What kind of music do we play?
We can play elegant classical music, latest pop-rock hits, and virtually any other music! Click here to hear one of our our audio samples, or Facebook for videos.
When do the musicians play at wedding ceremonies?
Music is normally performed during the seating of the guests and during the processional, ceremony, and recessional; we can also perform upbeat music during the cocktail hour and dinner.
Can we play outdoors?
Yes, but we request that there would be a backup indoor location in case of rain or temperature below 50° or above 100°. If there is no shaded area and no special shade improvisation is available to protect our instruments from sunlight, let us know in advance so we can bring our outdoor instruments.
Is a sound system necessary?
At cocktail hours and dinners, we normally recommend our sound system if 75 or more guests are present. Also, during a typical outdoor ceremony, "white noise" from a nearby fountain, distant traffic, birds, cicadas, wind, and airplanes may make it difficult to hear the officiant. Our high-fidelity Bose sound system reduces feedback and wind noise.
Do we allow special requests?
We are glad to play special songs for your day. If your song is not in our regular repertoire, we can purchase the music and use it for your event. If it is not published, we can sometimes hear it and arrange it from there.
What is our dress code?
We typically wear formal/black dress; either tuxedo or suit & long tie, but we are open to suggestions.
Do we need special equipment?
An electrical outlet (optional; for sound system only) and two armless chairs is all we ask for. We also ask to be notified if there will be dim lighting, so that we can bring our stand lights.
What are your rates?
Our rates are generally higher than a solo pianist or organist would be - you are hiring two musicians. However, they are significantly less than a larger group such as a quartet. Our base rate for a 2018-9 wedding ceremony package is $350. The quote will depend on distance from our home base, and whether you choose to hire us for any additional services.
Can you play for our cocktail hour?
We certainly can, and we do that quite often. We change up our music to a more bouncy feel. We play until the guests are invited for the meal and your DJ or wedding reception band takes over. Having us play for your cocktail hour is a really nice way to transition from ceremony to party.
Can you play for our reception?
We are not a party band by any means, and we advise that you hire a DJ or a larger band for your reception. However we will gladly play some light dinner music during your meal, before the dancing begins.
Then why wouldn't the DJ just play the music for our ceremony as well as for the reception?
Well, recorded tracks are certainly an option, but there is nothing more romantic or more personal than live music, played just for you, as you walk down that aisle. Also, changing from romantic live music to party DJ provides an excellent flow to your wedding, giving each part of the day its own unique feel.
Do you charge for overtime?
We like our brides and grooms to relax on their wedding day, and not to have to worry about time ticking by. Therefore what we offer is a package deal, and we will not charge you any overtime at all unless there is a very, very long delay, which is quite uncommon. For a ceremony, we play from 30 minutes before scheduled start time to the end of the recessional, and add a song or two after that. For a cocktail hour we play until the guests are invited to dinner/luncheon. We don't mind playing a little extra here and there, and “it all comes out in the wash”.
My sister wants to sing. Can you play for her?
Yes, we can. It is very special to have people you know participating in your ceremony, and we would be glad to accommodate this. We would be more than happy to accompany singers or other instrumentalists that you may want to participate in your ceremony. The performance during the ceremony is included in the basic wedding rate, however, a charge will apply for a separate rehearsal if it is necessary. Rehearsals would take place in our usual practice locationor yours
Will you play for our wedding rehearsal?
We have found that rehearsal attendance is not usually necessary, if details are communicated accurately to us prior to the wedding day. However, if our calendars allow, and travel distance is not great, one of us would be more than happy to attend if it makes the wedding participants feel more comfortable. An extra charge will apply for rehearsals. We are firm believers in joining efforts with everyone involved so that your wedding runs smoothly and beautifully. We take care of calling the venue and your planner in advance in order to coordinate all the logistics for you. We can coordinate with your officiant in order to introduce ourselves and to make sure everything is clear with regards to the music within the ceremony and the words that will be said just prior to the recessional.
Do you use amplification?
Sometimes. Whether we need to amplify and how much depends on the size of the wedding and on the setting. We are completely self-contained and have various levels of amplification that we can bring, from a very small boost for the guitar only, all the way to concert level amplification.
We have heard many stories about musicians being particular about the temperature. Are these stories true?
Our instruments are made of delicate wood and silver, and if they get wet or are exposed to direct sun they will be ruined. Therefore we must have shade/shelter. It could be an overhang, trees or an umbrella, but we must have shade and we must not be rained upon.
What will you wear?
We can dress as formally or informally as you like. If you communicate the colors of your wedding and the atmosphere of the building, we will be sure not to clash.
I don't know anything about wedding music. Will you help?
Of course! That is an integral part of our job. We are happy to spend as much time as you need selecting the pieces and planning the music. We can meet in person, talk on the phone or do it all by email, whatever you prefer. We tailor each wedding to your taste and vision, and we use our experience to guide you through the process of finding what you love, while keeping you out of “wedding music trouble”!
My fiance and I know exactly what songs we want. Can you learn something for us?
Certainly! We love it when brides and grooms point us to a new song. We are happy to learn a song special for you, free of any additional charge; provided that it is suitable for guitar and flute.
How much music should I have?
There are many places during and around the wedding ceremony that music can be placed. It is common to have a prelude of around 20 minutes. The processionals and bride's entrance are almost always accompanied by music. Some other places during the service where music is appropriate: lighting of mother's candle, lighting of unity candle, and Communion. You can select the music, leave it completely up to us, or anywhere in between.
We have a lot of ceremony experience and we are able to communicate well with each other as we play, so we rarely experience situations in which something goes noticeably wrong. Here's how to be sure nothing goes wrong with your wedding music, and especially your processional.
Choose music with good stopping points. We can help you with this
Don't stop walking halfway down the aisle (or tell us if you are going to)! We need to be able to time when you will arrive at the front of the room.
Don't sprint! As nervous as you may be, try to walk slowly so we have time to play more than a few bars of music.
Place the musicians where they can see what's going on. If we're behind a large column and our view of the aisle is blocked off, it will be difficult to know when to stop playing. Take into account the fact that guests usually stand up for the bride, and we are sitting down.
If something unusual is planned (such as walking to the front, going up the steps, going around the altar, and walking back down the steps), let us know! Make sure all the people involved in the processional know their cues.
Make sure we are well informed. Who's walking in the processional? In what order? We need a few seconds to transition between processional songs (and sometimes to quickly re-tune). Don't be in a hurry to start walking before you get your cue. If you change anything at the last minute (such as at the rehearsal), let us know!
