John Paul DeCesare Reviews
Reviews
5.0 out of 5 rating
![WeddingWire Couples' Choice Awards 2024 Winner]()
5.0 out of 5 rating
64 Reviews
100% recommend it
Awards
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Featured
![Yotam]()
Yotam C. Sent on 09/15/2022Perfect classical guitar for a wedding
We hired John for our wedding and we could not be more pleased. He was friendly, easy to work with, professional, and his playing sounds amazing! He took the time to write a custom arrangement of a song that we requested for our ceremony, which we absolutely loved. He was exactly what we wanted, and at a good value. Would strongly recommend. -
![Jillian]()
Jillian O. Sent on 11/13/2023Excellent Musician
John was excellent to work with. He provided prompt responses to emails and was easy to coordinate with. He was able to learn a song I requested that was not already in his repertoire. He played before the ceremony, during the ceremony and the cocktail hour. It really added to the event and made it feel even more special. I received many complements from the guests who really enjoyed John's playing. -
Beth R. Sent on 05/29/2023
Thoroughly professional and reliable
We were very grateful to John for his beautiful guitar playing at our wedding. More than that, we had a bit of a disaster before the ceremony even began and John had to suddenly and unexpectedly move to a different part of our large outdoor venue. John had to change all the written and oral directions I had given him regarding where to set up before the ceremony; when I emerged from the bridal dressing room--there he was--completely set up in the new location and playing for guests entering the venue. John also brought and set up his own sound equipment to amplify his guitar upon our request for a minimal extra cost. Most importantly, he was willing to accompany our niece who was singing an Israeli song that John had to learn on guitar. He did a beautiful accompaniment.
He arrived looking very professional in his dress and manner. Simply put, John was a gem of a find and we are so grateful and glad we hired him. He seemed to be a very kind and genial person as well as a fine guitarist. -
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![Brittany]()
Brittany M. Sent on 05/08/2023My Best Vendor, easily.
John was so easy to work with and was my easiest vendor to book, communicate with, provided an impactful service with a great price. He arrived early, played songs beautifully, picked up that there was a gap in the ceremony and started playing light music, and was overall my bridesmaids absolute favorite vendor hands down. None of them could stop talking about John the next day. The music was the perfect romantic touch.
Brittany -
![Lesley]()
Lesley R. Sent on 08/27/2023Incredible Guitarist!
We hired John to play guitar for our outdoor ceremony, and he exceeded our expectations! He is talented, flexible, and professional. We had a couple of hiccups during our ceremony that we didn't discuss beforehand, and John was able to go with the flow.
John has a great selection of songs but is willing to learn new ones if given enough time. Thankfully, one of the songs I was considering (Taylor Swift's "Lover") was already on his list of songs. He also condensed the song when I walked down the aisle since it's a lengthier song.
My husband and I did a first look with private vows before the ceremony, and John's music was the perfect background soundtrack. It felt like we were in a romantic movie.
We are so thankful for John's talent and flexibility! He really helped set the tone for the ceremony. :) -
![Paul]()
Paul Sent on 03/23/2023Such a hit for our ceremony and cocktail hour!
John was one of our first vendors chosen for our October 2022 wedding. And by far, the best person we had on our special day. John incapsulated everything we had envisioned and more with his music at both the ceremony and cocktail hour. But more importantly, John was just an awesome guy TJ be around for our day. We couldn’t imagine such a special day without him doing everything and more to make sure we could focus on each other. Please trust me when I say if you are reading this review that you found the one. Thanks John for making Camila and I’s wedding a forever memory with your music. -
Rose Sent on 09/24/2022
Great communication & flexibility
John played our wedding ceremony in Alexandria. He was extremely responsive, professional, and friendly. He had great song options and learned an additional song for our recessional. I would definitely hire him again! -
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![Taylor]()
Taylor H. Sent on 09/19/2022AMAZING experience working with John!
John was amazing to work with from start to finish! He was responsive to all emails and questions throughout the whole process. He had tons of songs to pick from that he knew and offered to learn any that he didn’t already know! 10/10 would recommend John for your wedding or any other event! -
![Darcy]()
Darcy O. Sent on 04/01/2021John was great!!
My fiancé (now husband) and I postponed our larger wedding due to the current pandemic and we instead held a small intimate ceremony in MD. We hired John to perform music prior to the ceremony (about 20 minutes), the wedding processional, and recessional. He was wonderful! He was extremely responsive and helpful. When I met him day-of, he was super friendly and such a pleasure to work with. I highly recommend John! -
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![Katharine]()
Katharine P. Sent on 10/31/2021Fabulous addition to our wedding!
John Paul was a pleasure to work with and helped make our wedding day extra special! John Paul is talented, responsive, professional, and accommodating. John Paul was even kind enough to learn a new song that was special to my husband and I for our wedding! -
![Katherine]()
Katherine L. Sent on 09/27/2021Above and beyond
John Paul went above and beyond on what he delivered. My partner and I dealt with many unresponsive, disorganized wedding vendors (that caused us immense stress), but John Paul was the exact opposite of those vendors. A few personal anecdotes: (1) We provided him with the songs we wanted him to play during the processional, and he understood the logistics better than our own wedding coordinator was able to. We even had a hiccup with an unintended pair walking down the aisle, but he caught on and continued to play – no one even noticed the mistake! (2) After our ceremony, he moved all his own equipment over to our reception venue without any help (and only going off my email instructions to him); (3) We requested a custom song last minute (less than 2 weeks prior), and he was willing and able to accommodate our request; and (4) he stayed ~40 minutes past his contract time to let us borrow his microphone for our toasts.
Overall, John Paul is not only incredibly talented, but also professional and kind. We highly recommend hiring him! -
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Eric L. Sent on 06/28/2021
Your Go-To Guy for a Great Party!
We were replanning our wedding and looking for a musician to play classical / spanish guitar tunes during the ceremony and reception. I found John on wedding wire and really liked the music he had on YouTube and his website. Upon reaching out, John was quick to respond and accommodating of any request we had.
John ended up playing from 6pm - 9pm, and it could not have been a better set! The ceremony music was beautiful & original; beautiful classical guitar classics and new hits combined. John's repertoire is extensive and he helped us keep the party going during the cocktail hour, dinner, and first dances with ease - all while entertaining some of our younger guests who wanted to be "in his act" :).
I cannot recommend John enough to anyone who is looking for a musician that will take your event to the next level with grace, elegance, and professionalism. -
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![Elizabeth]()
Liz D. Sent on 06/15/2021Perfect Addition to Our Ceremony & Cocktail Hour!
We are SO glad that we hired John to play guitar during our ceremony and cocktail hour. He is a brilliant musician and a kind person. John went above and beyond to learn a song that I wanted to have played while I walked down the aisle. His style is classic, elegant, yet light and fun. A perfect fit for the vibe of our big day! I thought I wouldn't cry on my wedding day, but when I heard John playing before I walked down the aisle...it felt real and the tears started rolling. So beautiful! Guests loved his 60s/70s classic rock acoustic mix played during cocktail hour...it provided such a fun and relaxed atmosphere. He was easy to work with throughout the whole planning process and showed up right on time. 11/10 would recommend him for your big day. Thank you so much, John! -
![Candice]()
Candice M. Sent on 05/04/2021Wonderful to work with!
We originally hired John just for our cocktail hour, but as with many things this year we had to change plans and ended up with a new venue and an onsite ceremony as well. John was super flexible and helpful through the entire process, and all of the changes. He offered helpful guidance with our song choices for the ceremony and everything worked out perfectly. The music was beautiful and everyone loved it. John helped create a unique and magical atmosphere for both ceremony and cocktail hour. Would highly recommend his services! -
![Shannon]()
Shannon A. Sent on 03/02/2021Amazing and professional
John was absolutely perfect for our wedding! He was able to learn my mother’s favorite song for our unity candle ceremony which meant the world to us. He was on time, professional, and flawless, and his style of music really brought the right vibe to our special day. We are so grateful! -
![Amit]()
Amit K. Sent on 01/24/2021Amazing guitar and vocals at surprise proposal!
I hired John to play acoustic guitar and sing at my surprise proposal to my girlfriend, and it was so magical. I asked John to play some Prince songs and translate them to acoustic, and a Beatles song, and John did just amazing. His guitar playing was so impressive (even in 20 degree wind chill!) and his singing was beautiful.
John was great to work with as well. He was great to communicate with in advance, and he arrived early on the day-of and killed the performance. My partner and I both said John's performance was 10/10 in all ways and made our day so special.
From my partner: "Kiss by Prince is my absolute favorite song. Having it played live at my proposal made my life."
I would definitely recommend working with John for any special occasion. We are so grateful for his work! -
![Dan]()
Dan L. Sent on 11/15/2019Highly Recommend
John was awesome! As the father of the bride, I didn't really get to hear him play prior to the ceremony, but our guests raved. My only regret is that we didn't have him play during the cocktail hour at the reception.
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