“Are you feeling confused about your choice of wedding music? Perplexed at the overwhelming array of options available to you? Here are a few tips on one of the most important aspects of your celebrations which sets the tone throughout your day”
I really love playing for weddings and it's a privilege to be closely involved in your special day. Music is such a vital part of any celebration and especially the celebration of a loving relationship. Over the years I’ve played at countless ceremonies and weddings and I know first hand the powerful impact the right piece of music can have. My role is finding out which piece of music makes you tick and then adapting it to make it sound great on the harp. To do this well and to give my own unique spin on a piece of music you love can take a while. From first listening to it to downloading a printed version online to making the piece yours can be a pleasantly time consuming process. This means that you get your very own version of the song that has such significance for you. This could be the first song you danced together to, or a song that was popular at the time you met.
I recently met a couple at a wedding event who liked my playing and my music and they want a reggae classic for the bride's entrance music. Intrigued, I asked if they could send me a link to the song to see if I could make it work. Having listened to it, I know it’ll work and I feel quite excited about it. With great lyrics, it's a lovely loving tribute from bride to groom, and most importantly I think it will sound gorgeous on the harp!
Thanks to technology and the internet now, the possibilities are endless. I played for a civil ceremony in March and the bride was due to come and hear her request at a wedding event. I was disappointed to find out at the last minute that the venue had decided to have a pianist instead without letting me know, putting me in a slightly awkward position with the bride-to-be who had planned to come and hear me play. I got my thinking cap on and arranged a video call with her. My lovely client was delighted with the end results! If you can’t meet me at a fayre, there are ways around this.
It's worth bearing in mind not everything works well on the harp and I'm happy to guide you in your choice of music.
If you're considering having live harp music at your wedding, here are some of the options I can offer:
Civil Ceremony
I’m set up and ready to play from 30 minutes before your ceremony and I play soothing background music from my repertoire list while guests await your arrival. One of the key moments musically is your entrance. It's important to get this one right so have a good think about this. You may have a specific piece of music in mind or you may need some ideas - either way I can help you choose the right piece for the mood you want to portray. I then play for the signing of the register and while you have your photos taken, and finally I play a piece of your choice for your exit together.
Registrars and venue staff are always delighted when you engage professional musicians - it takes the pressure off them having to press that button and it ensures the smooth running of your ceremony.
Drinks Reception (1 hour)
After your ceremony I can provide background music for you and your guests as you all enjoy your drinks and have your photos taken. Please note that due to the unpredictable British weather, I don't play outside. Some harpists do. I don't. The heavens could open either way at any moment and the worst things for my harp are direct sunlight or water.
Wedding Breakfast
Having live music can make a world of difference to the atmosphere while you have your meal, and again I can play from my broad selection of tried and tested pieces.
Church Ceremony
I love playing in the sacred and slightly more solemn setting of a church. I set up well in advance of your ceremony time and I can play while your guests congregate. A bridal march is appropriate and I have also played other requests in church.
I can perform your hymns. Usually the church organist plays them - it goes with the setting and tends to rouse more singing! I can play suitable background music while you sign the register and have your photos taken. I can also play your exit music, or again you could have the organist play. It all comes down to your personal preference.
I can offer a combination of the above options, although I don't do more than 2 elements. For example, Ceremony and Wedding Breakfast is fine but I wouldn't play for your Ceremony, Drinks and Wedding Breakfast - you can have too much of a good thing in my opinion.
The Money Question!
My prices start from £250. If you think this sounds like a lot, bear in mind the basic running and development costs of my business - website construction, hosting and updating, advertising, publicity photos and promotional materials, transport costs, harp strings, insurances and maintenance, buying sheet music, appropriate clothing and footwear, practice and training time, the dreaded tax bill, the list is long... These expenses all contribute in providing you with the best wedding music experience I can possibly offer.
The easiest way to find out more about your choice of wedding music is by attending a wedding fayre, showcase or event and I do as many of these as I can. If you have any questions you can get in touch by using the link to my Contact page above.
I have plenty of wedding pieces in the Music section on this website and I update these on a regular basis. You can also view my videos here:
and listen to other sound clips here:
If social media is your thing, you can find out more about wedding fayres and my work on these platforms:
And if you see me looking quite intense and focused as I play at an event, do hang around for a chat - I occasionally come up for air and I'm much friendlier than I look when I play!
“I look forward to meeting you soon at a wedding fayre near you!”
