photo courtesy of  Diane Goode - Missouri Botanical Gardens, 2004

Are you planning a wedding?

Those of us that have been in the wedding business have seen what makes a ceremony unique and beautiful and we have seen what can cause a ceremony not to work well.

The music for your ceremony is an important element as it personalizes the kind of ceremony you want to create.  The music for most ceremonies can be planned in one or two phone calls. I  will walk you through a ceremony and explain the places where you need music, then I will play excerpts of different songs for you to help you select the kind of music you like.

I arrive at your wedding an hour ahead of the time you plan for the wedding to start.  When I arrive, I set my harp in place and tune, then I speak with whoever is officiating the wedding or whoever will be coordinating the wedding.  I get my final cues from them and I usually begin playing 20 to 30 minutes before the ceremony starts.  As soon as guests are being seated, I start playing a variety of music I call "filler music" until the ceremony starts.  For your "filler music" I find it best to play music for all ages that is appropriate for weddings. 

The bride and groom will need to select processional pieces for the bridesmaids and the bride, a song for the unity candle / flowers to the parents or any part of the ceremony that lends itself to music, and finally, a recessional piece to get the wedding party back down the aisle.  I usually continue playing as people are released - either by the bride and groom or by the ushers.

I ask a lot of questions during our phone conversation so that I can determine the amount of time needed for each part of your ceremony.

Things that are helpful to both of us when we are planning your music

Please consult with me about all the musical selections you choose for your wedding including selections other musicians will be playing or singing.  Keep in mind that not all music is playable on the harp and not all music sounds good on the harp.  That is why it is important to discuss the type of music you like before you hire me.  If you would like to hear some of my music, please go to the "buy Linda's music" page where you will find several clips off my CD's that you can listen to.

This is important! Please have someone who is not in the wedding party coordinate sending everyone in the processional down the isle. This is a five minute job that makes the whole wedding flow more smoothly. This person does not have to be a wedding professional, just someone who can speak to Linda before she starts playing and then stand in the back and send the wedding party out as their song is played. Pick a friend of yours, your mothers, etc. and make it their sole job to coordinate this with Linda. You won’t notice the difference it makes as you will have other things on your mind, but it makes a huge difference in the flow of the ceremony. It is also helpful if this person attends the rehearsal as Linda will not be at the rehearsal.

How much will the music for my wedding cost?

The price of your music will vary,  but most wedding ceremonies start at $275. The music for a ceremony includes the “filler music” played before the ceremony as your guests are seated, any songs in the ceremony, and the music as your guests are released. The price for your wedding also includes any phone consultation you have with Linda and the planning and arranging of songs that Linda will do. If you would like Linda to play longer or move to a different location, there will be an additional charge. Cocktail hour and dinner are not considered part of the wedding music. If I have to work with other musicians or travel more than an hour, my fee is slightly higher. I require a 50% deposit to hold your date and the balance must be paid 1 (one) month before the wedding.  I do not exchange money on the day of the wedding. When a deposit is mailed to Linda she will return a contract to you that will serve as a receipt.  The deposit can be mailed to Linda at :

Linda Elliott

P.O. Box 88

Grafton, IL  62037 

Things you need to know

Outdoor weddings are wonderful if the weather cooperates.  Nothing can compare to the beauty nature provides for the occasion.  However, the harp needs shelter.  Harps are very sensitive to temperature. Even at temperatures that seem perfect (65º F - 75º F), it is too hot to have the harp in direct sunlight.  If the temperature is below 60 it will be hard for Linda to keep the harp in tune. Please consider all these things when you are planning an outdoor wedding.  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.  Linda is very firm on her rain policy as she has an expensive instrument to protect.