This review is of the original release in 1999 on the Cala label.

From the first note sprung from fiddle strings, this compilation of instrumental wedding music inspires an impassioned sense of timelessness. What more can one ask for in wedding music?

With skillful players rounding out her ensemble -- Ken Darby on mandolin, octave mandolin and guitar; Dorothy Hawkinson on fiddle and hardingfele; Steve McArthur on accordion and guitar; John Roos on bodhran and other percussion; and Tom Sharkey on guitar -- Anne Roos manages to capture the tone and mood of a perfect wedding celebration.

Featuring Celtic songs both familiar and soon to be beloved, Haste to the Wedding includes prelude music of "Red is the Rose," "Bridget Cruise (Second and Third Airs)," "Black is the Colour," "The Lark in the Clear Air," "Ay Waukin O!" and "My Lagan Love." Accompaniments for the processional are "Manx Courting Song," "The Gentle Maiden," "Give Me Your Hand" and "Star of the County Down."

"Bridget Cruise (First and Fourth Airs)" "She Moved Through the Fair" and "Women of Ireland" comprise background selections for the ceremony. "Kitty's Wedding," "Mairi's Wedding," "Corn Rigs are Bonnie/Star of the County Down (March Version)" and "The Foxhunter's Jig/Haste to the Wedding" mark the recessional with a sense of jubilation and lively celebration.

These songs flow from the fingers of Roos and her ensemble naturally, like an age-old breeze.

Having been in the market for a compilation of Celtic selections to add spirit and flavour to my own upcoming wedding, I need look no further. Roos has filled the bill in a most spectacular, memorable way. A perfect musical complement to any wedding!

by Lynne Remick
Rambles.NET
12 May 2001

This review is of the 2005 reissue, with new packaging, from the Cambria label.

Haste to the Wedding is a gorgeously packaged collection of music and traditions that should bring joy to the hearts of any bride- and groom-to-be who hope to incorporate Irish and Scottish traditions into the special day.

There's prelude music ("My Lagan Love," "The Lark in the Clear Air," "Red is the Rose"), processional music ("The Gentle Maiden," "Give Me Your Hand"), ceremony music ("She Moved Through the Fair," "Women of Ireland") and recessional music ("Mairi's Wedding," "Corn Rigs are Bonnie," "The Foxhunter's Jig") -- 17 tracks of lovely music in all.

It all comes packaged in a beautiful booklet nearly 50 pages long. Besides descriptions of the music, it comes with an assortment of Celtic wedding traditions, such as the Irish Claddagh ring, the Scottish Luckenbooth pin and the Welsh lovespoon, plus blessings, the quaich, handfasting customs and even recipes!

Besides Roos on the Celtic harp, the album features the talents of Ken Darby on mandolin, octave mandolin and guitar, Dorothy A. Hawkinson on fiddle and Norwegian fiddle, Steve McArthur on accordion and guitar, Tom Sharkey on guitar and John Roos on bodhran and other percussion.

by Tom Knapp
Rambles.NET
24 March 2020