Craig Smith Music

• Quick links:
• Enquiry Form (for quotes and information)
• Civil Ceremonies
• Wedding Breakfasts
• Drinks & Evening Receptions
• Duos and Bands Craig Performs With
• Original Compositions for Weddings
• A quick summary of Craig Smith Music's wedding services
• Demos
• Prices
• Venues & Useful contacts (suppliers etc)

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!

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.

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)...

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:

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.

Some examples of venues for our more recent bookings for piano and other wedding music in Lancashire and beyond are: