Sarah & Justin’s State Room Wedding in Boston
Sarah and Justin’s wedding was a perfect example of how thoughtfully chosen music can tie together very different spaces into one cohesive night. The day began with a quiet, intimate ceremony at Old South Meeting House, then moved downtown to the State Room for a reception that steadily built into a full dance party overlooking the Boston skyline.
East Coast Soul handled the music from ceremony through the final song, shaping the night around the couple’s clear musical vision: classic soul and funk up front, then a gradual move into ‘90s and contemporary favorites as the evening unfolded.
Ceremony at Old South Meeting House
The ceremony took place at Old South Meeting House, one of Boston’s most historic and atmospheric venues. Rather than overcomplicating things, Sarah and Justin opted for solo piano—letting the room, the music, and the moment speak for themselves.
Prelude music featured selections by The Beatles, setting a familiar and welcoming tone as guests arrived.
Ceremony Music Highlights
- Processional: “Only Love” – Ben Howard
- Bride’s Entrance: “It Had to Be You”
- Recessional: “Married Life” – Michael Giacchino
The pairing of classic and modern worked beautifully here—romantic without feeling formal, and deeply personal without being overproduced.
Cocktail Hour at the State Room
Following the ceremony, guests made their way to the State Room at 60 State Street. Cocktail hour took place on the mezzanine of the Great Room, with a guitar and sax duo providing live music.
The vibe was classic cocktail lounge jazz—standards and familiar melodies that felt polished but relaxed, giving guests space to mingle while taking in the sweeping city views.
Reception Kickoff & Introductions
The reception officially began at 7:00pm with a fun, unmistakably Boston touch. Sarah and Justin were introduced over the chorus of the Cheers theme song:
“Where Everybody Knows Your Name.”
Loud, upbeat, and immediately recognizable, it set the tone for a night that didn’t take itself too seriously—but still knew exactly where it was.
“Please welcome the newlyweds, Justin & Sarah!”
Dinner & Toasts
Dinner ran from 7:15 to 8:30, with East Coast Soul providing an instrumental dinner set until vendor meals were ready. The band then switched briefly to recorded standards while taking a short break, keeping the atmosphere consistent throughout the room.
Toasts were spread naturally across the meal:
- Welcome Toast: Mother of the Bride, Beth Zaharoff
- Father of the Bride: Larry Zaharoff
- Maid of Honor: Sharon Zaharoff
- Best Man: Kyle Daniels
The pacing here was intentional—giving space for meaningful moments without stalling the night’s momentum.
First Dance & Parent Dance
The formal dances kicked off at 8:30, both performed live by the band:
- First Dance: “You Send Me” – Aretha Franklin (shortened to ~2 minutes)
- Bride/Father Dance: “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” – Stevie Wonder (shortened)
Keeping both songs concise helped preserve their emotional impact while smoothly transitioning into the open dance floor.
Main Dance Set: Classic First, Then Contemporary
From about 8:40 through 11:00, the band followed Sarah and Justin’s ideal arc: start with soul, Motown, and funk from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, then gradually layer in ‘90s and modern hits as the night progressed.
Highlights from their request list included:
- Sly & The Family Stone – “Dance to the Music”
- Jackie Wilson – “Higher & Higher”
- Jackson 5 – “ABC”
- Earth, Wind & Fire – “September”
- Whitney Houston – “I Wanna Dance with Somebody”
- Mark Morrison – “Return of the Mack”
- Montell Jordan – “This Is How We Do It”
Just as important were the couple’s very specific “do not play” list, which helped keep the set focused and aligned with their taste. The result was a dance floor that felt curated rather than generic.
Final Thoughts
Sarah and Justin’s wedding was a great reminder that clarity goes a long way. By pairing iconic Boston venues with a well-defined musical vision, they created a night that felt personal, intentional, and genuinely fun.
From a quiet piano ceremony in Old South Meeting House to a skyline-backed dance party at the State Room, the music carried the evening effortlessly from start to finish.
