Finding a wedding musician: Where to start (and what actually helps)

So, you’ve decided you’d like live music at your wedding. Excellent choice. Few things beat the feeling of hearing your song played live as you walk down the aisle, or having your guests unexpectedly pause mid-prosecco because someone’s playing a beautiful version of a song they weren’t expecting to hear on piano.

Maybe you want music for:

• the ceremony

• drinks reception

• wedding breakfast

• evening party

• or all of the above (right answer)

  
  

But where do you actually find wedding musicians without disappearing into a black hole of identical websites featuring words like “bespoke”, “luxury”, and “creating magical moments”?

Here are a few genuinely useful places to start.

Start With Trusted Entertainment Platforms

One of the easiest ways to browse musicians is through entertainment directories where you can:

• watch videos

• read reviews

• compare styles

• check availability

Amongst others, I’m on Last Minute Musicians, which is a good place to start if you want to hear examples, see reviews from real couples, and get a feel for whether someone’s style fits your day.

A good tip: don’t just look at the polished promo photos. Watch the actual live videos. Anyone can look lovely standing next to a piano in a field at sunset. What matters is how they sound in real venues with real people wandering around holding canapés.

Listen To Wedding Podcasts

This one’s often overlooked.

Wedding podcasts can be surprisingly useful because you can either:

• hear wedding musicians talking about how they work

• or hear real couples discussing who they booked and why

I host a podcast called Real Weddings, Replayed where couples chat honestly about their wedding days, including the suppliers they chose, what worked brilliantly, who they'd recommend, and sometimes the bits they’d do differently if they could rewind time slightly.

It’s also a good way to hear personalities. Booking wedding suppliers isn’t just about talent. You want people you actually feel comfortable communicating with.

Check Venue Supplier Directories

If your venue has a recommended supplier list, it’s usually worth a look.

Venues tend to keep recommending suppliers who:

• are reliable

• turn up on time

• are easy to work with

• and don’t create chaos for the staff

For example, I’m featured on the supplier directory for Bredenbury Court Barns, alongside other trusted wedding professionals.

That doesn’t mean you have to book someone from a venue list, but it can narrow things down when you’re overwhelmed by options.

Go And Hear Them Live

Image: www.pixiejaynephotography.com

This is one of the best ways.

Videos are helpful, but hearing someone play in person tells you so much more about:

• their atmosphere

• their personality

• their versatility

• and whether you actually enjoy listening to them for more than 30 seconds

I regularly play live at Mappleborough Green Garden Centre's Gardener's Kitchen restaurant for their Live Music Fridays and occasionally at Willowbrook Garden Centre too in their restaurant. You can challenge me with an interactive request too via the QR code card on your table. Follow my social media pages for upcoming dates.

You don't always expect to hear Coldplay while surrounded by begonias and compost, but it’s actually a lovely relaxed way to hear musicians properly.

Dive Into Social Media (For Research Purposes…)

Once you’ve found someone you like, go properly investigate their social media.

You want:

• plenty of live videos

• different song styles

• clips from real weddings

• recent content

• evidence they actually perform regularly

A musician with years of consistent content usually tells you far more than one beautifully edited promo reel uploaded in 2022 and then complete radio silence.

I regularly post live performance clips on:

• Instagram @christahugopianist

• Facebook @christahugopianist

• YouTube @christahugopianist

  
  

Feel free to follow my pages, and if you do, comment and let me know which songs are your favourites. Requests and suggestions are always welcome too. And of course if you'd like to enquire about booking me for your big day, just get in touch or fill out my booking form.

Final Thought: Trust Your Gut

At some point, after all the searching and scrolling and spreadsheet-making, you’ll probably just get a feeling.

You’ll watch someone’s videos and think:

“Yes. That’s the atmosphere I want.”

That’s usually the right answer.

Because great wedding music isn’t just background noise.

It becomes tied to memories people keep for years afterwards.

No pressure, then.

Image: Joe Singh www.jpsinghphotography.co.uk