These are the answers to many frequently asked questions. If you have a question not addressed in this section, feel free to submit a question or to contact me by e-mail or by phone.
CATEGORIES:
WEDDING
Why should I have a live musician at my wedding?
What makes your services unique from other wedding musicians?
When looking for a wedding musician, you will find that there is a range of services and quality. You will find that my music services meet the high standards and quality required for weddings and receptions:
First and foremost, as a picky and discerning musician, I own and use high-quality musical instruments. My harp is a semi-grand pedal harp made by Lyon & Healy, the Steinway of harp makers. (For more information about types of harps, please see below.) I use professional grade sound equipment, even down to the connector cables. You and your guests will hear the difference.
I offer an in-person consultation in which I take the time to get to know your unique needs for your wedding ceremony. You are not limited to a short list of available music or just a cd. I will learn new music for your ceremony, and I will customize each piece for your particular needs. I have the skills to transcribe and create my own arrangements of your favorite songs (often for pieces that do not have sheet music available), and can compose original pieces. I take the time to tailor and design ceremonies that guests will remember.
You have incredible flexibility and variety for your ceremonies: I am able to play the harp, piano, and the organ. You have the ability to use one or more instruments (depending on the venue) for your ceremony−perhaps the elegance of the harp for the prelude, the beauty of the piano for your processional, and the grandeur of the organ for the grand exit.
With my extensive experience with weddings, I can anticipate many of the unexpected things that can happen at weddings. Groom forgot the right shoes and needs to run back home to get them? Grandparents lost on the way to the church? Your favorite uncle's plane is delayed? No problem−I continue to entertain the guests by extending the prelude music. Flower girl needs a little more coaxing? The minister inadvertently switches the order of events, or adds something new? Caught up in the emotion and need a little more time for composure? You will find that the music will ease the transitions so that guests won't even realize things didn't go as planned! (All of the above have happened in the weddings I've played for, by the way.)
We are very fortunate in the Bay Area to have many very talented and exceptional musicians. I like to think that I can add "creativity" to the mix by offering musical blends, flexibility in instrumentation as well as a broad range of repertoire.
Finally, I am in this business because I LOVE what I do. I love playing for weddings and special occasions. I love getting to know each couple personally; I feel privileged to have a front-row seat to experience such a tantamount event in their lives. I love to play the beautiful music that accompanies weddings. Even though I've played at so many weddings, I still find myself getting caught up in the emotion of such beautiful and joyous events. You can be assured that you will receive the highest level of service in the wedding and event industry.
What do I need to provide during the ceremony?
When will you arrive?
What if the ceremony starts late and goes past the hour?
Where will you travel for weddings?
What happens in case you cannot make it?
Is it important for you to be at the rehearsal?
I have found that it is not absolutely necessary to attend the rehearsal, if details are communicated accurately to me prior to the wedding day.
On the wedding day, I will coordinate cues with the officiant and wedding coordinator when I arrive. During the ceremony, I will customize the music specifically for your wedding−extending or shortening the music gracefully as needed.
However, some couples would prefer to have the musician attend the rehearsal (if the officiant requires it, to practice with other soloists or musicians, or if a ceremony is particularly complex), and I am happy to do so, depending on availability (*additional fees apply). The more complex the wedding, the better it is for me to attend the rehearsal.
Are you able to accompany/practice with my soloist(s)?
Do you smoke?
Are there other skills that help you as a wedding musician?
I do not live in the Bay Area. Will you travel to my location?
EVENTS
Do you play for events other than weddings?
PLANNING
I don't know what music I want at my wedding. What should I do?
Where can I get some ideas?
What happens during a consultation?
What do I need before the consultation?
When should I schedule my consultation? How early/late before the wedding?
When do you hold your consultation appointments?
Do you play for full Catholic mass?
What if I'm too busy/stressed with all the other wedding details?
RATES & BOOKING
What are your rates?
Do you accept credit cards?
What is included in your wedding fee?
How much is your deposit?
What is your cancellation policy?
How do I book your services?
How early should I book your services?
It's a good idea to book soon after confirming availability. Just think: if you are looking for musicians for your date, chances are that others with the same date are as well. It's not uncommon to have multiple enquiries for the same date within a couple days or hours of each other.
For popular dates or during the wedding season, I can be booked over one year in advance (sometimes even 15 months ahead). In general, wedding musicians tend to fill their schedules quickly and can be difficult to find at the last minute, especially during wedding season (May - October in California).
Note: Please check to make sure your contract has accurate information. I am not responsible for inaccurate information. I've received contracts with the wrong date/month before (which thankfully, I was able to accommodate, but please double-check your information to alleviate stress for both parties!).
How long do you hold a date?
How is the first hour for the Basic Rate calculated?
My event is next year. Will the rates change?
How are fees calculated if I want to book you for the ceremony and reception?
May I pay the full amount at the time of booking?
Will I get confirmation or a receipt when I send in the contract?
I want to book you but cannot decide between harp or piano (or any other instrument). What should I do?
Do I need to provide food and drink for you?
FORMS
What forms do I need to book you for my wedding/reception?
These are the forms needed to book a wedding/reception. Please contact me for my address. The Word document is a form that can be filled out electronically and printed out.
Wedding Contract (pdf)After we have agreed on a price, a copy of the signed contract and two checks (a $100 deposit, and a check for the balance dated for 10 days before the event) will reserve the date on my calendar.
Wedding Music Worksheet (pdf)This form is used to select the music for your wedding ceremony. Please return this form at least 1 month before the wedding.
What forms do I need to book you for my event?
These are the forms needed to book an event (non-wedding). Please contact me for my address. The Word document is a form that can be filled out electronically and printed out.
Event Contract (pdf)After we have agreed on a price, a copy of the signed contract and two checks (a $100 deposit, and a check for the balance dated for 10 days before the event) will reserve the date on my calendar.
HARP
I'd like to have the harp at my event. What are some of the considerations?
Here are some unique issues related to the harp:
The harp must be located on a flat, even surface and not on dirt, grass, or rocks. My pedal harp weighs about 86 pounds and is quite large. Therefore moves from room-to-room or secondary locations must be well planned.
Carrying the harp on stairs and complex halls or entrances poses a challenge. So consider this when choosing where to place the harp and harpist. I will not take the harp up a flight of stairs (I need an elevator). I need to be adequately warned in case of difficult or tight spaces, so that I can ensure that I have an assistant available to assist me in moving the harp.
The harp is very sensitive to temperature. Even at temperatures that seem perfect it is too hot to have the harp in direct sunlight. If the temperature is below 60 it will be hard to keep the harp in tune. A gazebo or even a shaded area with trees will usually provide enough shelter. The wedding must be moved indoors even if it is only sprinkling.
I have a 5'x5' minimum space requirement to give me enough room for the harp and equipment. I am 'self-contained' and will bring all the equipment I need. I do not need a chair or other furniture. You may need to provide an umbrella if no shade is available.
I may have an assistant with me to help me move my equipment.
For evening events, please provide adequate lighting.
Do you provide amplification for the harp? Do you charge extra?
What are the two different kinds of harp?
I'd like to have the piano and the harp at my event. Is this possible?
PIANO
What are my options if I'd like piano and there is no piano available?
What do I need to do if I'd like to have you play the piano?
Are you able to provide your own keyboard?
ORGAN
What are some of the considerations for having organ at my wedding?
Here are some issues related to the organ:
Please ensure that the organ is in good working order.
Please obtain permission to use the organ. Some churches have an organist on staff, and they have the "right of first refusal." Or, access must be obtained from the music director ahead of time.
Please make sure that the organ is not locked and access to the organ is available during your ceremony.
Sometimes visibility from the organ is limited, so I will need to work closely with the coordinator to ensure cues are clear.
SOUND SYSTEM
I am having a garden wedding and I need a microphone. Do you provide this service?
Yes! For a stress-free experience, I do offer a wireless microphone setup for use during the ceremony: for your officiant, for readings, or during your vows. This service gives a quality experience at a budget price:
Comfort: Guests will be able to hear what is going on without needing to strain or guessing. I've attended enough outdoor weddings to know that entire ceremonies can be lost due to wind or background noise. Basically, guests had no idea what the officiant said, what the readings were about (unless printed in the program), or what was said during the vows. Experienced officiants may be able to project, but would you want to have to shout your vows so that guests can hear? A sound system is highly recommended for weddings with over 40 guests or locations that are susceptible to background noise (from a freeway, nearby roads, motorcycles, airports, or the ocean).
Professional: The wireless microphone is a high quality Shure wireless microphone that is valued at close to $500 (versus the cheap microphone that can be purchased for less than $20). Convenient: Because it is a wireless microphone, you don't have to worry about tripping over unsightly cords. It is easy to pass around as needed.
Easy & Stress-free: No worries about having to set it up. I will set up the equipment and take it down.
Affordable: DJ's will charge several hundred to set this up for your ceremony. My service is less than $100 (see Rates).
I also offer a completely battery-powered system that consists of a battery-powered amplifier and a wired microphone. It is perfect for garden weddings with no power source available.
MUSIC: Sheet Music and CD's
Are all the sound clips played by you?
Can I find your music elsewhere?
My wedding is not in the San Jose or San Francisco area of California, but I love your music. I'm looking for some of the music listed on your website. How come I cannot find it elsewhere?
Do you have sheet music for your original songs available for purchase?
Do you have a CD available for purchase?
Do you have a CD with "name of song here" on it?
What is a custom recording?
How long does it take to get my custom recording?
Is it really $50 per SONG and not per CD?
How long will you continue to accept orders?
GENERAL
Will you travel outside of the Bay Area?
What will you wear to my event?
Can you play a song that is not in your repertoire list?
Absolutely! I love special requests. I actually do have an extensive sheet music library beyond the 'playlist.' (For the file, click here for Excel or here for pdf.) If your song is not available in my library, all I ask is that you provide the sheet music and a copy of the song. For your convenience, I'd be happy to do that for you, and let you know the cost (about $4-7 if it is available as a single sheet music, more if it is part of a book/collection ($15-20); and $1 to download a sound recording of the song). I do not charge for the time involved in learning new music.
In the case where sheet music is not readily available, I may be able to transcribe your special request by ear. However, since this requires about 3-7 hours of extra work, this decision will depend on schedule, time constraints, and appropriateness for the instrument.
Do you compose music for weddings?
Do you give piano/harp lessons?
What places have you played at?
- Ainsley House, Campbell
- Allied Arts Guild, Menlo Park
- Almaden Country Club, San Jose
- Byington Winery, Los Gatos
- Carnelian Room, San Francisco
- Century Club, San Francisco
- Chaminade, Santa Cruz
- Chapel of Our Lady at the Presidio, San Francisco
- Crystal Springs Golf Course (Wedgewood Banquet Center), Burlingame
- Cinnabar Hills Golf Club, San Jose
- Cliff House, San Francisco
- David's Restaurant, Santa Clara
- Decathlon Club, Santa Clara
- Dolce Hayes Mansion, San Jose
- The Fairmont San Fransisco Luxury Hotel, San Francisco
- The Fairmont Hotel, San Jose
- First United Methodist Church, Palo Alto
- Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, East Palo Alto
- Freedom Hall, Santa Clara
- Garden Court Hotel, Palo Alto
- Golden Gate Club at the Presidio, San Francisco
- Hakone Gardens, Saratoga
- Hillsborough Racquet Club, Hillsborough
- Historic Del Monte Building, Sunnyvale
- Hotel De Anza, San Jose
- Hotel Los Gatos, Los Gatos
- Julia Morgan Ballroom at Merchant's Exchange, San Francisco
- Kohl Mansion, Burlingame
- La Forêt, San Jose
- Los Altos Golf and Country Club, Los Altos
- Los Altos History Museum, Los Altos
- Los Gatos Opera House, Los Gatos
- Madison's at Lake Merritt Hotel, Oakland
- Marine's Memorial Club, San Francisco
- Metropolitan Golf Links (Wedgewood Banquet Center), Oakland
- Michael's at Shoreline, Mountain View
- Mission Santa Clara, Santa Clara University
- Mountain Terrace, Woodside
- Mountain Winery, Saratoga
- Murrieta's Well Winery, Livermore
- Nestldown, Los Gatos
- Officer's Club at the Presidio, San Francisco
- The Olympic Club, San Francisco
- Our Lady of the Chapel at the Presidio, San Francisco
- Pacific Athletic Club, Redwood Shores
- Palm Event Center at the Mitchell Katz Winery, Pleasanton
- Palmdale Estates, Fremont
- Palo Alto Country Club, Palo Alto
- Peninsula Golf & Country Club, San Mateo
- Presidio Interfaith Center (Main Post Chapel) at the Presidio, San Francisco
- Preservation Park, Oakland
- Pulgas Water Temple, Woodside
- Ralston Hall, Belmont
- The Ranch Golf Club, San Jose
- Rengstorff House, Mountain View
- Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay
- Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
- Rose Garden, San Jose
- The Saint Claire Hotel, San Jose
- San Benito House, Half Moon Bay
- San Mateo Arboretum, San Mateo
- San Mateo Garden Center, San Mateo
- Santa Clara Convention Center, Santa Clara
- Saratoga Federated Church, Saratoga
- Saratoga Foothill Club, Saratoga
- Shakespeare Garden at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
- Silicon Valley Capital Club, San Jose
- Silver Creek Country Club, San Jose
- Sofitel Hotel, Redwood City
- South Hills Community Church, San Jose
- St. Joseph's Cathedral, Downtown San Jose
- St. Thomas Aquinas Church, Palo Alto
- Summitpointe Golf Club, Milpitas
- Testarossa Winery, Los Gatos
- Thomas Fogarty Winery, Woodside
- Toll House Hotel, Los Gatos
- Treasure Island Chapel, San Francisco
- United Methodist Church of Los Altos, Los Altos
- Los Gatos United Methodist Church, Los Gatos
- Villa Mira Monte, Morgan Hill
- Villa Montalvo, Saratoga
- Villa of Almaden, San Jose
- Villa Ragusa, Campbell
- Willow Heights, Morgan Hill
- ...and numerous other public and private venues throughout the Bay Area and beyond
I have a question that is not answered on this website. How do I submit a question?
LINKS TO FURTHER RESOURCES
Music Resources
- Interested in learning the harp? A wonderful teacher is Sonya Yu of Music A2G, who also teaches piano.
- For Harp: the Andrès Notation Project.
- For Harp: a Little Free Music at Horn and Harp.
Local Wedding Resources
- Graceful Studios Photography (Los Gatos) - Artistic and romantic photography for your wedding
Wedding Resources
- Affairnet.com
- CaliforniaWed.com - The Fast and Easy way to plan the perfect California Wedding!
- California-Wedding.com
- DirectoryWedding.com - Comprehensive Wedding Web Directory
- Decidio: Weddings and wedding vendors!
- EventLinker.com
- Family and Senior Portrait Photography
- IWeddingDirectory.com - A guide and resources wedding web directory.
- MyBayAreaWedding.com
- Northern California Directory - Comprehensive directory and guide to everything in Northern California
- SF Bay Wedding and Party
- Wedding Manor - Your source for Wedding Professionals!
- Wedding Songs and Music - WedAlert Wedding Song Directory offers soundclips of Ceremony Music; First Dance Songs, and other music for your wedding reception.