Weddings

Your wedding is special.

Every wedding is unique. Some couples prefer a traditional ceremony, whereas other couples prefer to create their own type of ceremonies. Whether you walk down the aisle or arrive in a canoe, I will work with you to ensure the music creates an environment that complements your individual vision.

Harp Music for the Wedding Ceremony

In order to assist your planning I have listed the parts of traditional wedding ceremonies in which you might like harp music.

Prelude
This is the music which occurs as your guests are being seated. The length of pre-service prelude music will depend on your wedding location and the number of guests you expect to attend. 15-30 minutes is typical.

Processional
Processional music is played for seating of the parents and grandparents, entrance of the attendants and flower girls/ring bearers. The last and most important part of the processional is, of course, the entrance of the bride. Guests normally stand for the entrance of the bride as she makes her grand entrance; the harp music usually intensifies and the most dramatic processional selections are played for the bride’s entrance.

Ceremony
Many couples request a special song during a moment of reflection, background music for the lighting of a unity candle, or a meditative piece after a prayer. Many shorter services do not require any harp music during the actual ceremony.

Recessional
At the end of the ceremony, after the announcement of the couple, a joyful selection is normally played for the couple and the attendants as they exit.

Musical Selections
Some people have specific melodies they want for their wedding, while other couples simply request that Nicolas select pieces based on the emotions of the moment. One of Nicolas’ unique skills is the ability to adjust the musical intensity, rhythms and length of a piece as appropriate to the moment; imagine a soft flourish each time the flower girl drops a handful of petals, a dramatic grand entrance for the bride, or a prolonged note as the couple lights the unity candle.

Nicolas has a repertoire of hundreds of songs. The following are a few examples of popular wedding selections:

Canon in D (Pachabel)
The Wedding March (Mendelssohn)
Bridal Chorus (Wagner)
Ave Maria (Bach)
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring (Bach)
The Ash Grove
Greensleeves

Nicolas' repertoire includes traditional wedding music, as well as original compositions. If you would like Nicolas to play a specific melody, such as your grandmother's favorite song your niece is going to sing at the wedding, please provide a recording and a few weeks notice and he would be happy to accommodate your request.

 

Wedding Ceremony and Reception Party Prices

Prices listed are for weekend weddings in the Twin Cities metro area. Nicolas travels for weddings; please inquire for pricing.

Wedding Ceremony:

Includes all music for the complete wedding ceremony (prelude, processional, ceremony, recessional and postlude), as well as consultation prior to your wedding.

$295 for solo harp; $500 for duet, harp and accompanist (guitar, flutes, violin or vocalist)

 

Wedding Ceremony + Reception or Celebration:

Includes complete wedding ceremony, pre-wedding consultation, and one hour of additional music.

One additional hour: $395 for solo harp; $700 for duet

Two additional hours: $495 for solo harp; $900 for duet 

 

Reception or Celebration Only:

One hour: $250 for solo harp

Two hours: $375 for solo harp

Three hours: $475 for solo harp

 

Ensemble:

One hour: $450 for duet; $650 for trio; $850 for quartet

Two hours: $675 for duet; $975 for trio; $1,275 for quartet

Three hours: $875 for duet; $1,275 for trio; $1,675 for quartet

 

Testimonials

"Thank you so much. People are still talking in my small town about the wonderful music at my wedding."
Ytmar

"Thank you so very much for playing at our wedding. Your playing was absolutely beautiful and was commented on again and again by our guests. We found you very friendly, competent and professional, in addition to being a talented musician. We would strongly and happily recommend you to anyone."
Christy

"I cannot thank you enough for the gift of your music. It was our love and your beautiful music that made our wedding the greatest day of our lives. Everyone is still talking about… the music. I felt as if your melodies truly conjured up the past; we were all wonderfully transformed into a bygone era, a simple time. I felt your music called an ancestor. I know my grandfather was with us. Your music was the glue that held all the pieces of love and family, history and hope together that day. We will never forget what you gave us."
Laura and Mike