Laura Dishong
Weddings
"Melodie" by Cecile Chaminade with Eleanor Dishong, violin
"A Thousand Years" with Mark Dishong, piano and Eleanor Dishong, violin
Sonata for Harp with flute by Joseph de Boulogne
with Cynthia Tjoa, flute
"Lady Athenry" (excerpt) by Turlough O'Carolan with Eleanor Dishong, violin
I've been playing harp for weddings in the Delaware Valley for over twenty five years. I've played for all kinds of ceremonies: religious weddings (Christian, Hindu, Jewish, and Wiccan) and non-denominational weddings; both indoors and outdoors (churches, court-houses, yacht clubs, golf courses, mansions, wineries, beaches, ships, camp grounds, and barns).
As a wedding harpist, my goal is to help the bridal couple have music that truly reflects them, with an air of class and elegance. Some folks opt to walk down the aisle to classics like "Canon in D". Others prefer something less predictable, like "Stairway to Heaven". I play a wide variety of music to accommodate all kinds of musical tastes: Classical, Folk, Pop, Rock, Jazz, and Country. With thousands of songs in my repertoire, a couple can find selections that are unique to them. As a former casino harpist, I play thousands of songs in my repertoire so people can find selections that suit their tastes.
In addition to special songs, couples might choose special instrumentation. Perhaps you'd like a duo, trio, or even a band? I have many options available. My husband Mark Dishong is a talented organist and pianist. Our daughter Eleanor Dishong is a fine violinist and singer. We also have access to many other excellent musicians who play instruments like flute, cello, guitar, drums, and trumpet. Whatever you choose, solo or combo, I will strive to make sure you have what GigMasters website deemed as a "Five Star" experience!
What others say:
"Everyone at the party enjoyed hearing you play. I have been receiving calls all week. You have such a wonderful talent, and your beautiful personality really enhances it. Thanks again!"
-Eileen Maguire, anniversary party hostess
"Laura's music added tremendous depth to the event. Months later, I'm still receiving comments about how beautiful her music is."
-The Reverend Ryan Paetzold
"We were extremely pleased with the time you took to learn our selections...and with the overall presentation at the wedding. You were absolutely wonderful, and we feel you made our ceremony beautiful and romantic. We couldn't be happier!"
-Kelli McStay Ringen, bride
"We are so grateful to have you be a part of our wedding. Your musical touch added a very classy touch to our ceremony... You have a wonderful selection of music. Thank you so much for making our wedding so special."
-Gwyn Habingreither, bride
Wedding Planning Sheet
Planning Order- When planning music, I recommend planning the music out of order, so that we can prioritize which pieces are most desired for each section of the ceremony, then fill in other pieces as needed. (These songs are suggestions. If there is another song on the list that you would like to use that is not listed, please let me know and I’ll see if I can play that song.)
1. Bridal Processional
Please choose one of these recommended songs-
“Allegro Maestoso” by G. F. Handel
“Bridal March” by Richard Wagner (Here Comes the Bride)
“Canon in D” by Johannes Pachebel
“Carolan’s Dowry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Carolan’s Welcome” by T. O’Carolan
“Lady Athenry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig Van Beethoven
“Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell
“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
“The Wedding Song” by Kenny G
"Dodi Li" Traditional Jewish
2. Bridal Party Processional
Please choose one of these recommended songs-
“Canon in D” by Johannes Pachebel
“Carolan’s Welcome” by T. O’Carolan
“Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J. S. Bach
“Lady Athenry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig Van Beethoven
“Sheebeg and Sheemore” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell
“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
"Erev Shel Shoshanim" Traditional Jewish
"Artza Alinu" Traditional Jewish
3. Recessional Music
Please choose one of these recommended songs-
“Allegro Maestoso” by G. F. Handel
“Wedding March” by Felix Mendelssohn (Traditional)
“Carolan’s Dowry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Lady Athenry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig Van Beethoven
“Planxty George Brabazon I and II” by O’Carolan
“Southwind” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell
“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
"Simon Tov" Traditional Jewish
4.Seating of the Mothers
“One Hand, One Heart” by Leonard Bernstein
“Sunrise, Sunset” by Sheldon/Harnick
“Pavane” by Gabriel Faure
“Andante in G” by J.S. Bach
“Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
5. Unity Candle (Or Wine or Sand Ceremony):
“I Will Be Here” by Stephen C. Chapman
“All I Ask of You” by A. L. Webber
“Grow Old With Me” by John Lennon
“The Wedding Song”, Anonymous
6. Sign of Peace:
“Give Me Your Hand” Irish Tune
“Andante in G” by W. A. Mozart
“O Perfect Love” by Joseph Barnby
“Be Thou My Vision”
“The Wedding Song”, Anonymous
“Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring” by J.S. Bach
“Pavane” by Gabriel Faure
7. Communion:
“Spagnoletta” by Praetorius
“Andante in G” by W. A. Mozart
“One Bread, One Body” by John Foley
“O Perfect Love” by Joseph Barnby
“Be Thou My Vision”
“Lauda to St. Maddalena”
“Panis Angelicus” by Cesar Frank
8. Offering of Flowers to the Blessed Mother:
“Ave Maria” by Franz Schubert
“Ave Maria” by Charles Gounod
9. Postlude
“Allegro Maestoso” by G. F. Handel
“Canon in D” by Johannes Pachebel
“Carolan’s Dowry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Carolan’s Welcome” by T. O’Carolan
“Lady Athenry” by Turlough O’Carolan
“Ode to Joy” by Ludwig Van Beethoven
“Trumpet Tune” by Henry Purcell
“Trumpet Voluntary” by Jeremiah Clarke
“The Wedding Song” by Kenny G
At Moorestown Community House with Cynthia Tjoa, flute, and Eleanor Dishong, violin
At Durham Hill Farm with
Eleanor Dishong, violin
At Camp Dark Waters in Medford, NJ with Eleanor Dishong, violin/guitar and Mark Dishong, keyboard
At the Concordville Inn, Concordville, PA
At the Crossing Winery in Newtown, PA
At the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield, NJ
General Musical Selections for Laura T. Dishong
This is a sampling of the music that I do. I play thousands of songs. If you don’t see what you like, please ask.
An asterisk * means the piece may be played and sung if you wish
Popular Hits
“Golden Hour” by JVKE, “What Was I Made For?’ and “I Love You” by Billie Eilish; “Blank Space” and “Love Song” by Taylor Swift, "Baby, Can I Hold You?" by Tracy Chapman, “Theme From Game of Thrones”, “Africa” by Toto, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri, “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls, “Thinking Out Loud” and “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, “Count on Me” and “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars, “Falling Slowly” from Once, “Yellow”, “Clocks”, “The Scientist” and “Viva La Vida” by Coldplay, “”La Vie En Rose” by Edith Piaf/Madeline Peyroux, “Seasons of Love” from Rent, “Come Away With Me” and “Don’t Know Why” by Norah Jones, “I Hope You Dance” by Lee-Ann Womack, “Time to Say Goodbye” and “The Prayer” by Andrea Bocceli, “Breathe” by Faith Hill, “New York, New York” and “My Way” by Frank Sinatra, “To Make You Feel My Love”, “Love Song” and “Hello” by Adele, “My Heart Will Go On”* from Titanic, “The Secret Garden” by Bruce Springsteen, “The Power of Love”, “You Look Wonderful Tonight”, “Grow Old Along With Me”*, “The Wind Beneath My Wings” from Beaches, “The Rose”, “I Will Remember You” and “Angel” by Sarah McLachan, “Stairway to Heaven”, “Whiter Shade of Pale”, “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap, “Love Song” by The Cure, “Man on the Moon” and “Nightswimming” by REM, “All I Have to do is Dream” by the Everly Brothers, “With or Without You” and “One” by U2, “Bittersweet Symphony” by the Rolling Stones/Verve Pipe, “From This Moment On”, “Love is Here to Stay”, “So Amazing”, “Endless Love”, “When Doves Cry”, “Space Oddity”, “Fields of Gold” and more.
From The Beatles
“Eight Days a Week”*, “The Long and Winding Road”*, “And I Love Her”*, “Yesterday”, “This Boy”, “Something”, “Here, There and Everywhere”, “Across the Universe”, “I Will”, “Till There Was You”
From Elvis
“Love Me Tender”*, “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”*, “Hawaiian Wedding Song”*
The Songs of Nat King Cole
“Unforgettable”*, “Too Young”*, “Autumn Leaves”*, “Love is the Thing”*, “I Remember You”*, “Answer Me”, “A Blossom Fell”, “Love Letters”, “When I Fall in Love”*, “Mona Lisa”* and more!
From Broadway
“Think of Me”*, “Music of the Night”, “Angel of Music”, “All I Ask of You”, “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”*, “You Must Love Me”*, “Memory”, “Pie Jesu”, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him”, “If I Loved You”*, “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, “The Sound of Music”*, “Edelweiss”*, “Morning Hymn”, “My Favorite Things”, “Hello, Young Lovers”*, “Getting to Know You”, “We Kiss in a Shadow”, “Dites-Moi”, “Some Enchanted Evening”, “Love, Look Away”, “You Are Beautiful”, “Bring Him Home”*, “Castle On A Cloud”*, “A Little Fall Of Rain”*, “Who Am I?”, “Sunrise, Sunset”, “Matchmaker”, “Bewitched”, “Seasons of Love” from Rent; “Married”, and more
From Enya
Watermark- “Sail Away”, “On Your Shore”*, “When Evening Falls”*, “Exile”*, “Watermark”
Shepherd Moons- “Shepherd Moons”, “Caribbean Blue”*, “Angeles”*, “How Can I Keep From Singing”*
Disney Favorites
“Beauty and the Beast”, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”*, “Candle on the Water”*, “Be Our Guest”, “With a Smile and a Song”*, “A Whole New World”*, “Baby Mine”*, and many more.
Famous Classical Melodies
“Claire de Lune”, “Arioso”, “Ave Maria”*, “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”*, “St. Anthony’s Chorale”, “Theme from Dvorak’s New World Symphony”, “Caro Mio Ben”*, “La Donna E Mobile”, “Ode to Joy”, “Pachebel Canon”, “Greensleeves”, “Calm is the Night”, “Pavane”, “Barcarolle”, “Lauda”, “Spagnoletta” and many more.
Irish Favorites
“Danny Boy”*, “My Wild Irish Rose”*, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling”*, “Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms”, “Sally Gardens”, “Castle of Dromore”, “She Moved Through the Fair”*, “Shule Aroon”*, “Wild Mountain Thyme”*, “Carrighfergus”, “Give Me Your Hand”, and many more!
Italian Favorites
“Quando, Quando, Quando”, “Come Prima”, “Come Back to Sorrento”, “Arrivederci Roma”, “Isle of Capri”, “Quando M’Innamoro”, “Chi Baba”, “Bella Notte”, “That’s Amore”, “Santa Lucia”, “La Donna e Mobile”, “Time to Say Goodbye”, “Barcarolle”, “Tarantella”, “Funniculi, Funnicula”, “Godfather Theme”, “Romeo and Juliet Theme”
Scottish Favorites
“My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose”*,“Loch Tay Boat Song”, “Skye Boat Song” (Outlander Theme) and many more.