To get married outdoors is very romantic. The fresh air, sunshine, birds, and the fragrance of flowers set the perfect tone for your big day. On the other hand there are a few things that need attention.

Stringed and woodwind instruments can not be in direct sun or rain. Cold air or excessive heat is very damaging to the wood and pads. To protect our instruments we require a shady spot. Trees are great, a canopy, tent or large umbrellas work excellent. If it is raining we have to make sure that the instruments are protected from rain even coming in sideways caused by the wind. To avoid the possibility of rain in the summer, plan your wedding to take place before noon. We also highly recommend that you have an alternate location in case of inclement weather. If the forecast predicts bad weather or if it is obvious that it will be raining, it is a good idea to decide on using the alternate indoor location ahead of time. Your guests and vendors will appreciate the early notice. Even if it is a gorgeous day, there can be some wind. If the wind is very strong and it is impossible to keep our music (even with clips) and stands secure we will have to stop playing. That applies for a couple of raindrops too. In order to ensure a quality performance, our musicians require a temperature range of between 60-90 degrees. Frozen or sweaty fingers and miserable musicians do not make for beautiful music.

Our sound projects best if the group is seated in front of a building. To set up on a wooden deck really helps. Be aware of ambiant noise such as running water or city noise, which can prevent the sound from carrying. Please consider a small sound system for the officiant, yourselves and the musicians.

If you are hiring a harpist, there are a few additional requirements. They must have a flat, hard surface to place the harp on (no grass). There should be no more than 4 or 5 stairs that the harpist will need to move the harp up or down. Additionally, please make an effort to provide easy parking and close access to the site.