Valley Wed Vendor Spotlight: Classic Wedding Ensembles

Meet our vendors and find out why we're not your average wedding expo.

Valley Wed is a unique wedding show offering couples a handpicked selection of exceptional wedding pros in Western Mass.  It's designed especially for couples that want to go their own way, but they don’t want to go it alone.

Meet  Lynn Newdome and Phil Helzer, founders of Classic Wedding Ensembles.

When did you start your business and why do you do what you do?

Phil and I formed the core of our string quartet in 1999. We had played "gigs" together, and wanted to create a quality and consistent performing group. (This was a time when the primary form of advertising was the Yellow Pages, and business communications were done through mail and telephone!)

What is your very favorite part of your job?

Witnessing a small child experience live music for the first time – seeing her eyes fill with wonder as she hears the magical sounds of music being created from strange wooden 'boxes.'

What do you want couples to know about your business?

I want clients to know they can count on us to play their favorite songs beautifully, and that we'll help them with professional service, from planning to performing.

After the wedding, what's the best compliment you could hear about your work?

Strangely, the best compliment is often, "Your music made my cry," meaning that our playing touched their soul.  I love knowing that we played exactly what the clients had dreamed of, and that this created the "magic" that only live music can add to a couple's wedding day.

What is something every couple needs to know about planning a wedding or the big day itself?

RELAX.  Pause, breathe deeply and listen to your music, letting it enter your being. Soak in the wonderfulness of this occasion.

Share something you are really proud of…professionally and personally.

Music, created in time and perceived in the moment, is hard to display online, but this track gives you an idea.

Also, hearing from a client that that we helped make their wedding wonderful. Here's an example:
 
“Your talent, your love for your music, and playing our favorite song set the stage for the entire wedding. It was so beautiful. Thanks again for helping to make our ceremony and wedding celebration the one we had always hoped for. We will close our eyes and hear your music in our hearts forever."