Susannah and her husband, Rohan, together make up the musical duo Under the Willow. The couple have been making music together for ten years, and it was this passion that allowed them to move with their two beautiful children to the Sunshine Coast – their dream!
When approaching each wedding day performance, Under the Willow aim to embody a beautiful and serene folk-inspired musical backdrop to match the most special moment in people’s lives.
Susannah, you and your hubby Rohan are a duo, but you can expand to become a band, right?
We can be a duo for the ceremony, and extend to a four piece band for receptions so that couples have various options available as the event progresses. I believe we are unique in that we love to take any requested song and put our own spin on it. We really enjoy working with couples to ensure the music is special and perfectly fits the desired mood. It’s a lot of fun learning the different songs that are requested! As we are both jazz trained also, we can offer jazz as another style which couples often really enjoy as a backdrop during dinner.
What’s trending in weddings in 2019?
More and more couples are starting to look for folk inspired musicians that will really bring a personal touch to their ceremony. Boho inspired weddings are a beautiful new trend, which is really suited to the pared back acoustic music vibe. People are often looking for simplicity and uniqueness to complement their ceremony.
What’s your musical history?
Rohan and I are both music teachers and have been for 13 years. We love working with young people and sharing the joy and love of music! This has been a wonderful complement to our weddings work, as we are constantly learning to songs and keeping up with what our students are listening to and wanting to learn. I think this helps us to stay current and versatile as musicians.
Tell us about your roles in the business…
I am responsible for managing our business, so I answer enquiries, write up quotes, liase with couples about their upcoming wedding and look after the social media/ advertising. Rohan and I collectively come up with new song ideas to add to our list, and rehearse couples’ requests in the lead up to the big day. Rohan specialises in sound engineering, so on the wedding day he will set up the sound gear so everything sounds perfect and the balance is just right. We’ll usually do a sound check, and start playing as soon as guests begin to arrive at the venue.
How did you end up living and working in weddings on the Sunshine Coast?
We are from Brisbane and had dreamt of living on the coast for many years. Last year we took the plunge, sold our home and moved up with our two gorgeous kids. It felt like a big risk at the time, but now we are settled we are so grateful to have the opportunity to raise our children in this beautiful part of the world.
You have a completely free day on the Sunshine Coast. What are you doing and who are you with?
That’s a tough one! It’s paradise up here with so many options! We live on the northern end of the coast, so we’d most likely spend it together with our two kids at the beach, fit in a nice long bike ride or walk, and perhaps visit one of the many amazing cafes at Peregian or Noosa for a really great coffee or some lunch.
The Bride’s Tree Ceremony Music Exclusive Offer
Under the Willow have generously offered all readers of The Bride’s Tree a $50 discount off any of their ceremony packages when you mention this article at the time of booking. Enquire today!
Images by Shellbells Photography
