Musical instrument for ceremony

If you’re looking for a solo player, rather than a small group, I would go for a harp if you can get one, or a guitar. A violin, cello or flute could work so long as they have backing tracks (they’d sound very lonely without them).

What’s the style (or theme) of your wedding overall? What ambiance are you trying to create? I ask because different instruments evoke different feelings. So, the style of your ceremony helps determine the instrument that might fit the best. For example, an acoustic guitar might be great for a boho style… while violin, harp or other string instruments are nice for a classic, romantic or formal style. Before we canceled our bigger wedding, I had hired a saxaphonist for our ceremony because the vibe we were going for was more modern, hip and sexy. However, we ended up eloping in Hawaii instead and had a ukulele player for our ceremony. So, the style of the wedding helps dictate the most fitting style of music.

String quartets or string trios are the most popular for wedding music. If you are looking for strictly a solo artist, the piano or violin are popular choices. I would suggest watching YouTube videos of different options to see what instrument or instrument combos you like best.

We had a violinist for our ceremony and cocktail hour and it was perfect. It was electric so the sound was great. Every song sounded amazing—and we had everything from TV show themes to 70s folk to modern rap to hymns lol. Quite the variety and it was all lovely! Our performer was incredibly talented.

My friend had a cellist who used to play at her late grandmother's church. It was beautiful during the ceremony and was a great detail to remember her grandmother.

View Quoted Comment Thank you everyone, this was so helpful!!

A guitarist might be nice too. We had a violinist and she was perfect.

Looking to book a harpist, and maybe a viola and cello duo.

The harp is sooooo dreamy! I had no idea I’d love it so much until I started listening to wedding songs on YouTube. That would be my vote. They run about $400-500 here where I’m at.

My sister played ukulele, it was so beautiful and touching, not as trite as a guitar or harp, but the sound is soft.

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For a solo instrumentalist, I too would go with a harpist.

Harp! We got a harpist and it was honestly SO DREAMY and made the moment so surreal. Our guests also loved the prelude. If you’re looking for estimates, it ran us about $500 for the ceremony.