Wedding Proposal in Green Park, London
When Derk got in touch with us, he was clearly a man determined to make a beautiful proposal to his girlfriend Maria. Hiring a live musician for a wedding proposal should be a fun and personal process. We explored a few options, but he wisely gravitated towards Carina playing solo cello with backing tracks.
The cello is a beautiful, romantic instrument that is expressive and deep sounding. Whilst the violin is famously romantic due to association, really the cello is for us a more romantic choice for a wedding proposal. It's so melodic and has such a tender, romantic sound. Derk was quick to decide that he wanted 'All of Me' by John Legend to be the first song played and then 'Stand By Me' second. We couldn't have recommended better choices of songs ourselves, with all our experience in providing live music for romantic proposals, dinners and other occasions. All of Me is a beautiful statement of a song. It will be famous as long as love songs are around, so hopefully forever. The cello playing the tune with the simple piano backing track on a wireless speaker is a wonderful version that pays total respect to the original song. Stand By Me then is just a perfect old classic with a timeless theme of love, loyalty and commitment - the kind of things you're looking for in life when you chose to spend the rest of your life with someone.
For the other 2 songs in the proposal booking, Derk suggested that Carina chose from her repertoire. She chose Love me Tender and The Swan to finish. Both beautiful and romantic tunes. It was nice to finish on a classical one for a slight contrast to the 3 pop songs. So we kind of went back in time starting with a modern pop song and then finishing with The Swan by Saint-Saens that was written in 1886 but is just simply timeless, beautiful music. Arranging a live outdoor proposal always presents certain challenges in the form of the great British weather, for example. We had to change the date, but the date that everyone was free on luckily was a fine one and the sun came out for this wonderful moment. I came to help co ordinate on the day, as I like to always be there for my clients when possible. There was a slight delay as Maria got called in to a meeting. Me and Carina had a coffee and she has already warmed up her cello and checked the backing tracks. Derk had already been and found a spot where lots of paths intersect near Buckingham Palace in Green Park. There were benches there which was handy for Carina to sit on also.
At around midday, I spotted a happy looking couple in the mid-distance heading towards us and was pretty certain that was Derk and Maria. When they got closer, I knew for sure it was them and then Carina started playing All of Me. Derk didn't immediately get down on one knee, but when he did, he did it perfectly and indeed anyone in the Park quickly realised they were witnessing a romantic and extremely happy moment. Indeed a group of ladies walking past all cheered when they saw that Maria had just said yes! With all the difficulties in the world in the past year, this was a refreshing sight and a reminder that romance is alive and well and a great outdoor moment that brought a smile and cheer to the heart.
Get in touch with us if you're thinking of proposing to your partner and like the idea of doing it with live music. It doesn't need to be a flash mob and if you chose the right time of day and day itself, then it's not showy, just enhances a magical moment and leaves everlasting memories. We wish Derk and Maria every happiness and joy and are delighted to have been part of their engagement!
