August 15 three more weddings, so I went from being in Hamilton the previous night to Grimbsy the next afternoon, than Orangeville, and lastly Vaughan. Here is the evidence...
First stop Liuna Gardens! www.liunagardens.com I love this place and they love me too. They refer me a lot of work, they are always punctual, the staff are the greatest people to work with, and like Liuna Station the food is awesome! They have the most beautiful back drop of Lake Ontario and the longest outdoor isle I have ever seen! It gives brides plenty of time to enjoy the moment they have been waiting for their entire life! This venue can host small, medium or big size weddings and has several fountains and gorgeous gardens great for pictures!
My dearest friend is getting married there next year and I am her Matron of Honor. It's hard to believe but I have been in 7 weddings. This will be my eighth and my second time being a Matron of Honor. I am really happy I can say I am married or I would have to have another blog about that like the movie '27 Dresses'!

Next was the Millcroft Inn. (www.millcroft.com) They also refer me a lot of work and I enjoy the drive to Orangeville because it is a quite community out of the smog. You can literally see it disappearing in your rear view mirror as you drive out of it. I finally had the lovely opportunity to play in their garden. I have always played in their tent due to uncertain weather. The garden was so private, probably the most private garden I have ever played in. They have it set up so nice and it's very romantic with the sound of the water falls in the background. The Millcroft is a great place to get married if you are having a smaller wedding.
Due to the humidity that day I was sure a string might break and unfortunately I was right. The good thing was that I saw it happening before the string actually snapped. I heard a cracking sound at the first wedding but didn't see anything, than just before I started playing at the second wedding (while guests were arriving for the ceremony)I noticed my 'F' string fraying near the soundboard. I prayed it would last until the ceremony started so I could replace it while the minister was speaking. This worked out well for me in this situation because I was set-up at the back near the entrance of the garden behind the guests so I was no distraction. I was able to replace the string quickly enough to be ready in time for the signing of the register. It was annoying though because for the rest of the day I had to constantly tune it by ear but I was glad it didn't interfere with the ceremony :) Once I had a string break while I was playing for the signing of the register and I had to play without it for the remaining time of the signing and the recessional. That was really awkward!!!
After the ceremony I played for the cocktails which were near the main building (there are many little buildings at the Millcroft and a great spa too!) They served some interesting 'snacks' that I had the pleasure of trying, my favorite was goat cheese on a slice of roasted plum. Not the kind of thing you would think to put together but it was so refreshing on a hot summer day and so delightful they way it melted in your mouth. My husband and I ate their once before for our anniversary so I knew I could trust the strange combination to taste good! I am going to try it at home one day, we love goat cheese!
The last location was very classy. I have played there once before so I was ready for the type of wedding this would be...high class. I had brought a different dress for this wedding because I was to be playing in the middle of the dance floor on a microphone so everyone could hear me play throughout dinner and even in the bathrooms...I think...I wouldn't know for sure though ;) Anyway it required a different dress than the one I had worn all day for the 'garden weddings' and I let my hair down. This venue is the Bellvue Manor in Vaughen. (www.bellvuemanor.com) All I can say about this venue is that I have never tried the food but it looks amazing and the service is 'tops'. It is gorgeous, grand and flawless. Certain things about it remind me of Liuna Station however Liuna has a different type of character because it is an old train station. I don't have pictures of me playing, the lighting was low for dinner so the pictures I do have are a bit dark. However just in case you are wondering the brides bouquet was blue, I loved it! It was full of light blue roses...just my style, (I had a light blue wedding dress). She looked like royalty and maybe she was, I'll never know!
It was a crazy day and I was exhausted, my fingers were numb most of the time I was playing at the last wedding, in fact it felt better to just keep playing so I didn't feel the pain. All I can say after my busiest weekend of the year is...Thanks be to God for safe travels and four happy brides. For the record, I was not late to any of the weddings but the Brides were :)