Meeting of the Minds
When people choose me to play for their wedding ceremony, I want to be sure they are happy with their music choices and that I can give them what they want. There are many factors which influence not only music selections but also other aspects of my service: arrival time, set up, location, number of guests, whether a wedding coordinator has been hired, type of service (Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc.), and other details.
The more information I have, the better I can serve my clients. That is why I offer brides a free consultation. I can play pieces so they can hear and choose, and it’s a great opportunity to ask questions about the service so both of us will know what to expect.
It’s best to have your consultation at least a month or more before the ceremony because that last month is always extra-busy for brides with fittings, parties, thank-you notes, and last-minute details. If for some reason you can’t have the consultation at least a month before, I am still happy to speak with you. There may not be time to find and learn new music not already in my repertoire at that point, but I have much to choose from.
I usually schedule consultations day or evening, Mondays through Thursdays. Weekends are sometimes available, but that is often when I’m performing for other weddings and events. Most consultations take about an hour.
Clients need no preparation for a consultation (no lists, no recordings, etc.). All you need are open ears and an open mind. However, there is quite a bit of preparation on my part. The harp studio must be ready, harps must be tuned, contracts pulled, and other things I do to prepare. I also often send an email with a list of the pieces I will play for your over the phone so you can check or mark the ones you like best. Then we can go over the list and narrow your selections to the ones you like best.
When you have scheduled a consultation, it’s important to keep that appointment and to be on time as much as possible. It’s simpler and easier, too, if you limit the number of people to just the engaged couple or to two or three people. The more people involved, the harder it is to make a decision on the music.
If you can’t keep your appointment or if you think you will be more than 10 minutes late, please call and let me know as soon as possible.
Please call or send an email if you have any questions. I’d love to hear from you!