perform for their wedding ceremony and cocktail hour. They specifically wanted a violin, cello, guitar trio and they wanted all 90s alternative rock music.
Well this was right up my alley. 90s music is starting to become more popular this year as it’s finally a nostaligic thing (yikes!) but I’m having a blast putting it all together and getting to play some of my old favorites.
Rebecca and Jake put together a playlist of about 30 songs and we had so much fun learning them! They used Smashing Pumpkins for their ceremony entrance and exit, and the cocktail hour had favorites from Pearl Jam, Blind Melon, Bush, and Nirvana.
Violin, Cello, Guitar trio performing alternative rock as captured by Allie Siarto Photography
They were married on the back veranda of the beautiful Black Barn Winery in Rives Junction, Michigan. We have another three weddings coming up there this year and I can’t wait to go back. The scenery is absolutely stunning, and the staff was fantastic. We sat right in the corner of the wrap around porch and were able to play out as they were getting married just below us.
We had White Pines assemble a string trio for our wedding ceremony and cocktail hour and absolutely LOVED them!! We were having such a hard time finding the exact combination of instruments that we desperately wanted- a violin, a guitar, and a cello- until we came across White Pines. They were able to provide exactly what we wanted, were very affordable, had a huge repertoire of songs, and even offered to learn new songs that we requested for a nominal fee. It almost seemed too good to be true! Michelle Kulwicki was our primary contact throughout the months leading up to our event, and I cannot say enough great things about her. She was extremely responsive, kind, professional, and accommodating all the way through! Our trio was made up of Michelle (cellist), Daniel Winnick (violinist), and Ryan McCulloch (guitarist), and we could not have asked for a more talented ensemble. Their beautiful rendition of "Tonight, Tonight" by the Smashing Pumpkins had me choked up during the wedding party processional, and their harmonies in "Can't Help Falling in Love" provided the perfect accompaniment to my walk down the aisle with my parents. They did a fantastic job with the 1990s alternative songs we had asked them to play for our cocktail hour. They blended seamlessly into the background while also creating such a fun, relaxing atmosphere as the guests were mingling on the patio. The music this trio played was a huge hit among the guests, and their services were truly top notch!
-Rebecca
Thank you so much for Rebecca and Jake for having us be a part of their special day!
Vendor Team
Ceremony and Cocktail Hour Trio | White Pines Entertainment
Photography | Allie Siarto with Allie Siarto Photography
Venue | Black Barn Winery
Based in Ann Arbor, White Pines Entertainment provides professional string quartet, string trio, string duet, and soloists for weddings, events, and special occasions throughout Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
Whitepinesentertainment.com | hello@whitepinesentertainment.com
