Erin & Carolyn’s Crane Estate Wedding in Ipswich, MA
On June 3rd, 2017, East Coast Soul had the joy of celebrating with Erin Deadmon and Carolyn Grillo at the iconic Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts. With sweeping grounds, ocean views, and classic New England architecture, it was the perfect backdrop for a heartfelt, music-forward celebration.
The Setting: Crane Estate in Early Summer
If you’ve been to the Crane Estate, you know how special it feels the moment you arrive. Erin and Carolyn’s wedding made full use of the property’s outdoor spaces: an open-air ceremony adjacent to the main building, cocktails on the patio, and a lively reception just steps away. The entire day had an easy, relaxed summertime feel, anchored by thoughtful song choices and a packed dance floor from start to finish.
Ceremony: Folk-Inspired, Personal, and Outdoors
Erin and Carolyn’s ceremony took place outdoors next to the main building, framed by the Estate’s classic stonework and lush green lawns. Our keyboard and guitar duo provided the musical foundation, with a sound setup featuring two handheld wireless microphones, stands, and a compact speaker system to ensure every word was heard clearly.
The couple leaned into a modern folk palette for their prelude selections, drawing from artists like The Lumineers, The Avett Brothers, and The Lone Bellow. This created a warm, intimate atmosphere as guests arrived and settled into their seats.
Processional & Entrance Songs
One of the most memorable elements of the ceremony was the layered approach to entrances. Rather than a single traditional processional, Erin and Carolyn chose a sequence of songs that reflected different emotional beats of the moment:
- Mother of the Bride Entrance: “The Wedding Song (There Is Love)”
- Processional: “Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles (Acoustic Guitar)
- Bride’s Entrance #1: “Harvest Moon” – Neil Young
- Bride’s Entrance #2: “Patience” – The Lumineers
Hearing these songs in sequence gave the ceremony a cinematic quality: rooted in classic songwriting, but personal, modern, and tailored to Erin and Carolyn’s tastes.
Recessional
To close the ceremony, the couple chose “I Found You” by Alabama Shakes as their recessional. It’s a joyful, soulful tune that felt right at home in the Crane Estate’s outdoor setting—uplifting without being overly formal or traditional.
Cocktail Hour: Jazz Duo on the Patio
Cocktail hour took place on the outdoor patio adjacent to the main building, with guests spreading out to enjoy the view and the early summer air. For this portion of the evening, we shifted the instrumentation to a keys and saxophone duo, performing a mix of jazz standards and light, melodic selections that kept the mood relaxed and elegant.
The duo gave the evening a timeless feel—think classic hotel lobby jazz meets relaxed garden party—while still leaving plenty of room for conversation and catching up.
Reception: A 9-Piece Band and a Full Dance Floor
For the reception, Erin and Carolyn brought in a full 9-piece East Coast Soul lineup:
- Three Lead Vocalists
- Alto Saxophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Trombone
- Guitar
- Keys
- Bass
- Drums
The evening formally kicked off with introductions, welcoming “for the first time, the newly married couple, Carolyn and Erin!” before flowing into dinner, toasts, and a run of special dances that set the tone for the night.
First Dance: “Coming Home” by Leon Bridges
Erin and Carolyn
