The harp is a such versatile option for your wedding ceremony music!!! Not only it’s a perfect option to walk down the aisle to live music performed by a professional musician such a harpist, but also perfect for entertaining the guests during cocktail hour or small receptions. Here are the top 5 reasons you should book a professional harpist, especially if you are moving from big weddings to small, micro, intimate, or elopement wedding due to COVID-19: 1. The sounds of the harp are soothing, romantic, and surprisingly loud. There's nothing like the sound of a harp. It's like a piano that you can take pretty much anywhere, especially for outdoor weddings! The sound if powerful enough that it travels far, plus she only needs a small place to set up! Although a sound system is generally not needed, Kristen always brings one just in case. 2. Your song on the harp. A professional harpist will be able to play whatever song you want on the harp. Kristen will work with you to create a customized playlist for your wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception music. Want a special mix for your first dance? She'll make it happen! 3. It's generally a lot less expensive than hiring a DJ or band. Especially is you are having a small wedding and with some of the COVID-19 restrictions, it may not make sense to spend so much on equipment and a DJ or hire a bunch of musicians that can't maintain social distancing. Instead, entertain the guest with the beautiful music of a professional harpist playing while they mingle and eat during the reception. 4. Give your guests something to remember. As a wedding photographer, I have been in many weddings and have seen many options for wedding music. But, when my wife Kristen is the harpist for the wedding, it's the only time I hear the guest talking about the music and how beautiful it was. ALWAYS! Of course, that makes me happy :) I generally hear things like "OMG they have a harpist!" or "I've never seen a harp in real life before, it's so beautiful!" or "Wow! So cool that they hired a harpist!" 5. It’s a stunning and beautiful instrument to look at...making for beautiful and elegant pictures of your wedding. From the bride and groom photos or just having it as a backdrop, the harp is just so elegant! It's the official instrument of the royal family, so that should say something! If you’re still undecided for your wedding music, you cannot go wrong in hiring a professional harpist like Kristen Elizabeth for your wedding! Remember, that with us, being a husband and wife team, it's even better! Kristen Elizabeth also helps as a second photographer during the day, so it's the perfect match :) With that said, contact us today to learn how we can help you we can help you with our wedding photography and harp music experience! We want to be a part of your wedding day in Tampa Bay! "Jose & Kristen are just FABULOUS! José does an amazing job with the pictures and expreases such creativity through photographs & Kristen for plays the harp beautifully and also is amazing at taking photographs. They are a wonderful team and what they do is priceless. Our photos came out amazing and they were able to capture every special moment in our wedding. The harp not only sounded beautiful, it added such an elegant and classy touch to our ceremony. This couple has a special talent! They are extremely warm and welcoming and make posing for pictures so effortless. I would HIGHLY recommmend." - Giselle, Bride Photographing Alison and Bryan's big day was so much fun! Alyson and Bryan decided to have a non traditional wedding and when they told me about their plans I was more than excited since it's something we don't get to experience of photograph often! They held their wedding at Ulele, located in Downtown Tampa. It was the first time I photographed a wedding at Ulele, it's a great venue right by Tampa's Riverwalk that allowed me to bring the best of each moment.
I started the day photographing Alison at The Barrymore Hotel. I photographed her having her hair and makeup applied and getting the final stages of her preparation. It was so cool seeing all the details of this renaissance type of wedding with hand crafted medieval jewelry and dresses. Once we got to Ulele, friends and family looked on as Alison and Bryan exchanged rings in a fantastic ceremony right on the riverfront while my wife played their favorite tunes on her harp! Ulele was decorated beautifully based on Alison and Bryan's love for role playing games, cosplay, and medieval/renaissance. The guests were chatting happily, as they enjoyed drinks of their choice while I was still on the lookout to catch fantastic moments on camera. Alison and Bryan created a fantastic day and it was a joy to share it with them. This unique wedding was a success thanks to the amazing work of Rachel Dummeldinger with Ardour Complete Events! Take a peek at some of the images from the wedding below. If you are looking for a wedding photographer and harpist in the Tampa Bay area, reach out to us! We would love to be a part of your wedding day! Alexandra & Steve's Dreamy Wedding at the Knotted Roots on the Lake in Land O'Lakes, Florida3/7/2020
Alexandra and Steve had a fantastic wedding a couple of weeks ago. Knotted Roots on the Lake is located in Land O'Lakes was a perfect choice for the wedding. The day began with me photographing Alexandra while she got ready at the bridal house. I really enjoy photographing bridal prep as it gives you a chance to get to know the bridal party a little better. My wife photographed Steve's preparations over at the guys super cute vintage silver trailer. Once they were prepared, they took time to do a first look with the bridal party...Alexandra and Steve got super emotional as they saw each other for the first time. We love first looks because it gives us extra time to take additional portraits of the bride and groom, giving them more time to spend with each other later after the wedding. It was a cloudy day and it obviously had the bride and groom worried about possible rain, but the clouds eventually left and the sun came out at the same time as the bride was walking down the aisle to the romantic music of the harp..perfect timing! They spent the wedding reception mingling with their guests and enjoying the moment. As well as having a thoroughly fantastic day, it was just a joy to photograph Alexandra and Steve's wedding and I just know they will build a fantastic life together. :) Enjoy the highlight video and the images below from their wedding! If you are looking for a wedding photographer and harpist team for your wedding in the Tampa Bay Area, contact us today! Planning a wedding in the Tampa Bay area? Then you absolutely have to come to one of Tampa Bay's largest bridal expos at the Florida Wedding & Bridal Expo in Lakeland Florida. They have some amazing grand prizes and giveaways for participating brides. Some of these include thousands of dollars in honeymoon getaways, venue discounts, floral design, photo booth rentals, make up and so much more.
To register, visit the Florida Wedding & Bridal Expo registration page. Photo Harp is a proud sponsor and the official fashion show photographer for the Florida Wedding & Bridal Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Come visit our booth and say hi! We would love to be a part of your wedding day! If you are looking for a wedding photographer in the Lakeland or all of Tampa Bay area, contact us today for a personalized quote! Abby and Chris had a fantastic wedding a couple of weeks ago. The couple chose Tampa Firefighters Museum in Downtown Tampa, a perfect location to celebrate their wedding, especially since Chris himself is a firefighter! I hadn't photographed a wedding at Tampa Firefighters Museum before, but photographing there brought out the artist in me so seamlessly. Being a wedding photographer is such a cool job because I get to work with amazing couples in fantastic locations like this. Abby began getting ready for her wedding at Hilton Tampa Downtown so I went along to begin photographing her story. I really enjoy photographing bridal prep as it gives you a chance to get to know the bridal party a little better. My wife Kristen assisted me to photograph Chris's story as it began to unfold at Tampa Firefighters Museum. The couple had a magical first look at the Hilton's plaza. I love first looks as it gives us an opportunity to capture such a special moment and spend some time together taking photos of the couple - freeing up time after the ceremony. After finishing the first look, Abby and Chris were driven to the venue in an elegant Uber. Abby and Chris tied the knot at Tampa Firefighters Museum and it was a emotional ceremony among family and friends as they were delighted by the sounds of the harp as played by my wife, harpist Kristen Elizabeth. Abby and Chris shared some photo moments with the family after the ceremony before proceeding to the reception. The reception was full of energy and laughter. I started photographing the story unfolding as the guests relaxed and mingled. After the joy and laughter of the day, the only thing the guests had not done was dance. So they all took to the dance floor at the sound of some epic tunes by the amazing DJ by CJ. I knew it was going to be a fantastic wedding when Abby and Chris booked us to photograph it and it was a joy to share it with them. Thank you Abby and Chris!!!! Check out some of the photos below while enjoying the beautiful slideshow! If you are looking for a wedding photographer and harpist team in Tampa, Lakeland, or Sarasota area, look no further...contact us today! I was overjoyed to photograph Katherine and Billy's wedding a few weeks ago. They were married at Manatee Village Historical Park in Bradenton which is in Manatee County, Florida. It was such a joy to photograph a wedding at Manatee Village Historical Park, I hope to come back soon. I enjoyed capturing Katherine's story as preparations begun in the morning at the church bridal room. I got to photograph wonderful moments as the bride, mother of the bride, and maid of honor interacted during preparations. To develop a complete picture of the wedding, the groom's prep story must be told. So I also photographed Billy, his best man, and father of the bride, as they got ready nearby in a separate grooms room. It was an honor for friends and family to witness Katherine and Billy's big day at the 1887 Old Meeting House Church. It's moments like this that make my job as a wedding photographer so rewarding. Katherine and Billy shared a few moments with their guests before heading to the reception just outside the church at the courtyard. The guests were chatting happily, as they were delighted by the harp music played by my wife Kristen Elizabeth. As always, capturing the dynamics, moments and stories of the day is my main goal. The season can really have an impact on a wedding and I find Spring weddings are some of my favorite. The day was bright and sunny, which lit up the courtyard nicely through the big oaks, and it helped make the photographs nice and bold. Once the wedding meal was finished it was time for the speeches to begin so everybody got ready for some lovely words from the maid of honor and best man. The speeches are a happy part of the wedding and a joy to photograph as a wedding photographer. You couldn't wish for a more perfect day for Katherine and Billy and I wish them all the best. Check out their highlight video with some of their favorite photographs of their day. |
AuthorJose & Kristen Hoyos, Tampa Bay Area Wedding Photographer and Harpist for Weddings Archives
January 2024
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