A Musical Wedding in Macclesfield - July 2025
- Jack Mitchell Smith
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
It’s always a pleasure to be asked to play piano at a wedding. This is especially true when it is for someone I know or - as in this case - have known previously and have been out of touch with for quite some time (an old friend from sixth form, in fact!).
The groom in question contacted me at the beginning of the year and asked if I would be happy to play for him at King Edward Street Chapel, Macclesfield on Saturday 19th July 2025.
Naturally - I did!
However, it wasn’t without its challenges. See, he didn’t go down the regular road that so many do now and ask for a romantic song from The Greatest Showman and a ballad by Adele, for example.
No.
This was full on classical!
Never one to shy away from a challenge, I embraced the opportunity and got cracking in learning the pieces for this musical wedding in Macclesfield.
Here are the results:
A Musical Wedding in Macclesfield - Guest Arrivals
For the arrival of the guests up to around half an hour before the ceremony (2:00 pm), a specially selected set had been chosen. Those who read my blogs a lot might remember that I tried some of these out on Richmond Villages in Nantwich a few weeks ago. Well, here they are again, along with some new ones! -
Prelude - Sergei Bortkiewicz
Serenade - Antonín Dvořák
Passacaglia - George Frideric Handel
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (arr. Myra Hess) - Johann Sebastian Bach
Salut d’Amour - Edward Elgar
And on with the service!
Three pieces of music had been specially selected for the service: a hymn, naturally, and music to which the register was to be signed and, of course, the processional!
Hymn - How Great Thou Art
Always fun to accompany a congregation given that it is about as unrehearsed as can be! However, they all did a wonderful job. For a crowd of only 52 guests, they carried some volume!
Signing of the Register - Ode to Joy (arr. Franz Liszt) - Ludwig Van Beethoven
As if I hadn’t been set enough challenges. Nothing strikes fear into the heart of a pianist like the name Liszt! But what a great arrangement and a great challenge!
Processional - Elizabethan Serenade - Ronald Binge
A great piece to finish on! Of course, I couldn’t escape the odd conversation happening whilst I was playing but - as they say in the industry - just keep going!
Thank you to Tom and Lauren and huge congratulations on your recent wedding!
If you are interested in asking me to play for your wedding (or any other event), have a read up and send me a message!
Jack Mitchell Smith is a piano teacher based in Congleton, Cheshire. Click here to find out more.
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