Chicago Wedding Harpist

Beautiful Music for Your Wedding

Here are the answers to the questions I most often get asked. If you have additional questions, I would be delighted to hear from you directly!

reneewilsonharp@gmail.com
(312) 860-4997

  • How much do you charge for playing a wedding?

    Open or Close
    My basic wedding fee is $400. This covers prelude music (before the wedding), the ceremony, and 2 pieces after the wedding (recessional and postlude). Cocktail music can be added for $75 per hour. I do have 4 surcharges: parking (if it is not available from the venue), change of location within the venue ($25), liability insurance ($40, if your venue requires it), and special request music (see below for specifics).
  • Do you have a normal travel area?

    Open or Close
    My normal travel area includes towns as far north as Lake Forest, as far south as Kankakee, as far west as Aurora, and as far east as Merrillville, Indiana. Locations beyond these areas will have a travel surcharge.
  • Can you play special requests?

    Open or Close
    I am always happy to play special requests! Special requests need to be made 2 weeks in advance of the event. If I don't already own the music, it needs to be available for purchase (in a piano version) at one of the online music stores I use. I will take care of getting the music and arranging it for harp. Most individual songs are available for purchase for between $5 and $10, and that cost will be added to your contract. There is a limit of 2 special requests per event. (Choosing music from my repertoire lists is never considered a "special request")
  • How do we arrange for you to play at our wedding?

    Open or Close
    When you are ready to book, I will need to know who the "purchaser" will be, and I will need a street address and telephone number for that person. I will send a contract via email, and it will need to be signed and returned with a $100 deposit. I accept personal checks and Chase QuickPay (Zelle).
  • Do you have special requirements for outdoor performances?

    Open or Close
    Yes. The most important thing to remember is that the harp cannot get wet. If it begins to rain during your ceremony, I will need to get the harp covered and to a dry location. This has actually never happened during a ceremony, but I feel it is important to let my clients know that even a little rain is damaging. I certainly appreciate being out of direct sunlight and on solid ground, but I do try to be flexible. Outdoor wedding are always a bit of an adventure!!
  • What is your training and experience?

    Open or Close
    I began studying harp at the age of 10 here in Chicago with the second harpist of the Lyric Opera (Mary Jo Green). I received my Master of Music Performance from the University of Northern Iowa, where I studied with Mary Beckman. In addition to playing jobs in and around the Chicago area, I have been the principal harpist of the South Bend Symphony since 1990.
  • How do I start planning the music for my wedding?

    Open or Close
    Usually the first thing you want to do is decide if you will have classical music, popular music, or a mix for your ceremony. Then begin the specific song selection with what you want to walk down the aisle to, and match the other songs as you go along. Having an overall mood in mind and doing lots of listening usually helps! Your officiant will generally tell you where you will need music in the ceremony, but I can also help sort that out if your officiant isn't sure. Some couples like to choose music for the prelude (music for your guests as they arrive), but others like to leave that to me to choose. There is no wrong way to go about it!