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Wedding Guitar at Syon House: “More Than Words” for Yani and Pat
Posted on: 10 May 2014
On 3 May 2014, I returned to Syon House in London to play for Yani and Pat’s wedding ceremony and drinks reception. Their music brought together classical guitar, Eva Cassidy, Michael Jackson and Disney songs, with one particular request at the heart of it all: “More Than Words” by Extreme, which Yani chose for her entrance.
A wedding in Syon House’s Great Hall
Syon House has been the setting for several of my performances over the years. Before Yani and Pat’s wedding, I had already played in the Great Conservatory and inside the house, in the Red Drawing Room and Long Gallery. My most recent visit as a performer was for Mike Jatania’s wedding—another Syon celebration that deserves an article of its own.
The London home of the Duke of Northumberland, Syon House was built in the sixteenth century on the site of a medieval abbey. Its interiors include Robert Adam’s remarkable Great Hall, with its classical columns, statues and black-and-white marble floor. It is an impressive setting for a wedding ceremony, with plenty to catch your eye before the music even begins.
For Yani and Pat, this was where 120 guests gathered that afternoon. I provided the music as guests arrived, for the ceremony itself and through the drinks reception afterwards.
“More Than Words” for the bride’s entrance
When we discussed the repertoire, Yani was clear about her priority: “The main song is ‘More Than Words’.”
It’s a lovely choice for an entrance on solo guitar. The guitar is already central to the original recording, so there is a natural connection to its sound. In an instrumental arrangement, the task is to bring the vocal melody into the guitar part while keeping the accompaniment flowing underneath it.
That is something I particularly enjoy about arranging songs for weddings: finding a way for one instrument to carry both the tune people recognise and the musical detail that gives a song its character.
For the aisle walk, the arrangement also needs to work with the entrance itself. A live performance allows room to respond to the pace of the procession and bring the music to a natural close.
Eva Cassidy, Michael Jackson and a little Disney
Alongside “More Than Words”, Yani and Pat asked for music from Eva Cassidy’s repertoire, Michael Jackson songs and some Disney favourites, combined with classical pieces. I was able to include all of those requests.
It was a varied brief, and a good example of how personal wedding music can be. A couple doesn’t need to choose one genre for the whole day. Played on solo guitar, songs from quite different musical worlds can sit comfortably alongside one another.
We also discussed the exit music, for which I suggested Handel’s “The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba”. Its lively movement makes it a particularly enjoyable choice for the moment when the formalities are over and the celebrations begin.
A message the following morning
The good weather was a welcome addition to the day, and the following morning Yani and Pat sent me this message:
“Thank you so much for you’re beautiful music yesterday. It was perfect and everyone commented on how great it sounded.”
They also apologised that we had only seen each other briefly because they kept being whisked away by the photographers—a familiar part of a wedding day!
It was lovely to hear from them so soon afterwards, and especially to know that the music had been enjoyed by their guests. From Yani’s entrance to the drinks reception, their choices gave me a programme that was very much their own.
