1) Booking & Payment Questions

 
“What are your prices?”  
 
Prices vary according to the Artist hired, the duration & location of the event.  An average fee for a wedding ceremony & reception is likely to be from around  £150 - £350, for a 3 hour performance.  Prices for duets and trios will naturally be higher.
 
“Are your prices competitive?” 
 
Yes, considering the cost of an average string quartet or jazz band can be double our rates. Even other soloists such as guitarists, harpists, singers and Flamenco dancers are asking on average £350 -  £500+ per booking.  Our rates are going to be less than that, depending on who you hire and how long you want them to play for.  Please ask us for a quotation for your day.
 
We would much rather be fair with our pricing policy and perhaps have slightly lower fees and a higher level of happy customers recommending us in return.  This is better for you, better for us and better for the guitarists (who are kept busy).  We believe that a positive recommendation is much more desirable than to have higher fees but less frequent business with limited recommendations.  
  
“My event is very important, how can I be sure that you are reliable and trustworthy?" 
 
The agency is growing fast, with new artists frequently expressing an interest in joining, but we only use guitarists that are experienced professionals in the wedding music business.  We do not hire keen amateurs under any circumstances,  nor any skilled guitarist who may lack wedding experience.  Careful selection processes are involved to also ensure that only professional performers with good presentational and inter-personal skills are employed.  Not all applications are accepted.  For example, some guitarist can play their instruments, but they may lack wedding experience, or have an unsatisfactory presentation, or they may display poor communication skills. 
 
This ensures that you not only receive good entertainment by a skilled musician, but that the artist will be reliable, presentable and able to conduct him/herself with politeness and courtesy.  A friendly yet respectful rapport with you and your guests is the objective.  We recently received a thank-you letter on behalf of one of one our guitarists, saying that not only was his music "delightful" but that he was "a real pleasure to have around."    That's exactly what we aim to do for your event.  Many brides & their families have given their permission for me to release their names & addresses to potential wedding customers, - ask us for details if you are interested.  
 
"I have made a booking already and paid a deposit, how do I now contact my artist(s)"
 
Once you and the artist(s) have signed and returned your booking paperwork to the Agency, we will happily put you in touch with the artist(s) by telephone and email.  We will do this by sending their contact details to you with your 'Confirmation of Booking' email.  We would then encourage both sides to speak directly about the finer details of the day. 
 
About a month before the event day approaches, we will give both sides a courtesy call to make sure that all arrangements are in place.  And naturally, we will always be available to answer any questions that you may have throughout the booking process.


2) Music Questions
 
"Can I hear the type of music that each guitarist plays, to help me decide who I want to book?"
 
Yes you can!  Each guitarist has a web page with his/her portfolio of music, showing their photograph(s), details of their training/background along with a built in media player which works on Windows, Mac, iPads, iPhones and Android platforms.
 
“What sort of music will be played at my wedding?”
 
Various styles of light background music, all easy listening with a general romantic feel, or according to your requirements.  Basically, you can choose from all or a selection of the following, according to the artists' area of expertise:   
   
- Modern Love Songs and Themes from the Movies
- Well known Italian, Spanish & English Classical Pieces
- Baroque, Elizabethan Lute
- Latin, South American, Argentinean
- Spanish
- Italian
- Inspirational, Gospel 
- Popular Standards  and Jazz  Classics
- Classical compositions written by each Artist.  

"Will they also play modern love songs, movies themes and more popular tunes that people would recognise?"
 
Yes. They usually blend modern ballads with classical to appeal to the whole audience and age group listening.  It is important though to specify what you want and do not want, otherwise, they will go with their own standard repertoire.
  
“Can I ask for my own songs to be played?” 
 
Yes, but please check that we already know them.  If not, you could send us a recording and the sheet music, if available.  Sufficient notice is the important factor here, especially during the busy wedding season.  No guarantee can be given, but we will try our best to learn something in time if it is suitable for classical guitar replication.   Please note that our business policy is strictly “Light, Romantic Background Music.”  We will refrain from playing loud, up-tempo rock ‘n’ roll or lively pop/rock music that is either not in keeping with our advertising or beyond the limitations of the classical guitar. 

"Is there a difference between a 'classical guitar' and a 'Spanish guitar'?"
 
Primarily, the style of play.  Spanish is often confused with authentic flamenco style, (but they are both very different).  Classical can be used generically , all nationalities are essentially classical but Spanish Guitar has an undeniable uniqueness about it.  
 
"Will the guitarist use amplification?"
 
They usually do amplify, as weddings are joyous, noisy occasions!! But they can play unplugged, if you prefer. :-)
 
“What if it’s too loud?”
 
It won’t be, I promise!  ‘Background’ music is central to our advertising and is the heart of all performances.  For your occasion, we will use 1 or 2 small amplifiers placed discreetly around the room to enable all the guests to hear the music without anyone being overwhelmed by too much volume.   Careful positioning of sound equipment will ensure that the nearest guests’ table is not too close to any amplifier, enabling everyone to listen as they talk and eat their meal in a relaxing atmosphere.  If you specifically do not want any amplifiers, that will also be OK, but for 10 or more guests, amplification would be advised. 
 
“How long do they play for?”
 
Usually anything from 20 minutes to 3 or 4 hours total attendance time, it’s entirely up to you.  A standard wedding ceremony lasts around 45 minutes in a church and 20 minutes in a civil setting. A standard reception meal varies from 1 to 3 hours, depending on the number of courses and any pre-meal drinks or photography. Sometimes we’ve only been asked to play for a total of 30 minutes. Other times we’ve stayed all afternoon. 

Whatever your plans are, we will work with you on the day. During a 2-3 hour performance, a couple of 10-15 minute breaks are usually taken by the Artist, or 1 longer break, whichever is appropriate for the event.  
 
 
"How many hours would our guitarist be with us altogether?"
 
Usually 3 hours total attendance time, on average.  Often, less time is actually required for the event, and rarely more, but extensions are not unheard of.  2-3 hours total attendance time at a wedding would include the ceremony and/or the reception meal (if playing at both has been required), with the artist taking a couple of short breaks, say 10-15 minutes at convenient times.  
 
Any extension to their attendance time would need prior approval and may involve a surcharge.  It may also be a nice courtesy to offer refreshments to the artist as a "thank you" for staying longer.
 
"When they are having a break, will background music be played on a tape/CD?"  
 
Only if you arrange this with them in advance.  Otherwise, probably not.  In fact, the silence in the break will make the music more appreciated by your guests.

 
3) Venue Questions
 

“Will the Priest or Minister allow live music in a place of worship?”
 
Always check if you are unsure, but most religious venues will. If it helps, we can always ask for you.     

“Will the Registrar allow live music in the Civil Ceremony?”    
 
Yes, but the Registrar will object to religious music.  Any other music is out of their jurisdiction to overrule and you are free to have whatever you wish.  It is totally down to the bride & groom’s choice as long as it does not contain any spiritual content, whatever the faith inferred.  
 
“Will the hotel, pub or restaurant allow live music?”   
 
By law, all hotels, pubs, restaurants and other venues should have Public Entertainment & Live Music Licenses (often seen with the alcohol licence on a plaque above the door) to enable artists & performers to be brought in.  This also applies to almost all community centres and meeting halls.  It is always best to inform the establishment that you will be hiring a musician, so that they know to expect him/her.  When you make a booking, we always ask your artist(s) to call you to introduce themselves and to talk about the arrangements.  
 
 
Please ask us to call you if you have any questions that are not answered here.