
Stouts lodge
The musicians didn’t know that the only way to get to the island is by taking a pontoon boat. The dock is a two-hour drive from Minneapolis, leaves only once an hour and the boat ride takes twenty-minutes. The wedding was to start at 3:10, so it meant catching the boat an hour earlier than previously planned, at 2:00 pm.
One of the violinists decided to make the best of it, and brought her husband and small child along for the ride. She didn’t know the boat only seats 10. The cello is always counted as one seat, and they needed room for the three other instruments, four instrumentalists their heavy metal black stands and the baby stroller. When the quartet finally arrived to the dock they saw the pontoon boat—completely open to the elements. That day the temperature hit 93°. After just a few minutes they were quite seared in their black outfits but more concerning was that their valuable instruments also cooked, hopefully not to the point of melting varnish and bursting seams.
The wedding reception was under a large ornamented tent—it was a sizable wedding— but the ceremony would be outside. The sun beat mercilessly on the rows of occupants on daintily adorned white chairs.

Pontoon boat ride
Just as the quartet took their places, the wedding planner asked if they would mind playing “a little more” during the party. There was no mention of probably missing the pontoon boat for the return trip. Would there be a token more compensation for what ended up being an eight-hour day? “It’d be great exposure for your band,” she replied. They were certain they had plenty of “exposure” during the boat ride.
I promised myself that I wouldn’t offer to play outdoor weddings after the gale force winds made it difficult to stay upright last year. But when our neighbors became engaged—such a nice young couple and passionate about music—I was enthusiastic. “Yes of course I’d love to play for your wedding ceremony!” After Diane’s island adventure I had a sinking feeling.

Pergola and flagstone pavers
Fortunately, I wore long underwear and mittens with the fingertips cut off for the chilly day but at least there was no wind. The planners provided a pavilion and a rectangular dance floor. The harpist used one of her smaller easy to transport Celtic harps and an unobtrusive microphone allowed everyone to hear the delicate strains of Camille Saint-Saëns, The Swan, Dvořák’s Songs my Mother Taught Me, and the theme song to Jurassic Park, their special request. The bride and groom, a class act, insisted we join them for the festivities, and to stay in the resort overnight.
Yo Yo Ma The Swan with harp
Jurassic park theme The Piano Guys

Tent pavers
Vanessa’s wedding surprise “To Life”