FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does location matter? If my wedding is outdoors/indoors, do I need electricity for you?
If your ceremony is to be held outdoors, acoustic instruments (which require no electricity) are the most practical option, i.e., "unaccompanied flute solo." I prefer to perform under some sort of cover or in the shade as sunlight, heat, and precipitation can effect tuning.

If your ceremony is held indoors, a microphone/amp is not necessary as the flute sound carries well, but it's best to have a reliable power source available if you are opting for the recorded accompaniment.

Does location matter?
If you are planning a church wedding, find out if the church has guidelines for wedding music. Some churches treat the wedding as they would any other worship service and require that all music performed at a wedding be of a sacred or religious nature. The clergy officiating the ceremony may ask to approve the song selections in advance. Some churches treat the wedding as a private service and allow secular songs to be performed, and others may allow an instrumental version of a secular song with no lyrics, which is what I offer if you choose secular music.

Informal vs formal?
A church wedding does not have to be formal, nor does a beachfront wedding have to be casual. Garden weddings can be elegant or informal. The music you choose will help define the style of wedding you have created. If you are aiming for formal, classical music is a good choice. Pieces such as Pachelbel's "Canon in D" quietly announce a formal, traditional ceremony. If your preference is secular music, popular songs along the lines of "Endless Love" may be just the ticket.

When will you start to play?
The prelude music usually begins about 15 minutes before the ceremony. Less prelude music is required for a small wedding. I am usually cued by your wedding coordinator when to start. This prelude music announces to the guests that the ceremony will begin shortly, it sets the tone for the wedding itself, and it is a cue to the wedding party that things are about to get underway. Since weddings are also something of a reunion for family and friends, this prelude music is a way of formally marking the time in which guests are to get seated and is performed at a soft volume so people don't need to shout.

Do I need one or two pieces for the Processional?
Most brides choose two musical selections as processionals: one for the attendants and then another for the bride. The moment the music changes is the cue for the guests to stand and turn to watch the bride's entrance. In small weddings, a single processional piece is perfectly appropriate. (ex: "Bridal Chorus" or "Trumpet Tune")

We have a special song that's not on your list. Will you please play it?
For an extra fee, I will gladly research and purchase a professionally recorded accompaniment as well as create a flute arrangement for your special day.

What do you need from me in the mean time?
You will be asked to fill out a Performance Agreement. In general, I need to know the wedding date, list of your top 10 music selections (or I can make suggestions after you decide on classical or contemporary), time of ceremony, time you want me to begin, if there is a specific color you want me to wear (solid black is typical so as not to distract from the wedding party), what my cue will be to begin the processional music (if you don't have a wedding coordinator), and what the final words spoken in the ceremony will be so I know exactly when to start the recessional.