Choosing a wedding guitarist is more than ticking a box on your planning list. The right player adds warmth, rhythm, and emotion to every moment—from the first seat taking to the final sparkler send‑off. Yet every couple, venue, and schedule is different. Good questions help you see whether a musician fits your day without surprises. In this guide, you’ll find clear, practical questions that cover style, gear, timing, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly what to ask so you can book with calm, happy confidence.
Style and Repertoire
Before you fall for a promo clip, make sure the guitarist’s song list suits your taste and ceremony mood.
- Ask: “Which genres do you know well?”
- Check: “How many songs from our decade can you cover?”
- Confirm: “Will you mix classical pieces with light pop if we’d like both?”
A good wedding guitarist should be able to move from Pachelbel’s Canon to an acoustic Ed Sheeran cover without a hiccup. Let them know your aisle song, recessional choice, and cocktail‑hour vibe early. Request a sample playlist and see if it tells the musical story you imagine. If you want a special number arranged for guitar, find out how much rehearsal time they need so you can share sheet music or recordings well in advance.
Experience and References
Playing to a room full of relatives is very different from playing in a bar. Weddings demand timing, poise, and crowd awareness.
- Ask: “How many weddings have you performed at?”
- Verify: “Do you have recent couples we can contact?”
- Probe: “What was your trickiest ceremony cue, and how did you handle it?”
Seasoned players know how to loop processional sections if the flower girl stops for a photo, or taper volume when vows begin. References reveal how smoothly they work with planners and officiants. Look for comments about punctuality and quick issue‑solving. Years alone are not enough; steady wedding work within the past season shows they stay sharp with ceremony needs.
Equipment and Power Needs
Great tone relies on suitable gear and a smart setup.
- Ask: “Do you bring your own amp, mic, and stand?”
- Check power: “Can your system run on a battery pack for outdoor spaces?”
- Detail: “Do you carry a DI box to plug into the venue’s PA if required?”
Many wedding guitarists use 60‑ to 100-watt acoustic amps that project a clean sound without feedback. For beachfront vows, look for weather-rated speakers or a compact lithium battery amp that lasts at least three hours. Make sure power cables and extension leads are taped down to keep guests safe. If your ceremony is small, an un‑amplified nylon‑string guitar may be enough; still, always confirm whether a mic stand for spoken readings is included.
Set Length and Breaks
Music feels effortless when timing is planned well.
- Ask: “How long is each performance set?”
- Clarify: “Do you take a ten-minute break every forty-five minutes?”
- Plan: “Will soft background tracks cover silence during pauses?”
Most ceremonies last 20–30 minutes, but cocktail hours stretch to 60. Receptions can run for three full sets. Breaks help fingers rest and strings stay in tune. Agree on a cue—often a subtle head nod—so the guitarist knows when to wrap a song if the planner signals dinner service. If breaks worry you, request a looping pad track or playlist to play softly through the amp so the mood never drops.
Sample Performances Online
Seeing and hearing past work builds trust fast.
- Ask: “Can we watch a full ceremony video?”
- Request: “Do you have live audio, not studio edits?”
- Look for: crowd interaction, smooth song changes, and clear sound.
Pay attention to how the guitarist transitions between pieces and manages volume during vocals. Live footage also shows posture—an often-ignored sign of stamina over long sets. If videos show multiple camera angles, you can check cable placements and witness how discreetly the musician fits into the décor. Listening on headphones lets you hear the tone quality and any string buzz that might carry in a quiet chapel.
Song Request Policy
Personal tunes make the day feel truly yours.
- Ask: “How many new songs can you learn for us?”
- Confirm: “Do you charge a fee per extra song?”
- Discuss: the final song list deadline, which isusually four weeks before the date.
Complex pieces may need altered chord voicings or alternate tunings. A player who uses a loop pedal to stack rhythms may need extra time to program parts. Provide original recordings or lead sheets so your guitarist can match key signatures that fit vocal ranges or ceremonial moments. Be clear if you prefer no religious music, or if you need an instrumental of a tune that normally features lyrics.
Sound Check Timing
Smooth ceremonies begin with an early setup.
- Ask: “When will you arrive for load-in and sound check?”
- Coordinate: “Will venue staff be on hand to unlock power outlets?”
- Plan: “How long does your line check usually take?”
A typical acoustic rig needs 15‑to 20 minutes to set up, but complex looping stations or twin‑guitar duo acts might need 40. Outdoor sites can lengthen the process due to cable runs and wind screens on mics. If another act follows—like a DJ—ensure changeover time is written into the schedule. A shared patch list prevents gear conflicts and last-minute level changes during your entrance.
Backup Plans Ready
Strings break and power can fail, so redundancy is key.
- Ask: “Do you carry a spare guitar and extra strings?”
- Confirm: “Do you have backup batteries or a second amp?”
- Check: “What if it rains during the ceremony?”
Professional players pack at least one full extra set of medium gauge strings (.012–.053 for steel‑string acoustics) and replace any that show fraying after rehearsal. A collapsible second guitar stand keeps the spare nearby for a rapid swap. A waterproof pedalboard cover and sealed power strip guard against showers. If the ceremony moves indoors, wireless transmitters and battery amps allow a quick relocation without tripping over cords.
Payment and Contract Terms
Clearing money matters prevents stress later.
- Ask: “What deposit secures our date?”
- Review: “Is travel included in your fee or extra?”
- Note: overtime rates if speeches run long.
Most solo guitarists request a 30–50 percent retainer, with balance due one week before the event or on the day. Mileage charges often start after 25–30 miles from their home base. Ask for a simple agreement that lists arrival time, dress code, song list, equipment supplied, and cancellation policy. If your wedding is abroad, clarify currency conversions and any airline baggage fees for instruments.
Coordination With Planner
Great music fits the flow of the whole day.
- Ask: “Will you liaise with our planner or officiant?”
- Provide: contact details for venue staff and the DJ.
- Outline: cue points—processional, signing, recessional.
Sharing a timeline avoids awkward silence or accidental repeats. Many guitarists appreciate a paper copy of the schedule taped to a music stand. If your planner uses walkie-talkies, offer a spare unit so the musician hears last-minute changes. Discuss outfit colors to match your wedding theme, and remind the guitarist about any cultural protocol, such as removing shoes on a beach platform or respecting ceremony order in interfaith services.
Choose With Confidence
You now have a toolkit of smart, concise questions covering style, gear, timing, and agreements. Use them in early emails or at the first video chat with a potential wedding guitarist. Listen closely to how each musician answers; clarity and openness are good signs of reliability. Keep your final song list, contract, and payment schedule in a shared folder so everyone stays organized. When ceremony day arrives, you can focus on the joy of walking down the aisle, knowing your music is in safe hands, and your guests will remember the sweet strings long after the last dance.