Wedding ceremony harp music guide A little planning. A meaningful entrance.

Guest arrival / prelude. Music while guests find their seats sets the atmosphere before the ceremony begins. Decide whether you want a mostly classical sound, familiar melodies, or a mixture. Give Hilary the guest-arrival time as well as the ceremony time so the coverage can be discussed accurately.

The processional. Make a list of everyone entering: family members, wedding party, and the couple. You can discuss one piece for the whole entrance or a change for a particular person. The number of entrances, aisle length, and walking pace help shape the cues. Let your planner or officiant identify who will signal that each entrance is ready.

A moment within the ceremony. A unity ceremony, signing, or quiet pause can have its own music if that fits your plans. Tell Hilary what happens during that moment and whether someone will be speaking. Music should support the ceremony without making words difficult to hear.

The recessional. Choose the feeling you want as you walk back up the aisle together. Share when the officiant will announce you and where the wedding party goes next, so the musical ending has a clear cue.

Cocktail hour. If you want live harp to continue after the ceremony, include it in the inquiry. A new location or a gap between parts of the day changes the setup and coverage to discuss. See the wedding coverage page for the options.

Hilary's existing repertoire includes Pachelbel's Canon, Clair de Lune, Ave Maria, and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. These give you a starting point for a classical or traditional sound. Discuss the arrangement, pace, and ceremony moment with Hilary before settling on a selection.

For a different feel, ask about Celtic and folk melodies, contemporary and pop favorites, or film music. Listen to Hilary's live performance samples to hear the sound of the harp. The samples demonstrate her playing; they are not a recording of every song in the repertoire.

If your ceremony takes place in a house of worship, check its music guidelines with your officiant before finalizing religious or secular selections.

Yes—send the song title and artist, plus a link to the version you have in mind. Ask early whether it is already in the repertoire or whether a custom harp arrangement is possible. A request still needs to be confirmed; different recordings of the same song can have different introductions, tempos, and endings.

You do not need every song chosen before checking availability. One favorite piece and a description of the atmosphere you want are enough to start a conversation.

Share whether the ceremony will be on the beach, in a garden, on a terrace, or indoors. Hilary offers battery-powered amplification for outdoor ceremonies and larger spaces. Discuss guest count and placement so the sound can suit the setting.

Ask your venue or planner about a firm, level performance area, access from unloading to the ceremony, shade or cover, and an indoor or sheltered weather alternative. Confirm the proposed arrangement with Hilary; the right setup depends on the venue and conditions. If the harp will move between ceremony and cocktail-hour locations, include that in the plan.

• Your date, venue, and city, including anything still undecided.
• Guest-arrival time, ceremony start, and any cocktail-hour coverage.
• Indoor or outdoor setting and approximate guest count.
• The entrances and ceremony moments you want accompanied.
• A few song ideas, including the version of any special request.
• Solo harp or an ensemble idea, and your planner or officiant's coordination details if available.

Hilary prepares quotes around the actual event. Read the pricing and booking process or send a booking inquiry to check your date and talk through the music.