Cedar Valley Strings

09/30/2024

Fall is the new Wedding Season 🍂 & we are here for it!
On Saturday, Kara & John personalized their wedding ceremony with songs from Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ & Pixar’s ‘Up’, & it was the perfect windy autumn day!

{string trio} - Hannah, Austin, & Brooke
Krantz/Gerardi wedding ceremony
Little Lights on the Lane
West Branch, IA

09/29/2024

September has held some incredible weddings for us, and this one was no exception! The bride was walked down the aisle by her son, and the ceremony was officiated by the mother of the groom ❤️ Tina & Tim, we were so privilaged to play for your wedding this afternoon!

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, Sally, & Jesse
Higgins/Blitsch wedding ceremony
Women’s Club
Cedar Falls, IA

09/21/2024

Ever heard of country music superstar Clay Walker?

He’ll be at the National Cattle Congress in Waterloo tonight, and local country band Dry Run Creek will be opening for him.

Fun fact: CVS musicians Cara and Jesse are in said band. We couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity!

Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm! Get your tickets here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/36174883/clay-walker-concert-with-dry-run-creek-waterloo-national-cattle-congress?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1vGaKAkBygfdU9sJxW3rkXestQOka2MSSM74FTLpJptxGw--uh0pGQj4o_aem_ybNfsutuyFcuAD0sNgyMeQ

09/16/2024

09/16/2024

When the recessional we play has the most important meaning:

“In the spirit of Mötley Crüe’s ‘Home Sweet Home’, we celebrate not just the joining of two lives but the creation of a shared home where love and partnership turn every moment into a cherished memory. The lyrics remind us that, ‘I’m on my way, I’m on my way, home sweet home’ reflecting the journey of coming together and finding comfort in each other’s presence.”

We are beyond happy for you, Melanie & Jacob! Your wedding on Saturday was just perfect!

{violin/piano duo} - Julia & Dyan
Erazo-White/Mills wedding ceremony
Rotary Reserve
Cedar Falls, IA

09/16/2024

These two love like there is no tomorrow, and it shows in everything they do. Yesterday was no exception when it came to their beautiful wedding, and we were overjoyed to be a part of it all. Congratulations, Angie & Eric! We couldn’t be happier for you two!

{string trio} - Erik, Sally, & Jesse
Richardson/Blake wedding ceremony
Women’s Club
Cedar Falls, IA

09/15/2024

Another beautiful September wedding yesterday for Cedar Valley Strings! The unity ceremony was super creative: placing notes with words of affirmation and a bottle of wine in a box for when they need a reminder for why this special day happened in the first place. It was an honor being a part of your celebration, Madison & Kale!

{violin/piano duo} - Cara & Chris
Benge/Orman wedding ceremony
Hotel Millwright
Amana, IA

09/14/2024

Today was the perfect day for an outdoor wedding! Congratulations, Bryce & Ian! 🤍

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, Sally, & Jesse
Wirtz/Cook wedding ceremony
The Midnight Gem
Swisher, IA

08/23/2024

🎈HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎈to our awesome violinist / yoga instructor / cat mom Julia Andreini!

08/18/2024

Yesterday held another beautiful outdoor wedding officiated by the father of the groom, complete with a heartfelt prayer circle and communion! We wish you a most blessed marriage, Amanda & Josiah!

{string trio} Julia, Sally, & Jesse
Rooker/Soderstrum wedding ceremony
The Gathering Grounds
Bussey, IA

08/17/2024

These two were so much fun to plan ceremony music with! Thanks for letting my fellow shenanigans-creator and I participate in your special day, Maria & Will!

{violin/piano duo} - Cara & Chris
Rasmusson/Clapper wedding ceremony
The Exchange on Vine
Riverside, IA

08/17/2024

A first for us today… a rooftop wedding for Katie & Kohl, complete with the sweetest vows and a fun mix of music selections (hello, Bruno Mars and Stevie Wonder!).

{string trio} - Cara, Julia, & Jesse
Kolthoff/Kraus wedding ceremony & cocktail hour
The HarMac
Cedar Rapids, IA

08/11/2024

Another lovely Summer wedding with the most fun mix of oldies and pop song choices on this Fall-like day! Congratulations to you, Sarah & Mitch!

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, Sally, & Jesse
Pederson/Huftalin wedding ceremony
Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
Osage, IA

08/01/2024

Throwing back to one year ago at a Denver wedding ❤️

07/21/2024

We love playing ceremonies where every single song during the service is hand-picked for a reason… from” You are my Sunshine” because both of their grandmothers sang it to them years ago to “Back in Black” for the groom’s love of the Hawkeyes 💛🖤… it was a pleasure participating in your super meaningful wedding yesterday, Biz & Jordan!

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, Sally, & Jesse
Cuvelier/Martin wedding & cocktail hour
Elks Lodge
Waterloo, IA

07/19/2024

Check out our take on this cute tune by Owl City!

07/13/2024

Such an honor to join with other local musicians for Jessica & Farbod’s beautiful wedding ceremony this afternoon!

{solo violin} - Cara + collaborative musicians Julie & Katie
Balek/Farhang wedding ceremony
St Edwards Catholic Church
Waterloo, IA

07/08/2024

Did you know…

most of the members of CVS are also long-standing musicians in our local Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony? We, along with many of our other friends, just put on a “double header” Independence Day concert in Waterloo and in Waverly with some Americana favorites. We’re so blessed to have multiple performance outlets!

07/06/2024

Had a literal 💥 BLAST 💥 playing for a 4th of July Fireworks show last night! We got to tear into some brand new tunes (hello Metallica, Aerosmith, Nirvana, and AC/DC), met some new friends, and got to see a professional-grade round of fireworks right after. Great night!

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, Sally, & Jesse
Annual Shakespeare Fireworks Show
New Hartford, IA

07/05/2024

STOKED about the new tunes we just added to our set list for tonight’s show. We’re not your grandma’s string quartet… you know, unless your grandma’s cool 😎

06/22/2024

Every single wedding we get to play is special, but there is definitely an added honor when we are asked to participate in an event for a family that has been near and dear for a lifetime. Accompanying the bride’s brother Brady as he sang The Blessing… another memory that will be treasured.
Laura & TJ, yesterday was just the beginning of what is sure to be a beautiful marriage. Thank you for letting us be a part of your big day. 🤍

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, Sally, Jesse
Rempe/Freeland wedding ceremony
Timbers Edge Wedding and Event Centre
Steamboat Rock, IA

06/16/2024

A second beautiful wedding that CVS was honored to take part in yesterday! We hope that your entire celebration was an absolute blast, Krissa & Brody!

{string quartet} - Sam, Sally, Kathleen, & Matti
Larson/Klein wedding ceremony
First Church
Pella, IA

06/15/2024

What a special wedding we participated in today! We even collaborated with the grandmother of the bride to play a special song 🤍Congratulations to you, Mariah & Spencer! Thank you so much for letting us share your day with you!

{string quartet} - Cara, Julia, John, & Jesse
Nuss/Schmitz wedding ceremony
St. John Lutheran Church
Sumner, IA

06/02/2024

This couldn’t have been a more perfect evening for an outdoor cocktail hour and reception for Lilli & Jason! Thank you for letting us be a part of your festivities!!
Also… this historic venue is simply stunning.

{string trio} - Cara, Julia, & Jesse
Lopez/Brown wedding reception
Rollins Mansion
Des Moines, IA