Thanks for considering live music for your wedding ceremony and/or reception.

Music played on harp is both elegant and economical. Elegant because it sets a peaceful, beautiful tone, and economical because you are only paying for one musician. In my case, there is the added benefit of getting two musicians for the price of one, since I am both a harpist and a flutist.

As a bride or groom, it’s normal to worry about details. If you choose me to perform on your special day, you’ll never have to worry about the music. I’m professional, experienced, and reliable. I’ll be on time and make every aspect of the music you choose for your special day memorable.

Get an idea of how the music at your wedding could sound by listening to the sound clips I have available on my website here: SAMPLE MUSIC CLIPS

My ceremony package includes 30 minutes of music to set the tone as your guests arrive, all of the ceremony music, and music as your guests leave the ceremony area.  My fee is competitively priced with other musicians in the area.  A deposit and a signed contract reserves your date.

My music has helped to make hundreds of weddings memorable, and I hope to play a part in yours.

Warmest regards,

Patricia Dominowski

1. Food and party favors will be forgotten, the music (and the impression it makes) will remembered forever by your guests and by you on your wedding video.

2. Music is not the best place to save money in your wedding budget. Most people would not want to hire an amateur caterer, minister, photographer or florist, why hire amateur musicians?

3. Wedding professionals tell horror stories about musicians who showed up late, played out of tune, didn’t play what you wanted, or didn’t know what they were supposed to do. This doesn’t happen when you hire professionals.

4. Let the students get their on-the-job experience at someone else’s wedding, even if the wedding books suggest it as a way to cut corners. It can be a disaster waiting to happen. Remember, you get what you pay for.

5. This may be the one time in your life, or in the lives of your guests, where you get to hear great classical music up close; make it beautiful and memorable, not sloppy and amateurish.

6. If you have a singer, the same points above apply. Don’t put an amateur vocalist with a professional group. A lost or off-key singer sounds the same whether or not they are a friend or relative.

7. Live music adds elegance to your ceremony.

8. If it’s outdoors, consider the weather, have a tent or other shelter. Instruments are both expensive and delicate. Music will fly away in a quick breeze, and even a slight drizzle is bad. Clothespins, sunglasses, winter coats, and sweaty faces look bad in wedding photos.

9. There’s more to life than a string quartet, be open to other groupings of instruments. A mix of flute with strings can sound surprisingly good!

10. Shakespeare said: “If music be the food of love, play on.”

Getting married outdoors has a very romantic appeal and is a popular venue in Colorado. Natural settings here can be absolutely breathtaking.

There are a few logistical considerations:

The Weather
Instruments react very poorly in direct sun or rain—even a few drops of rain can be trouble. Cold air, wet conditions or excessive heat is very damaging to the wood and can cause it to crack, and your guests probably would not enjoy the unpleasant conditions, either. A canopy [which I can provide for myself for a small fee], shady spot, tent, or large umbrella would offer protection.

In case of inclement weather, it’s always a good idea to have a rain plan in place.

Some places/facilities don’t offer sun protection at all. You may rent a tent like this (8×8, 10×10) from a rental place – or – I have one available for myself at a small additional fee.

Rain:
To avoid the possibility of rain in the summer especially in Colorado, have your wedding before noon.

Snow:

Here in Colorado it can easily snow even in May and early September. If the forecast predicts bad weather or it is obvious that it will be snowing or raining, it is a good idea to decide on using the alternate indoor location ahead of time. Your guests and vendors will appreciate the early notice. The weather–especially in the mountains–can be rather unpredictable.

Wind:

It can be very windy, even on a gorgeous day. Strong wind makes it impossible to keep the music secure, and makes the sound more difficult to carry. A mountaintop wedding would be susceptible to this. Solutions would vary depending on the conditions.

Sound
Sound projects the best if the musicians are seated in front of a building. A wooden deck really helps. Besides the good sound, a dry and flat surface is necessary for placement of a harp, which can tip over on an uneven surface.

Ambient noise is a logistical concern—a fountain, stream, a busy road, windy area—all make it hard for you and your guests to hear both the music and the ceremony. If your plans include these locations, consider a PA system or microphones for the officiant, yourselves and the music. Your guests will enjoy being able to hear the whole ceremony without straining. Your wedding ceremony is important–make sure your guests can hear, enjoy and remember all of it.

Timing, cues and signals
Designate someone to give a cue to begin:
Background music is usually played until the processional is ready to begin, so it is a good idea to have someone available to do this–usually the wedding planner if you have one—someone who can ‘direct traffic’ in the back, when to wait, when to go…

Always confirm these signals with musicians ahead of time.

Generally, musicians are located off to the side of the altar, canopy, arch, etc., so they can see and hear the cues from your officiant. If you have a line of bridesmaids or groomsmen standing in front, remind them to help the musicians see the processional.

Having said all this—

Don’t let these logistics scare you. With a little planning, your wedding will run smoothly with no unpleasant surprises for you or your guests.