How to Choose a Wedding Harpist: Cost, Songs & Booking Tips
If your wedding budget can only stretch to one type of musician, a wedding harpist is a wise choice.
Not only does a harpist offer a hugely versatile repertoire, but the harp is also one of a few musical instruments that can play a melody and harmony at the same time, effectively making your wedding harpist a one-man band.
Ahead, we explore everything you need to know about how to hire a harpist for a wedding. From logistics (just how much space does a wedding harpist need?) to the costs and segments of the day you should book them for, our harpist wedding hire guide has you covered.
Disclaimer: Venue and supplier availability, pricing, and offerings are subject to change. Always confirm details directly with the venue or supplier before booking.
How Much Does a Wedding Harpist Cost in the UK?
How much your wedding harpist will set you back will depend on a few factors, but generally a harpist for a wedding costs somewhere between £250 and £500.
Prices will vary depending on the harpist you book, how long you hire them for, whether you’re booking them during peak wedding season (Saturdays in the summer will almost certainly see a premium), and even the location of your wedding.
Your harpist’s instrument type will impact the overall cost, too. A full-sized orchestral pedal harp will require specialised transport and will therefore likely cost more than a more portable Celtic harp, for example.
Most harpists will offer a range of packages, so you can choose the one that works for you. Whether a ceremony-only package, a ceremony and drinks reception package, or even a full-day package, all will include a set-list consultation beforehand as standard.
In short, the biggest factors that will impact the cost of your wedding harpist include:
- Hours covered and the package you choose
- Your wedding date and time of year
- Your wedding location (costs are slightly higher for wedding harpists in London and the south-east)
- Your harpist’s instrument type
- Possible travel fees
- Any custom song requests (these may cost extra if your harpist needs to learn them)
Of course, as with all your wedding suppliers, it’s important to understand the investment you’re making and why hiring a wedding harpist costs as much as it does.
Not only are you paying for your wedding harpist’s time and wonderful skill, but harps themselves are incredibly expensive to buy, tune, transport, and insure.
What Does a Wedding Harpist Play?
A wedding harpist is typically booked for the ceremony and drinks reception, where they’ll perform during key moments like the processional and the signing of the register, and as the background entertainment during cocktail hour.
Their repertoire is surprisingly versatile, too – a harpist can perform a wider selection of musical genres than you might think! These include:
- Classical: Pachelbel’s Canon in D, Debussy’s Clair de Lune, and Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel are all beautiful and popular pieces.
- Contemporary pop: Think A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles, and Marry You by Bruno Mars.
- Rock covers: Sweet Child O’ Mine by Guns N’ Roses will take your guests by surprise.
- Film, theatre and TV themes: From Phantom of the Opera to Frozen, and everything in between.
- Folk music: Whether traditional or modern, these work for both ceremonies and drinks receptions.
- Religious music: Ave Maria by J.S Bach is a beautiful choice for ceremonies.
- Bespoke options: If you’ve got a specific song in mind (for your processional, for example), in many cases a wedding harpist will learn it for you. This might be free, but others might charge a small fee for things like sheet music or the time it takes to create their own arrangement.
Ceremony, Drinks Reception, or Both – When to Book a Harpist
Whether you book a wedding harpist for just one segment of your day – or multiple segments – will mostly come down to your wedding budget and whether you also want to incorporate other forms of wedding entertainment into your celebrations.
Wedding harpists will often offer packages that include both the ceremony and the drinks reception that follows, which could be a more cost-effective option than booking two different forms of entertainment.
For the ceremony, a wedding harpist will perform during all the key order of service moments, including as guests take their seats, as you walk down the aisle, sign the register, and during the recessional as everyone departs – but they’re also well versed in completely changing up the tone for a drinks reception.
The versatility of the harp means your wedding harpist can switch from something elegant and classical to tunes that feel fresher and more upbeat for that pre-party vibe.
That said, if you’re looking to hire other forms of wedding entertainment for your drinks reception, it might not be necessary (or cost-effective) to have your harpist there.
What to Ask Before You Book a Wedding Harpist
Asking the right questions will ensure the wedding harpist you have in mind is the one for you. Here are all the things you need to check before booking a harpist for your wedding:
- Can you perform outdoors, and are there any restrictions? You should also ask about the contingency in case of light rain.
- What space or special access do you require for setting up? Large harps aren’t easy to carry upstairs, for example!
- Where can we read reviews and testimonials from other couples? Checking out the reviews on Bridebook is a good place to start.
- What songs do you typically play for each part of the day? It’s also helpful to know which genres they frequently cover.
- Are you willing to learn any specific requests? And if so, how much notice do they need?
- Will you require a PA system, and does this need to be supplied by the venue? Understanding exactly what equipment your harpist will be bringing is vital in case you need to support with anything.
- What will you be wearing? Many wedding harpists have some kind of uniform, such as wearing black, while others are more open to dressing to match your wedding aesthetic.
- What is your cancellation and postponement policy? Be clear on this and make sure it’s all in the contract before signing.
- What will happen if you are ill or unable to attend on the day? Most wedding pros have a network of fellow performers they can rely on but do check.
Finding a Wedding Harpist Near You
Whether you’re looking for a wedding harpist in Edinburgh or a wedding harpist in Essex, you’ll find brilliantly talented wedding harpists all over the UK, but it’s worth considering that because they’re slightly more niche, they might not be super local. For that reason, it’s important to factor in the potential cost of travel fees.
Using a comprehensive vendor directory like Bridebook, the UK’s #1 wedding planning platform used by over 2.8 million couples, is a great way to research wedding harpists and other wedding musicians you might love. Our supplier marketplace is packed with top-rated, local talent where you can filter by elements such as price and location, and read couple reviews all in one place. Genius!
Harpist Wedding Hire: FAQ
Can a harpist play outdoors?
Wedding harpists can play outdoors in good weather but it’s important to make sure that the instrument is fully protected from wind, rain, and any direct sunlight.
For that reason, most harpists will request to perform in a sheltered or shaded space like underneath a gazebo or tent. Always check with the harpist that they are happy with the space before you book.
How far in advance should I book a wedding harpist?
Aim to book your wedding harpist around nine months before the wedding date, when you will typically be considering your other forms of wedding entertainment.
Remember, the most sought-after wedding harpists will get booked up early, particularly during peak wedding season, so make contact as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
Does a wedding harpist need a power supply?
A wedding harpist doesn’t typically need a power supply; an acoustic harp is entirely self-sufficient. In the case that your harpist does use an amplifier, this is sometimes battery powered so no power source is needed but always check with your wedding harpist when booking.
How long can a harpist play at a wedding before needing a break?
A wedding harpist will typically play a set that’s 45-50 minutes before needing to take a break but always pose this question to your harpist before confirming the logistics of the day, particularly if they’re performing for both the ceremony and reception.
Can a harpist perform alongside other musicians, like a singer or string quartet?
Yes, a harpist will often perform as part of a string quartet and works beautifully alongside other instruments such as flute, cello and violin.
Harpists sound great with vocalists, too, but performing with other musicians does require preparation and sometimes extra resources such as amplifiers, so if this is something you want, you’ll need to speak to your wedding harpist and plan this ahead of time.
Do wedding harpists bring their own harp, or does the venue need to provide one?
A wedding harpist will always bring their own instrument alongside their sheet music and often their own seat or stool, too.
Ready to book your wedding harpist?
Browse Bridebook’s wide selection of wedding music and entertainment suppliers today, compare prices and real-couple reviews, and enquire directly.
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Bridebook is the world’s #1 wedding planning platform, used by over 2.8 million couples. Our content is informed by real data from the Bridebook UK Wedding Report, which draws on responses from thousands of couples planning their weddings each year. Where expert input is included, contributors are named and their credentials verified. We update our articles regularly to ensure prices, statistics, and advice reflect current market conditions.
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