There are three parts of a typical wedding day when you might like to have a harpist play – the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. The following packages and prices are here to make your initial wedding research easier but don’t hesitate to get in touch for a personalised quote.
GUIDE PRICES FOR 2024
PRICES EXCLUDE TRAVEL
Please get in touch for an accurate quote.
Special off-peak rates available
Ceremony and Drinks Reception
£425
- Pre-ceremony music (15 – 30 minutes)
- Walking Down the Aisle Music
- Signing and Photos (2 or 3 songs)
- Ceremony Exit Music
- Drinks Reception (75 – 90 minutes)
Choose from a huge playlist of the most beautiful and well known songs or personalise your ceremony with optional special requests.
“It was lovely to have some background music that wasn’t too loud or overbearing and we could still have a conversation and enjoy your harp playing at the same time! Would definitely recommend!”
Laura and Andy | 09/06/2018
Ceremony and Wedding Breakfast
£550
Perfect for the married couple who want a chance to sit and enjoy the music themselves.
- Pre-ceremony music (15 – 30 minutes)
- Walking Down the Aisle Music
- Signing and Photos (2 or 3 songs)
- Ceremony Exit Music
- Entrance of the Newly Weds into the Wedding Breakfast (optional)
- The Wedding Breakfast (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours with a short break)
Choose from a huge playlist of the most beautiful and well known songs or personalise your ceremony with optional special requests.
Full Day
£675
Advanced booking is recommended as I only take on so many full day packages in a week
- Pre-ceremony music (15 – 30 minutes)
- Walking Down the Aisle Music
- Signing and Photos (2 or 3 songs)
- Ceremony Exit Music
- Drinks Reception (75 – 90 minutes)
- Entrance of the Newly Weds into the Wedding Breakfast (optional)
- The Wedding Breakfast (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours with a short break)
Choose from a huge playlist of the most beautiful and well known songs or personalise your ceremony with optional special requests.
Special Requests
£30*
add on to ceremony
Tailor your wedding soundtrack with a bespoke harp arrangement. Christine creates her own harp version by ear to carefully create something that sounds both familiar and beautiful on harp.
- Your choice of song especially arranged for harp if it isn’t already on the playlist
- An audio sample of your song to preview before the day and listen back on forever
*Typical price for most popular music. There is no extra cost to request music from the playlist.
“Christine is not only magical when she plays but is such a lovely lady! She learned a new song for us (a bit of a wild card) and it just sounded brilliant. Amazing and truly talented. Highly recommend.”
Letisha and Alex | Swancar Farm | 03/03/2022
Availability and Contact
Please select your date and get in touch. If I’m unavailable I can save your details in case of cancellation. Most of my bookings are afternoon events so it might be possible for me to also make an early morning or evening event.
FAQs
How loud is the harp?
Sound quality is very important to me and I use high end amplification and take care to get the harp at the right level. Ideally your guests should be able to hear a harpist clearly but easily hold a conversation and not feel deafened!
Can you learn a special request?
Requesting a personal song to be arranged for harp is a fantastic and touching way to personalise your wedding day. I create my own harp version by ear making sure it’s recognisable, sounds beautiful on harp and suits the moment – i.e I can make it slower and more romantic to walk down the aisle. I can learn special requests as an optional extra (see pricing) and also send a recording before the day so you can preview it and listen back on it forever.
Can you move the harp between rooms?
Yes! I can play in up to 3 different spots for the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. If there’s an unusually long distance or tricky route between spaces please let me know so that help moving can be arranged.
Can you play outdoors?
In the right conditions I’m very happy to play outdoors and this is a really beautiful touch. My equipment is battery powered so I’m not tied down to power sockets. However the weather conditions need to be perfect to avoid damage to the harp or I may have to make the very difficult decision to refuse to play.
The main thing is to have an indoor alternative and be content to use it if the weather isn’t quite right. If you have all your hopes pinned on an outdoor ceremony and are willing to take a chance on dubious weather then hiring a harpist for the ceremony might not be right for you.
Do you require a meal?
On some occasions food would be really appreciated but it depends on the length of booking and amount of travel so please ask! Meals for suppliers are usually ready after your main course has been served so I would eat during my 15 minute break, ideally when the main course is being cleared. A single course or light meal is plenty unless you want a podged harpist!
Can my friend sing along to the harp?
Very confident, professional singers have done so in the past with great results but please be aware that the harp isn’t the easiest instrument to sing along to and can leave the singer feeling quite nervous and exposed. I would recommend booking a rehearsal with me before the day if this is something you’re considering.
Can you accompany hymns?
Unfortunately the harp is not the right instrument for this. However I will happily play your backing tracks through my amp if needed.
Are there any hidden costs?
I charge for travel after 1 hour and accommodation after around 3 hours or more. Prices are also slightly higher for 2024 and 2025. In rare circumstances I might need to bring an assistant to help with unusually long distances to carry the harp or to help with setting up a larger PA system for events with more than 120 guests. When you get in touch I’ll give you an accurate price for your wedding day.
Is it the same price to book you for the ceremony as the ceremony and drinks reception?
Yes. Due to most weddings taking place around the same time in the afternoon I usually only perform at one wedding a day. I have to consider that I will likely be turning down a longer booking to take on a ceremony only booking. However I do offer ceremony only rates on off-peak dates.
Can I change my package after booking?
You can add more onto your booking at a later date if I’m available to do so. However I do not allow reductions in packages as I may turn down other longer bookings to make sure I’m not over-performing and damaging my body.
Are you available on my date?
Please see my availability calendar.
Which package is best/most popular?
Many people choose the ceremony and drinks reception add on as it creates an atmosphere and keeps your guests entertained during the photographs. The wedding breakfast is usually best for the married couple themselves to get a chance to properly listen to the harp.
The wedding venue is also an important factor as sometimes guests can spread out far and wide during the drinks reception not getting much benefit of the music. Meanwhile another venue might lack an ideal space for a harpist during the meal if maximum guests are invited. The acoustics also vary between venues. For example the high ceiling in the Oak Barn at Swancar Farm has incredible acoustics and makes the harp sound especially beautiful. Let me know if you’d like any advice for your chosen venue. Here’s a list of most of the venues I’ve played at before (but it keeps growing!)
Copyright © 2022 Christine Palethorpe. All Rights Reserved
There are three parts of a typical wedding day when you might like to have a harpist play – the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. The following packages and prices are here to make your initial wedding research easier but don’t hesitate to get in touch for a personalised quote.
Guide Prices 2024
PRICES EXCLUDE TRAVEL
Please get in touch for an accurate quote.
Special off-peak rates available
Ceremony and Drinks Reception
£425
- Pre-ceremony music (15 – 30 minutes)
- Walking Down the Aisle Music
- Signing and Photos (2 or 3 songs)
- Ceremony Exit Music
- Drinks Reception (75 – 90 minutes)
Choose from a huge playlist of the most beautiful and well known songs or personalise your ceremony with optional special requests.
Ceremony and Wedding Breakfast
£550
Perfect for the married couple who want a chance to sit and enjoy the music themselves.
- Pre-ceremony music (15 – 30 minutes)
- Walking Down the Aisle Music
- Signing and Photos (2 or 3 songs)
- Ceremony Exit Music
- Entrance of the Newly Weds into the Wedding Breakfast (optional)
- The Wedding Breakfast (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours with a short break)
Choose from a huge playlist of the most beautiful and well known songs or personalise your ceremony with optional special requests.
“It was lovely to have some background music that wasn’t too loud or overbearing and we could still have a conversation and enjoy your harp playing at the same time! Would definitely recommend!”
Laura and Andy | 09/06/2018
Full Day
£675
Advanced booking is recommended as I only take on so many full day packages in a week
- Pre-ceremony music (15 – 30 minutes)
- Walking Down the Aisle Music
- Signing and Photos (2 or 3 songs)
- Ceremony Exit Music
- Drinks Reception (75 – 90 minutes)
- Entrance of the Newly Weds into the Wedding Breakfast (optional)
- The Wedding Breakfast (1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours with a short break)
Choose from a huge playlist of the most beautiful and well known songs or personalise your ceremony with optional special requests.
Special Requests
£30*
add on to ceremony
Tailor your wedding soundtrack with a bespoke harp arrangement. Christine creates her own harp version by ear to carefully create something that sounds both familiar and beautiful on harp.
- Your choice of song especially arranged for harp if it isn’t already on the playlist
- An audio sample of your song to preview before the day and listen back on forever
*Typical price for most popular music. There is no extra cost to request music from the playlist.
“Christine is not only magical when she plays but is such a lovely lady! She learned a new song for us (a bit of a wild card) and it just sounded brilliant. Amazing and truly talented. Highly recommend.”
Letisha and Alex | Swancar Farm | 03/03/2022
Availability and Contact
Please select your date and get in touch. If I’m unavailable I can save your details in case of cancellation. Most of my bookings are afternoon events so it might be possible for me to also make an early morning or evening event.
FAQs
How loud is the harp?
Sound quality is very important to me and I use high end amplification and take care to get the harp at the right level. Ideally your guests should be able to hear a harpist clearly but easily hold a conversation and not feel deafened!
Can you learn a special request?
Requesting a personal song to be arranged for harp is a fantastic and touching way to personalise your wedding day. I create my own harp version by ear making sure it’s recognisable, sounds beautiful on harp and suits the moment – i.e I can make it slower and more romantic to walk down the aisle. I can learn special requests as an optional extra (see pricing) and also send a recording before the day so you can preview it and listen back on it forever.
Can you move the harp between rooms?
Yes! I can play in up to 3 different spots for the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast. If there’s an unusually long distance or tricky route between spaces please let me know so that help moving can be arranged.
Can you play outdoors?
In the right conditions I’m very happy to play outdoors and this is a really beautiful touch. My equipment is battery powered so I’m not tied down to power sockets. However the weather conditions need to be perfect to avoid damage to the harp or I may have to make the very difficult decision to refuse to play.
The main thing is to have an indoor alternative and be content to use it if the weather isn’t quite right. If you have all your hopes pinned on an outdoor ceremony and are willing to take a chance on dubious weather then hiring a harpist for the ceremony might not be right for you.
Do you require a meal?
On some occasions food would be really appreciated but it depends on the length of booking and amount of travel so please ask! Meals for suppliers are usually ready after your main course has been served so I would eat during my 15 minute break, ideally when the main course is being cleared. A single course or light meal is plenty unless you want a podged harpist!
Can my friend sing along to the harp?
Very confident, professional singers have done so in the past with great results but please be aware that the harp isn’t the easiest instrument to sing along to and can leave the singer feeling quite nervous and exposed. I would recommend booking a rehearsal with me before the day if this is something you’re considering.
Can you accompany hymns?
Unfortunately the harp is not the right instrument for this. However I will happily play your backing tracks through my amp if needed.
Are there any hidden costs?
I charge for travel after 1 hour and accommodation after around 3 hours or more. Prices are also slightly higher for 2024 and 2025. In rare circumstances I might need to bring an assistant to help with unusually long distances to carry the harp or to help with setting up a larger PA system for events with more than 120 guests. When you get in touch I’ll give you an accurate price for your wedding day.
Is it the same price to book you for the ceremony as the ceremony and drinks reception?
Yes. Due to most weddings taking place around the same time in the afternoon I usually only perform at one wedding a day. I have to consider that I will likely be turning down a longer booking to take on a ceremony only booking. However I do offer ceremony only rates on off-peak dates.
Can I change my package after booking?
You can add more onto your booking at a later date if I’m available to do so. However I do not allow reductions in packages as I may turn down other longer bookings to make sure I’m not over-performing and damaging my body.
Are you available on my date?
Please see my availability calendar.
Which package is best/most popular?
Many people choose the ceremony and drinks reception add on as it creates an atmosphere and keeps your guests entertained during the photographs. The wedding breakfast is usually best for the married couple themselves to get a chance to properly listen to the harp.
The wedding venue is also an important factor as sometimes guests can spread out far and wide during the drinks reception not getting much benefit of the music. Meanwhile another venue might lack an ideal space for a harpist during the meal if maximum guests are invited. The acoustics also vary between venues. For example the high ceiling in the Oak Barn at Swancar Farm has incredible acoustics and makes the harp sound especially beautiful. Let me know if you’d like any advice for your chosen venue. Here’s a list of most of the venues I’ve played at before (but it keeps growing!)