Emily & Dave

We have played many weddings over the last 7 years, but this is one that we won't soon forget. Utah has seen an unseasonably wet June, and last night was no exception. As I watched the rain continue throughout the day, I kept wondering when it would stop. Usually, rainstorms only last about 7 1/2 minutes in our desert climate, but yesterday the rain kept coming.

About 30 minutes before the ceremony was set to begin, another wave of serious rain arrived, so we began our prelude music in the lodge. We sat in a small corner by the roaring fire in a room full of shawl-wrapped wedding guests. At the time of the scheduled ceremony, the host announced that a break in the storm was expected in about 30 minutes, so we planned to socialize in the lodge until then. Soon, glasses were being filled and the scent of wine permeated the room. And still, the sheets of water poured down.

Finally, as we could see no end to the deluge, everyone gathered on the patio outside, under a giant tarp. As puddles grew on the tarp, they poured out over the sides in heavy, sporadic waterfalls. A path was formed in the middle of the standing crowd of wedding guests, and rose petals sprinkled in a line leading to the minister. There were only two people sitting: a pretty woman in a wheelchair, and our cellist Thalia.

Despite the change in plans, the wedding guests seemed to have a nice time, and the gorgeous bride was smiling. The person I felt the most sorry for was the wedding planner; she had her work cut out for her last night! Our violinist Cathy said that she felt like a member of the string quartet on the Titanic as it was sinking.

Posted by Meili.

Rochelle and Mike

Saturday, May 30, 2009

We played for a wedding ceremony at the Union Station in Historic Ogden.

Above photographs by

Al Aguayo of AA Photography

The wedding was very colorful!

Posted by Cathy

Congratulations Rebekah!

Our very own Rebekah Butler

is graduating with her degree in Violin Performance

from the University of Arizona.

February 1, 2009 she graced the stage in

Tucson, AZ for her Senior Recital

May 22, 2009 she did an encore
for family and friends in Kaysville, UT

Cathy Butler Marlor and Rebekah Butler

~

I'm so proud of my sister and happy that we can

claim such a great violinist as one of us!

Congratulations Thalia!

Our very own Thalia Parmley McCarrey

is graduating from Weber State University this month.

She has become quite the artist - her Thesis Exhibition was great!

Thalia has been our cellist since 2002 and it is exciting

to see her reach this wonderful milestone in her life.

Congratulations Thalia!

Mrs. Utah Pageant

2009 Mrs. Utah Pageant Contestants

We played for the Mrs. Utah Pageant Gala at LaCaille. This is Meili surrounded by the jungle of beautiful plants that are there.

.

On our way home from this lovely event, Michelle and Thalia realized they had the exact same snacks (fiber one chocolate chip bar and apple) - they are like twins!

This is me, Cathy (in the center), from my pageant days. Every time I attend a pageant event I am reminded of all the great times and wonderful opportunities I had as Miss Layton 1997.

The current Mrs. Utah, Emily Nelson, was at the Gala. She is a very impressive woman!

Alicia Warnock is the pageant director who contacted us about becoming sponsors for the Mrs. Utah Pageant. It was an honor to be a part of. The pageant is tonight and Strings of Elegance would like to wish all the pageant contestants the best of luck!

http://www.mrsutahus.com/

New Commercial

Salt Lake's Premier Wedding Show 2009

Yesterday, we played for Salt Lake's Premier Wedding Show at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building in Salt Lake. We always love playing for this event. The excitement is palpable, and almost everyone in the building is in love.

This year, we held a drawing for a fabulous wedding workbook. Congratulations to the winner, Mallory Hollman! Best wishes and happy planning!

Posted by Meili