How do I book you for my wedding?
All bookings require a signed contract and a 50% deposit. Visit the Booking FAQ page for more information.
How long have you been playing for weddings?
I played my first wedding ceremony in the summer of 1996, and have been performing for weddings & events frequently since then. This has been my full-time job since 2004.
How many weddings have you played for?
As of the end of 2010, the number was over 400!
Do you have references from other brides?
Yes! Please check my Testimonials page.
How much do you charge for a wedding?
I offer three ceremony packages that fit most budgets. Exact costs are determined based on your wedding date, location, and package selection. Please contact me for a customized quote!
What types of payment do you accept?
You may pay your deposit and balance payment by personal check, cashier's check, money order, cash, or Paypal.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes, all events require a non-refundable 50% deposit to secure your date and time. The deposit must be returned with your signed contract.
When is the balance due?
The balance is due no less than 30 days prior to your wedding.
Can we hear you in person before booking?
I have a limited number of public events on my calendar, which you are welcome to attend before booking. As weddings are private events, I do not invite prospective brides and grooms to these occasions. Please check my Upcoming Events page for the current listing. Several sound clips are available at the Audio Samples page.
What types of weddings do you play?
I'm happy to provide music for traditional and non-traditional ceremonies. I have experience with all Christian denominations, Catholic Masses, Jewish services, Baha'i ceremonies, and non-religious weddings.
Do you play for outdoor wedding ceremonies?
Yes, I am happy to play outside, as long as the weather cooperates and the harp is protected from the elements. All outdoor weddings require a back-up location to be available and used in case of inclement weather.
Will you play on the beach?
Yes! All beach weddings are performed on the Laurel Leaf lever harp or the BlevinSong lever harp. The BlevinSong harp is raised on legs and can be placed directly on the sand. To have the Laurel Leaf harp, you need to provide a solid surface (such as a section of dance floor, plywood, or a folded card table) on which to place the harp.
How far will you travel for my wedding?
Although most of my weddings are in the Midwest, I am available anywhere in the US and internationally for destination weddings. Please contact me for rates!
Where should we have the harp set up?
The harp needs a clear, flat & level space of about four feet square. To maintain its tuning, it must be located away from heat/cooling vents, burning fireplaces, and frequently opened doors to the outside. From the set-up location, I need to be able to see the front & back of the aisle when the bridal party is standing in place.
Do we have to provide you with anything for set-up?
No, I provide my own harp, bench, stand and amplifier (as needed).
Will I be able to hear the harp?
The sound of the harp carries surprisingly well. For most ceremonies, amplification is not needed. The only exceptions would be for venues that have noise issues such as being outdoors on a busy street, near a large waterfall or fountain, or close to an airport. Large guest lists may also require amplification if the guests will be spread over a large area (mostly applies to outdoor events). Amplification is included with all wedding reception bookings, as well as with the Standard and Deluxe Ceremony Packages. With the Basic Package, amplification is an additional $25. Please ask me if you believe your ceremony may require amplification.
What do you wear for weddings?
It is your choice – either in colors to coordinate with your wedding party or in concert black. I can also dress to match your theme (Renaissance, beach, Halloween, etc.).
Can you provide duets or other ensembles?
Absolutely! Although most of the work I do is for solo harp, I love creating the perfect group to enhance your wedding. One of the most popular is the two-harp duet. Jeff & I are the only husband and wife harp duet in the country, and one of only a handful that perform for weddings. Other popular options include:
If you don't see the group in which you are interested listed, please contact me with your ideas – I'd be glad to put together a unique grouping!
Do you attend the wedding rehearsal?
Generally, no. Before your wedding, I will discuss all of the music selections and the logistics of your ceremony. I use this information to time the processionals properly, and do not need to attend the rehearsal. It is my job to make the music fit whatever happens – you do not need to time the processional to match the length of the song.
As needed, I can lengthen or shorten any piece to accommodate the size of the bridal party and the length of the aisle. On your wedding date, I always arrive in plenty of time to go over any last-minute changes with your planner or officiant. I am also happy to speak with them in advance to go over any of their requirements.
If you or your officiant require my attendance at the rehearsal, it is for my regular hourly rate. Depending upon the distance from my home, overnight accommodations may also be required.
What types of music can you play on the harp?
The harp is very versatile! Along with traditional wedding music and familiar classical pieces (Baroque, Classical, Romantic & Modern), I also play Celtic, jazz, Broadway, popular, sacred, Jewish, holiday, Christmas, and folk music. You can view my extensive Repertoire List for specific pieces.
What music is included in a wedding ceremony booking?
All ceremonies consist of five basic elements. The prelude is background music for guest arrival. With the Basic & Standard Packages, this is for fifteen minutes prior to the starting time of your ceremony; thirty minutes with the Deluxe Package.
All processionals are included, for the famlies, bridal party, and bride. The Basic Package includes one optional mid-ceremony selection for the unity candle or other special moment. Standard & Deluxe Packages include unlimited selections during the ceremony itself (rose ceremony, instrumental solo, communion, etc.).
All packages include a recessional selection as the bride, groom & bridal party exit the ceremony, and then postlude music as your guests depart (10 minutes for the Basic & Standard Packages, 30 minutes for the Deluxe Package).
How many pieces do I need to select for my ceremony?
For the prelude & postlude, select a genre of music, such as classical, Celtic, sacred, or popular. I will fill in with pieces that fit your theme. With the Deluxe Package, you can also make requests for specific pieces during the prelude & postlude.
The Basic Package includes two processionals: one for the bridal party and one for the bride. With the Standard and Deluxe Packages, you can include additional selections for the entrances of your families or other participants.
You may also have music for a unity candle, unity sand, handfasting, rose presentation, an instrumental interlude, or other special moment during the ceremony. You may choose one pieces for the Basic Package, or an unlimited number for the Standard & Deluxe Pacakges.
All ceremonies include one piece for the recessional as the bridal party exits.
What songs can I pick for my ceremony?
With the Basic Package, all musical choices must be made from the "Selected Repertoire List". The Standard Package allows you to make your choices from the complete Repertoire List, and the Deluxe Package includes up to three pieces that are not already a part of my repertoire.
I am having a full Catholic Mass. Can you provide all of the necessary music?
Yes! A full Mass requires the booking of the Deluxe Package due to the longer and more involved ceremony. All of the Mass music is included in this booking, as is music for the offertory, sign of the peace, communion, and rose presentation. If you are having a cantor, please have him or her provide me with the responsorial psalm and any solos in the appropriate key. I will arrange a rehearsal with your cantor prior to your ceremony.
What music is most traditional for a wedding ceremony?
For the entrance of the bridal party, "Canon in D" by Pachelbel and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" are popular selections. "Canon in D" is also frequently used for a bridal processional, as is the more traditional "Bridal Chorus" – also known as "Here Comes the Bride" by Wagner. For the recessional, Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" is the most traditional choice. "Trumpet Tune" and "Trumpet Voluntary" are other classical pieces frequently used for the recessional.
Do I have to have traditional music?
Not at all! I love working with brides to create a musical soundtrack that is unique and perfectly reflects their tastes and vision for the wedding. Some of the more memorable pieces that brides & grooms have chosen include Bend Folds' "The Luckiest", "Throne Room" from Star Wars Episode IV, and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". The music should be something that has meaning to you and your families. Be sure to check with your officiant and venue (if in a house of worship) to see if there are any restrictions on your music choices, as some do not allow non-classical or non-sacred music.
There is a song I'd really like played that isn't on your repertoire list. Can you learn it for my wedding?
The answer is almost always "yes"! As long as sheet music is available (either for piano or harp), it can be performed successfully on the harp, and I have enough notice to learn it to performance standards, it can be done. With the Deluxe Ceremony Package, learning up to three pieces not on my repertoire list is already included. For other ceremony packages and background music bookings, it is $25-$75 per song, depending upon complexity. If sheet music is not available, you can have the music transcribed from a recording. The cost of this ranges from $100-200, depending upon length, and is in addition to the fee for my learning the piece.
Will you accompany my musical friends or family members as they play or sing?
As long as your friend or family member is a trained musician who will be comfortable performing for your guests, this is no problem at all! At least one additional rehearsal will be required, at the rate of $50 per hour. This rehearsal will take place in my studio.
Will we meet with you before the wedding day?
An in-person consultation is included in the Deluxe Ceremony Package. During this 45-60 minute meeting, we go over music selections and logistics of the ceremony. If you are unsure of what music you'd like to have during your wedding, I play several options for you and work with you to put together your perfect song list.
For other ceremony packages and background music bookings, unlimited phone, email & Skype consultations are included. If you would like to have an in-person meeting as well, the rate is $50 per hour.
Can you also provide music for the reception?
Yes! You will receive discounted reception music with your ceremony booking. It is most common to use harp music for the cocktail and dinner hours. I provide amplification at no additional charge.
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