Friday, 12th June and a trip Northwards to the Matara Centre, a beautiful, unique wedding venue in the Cotswolds. I’ve seen lots of photos of ceremonies at Matara, but this is the first time I’ve actually played there – and wow, what a stunning place!
I arrived just before 5pm, with music scheduled for 7pm – some entertainment as guests exited the wedding breakfast for the room turnaround, before the party later on. I hoped to be set up in the courtyard area, but of course – after my last blog about being a “good weather charm” – we had rain! A warm, humid day with some drizzle meant I had to set up indoors under cover, but I positioned my speakers so that everyone could hear the music.
Now, I’ve played at countless weddings over my 5 or so years doing this – but Friday’s wedding was a first. As I was casually setting my gear up at about 5.30 (still wearing t-shirt and flip-flops at this point!) guests started to arrive for teas and coffees. I’m used to weddings running half an hour, maybe an hour, behind – but this wedding was running an hour and a half ahead of schedule!! This, I can promise you, is VERY rare!
So I ducked off quickly to put on some more suitable attire, and returned to finish setting up. I started the music just after 6pm, and proceeded to play a selection of songs picked by the happy couple. Here’s Louise & Colin’s acoustic playlist:
Jack Johnson - Better Together Tom Odell - Grow Old With Me Passenger – Let Her Go Zutons - Valerie Bill Withers - Ain't no Sunshine Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum U2 – All I want is you The Kooks – She Moves In Her Own Way Counting Crows – Accidentally in Love Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars John Legend - All of Me Ray Lamontage - You are the Best Thing The Fratellis – Baby Doll
Pharrell – Happy Avicii – Wake me Up Bruno Mars – Just the way you are Daft Punk – Get Lucky Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk Deep Blue Somethings – Breakfast at Tiffanys Razorlight – Before I Fall to Pieces Green Day – Time of your Life Arctic Monkeys - I Bet That You look Good on the Dance Floor James – Sit Down Oasis – Champagne Supernova Ben E King – Stand by Me The Beatles – All you need is Love Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
A lovely evening, and the music seemed to go down really well. Huge congratulations to Louise and Colin – hope you had a fantastic day, and a great evening!
