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Word-of-mouth recommendations can provide you with great leads. Get recommendations from local music stores. Do an internet search for the type of musician you are looking for. The place where you are having your ceremony or reception may provide you with suggestions. Check with other facilities that hire musicians for their recommendations. Select a number of musician(s) to contact. Go hear them perform live. Ask for sample demo recordings. Ask them for references. Talk to references who can vouch that the musician(s) do a great job and are prompt and responsible. Do they provide a free consultation to help you plan your music? Do they have a set repertoire or are they willing to learn other songs? Do they play the style of music you are looking for? Are they willing to accompany vocalists or other instrumentalists if necessary? Will they attend your wedding rehearsal? What backup plans can they offer if they are not able to perform for your ceremony? Ask for a sample contract. Compare prices. Do they charge by the hour, by the job? Find out the total cost to you including mileage, set up fees, rehearsal, practicing with other musicians, learning new music, etc. Once you find the musician(s) that best represent your wishes, you will probably be asked to provide a deposit in order to secure the date for your wedding. 

Once you have selected your musician(s), you will want to meet to plan your ceremony music. Your musician(s) should be able to offer advice and provide you with a variety of music to choose from. Be sure and tell your musician(s) any special song requests that you have. It can sometimes take 4-8 weeks to special order music, so it’s important to do this well in advance of your wedding. The musician(s) will appreciate some time to learn the music as well. Here are some free resources. Your local or central library will likely have wedding music resources including sheet music and sound recordings. Do an internet search. Many of the wedding web sites have lists of ceremony and reception music, some of them allowing you to listen to samples. The major online bookstores have books and wedding CD’s, some of which you can listen to samples. Of course you can purchase resources as well. Local bookstores will have text, sheet music and CD’s. Local music stores have a wealth of sheet music and CD’s and can offer wonderful advice. Discount chain stores sell wedding sampler CD’s as do card shops and wedding shops.

If planning the music for your wedding seems overwhelming, a professional musician will be able to guide you through the process and will take care of all the details for you.  You can relax knowing that your musician will create the perfect setting for your wedding!