The Ultimate Guide to Booking Your Wedding Guitarist

When it comes to wedding music, trends may come and go, but one musical instrument has always been a timeless choice, transcending cultures, genres, and eras. The guitar, far from being a fleeting fad or mere background noise, has been entertaining wedding guests for generations, making it a beloved choice for nuptial celebrations in the United States.

From the heartwarming, feel-good vibes of flamenco and gypsy jazz to the extensive repertoire of classical and contemporary melodies, there’s a wedding guitarist to suit every taste.

But before you dive into the world of wedding guitarists, it’s crucial to understand what type of guitarist you’re looking for from the outset. Whether you’re envisioning the timeless sounds of Pachelbel or Ed Sheeran or the passionate rhythms of Django Reinhardt or Rodrigo y Gabriela, you need to have a clear idea of your musical preferences.

In this comprehensive guide, we cover all the essential aspects of hiring a wedding guitarist for your big day. From selecting the right style of guitarist to choosing the perfect ceremony music, establishing timings, understanding costs, and handling logistics, we leave no stone unturned.

Why Choose a Wedding Guitarist?

For many couples, live music is a pivotal element of their big day. It’s not just about entertaining guests and creating the perfect atmosphere; it’s a way to infuse your wedding with your unique personality, seamlessly complementing the theme and decor.

Versatility: A wedding guitarist can adapt their sound to every significant part of your day, from providing elegant ceremony entrance music to a show-stopping first dance, all with just one talented musician.

Budget: While many might initially consider larger ensembles like duos or bands, hiring a solo guitarist can be a more budget-friendly option. You’ll find that you can cover your entire day at a fraction of the cost with just one skilled musician. We’ll delve into pricing in more detail shortly.

Mobility and Easy Set-Up: Solo guitarists come with minimal gear, often incorporating a single handheld amplifier into their setup. With just a guitar and an amp to transport, they can easily move from one part of the venue to another with minimal downtime in between.

Types of Wedding Guitarists

If you and your partner have diverse musical tastes, a guitarist could be the perfect solution. With their ability to seamlessly transition from intricate classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites, guitarists appeal to a broad audience, allowing both you and your future spouse to have a say in the music choices.

Many guitarists specialize in a specific style or genre, such as jazz, classical, or flamenco. However, the first decision to make is whether you’re looking for an instrumental guitarist or a wedding singer who also plays the guitar. Although both fall under the “wedding guitarist” category, they are distinct in their own right.

How to Choose Your Wedding Guitarist

Now that you’ve settled on the type of guitarist that suits your wedding vision, it’s time to create your shortlist. But what key factors should you consider when making this crucial decision?

Location: Before diving into the details of set lists and playing styles, start by searching for local guitarists in your area. We have regional pages for our wedding guitarists and acoustic acts at Bands For Hire, listing the most popular local acts at the top.

Style and Repertoire: As we’ve mentioned, there’s a wide variety of guitarists available. Begin by listening to those who offer the service you desire, whether it’s classical wedding guitarists or singer-guitarists. Each guitarist typically has a profile page or website that lists their full repertoire, making it easy to determine if their musical style aligns with your preferences.

Videos and Audio Samples: While meeting potential suppliers in person is ideal, it’s not always possible due to musicians’ busy schedules. That’s why every guitarist on our roster provides live music videos and mp3s to showcase their skills and professionalism.

Experience and Professionalism: Just like any profession, the music industry has musicians with varying levels of expertise and professionalism. While videos and demos can give you a sense of a guitarist’s musical abilities, it’s crucial to choose someone with experience as a professional musician. When you book through an agency like ours, you can rest assured that every guitarist meets our rigorous criteria. However, if you’re booking directly with a musician, it’s essential to do your homework. Check their online reviews and social media presence for an authentic overview of the musician. Even the tone of their emails and text responses can provide insights into their level of professionalism in the lead-up to your wedding.

Personal Preference: Ultimately, everyone has their own personal tastes, so this should be the deciding factor. If a guitarist strikes the right chord with you, they should undoubtedly be at the top of your shortlist.

Costs and Budgeting

The average price for a wedding guitarist in the United States is approximately $400 locally, but this can vary significantly due to several factors, including travel distance, performance times, the timeframe at the venue, and additional song requests. Let’s explore these factors in more detail to ensure you get the best value for your budget.

Travel: It’s important to remember that when musicians travel, they need to cover their travel expenses, such as fuel. Another consideration is the time spent on the road. If a guitarist is quoting for an event a couple of hours away, they’ll likely need to account for the time spent traveling, which will be factored into their fee. To maximize your wedding budget, it’s advisable to begin your search locally.

Performance Times and Timeframe: Wedding musicians typically charge a base fee to cover the first hour or two of performance, with the cost increasing for longer sets. For example, a guitarist might charge a base rate of $400 to cover two 60-minute sets over a maximum three-hour period. However, if you require 20 minutes of music as guests arrive, 15 minutes during the ceremony, and an hour during the drinks reception, as long as this falls within the three-hour time frame, it should be within the same quote. Nevertheless, if you plan to extend the performance to cover the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, you’re likely to exceed the initial three-hour timeframe, resulting in additional charges for the extra time the musician spends at the venue.

Level of Expertise: In the music industry, there are wedding musicians with varying degrees of ability and professionalism. As guitarists progress in their careers, their fees tend to increase to reflect their experience and popularity.

Additional Song Requests: Most musicians are happy to accommodate special songs for your wedding ceremony or first dance. However, it’s important to consider that learning and practicing these songs can be time-intensive. Singers and guitarists often limit the number of requests per event to one or two, sometimes charging a small fee to learn additional songs. If you’ve already chosen your ceremony songs, it’s a good idea to include them in your initial inquiry so the guitarist knows exactly what they’re quoting for, helping you avoid any surprises down the line.

Song Choices

Now that you’ve selected your guitarist and have a budget in place, it’s time for the fun part: choosing the music for your special day. Selecting the songs that hold personal significance to you as a couple is a deeply personal choice, reflecting your musical tastes and the tracks that are close to your hearts. If you’re in need of inspiration, we’ve included a few of our favorites below. For more ideas, head over to our wedding music section, where you’ll discover thousands of song suggestions to cover every aspect of your big day.

Instrumental Guitar Wedding Songs

  • “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
  • “Canon in D” – Pachelbel
  • “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
  • “Over The Rainbow” – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
  • “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri

Singer/Guitarist Wedding Songs

  • “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
  • “Wicked Game” – Chris Isaak
  • “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele
  • “Faith” – George Michael
  • “How Deep Is Your Love” – Bee Gees

What to Expect on the Day

When it comes to set-up and logistics, hiring a solo guitarist couldn’t be easier. Unlike a jazz band or a full wedding band, a solo guitarist comes with minimal gear that takes just a few minutes to set up.

Arrival: At Bands For Hire, we always request our guitarists to arrive an hour prior to their performance, allowing ample time in case of traffic or any unexpected delays on the day.

Power: Most instrumental guitarists play through a small guitar amp, while singer-guitarists typically provide a compact PA system to amplify their vocals. In both cases, a single 13-amp power socket is usually sufficient. For outdoor ceremonies, be sure to have either an extension cord from the venue or a small generator on hand.

Soundcheck: For classical guitarists and instrumentalists, a quick 2-minute soundcheck is all that’s needed to ensure the volume is at an appropriate level and there are no issues like feedback. For singer-guitarists, it’s best to allow 15-30 minutes for setup, as there’s a bit more equipment to unload and arrange.

Space Requirements: While a single musician doesn’t require much space, it’s a good idea to provide them with enough room to set up their gear, ideally around 2 x 2 meters. Carefully consider their placement so they’re close enough to contribute to the atmosphere but not so close that they dominate the ceremony.

Weather Contingency: For outdoor weddings, having a weather contingency plan is crucial. We strongly recommend setting up a small gazebo or marquee to shield the musicians from potential rain. Even a few raindrops can pose a risk to expensive equipment, and ultimately, it’s the musician’s call on whether they feel comfortable performing outside without adequate cover.

Breaks and Intervals: Generally, guitarists can perform for up to an hour before needing a break. However, if you prefer to divide the performance into shorter segments, that’s perfectly fine. A 15-minute interval between sets usually provides ample time for the musician to rest and prepare for the next set. For daytime bookings, it’s common to offer musicians refreshments like soft drinks, coffee, tea, and a light lunch. For evening bookings, your guitarist may request a meal as part of their rider.

Ready to Book Your Wedding Guitarist?

Now that you have a clear plan of action, it’s time to start the planning process. At Bands For Hire, we represent only the highest quality guitarists across the United States. To find local wedding guitarists in your area, go to the top of the page and select your region. Once you’ve found a guitarist you like, send us an inquiry through the contact form, and a member of our team will respond with a quote and a breakdown of what’s included in your package. It’s the first step to ensuring your wedding day is filled with the beautiful sounds of a talented guitarist, creating unforgettable memories for you and your guests.

Jon Ardito
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