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Our Son was married on Saturday and the bride asked if I would provide music with one of my old phonographs. I jumped at the opportunity and selected a Model B Gem, converted to 2&4 minute, and a huge 50" recording horn with floor crane. The little Gem is a workhorse and always pulls through a four minute cylinder with one winding. I played Silver Bell (BA #1998), Bell Solo from the Magic Flute (BA #1553), the wedding party processed to The Prettiest Little Song of All (BA #1887) and recessed to Mendelssohn's Wedding March (two minute Edison #120). The recordings using bells and bands were easily heard by the small group. The wedding site was at a small fishing cabin along the Little North Santiam river in Elk Horn, Oregon which is in the Cascade mountains. In the background was the river and the old Elk Horn stagecoach stop from pioneer days. The little Edison fit right in. It was a beautiful day, a perfect wedding and it was fun to share my hobby. Jerry Blais

Sounds like it was a great day and fun that the "kids" wanted to include your interest in phonographs as part of their celebration. Congratulations!

Steve

I loved reading that story! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad to hear everything went well and that it was a memorable experience. I am very impressed that your Daughter-in-law asked for you to use a phonograph in the wedding. It seems to be a rare occurrence, (at least in my experience) when someone who isn't an avid collector shows interest in phonographs beyond the general "what is that thing" question upon first seeing one. So congratulation on what sounds like a great addition to the family and for a successful day!

Coincidentally I was married about a year and a half ago. While going through the planning stages with my wife, I had attempted to convince her to incorporate a phonograph into the festivities as well. I had only been in the hobby for a matter of months at that point and she still thought I was "weird" for the new found passion. That being said, she wasn't too excited about the idea and the "discussion" was short and one sided. Needless to say there were no phonographs at my wedding.

At any rate, congrats again and thanks for sharing your story.

Jerry B. wrote:Our Son was married on Saturday and the bride asked if I would provide music with one of my old phonographs. I jumped at the opportunity and selected a Model B Gem, converted to 2&4 minute, and a huge 50" recording horn with floor crane. The little Gem is a workhorse and always pulls through a four minute cylinder with one winding. I played Silver Bell (BA #1998), Bell Solo from the Magic Flute (BA #1553), the wedding party processed to The Prettiest Little Song of All (BA #1887) and recessed to Mendelssohn's Wedding March (two minute Edison #120). The recordings using bells and bands were easily heard by the small group. The wedding site was at a small fishing cabin along the Little North Santiam river in Elk Horn, Oregon which is in the Cascade mountains. In the background was the river and the old Elk Horn stagecoach stop from pioneer days. The little Edison fit right in. It was a beautiful day, a perfect wedding and it was fun to share my hobby. Jerry Blais

What a lovely story. I just wish I would have been interested in phonographs back when I was married.

I realize that men don't typically like to see wedding photos as we women do, but I would love to. The event and locale sound positively idyllic.

If you would care to share pictures, you could always message me rather than post them to the general forum (with the exception of the phonograph, that is), if you feel wedding pics might be a bit too OT.

Jerry, you ARE a lucky man!

Our daughter was married three years ago, and ever since she was born in 1982, I had nursed a secret little hope that she'd want an old phonograph playing something at her wedding someday... Perhaps nothing more than the "Bridal March." Well, every time I'd happen across appropriate records, I bought them just in case...

Must I go on?

To be truthful, I wasn't a bit surprised!

George P.

George,

I was born in 1981 and my wife in 1982. So your daughter was probably in the same boat as my wife regarding phonographs at the wedding!

My wife also wanted a limo to pull away with us in it after the ceremony. I told her that I felt it was a little cliched and if I couldn't have a phonograph at the wedding, I would at least get to pick the "getaway" car. So we drove away in a 1929 Oldsmobile Touring Car. It was beautiful. If I had the money, I would collect both phonographs and antique cars!

Jerry that's great. You are very lucky indeed.

I was asked to "DJ" at a friend's wedding some 15 plus years ago. They wanted music during the band breaks at the wedding dance. I took a Victor V. One of the guys in the band helped us suspend a michrophone in front of the horn.

I think it was pretty well received. At least I had fun.

When I get married, I'm taking my Columbia portable down to the ceremony and playing Al Bowlly with the Ray Noble Orchestra: Shout For Happiness

What a great story and wonderful memories the entire family will hold onto for years ! Congrats to your son and daughter in law for such a festive occasion.

When my wife and I got married in 1994 we had a small stone chapel in the mountains which took you back in time just by the setting. We used only phonographs for music in the ceremony. As people were being seated and waiting we had a family member play records like Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey for our parents to reflect on. We played records with bells and chimes in the ceremony and a couple of other selections we liked. We had a Victrola IX and a Standard disc machine (which I put on a very shiny Columbia nickelled horn on just for the occasion instead of the red horn). Once the ceremony ended we had them play Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller records until the chapel was empty. It was quite a day.

On the other side of playing records for occasions, I had a phonograph mentor who I really grew to admire and learned much from. On his passing about 8 years ago I was asked to play a record at the funeral. It was decided that the appropriate tune was "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". I played that record on his Victor VI with spruce horn. I played it proudly....but it was one of the harder things I've ever had to do.

Family and guests will always remember occasions with music and technology from an earlier time.

ColoradoPhonograf

Go Ahead. Post some pictures. We men can take it! Walking my 2 daughters down the aisle was the greatest emotional experience I've had since than my own wedding. No phonographs, though. I didn't dare even bring that one up.

Jim