As a solo classical guitarist, I have many years' experience performing at weddings, banquets, hotels and house concerts throughout Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex and Berkshire. The classical guitar is the perfect instrument for music at weddings and events. Its incredible versatility provides a vast repertoire spanning five centuries of beautiful music. From a practical point of view, the guitar is one of a very few truly solo instruments and thanks to its size and portability, the guitarist can squeeze into the corner of the smallest of venues. My broad repertoire has an emphasis on Renaissance, Baroque, Celtic, Spanish and contemporary classical, which can be tailored to suit individual tastes and is ideal for those wanting a more traditional musical atmosphere.
I play a 10-string classical guitar, which is quite a unique and versatile instrument, enabling me to cover a wider range of music. Classical guitar is a surprisingly quiet instrument and so amplification is usually required to gently lift the music, even at small dinner parties, however at no time will the music be too loud. For outdoor events and ceremonies, where mains power is not available, I have battery powered equipment.
Weddings:
Whether you are planning a religious ceremony in a beautiful old church, a humanist ceremony in a wooded glade or a civil ceremony in a grand manor house, I can provide the perfect musical ambience. I always take the time to discuss your exact musical requirements and if required, offer advice and suggestions regarding suitable pieces for the different stages of the ceremony. If there's a particular piece you have in mind which isn't in my repertoire, I may be able to prepare it for you, subject to time available (minimum two months' notice) and suitability of the piece for solo guitar.
Please click on the links below for my current sample drinks reception set list and some popular ceremony suggestions, based upon past requests. Please take a few moments to watch the video below. Further examples of some of the pieces can be found on the audio and video pages.
Banquets & Private Events:
Events I have performed at include private dinner parties, house concerts, conferences, art gallery exhibitions, recitals and medieval banquets, as well as regularly providing live background music in hotels, pubs and restaurants (please see the separate page for house concerts). An extensive repertoire means that I can play for up to 4 hours without repetition, providing a balanced and yet varied ambience. I have public liability insurance through the Musicians' Union and my equipment is all regularly PAT tested. Please see the links below for my current price guide and full repertoire.
Prices:
There are always a number of factors to consider when quoting for a performance, such as playing times, location etc. As a starting point, please take a look at the price guide below. For an accurate quotation, please contact me via the contact page, giving as much detail about your requirements as possible.
DOWNLOADABLE GUIDES (Please click to open)
Ceremony Music Suggestions (pdf)
Drinks Reception Sample Set List (pdf)
Recent clients include Surrey Police, RBS and Oxford University. Venues I have performed at in London and the South East include The Dorchester, The Langham, Mandarin Oriental, The Hilton Group, The Four Seasons Group, The Great Eastern, The Ashmolean Museum, The Commonwealth Club, Hampton Court, The Lainston, Pennyhill Park, Goodwood, The Runnymede, Farnham Castle, Wiston House, Windsor Guildhall, Lulworth Castle, Brighton Pavilion, Loseley House, Orleans House, Ramster Hall, Northbrook Park, Cain Manor and numerous church ceremonies.
Finally, music is my livelihood, so I can guarantee a high level of professionalism throughout (please see the testimonials below). When a firm booking is made, I provide a written contract which gives peace of mind to everyone concerned. Meanwhile, if you have anything you'd like to ask, please contact me.
Testimonials
“WOW. What can I say! Absolutely beautiful! From start to finish you were very professional, so easy to communicate with and very well presented. The reason Lauren took so long to come down the stairs was because she heard you starting to play I Giorni and it made her cry! Unfortunately, I didn't get to sit and listen as my wife & I were being rushed around to have pictures, but you WOWed all of our guests! I would recommend to anyone! Thanks a million Jim.”
Jon & Lauren - Ashridge House
“Thank you so much for your beautiful playing at our wedding last Friday. The music was perfect for both the ceremony and the meal. There were many very complimentary remarks from the guests. Please accept our heartfelt thanks. Your playing contributed to what was for us a perfect day.”
Paula & Clive - Rivervale Barn
“Jim is simply a fantastic musician and made our special day even more magical. It was amazing to walk up the aisle to live classical music. A true professional and great artist”
Abigail & David - Hampshire
"I booked Jim at relatively short notice using the internet as my guide. He fully lived up to his reputation described by others and his repertoire for my 60 guests was comprehensive and very much ‘easy listening’. Jim has an unusual expertise of both blending into the background and yet being very much ‘there’ for guests who want to sit nearer and watch/listen to his beautiful playing. His set-up is easy, requiring little room and he brings all his own equipment. His dress code was spot on and I was proud to have found him and to enjoy/hum along to his over 2 hours of music. My guests, including many family, remarked on his professionalism and very much blending into the occasion in an unobtrusive way."
Philip - Reading
"We really wish Jim could have stayed longer! He was absolutely amazing! As the bride I was sat next to him most of the time mesmerised! And I felt like a princess at the ceremony very pretty and romantic, looking for an excuse for the next celebration to have Jim come along, he was very professional, very organised lovely guy."
Dee & Nigel - Basingstoke
"When we first approached Jim about the possibility of playing at our daughter's wedding, I knew straight away that we had made a good choice because he was so helpful and responsive to our emails. From walking down the aisle, during the reception and the meal, Jim's wonderful repertoire of relaxing classical music balanced so well with the buzz of people talking and laughing. The compliments that Jim got from our family and friends were abundant! A highlight point of the day for me was during the meal when a piece of music that Jim was playing caught mine and my daughter's attention, we both looked at each other, smiled and held hands. It was a magical moment - thank you for that Jim! Without a doubt, I would thoroughly recommend Jim to anyone."
Harewoods Home Farm, Outwood, Surrey
“Dear Jim. Thank you for the fantastic recital you performed at our house party. All of our guests thoroughly enjoyed the evening and we loved your ‘around the world’ theme. It was a privilege to have live music of this quality in our lounge. I especially appreciated the introduction to some music I’d not heard before as well as the familiar pieces. Your playing was perfect and it was a pleasure to meet you. We certainly plan to repeat the evening in the future and will definitely be in touch.”
Fran & Howard - Surrey
"James and I can not thank you enough for being part of our amazing day in September. We could not have been happier with your incredible skills as a guitarist. Your repertoire of songs fit beautifully into our wedding ceremony and reception. You created the most romantic atmosphere for our perfect day. Your professionalism and communication prior to the wedding as well as during the wedding was excellent. Your calm demeanor and confidence settled my nerves (as a bride) the days before the wedding. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed the romance you added to the ceremony and had many compliments about your playing. You are clearly an established and talented musician. Again, it was such a special day for us and our guests that we were so lucky to have you share our day with us. You completed our ceremony. Again, thank you for the great memories."
Allison and James - Wotton House, Surrey
“Thank you so much for everything you did for our wedding. We had looked long and hard for a guitarist and having heard the clips on your website, we were so pleased that you were available. From your first email we knew we were in safe hands. Thank you for your patience with us as we worked out our ceremony music. Of course it’s normal that guests are complimentary about everything on a wedding day, but everyone enthused about you, the music and what a magical atmosphere it created. People are still talking about you and we have already had a request for your details regarding a wedding next year. It has made such a memorable contribution to our wedding day. If we had to do it all again your name would be first on our list. We wish you much good luck and success in the future and we hope that our wedding will not have been the last time we hear you play.”
Jon & Vicky – Fittleworth, West Sussex
“Wow, what a memorable evening! Everyone was spellbound by the wonderful mix of music. My classical guitar playing is very rusty, so it was a joy to hear you play in our house. You’ve inspired me to dig out the guitar and have another go! I’m sure we’ll be doing this again, so until next time….!”
Clive & Sarah – West Sussex
"Sorry for delay in thanking you for playing such lovely music on the day! We received so many compliments on your music and the calming atmosphere you help create before and during our ceremony."
Dickens Inn, London
"Just a little note to say thank you so much for playing at our wedding. We had the most incredible day and the music was just beautiful. I welled up as soon as soon as I heard you start the Einaudi piece! It really meant a lot"
Katie & Wil - Farbridge, W Sussex
"Just a line to thank you for playing at my daughter's wedding and a special thanks for staying on a little later than the booking. Your choice of music was ideal and the perfect background to the drinks reception. I would have no hesitation in recommending you and hope that I have the chance to hear you play again in the future."
Pennyhill Park, Bagshot, Surrey
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for playing at our wedding, it really added to the atmosphere."
Mark & Alishea - Wiston, Sussex
"Hi Jim, thank you very much for Christmas Eve. The music you played was lovely and suited the occasion really well. My fiancé and I thought it was all great and hope to see you again to play at our wedding! Have a lovely new year."
Wedding Proposal - Haslemere, Surrey
"Thank you so much, Jim. We loved the music you played and thought it was absolutely spot on for the venue. You helped get our day off to the perfect start. Thank you again."
Ben & Natalie - Twickenham, Middlesex
"Dear Jim. I just wanted to say another 'thank you' for your contribution to our special day on Saturday. You really helped to ensure the mood stayed jolly despite the rain!"
Caroline & Richard - Aldingbourne, West Sussex
"Dear Jim, you were our first choice and we were so thrilled to have you play at our wedding. You were very professional and helped greatly in choosing the right pieces for our ceremony. All our guests were very complimentary about your playing. The 10 string guitar we requested was the perfect touch. Thank you so much for going out of your way to come to our ceremony in Eastbourne. We have many great memories of the day".
Richard & Lucia - Eastbourne, East Sussex
“Thank you so much, Jim. We left the choice of music completely up to you and yet we could not fault it, let alone improved it. It was the ideal music for our small intimate wedding and it enhanced the atmosphere so much. We had a perfect day, thank you."
Linda & Ron - Richmond, Surrey
"I first heard Jim play at our friend's wedding and asked the bride for his number immediately. He was perfect to play for my husband's birthday as I had organised a banquet style dinner and asked Jim if he could do a cross of Baroque and Celtic sounds. He lived up to all my expectations and I would have been very happy not to talk to any of my guests and just listen to him play with a glass of wine in hand. Always professional and thoughtful, he played during dinner and beyond. I now have to throw another party so we can hire him again! Thank you Jim."
Denise & Sam - Midhurst, West Sussex
"Hi Jim. Hope you are well! Just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful set at your wedding a few weeks ago! It was beautiful and made the champagne reception perfect!"
Kirsty & Andrew - Godalming, Surrey
"When we first heard the music that we wanted Jim to play in our ceremony it gave us both butterflies. The sound from the 10-string guitar was so delicate and beautiful. When I walked into the room the music was so romantic and was just magical. A perfect level of sound to enhance the occasion. Lots of people commented on how wonderful the music was. We watched our ceremony again recently and it's so lovely to hear the atmosphere. It really made a difference compared to recorded music. Jim is very professional and hugely talented. I like the fact we tailored the music to suit our ceremony and to make our day so special. I would highly recommend him."
Jo & Darren - Chichester, West Sussex
"Dear Jim. We loved your guitar playing and received comments from guests on how lovely it was and what an excellent musician you are. We all had a most wonderful and magical time and thank you for adding your beautiful guitar playing to such a special occasion for us. I do hope we may have an opportunity to meet with you again in the future."
Sarah & Christopher - Hawley, Hampshire
"Having Jim as our guitarist was wonderful. We met beforehand so that everything was individually tailored to our tastes. The ceremonial music was beautiful and timed to the service which took away a lot of worry on the day and the mix of Spanish, classical and contemporary repertoire created a warm ambience which we felt made the occasion even more unique and special. We would definitely highly recommend him."
Holly & Abs - Yateley, Surrey
"We chose you to perform at our wedding as you play a lot of your own contemporary compositions rather than just the traditional classical pieces but we were incredibly impressed with your repertoire, even being able to take requests including an obscure Spanish classical piece which you performed faultlessly. It was a lovely day and both Carmen and I really appreciated your contribution and flexibility on the day, and all of the guests commented very favourably on your performance. It was the perfect sunny summers day, with in our view, the perfect audio backing track! Many thanks!"
Carmen & Nick - Brockenhurst, Hampshire
“We booked Jim to play at our wedding on recommendation and we were not disappointed. The music was perfect and really complemented our ceremony. Jim is a true professional and we have already passed his details on to my cousin, who is getting married later this year.”
Claire & John – Buriton, Hampshire
"We really enjoyed having Jim play at our wedding ceremony and cocktail reception. He was very professional and the music was perfect for our intimate wedding. We booked him on short notice, but he was very accommodatingand even produced a recording of one of his songs for me when I couldn't find a sample myself."
Lesley & Graham – Ottershaw, Surrey
“We booked Jim on recommendation from friends to play guitar during our wedding ceremony. The music was exactly what we wanted and Jim was professional throughout. I have no hesitation in recommending him.”
Gina & David – Farnham, Surrey
“Thank you so much, Jim. The guitar music you played really contributed to the wonderful atmosphere at our wedding reception. We have passed your details on to a few friends.”
Jane & Richard – Mandarin Oriental, London
“We have no hesitation in recommending Jim. The music at our wedding was absolutely perfect and Jim was very accommodating whenever we changed our minds about which pieces to have! Thanks again.”
Charlotte & Stephen – Guildford, Surrey
“I booked Jim to play at my husband’s 50th birthday party. The music was perfect and the atmosphere was lovely. Many of our friends commented on Jim’s playing. He was courteous, friendly and professional at all times. (Bill wants lessons now!).”
Janet & William – Bagshot, Surrey
“Thank you for playing at our wedding reception. The beautiful music was exactly what we wanted and really helped set the mood. Many thanks and we will be recommending you to our friends.”
Sarah & Graham – Epsom, Surrey