There are exit songs, and then there’s This Will Be. When the vows are done and this one kicks in on live strings, the whole celebration lifts — it’s the fastest way we know to turn a ceremony into a party. Playing it outdoors, under open sky, only makes it better.
About the song
Natalie Cole released This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) in 1975 as her debut single, and it won her a Grammy the following year. More than fifty years on, it’s still one of the most joyful recordings in soul music — which is exactly why it’s become such a staple of wedding ceremonies. It’s short, it’s punchy, and it’s impossible not to smile through.
Why it works so well on strings
Stripped back to violin and cello, the song loses none of its energy. The cello locks into the groove of the original rhythm section while the violin takes the vocal line, and because it’s live, we can stretch it out or bring it home depending on how long the walk back down the aisle takes. It’s a brilliant choice for an outdoor ceremony exit, a drinks reception opener, or an upbeat first dance for couples who’d rather dance than sway.
About Norwood Park
Norwood Park is an exclusive-use country estate in Southwell, Nottinghamshire, where wedding ceremonies and celebrations have been held since the 1650s. For couples wanting to marry outdoors, the Starkey Bandstand is a wonderfully romantic spot — with its swirled balustrades, slender columns and classic carousel-shaped roof, set against the Georgian country house and surrounded by nature. It’s exactly the kind of open-air setting where a song like This Will Be feels completely at home, with the sound carrying out across the grounds.
Book us for your wedding
We’re The Chapel Hill Duo, a violin and cello duo based in the UK, playing ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts anywhere in the country. If you’re planning your day at Norwood Park or anywhere in Nottinghamshire and This Will Be sounds like your kind of exit music, we’d love to hear from you — get in touch at chapelhillduo.co.uk.