We've now got a dedicated wedding music website containing details of all of Craig Smith Music's wedding music services, including ceremony music, reception music, wedding duos, wedding bands, audio demos, availability and a bit about Craig himself. Each topic is listed within its own easy-to-navigate page. Please visit dreamdaymusic.co.uk, by clicking the logo below, to find out in detail about our wedding music services. There's a summary beneath the logo, and a list of useful links. Just double click 'Show/Hide info' to view them.
Since planning your wedding is a fun but stressful affair, we hope this page will help lighten the load. Please find below all the details you'll need when booking a wedding pianist for your big day. Also included are some of the details you may need to consider whether you're looking for a pianist for your wedding ceremony, wedding breakfast, wedding reception, or any of the parts in between. Finally, there are a few details of wedding bands and duos with whom Craig works at receptions and similar functions.
At Craig Smith Music, based in Preston, Lancashire, we will always strive to let you get on with enjoying your wedding undisturbed. All liaisons on the day will be carried out with your best man and registrar/priest, meaning neither bride nor groom need take one moment out of enjoying the day to speak to us (unless, of course, you want to!). All wedding music, whether it is hymns, classical, jazz or perhaps even an arrangement of your favourite R&B track, will be confirmed well in advance, meaning there will be nothing to finalise on the day.
Most importantly, you need to relax and feel confident in our ability to add that special something to your day. We're always happy to give honest no obligation, advice on any aspect of your wedding music, even before you've asked us for a quote. Craig married in 2010, so he's well aware of the problems with people giving you the 'hard sell'. You won't get that from us. Nor will there be inflated prices at the mention of the word 'wedding'. So, please have a good read of the information below (just click 'Show/Hide info' next to the topics of interest) and do not hesitate to get in touch if there's anything you can't find an answer to.
Civil Ceremonies [Show/Hide info] [Top]
A civil ceremony allows you freedom with your choice of wedding music. Your choice will ultimately have to be approved by your registrar, but you will be able to choose how much or how little wedding music you use, and the styles and titles of that music. Many people like to have their wedding pianist or duo (such as a piano and flute duo) provide classical accompaniment to their service, but jazz standards and pop ballads are also requested very frequently; the choice is yours.
Religious music is unlikely to be approved. Songs such as Schumann's 'Ave Maria', a popular bridal march, will often not be allowed because of their sacred themes. Classical music with a similar feel, such as Pachelbel's 'Canon in D', could be considered as an alternative. The popular Bridal March "Here Comes the Bride" and Mendelssohn's 'Wedding March' are not religious, coming from an opera and an orchestral suite respectively.
There is also the opportunity to use music within the civil ceremony itself. In addition to processions and recessions (entrances and exits), and the signing of the register, you may be able to use music alongside or in place of readings. It is, therefore, more common for those choosing a civil ceremony to discuss music choices with the pianist or duo that will perform.
Craig Smith, the musicians he plays duets with (flautists, saxophonists, violinists, singers etc), and the other pianists that we recommend if Craig is already booked are all experienced and accomplished performers. Craig took his first non-family wedding booking over 10 years ago. They will perform any style of wedding music from classical through jazz standards, theatre songs, pop songs, and even arrangements of your favourite dance music or heavy rock! There's very little that Craig Smith Music can't provide for your service, so get in touch, no matter how adventurous you'd like to be on your big day. We like a challenge!
Wedding Breakfasts [Show/Hide info] [Top]
This is a time for eating fantastic food, drinking wonderful wines and enjoying your first hours of married life with your nearest and dearest around you. Our usual brief during this phase of a wedding day is to provide simple, unobtrusive background music. "Lounge piano" is often the term used. Essentially, we're there to create an ambiance rather than entertain, but your guests are welcome to listen more closely and many choose to do just that. We always endeavour, though, to keep background music at a level that allows, rather than forces, your guests to listen in.
Many brides and grooms prefer classical piano or a flute and piano duet (see below) for what is still a largely formal part of their wedding day; others prefer discreet lounge jazz piano or swing classics to add a little class and sparkle. Especially popular at the minute are Craig's performances of contemporary classical pieces such as Einaudi or Yiruma compositions, which have had fantastic receptions from guests who recognise them from films and adverts. There are plenty of examples of such pieces on the audio page, from the Live Performance menu. Some couples provide a list of favourite love songs and ballads to be included, and we find that pop songs work wonders for keeping the event relaxed if formality isn't your thing. Current and recently charting songs are a great way of keeping the younger guests entertained.
Whatever you want during your wedding breakfast, this is your first chance to make entirely your own choice. There are no registrars or church rules to take into account. Furthermore, requesting your favourite songs for your wedding breakfast means there are more songs to remind you of your special day in the years to come.
Drinks & Evening Receptions [Show/Hide info] [Top]
Most weddings involve some form of louder entertainment for the evening reception, whether it's a band or DJ. Craig has worked with several fantastic wedding DJs at venues throughout the North West, so we are happy to recommend several popular DJs, whether or not you're also looking for a wedding pianist or duo.
Prior to both the evening reception and the earlier wedding breakfast, it is increasingly common to provide guests with some quieter background music to allow them to enjoy a drink, converse, perhaps watching the photographer at work or catching up with those they haven't seen for months or even years. In that respect, most treat the music for receptions prior to wedding breakfasts and evening receptions in exactly the same way as the music for the wedding breakfast itself.
Allowing your guests the time to sit and get chatting means they are able to relax with friends old and new, which always helps the evening reception go off with a bang later. It is important to carefully choose both the musician(s) and styles you want, in order to set the right mood. In addition to Craig's solo work (see Wedding Breakfasts above), he is also available as a part of several wedding duos, providing duets of various styles (demos, or even small personal live performances(!), available on request)...
Duos and Bands [Show/Hide info] [Top]
Craig has recently joined former A1 star Paul Marazzi and his band, Blue Eyed Soul, placing a new spin on various soul classics, as well as some original numbers. From spring, the band in its new guise will be available to perform at private functions, bookable through Paul's management. Both acoustic and electronic sets will be available.
Craig is available to perform with colleagues to provide the following duos:
- Violin and piano duo: Craig and a top session violinist are able to team up to provide a whole range of wedding music at both weddings and receptions, including classical, jazz, pop and swing music. [Request Demo]
- Flute and piano wedding duo: duets for weddings and wedding receptions, performing various styles including classical, jazz / swing, pop, musicals etc. Perfect for a softer, more relaxed and gentle ambiance.[Request Demo]
- Saxophone and piano duo: with various wedding saxophone players, usually performing swing, jazz or pop / soul classics. A saxophone duo is equally comfortable with flashy uptempo numbers and mellower ballads, so can be shaped to suit your own wedding's specifications and themes. [Request Demo]
- Vocal and piano duo: with various wedding singers and vocalists, classical and popular music can be performed by Craig and both male or female singers in all styles. Many of the classical singers have Royal School of Music training. [Request Demo]
For those looking for something a little different, Craig is also the keyboard player with Merseyside 'indie-folk-rock' originals band Jessicas Ghost, who in recent years have amassed a large following and great reputation far afield for both public and private events. Jessicas Ghost have recently supported The Noisettes and even Tinchy Stryder! For more details about Jessicas Ghost, visit the band's website jessicasghost.co.uk. You can 'like' them at facebook.com/jessicasghost.
A quick summary of Craig Smith Music's wedding music services: [Show/Hide info] [Top]
- Free, honest, no-obligation advice guaranteed, even before you ask for a quote
- Wedding piano, wedding flute, wedding saxophone and wedding singers available, as soloists or duos, all based in and around Preston and Lancashire
- Accompaniment for soloists, such as opera or jazz singerss, flute players and saxophonists during the signing of the register for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions.
- Solo piano for background music at receptions and wedding breakfasts; classical, lounge piano, pop, musicals and other styles covered
- Duos including flute, saxophone or singers in all styles: all musicians are experienced and highly-trained performers
- You won't be disturbed on your big day; all communications will be made well in advance of your wedding, and we'll liaise with your best man and registrar on the day
- Appropriate volumes mean guests can choose to listen, rather than being forced to
- We can recommend fantastic DJs and bands
- Piano music is there to create an ambiance and set the mood as well as to entertain, but is also great for keeping younger guests occupied if current chart hits or film music (such as Disney classics) are included
- Competitive rates, usually without any additional fuel costs
- Discounts available on daytime piano where a band Craig performs with is booked for the evening
Venues [Show/Hide info] [Top]
We are available to provide wedding piano music and wedding duos (flute, vocalists and saxophone) throughout Lancashire:
- Wedding piano in Preston: Churches, hotels and other venues throughout Preston, including but not limited to Broughton, Deepdale, Fulwood, Haighton, Penwortham
- Wedding piano in rural Preston/ Fylde: Churches, hotels and other venues including but not limited to those at Bartle, Blackpool, Garstang, Kirkham, Longridge, Lytham, Lytham St Annes, Pilling, Wrea Green.
- Wedding piano in Central Lancashire: Churches, hotels and other venues including but not limited to those at Chorley, Crosston, Farington, Hogton, Leyland, Whittle-le-Woods.
- Wedding piano in Blackburn & East Lancshire / Yorkshire Border: Churches, hotels and other venues including but not limited to those at Accrington, Burnley, Chipping, Clitheroe, Colne, Gisburn, Langho, Mellor, Samlesbury, Towneley, Whalley, Whitewell.
- Wedding piano in North Lancashire / South Lakes: Churches, hotels and other venues including but not limited to those at Carnforth, Garstang, Kendall, Lancaster, Morecambe, Pilling, Tunstall.
- West Lancashire: Churches, hotels and other venues including but not limited to those at Chorley, Crosston, Heskin, Ormskirk, Rufford, Southport.
Some examples of venues for our more recent bookings for piano and other wedding music in Lancashire and beyond are:
- Ashton Memorial, Lancaster: wedding piano for a civil ceremony, performing indie hits
- Bolton School, Bolton: mixed set from classical to soul before ceremony; ceremony to contain songs chosen by bride
- The Etihad / City of Manchester Stadium, Manchester: wedding covers band performing pop, soul and rock hits
- Glendower Hotel, Lytham St Annes: wedding reception piano, classical and easy listening
- Haighton Manor, near Preston and Longridge: piano and vocal wedding duo
- Hard Days Night Hotel, Liverpool: wedding folk/rock band, originals and covers
- Heaton Hall, Manchester: funk / soul wedding band
- Meol's Hall, Southport: wedding piano for civil ceremony and pre-reception drinks
- Samlesbury Hall, near Preston and Blackburn: wedding piano for civil ceremonies and wedding breakfasts, performing swing classics
- Walton Hall, Warrington: rock covers and originals with Jessicas Ghost
- Other recent venues include Farringdon Lodge, near Preston; The Midland Hotel, Morecambe; Worden Park, Leyland; various churches
Useful contacts [Show/Hide info] [Top]
Other wedding services and suppliers we recommend (please mention Craig Smith Music when you get in touch with them!):
- Ashton Flower Shop traditional and contemporary floral designs
- Broughton Wedding Cars wedding car hire
- Christoph Demetriou Session viloinist, with whom Craig is available to perform duets
- Inspiration Catering bespoke creative catering
- Jessicas Ghost Indie-folk-rock originals band, for something a little different at your wedding reception!
- Lawrence Clift Photography wedding photography
- Paul Marazzi Craig plays keyboards and percussion with Paul's Blue Eyed Soul band
- We also have a small number of useful items available for hire at vastly lower prices than regular sound suppliers, including amplification, microphones and mixing desks.
- Preston: Preston wedding pianists / Preston wedding piano music / Preston wedding band / Preston party band / Preston wedding singers / Preston wedding saxophone / Preston wedding flute
- Blackburn: Blackburn wedding pianists / Blackburn wedding piano music / Blackburn wedding band / Blackburn party band / Blackburn wedding singers / Blackburn wedding saxophone / Blackburn wedding flute
- Lytham: Lytham wedding pianists / Lytham wedding piano music / Lytham wedding band / Lytham party band / Lytham wedding singers / Lytham wedding saxophone / Lytham wedding flute
- Blackpool: Blackpool wedding pianists / Blackpool wedding piano music / Blackpool wedding band / Blackpool party band / Blackpool wedding singers / Blackpool wedding saxophone / Blackpool wedding flute
- Southport: Southport wedding pianists / Southport wedding piano music / Southport wedding band / Southport party band / Southport wedding singers / Southport wedding saxophone / Southport wedding flute
- Garstang: Garstang wedding pianists / Garstang wedding piano music / Garstang wedding band / Garstang party band / Garstang wedding singers / Garstang wedding saxophone / Garstang wedding flute
- Lancaster: Lancaster wedding pianists / Lancaster wedding piano music / Lancaster wedding band / Lancaster party band / Lancaster wedding singers / Lancaster wedding saxophone / Lancaster wedding flute
- Morecambe: Morecambe wedding pianists / Morecambe wedding piano music / Morecambe wedding band / Morecambe party band / Morecambe wedding singers / Morecambe wedding saxophone / Morecambe wedding flute
- Burnley: Burnley wedding pianists / Burnley wedding piano music / Burnley wedding band / Burnley party band / Burnley wedding singers / Burnley wedding saxophone / Burnley wedding flute
- Chorley: Chorley wedding pianists / Chorley wedding piano music / Chorley wedding band / Chorley party band / Chorley wedding singers / Chorley wedding saxophone / Chorley wedding flute
- Bolton: Bolton wedding pianists / Bolton wedding piano music / Bolton wedding band / Bolton party band / Bolton wedding singers / Bolton wedding saxophone / Bolton wedding flute
