Frequently Asked Questions
What parts of the wedding day can you perform at?
Pretty much anywhere live music makes sense. I regularly provide music for ceremonies, drinks receptions, wedding breakfasts, first dances and evening celebrations.
You can book me for one particular part of the day or combine several. I don’t work with rigid packages, so we can build the music around the way your wedding is actually planned.
How long do you perform for?
That depends on the part of the day and what works best for your timings.
For drinks receptions, wedding breakfasts and evening performances, typical options include 1 x 60 minutes, 2 x 45 minutes or 3 x 45 minutes.
Ceremonies work differently, as the music follows the natural structure of the service rather than being performed as a conventional set.
If you’re unsure what would work best, I can recommend timings based on your plans.
Can you play music between your live sets?
Yes. Where appropriate, I can play a carefully chosen background playlist through my PA between live sets, so the atmosphere doesn’t suddenly disappear when I take a break.
This isn’t a DJ service, but it does mean there can be continuous music while I’m booked to perform.
Can you perform in different locations around the venue?
Yes. I have several different PA setups, which gives me a lot of flexibility if different parts of the day are taking place in different areas.
For example, I have a small battery-powered speaker that works particularly well for outdoor ceremonies where access to mains electricity may be limited, a medium-sized PA for more intimate indoor spaces, and a larger setup for bigger rooms and evening performances.
Where practical, this means I can have different equipment ready in different locations rather than repeatedly dismantling and rebuilding the same system throughout the day.
Can you perform outdoors?
Absolutely.
Outdoor ceremonies and drinks receptions can be beautiful, and my battery-powered setup means I can perform without needing a nearby power supply.
The only real consideration is the weather. Musical instruments and electrical equipment don’t get on particularly well with rain, so some form of shelter or alternative indoor option will always be needed if the weather turns.
Do you bring your own PA system?
Yes. I provide all the sound equipment needed for my performance and choose the setup according to the size and location of your wedding.
For an intimate ceremony that may mean a very small, discreet system. For an evening performance, I can use a larger PA and lighting setup to create a much fuller atmosphere.
Can you provide a microphone for speeches?
Yes. I can provide a wireless microphone through my PA for speeches when I’m already set up in the same space.
It’s one less thing for you or the venue to have to organise separately.
What does your live setup sound like?
The heart of the performance is always live vocals and acoustic guitar, but I can build the sound considerably depending on the song and the atmosphere.
I also use foot percussion, harmonica, vocal harmonies and bass-style accompaniment created from the lower strings of the guitar.
That means the sound can move from something very intimate for a ceremony to something much fuller and more rhythmic for a drinks reception or evening set, while still feeling like a genuine live acoustic performance.
Do you use backing tracks?
My performances are built around live playing rather than traditional backing tracks. The focus is very much on voice, guitar and the additional elements I create as part of the live performance.
That’s an important part of the sound I’m aiming for: recognisable songs, reworked in a way that still feels natural and live.
Can you learn a song especially for us?
Yes.
If there’s a particular song that means something to you, I’m happy to learn it and create an acoustic version for your wedding.
That might be for walking down the aisle, signing the register, your first dance or simply a song you’d really love to hear during the day.
Some of my favourite arrangements come from songs that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to hear performed acoustically.
Can you perform our first dance live?
Yes.
I can perform your first dance as a live acoustic arrangement, and if it isn’t already part of my repertoire I can learn it especially for you.
Depending on the song, I may keep it beautifully simple or build the arrangement with harmonies, percussion and bass-style accompaniment while still keeping the character of the original.
What sort of music do you play?
My repertoire covers a broad mixture of classic and modern songs across pop, rock, folk, indie, soul and Americana.
The common thread isn’t really a particular genre. It’s taking great songs and finding a way to make them work naturally in my own acoustic style.
If you have particular artists, eras or styles that you love, let me know. That helps me shape the music around you and your guests.
Can we choose every song you play?
I’m very happy to hear which songs and artists you love, and equally useful is knowing anything you definitely don’t want to hear.
For the rest of the set, I usually recommend giving me some freedom to read the room and choose songs that suit the atmosphere as the day develops.
After more than 20 years of performing live, that ability to judge the mood of a room is a big part of what you’re booking me for.
How much space do you need?
Not very much.
Because I perform solo, my setup has a much smaller footprint than a full band. The exact amount of space depends on which PA setup I’m using, but I can usually fit comfortably into areas where a larger act simply wouldn’t work.
If space is particularly tight, just let me know and I can advise on the best setup.
How long do you need to set up?
This varies depending on the equipment required and whether I’m performing in one location or several areas throughout the day.
Where possible, I plan setup around your schedule so that equipment can be in place before guests need the space and there’s as little disruption as possible.
If different parts of your wedding are happening in separate locations, my multiple PA setups can make those transitions much easier.
Do you travel?
Yes. I perform at weddings throughout the UK and can travel further afield where required.
Travel and, where necessary, accommodation are taken into account when I prepare your quote.
Do you provide a DJ service?
No. My focus is live performance.
I can play background playlists through my PA between live sets where appropriate, but I don’t offer a full DJ service.
If you’re booking a DJ or other entertainment for later in the evening, I’m very happy to work alongside them.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A 20% deposit is required to secure your date, with the remaining balance due 14 days before your wedding.
Once the deposit and booking agreement have been received, the date is reserved for you and I’ll turn away any other enquiries for that date.
Full cancellation and payment terms will be included in your booking agreement, so everything is clear from the outset.
Are you insured and is your equipment PAT tested?
Yes. I’m a member of the Musicians’ Union and have £10 million Public Liability Insurance. I can provide the relevant insurance certificate to your venue if required.
My electrical equipment is also PAT tested and documentation can be supplied to your venue on request.
What if our venue has a sound limiter?
Sound limiters are increasingly common at wedding venues and don’t necessarily cause a problem, particularly with a solo setup like mine. However, it’s important that I know about one before the wedding.
If your venue has a sound limiter, please ask them what level it is set at in decibels (dB) and, if possible, where the sound sensor is located.
A particularly restrictive limiter can affect the volume and dynamics of live music, especially for a more upbeat evening performance. The good news is that my setup is very flexible and, unlike a full band with an acoustic drum kit, I have considerably more control over the overall volume.
Will you liaise with our venue?
Absolutely.
I’m happy to communicate with your venue regarding practical requirements such as setup, performance locations, power, timings, sound restrictions and access.
I can also provide Public Liability Insurance and PAT documentation where required.
Do you perform at weddings abroad?
Yes. I’m happy to travel for destination weddings in Europe and further afield.
For overseas weddings, the quote will take into account travel, accommodation and any additional time required around the booking. If necessary, I can also work with the venue or planner in advance to make sure the sound and practical arrangements are covered.
If you’re planning a wedding abroad, just send me the date and location and I can put together a tailored quote.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular wedding dates, particularly Saturdays during spring and summer, can book well in advance, so it’s always worth getting in touch once you have your venue and date confirmed.
That said, it’s always worth asking about shorter-notice dates too. If I’m free, I’m happy to help.
How do we book you?
The first step is simply to get in touch with your wedding date, venue and an idea of which parts of the day you’d like music for.
From there I can recommend the most suitable format and give you a clear quote.
If you’re not completely sure what you need yet, that’s absolutely fine. We can work it out together.