Today we are featuring Maine and New Hampshire wedding ceremony musicican, Jennifer Yeaton-Parris in the vendor spotlight!  Jennifer shares a little information about herself, her music, and her experience in the wedding industry.  Get to know this great wedding ceremony musician and visit her directory on my Kate Parker Wedding to see more.

Number of years in business:

I played my first wedding as a high school student in the mid 1980’s on the Seacoast of NH and have been providing music for brides ever since. I studied flute at the University of NH and at Boston University where I received my BM and MM in music performance as well as a BA in music history. I left the area in the early 1990’s and played weddings, parties and concerts in the upstate NY area for four years before returning to NH in 1996. Since coming home, I have enjoyed performing weddings as well as parties, cooperate events, recitals and concerts in the New England area. I have continued my studies on the flute with various teachers since school and am always looking for ways to improve as a performer and flutist.

Preferred wedding venues/locations/styles:

I have performed at a variety of venues including Grand Hotels, intimate Bed and Breakfast Inns, wedding facilities, family homes and even on top of Mount Sunapee, and in the middle of Squam Lake on Church Island. The solo flute is great for rustic settings such as an outdoor garden, a flute/guitar duo creates a wonderful atmosphere for a ceremony and an upbeat cocktail hour for any style of wedding (and is still very portable), flute and harp or flute with strings creates an elegant atmosphere for any classic or traditional wedding ceremony and a classical themed cocktail hour. The only limitation on the different groups I perform with is the weather. Too low temperatures or rain isn’t good for the instruments and is always a consideration when planning an outdoor wedding.

Pricing Information:

Solo flute for a wedding ceremony would start at around $275, depending on where the wedding might be located. Prices could move up to the $1500 range for a quartet of flute, violin, viola and cello for the ceremony and cocktail hour with travel included.

What makes you stand out?

I have been working for over twenty years with wedding couples to find the right ensemble for their wedding type, location and size. I have been performing as a professional flutist for just as long and have extensive training in flute, music and music repertoire.  I also own two types of headjoints, one gold and one wooden, for my flute to create different sounds for various venues.
My knowledge extends to what music and ensemble is best suited indoors, outdoors or a particular venue. I’m willing to take whatever role the couple needs in order for the music to be perfect. I can plan the entire music ceremony or let the couple decide on the pieces. I want to help them choose the right music, not necessarily what’s traditional or expected, if that means the William Tell Overture for a recessional or Arabian Dance from the Nutcracker for the bridal march, so be it. It is their day and I believe in making their vision come true. I’m there to provide my vast experience as a flutist and my knowledge of the wedding repertoire and beyond to make that day unique and special.

What’s the favorite part of your work?

I have loved music since I first started playing the flute when I was ten years old. I never wanted to do anything else. Live music creates the perfect atmosphere and adds another dimension to any event whether it’s a wedding or another type of special occasion. One of my other great passions is romance. I love the joy and happiness experienced at a wedding by not only the couple but by all the others fortunate enough to be a part of their day. By performing at weddings I’m able to blend both my love of music and romance together.

If you have any spare time, how do you spend it?

When I’m not performing or teaching flute, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and husband. We love outdoors sports like biking, hiking, ice skating and the beach when the weather permits, but also have family movie and game nights as well. I’m an avid reader, mostly romance novels, and dabble in writing romance as well.

Which charity(s) are you donating to and why?

I’m donating to the ASPCA because animals hold a special place in my heart. They give us unconditional love, and make our lives a little better each day.

Jennifer Yeaton Parris
my Kate Parker Wedding Directory: Jennifer Yeaton- Parris
my Kate Parker Wedding State & Budget: ME, NH 25-50k

Maine and New Hampshire wedding ceremony musician, Jennifer Yeaton-Parris, is a member of my Kate Parker Wedding your online wedding resource guide geared towards directing couples to quality vendors based on their price range and state.