Five Months as a Full-Time Wedding Pianist
Back in May, I took the leap and became a full-time wedding pianist after four years of juggling my creative work with an administrative role at the University of Birmingham.
Now, almost five months later, it felt like a good moment to pause, look back and reflect on what has been a wonderfully busy summer.
Since 1st May, I have played at 44 weddings, six wedding fayres, two private parties and one hotel gig. That’s 53 events in just five months. Alongside this, I now teach eight piano pupils, five in person around Malvern and three online.
It’s been busy, but exactly the kind of busy I hoped it would be.
What Goes Into Preparing for a Wedding?
One thing that perhaps isn’t always visible from the outside is how much preparation goes into each wedding, particularly when I’m playing for the ceremony itself, which is usually the case.
Preparing wedding music isn’t a straightforward process. It often begins months before the big day, with discussions about song choices and arrangements. From there comes a steady drip-feed of practice and preparation, especially for any new pieces I’ve been asked to learn, before more focused rehearsal closer to the wedding itself.
My main method of learning music is by ear, with sheet music acting more as a safety net than an instruction manual. That’s particularly useful because no wedding ceremony ever unfolds exactly as planned.
Walking speeds vary. Aisles are different lengths. People pause unexpectedly. Registrars work at different paces. What may have been discussed beforehand often needs a little adjustment in the moment.
The music has to adapt.
That’s why it’s important not only to know a piece of music, but to know it well enough to extend sections, repeat passages, skip ahead or loop back seamlessly so that the music fits whatever is happening in front of me. When everything works together, it helps create those special wedding moments that couples remember for years afterwards.
How My Diary Filled Up So Quickly
What has surprised me most since becoming a full-time wedding pianist is not the work itself, but how quickly the available space in the diary has filled.
Before leaving my previous role, I imagined I would have large amounts of time available for recording, writing and other creative projects. The reality is that whenever I find a spare afternoon, I usually end up sitting at the piano. There is always another song to learn, an arrangement to refine, a recording to prepare for a couple, or simply an opportunity to make something I’m already happy with a little bit better.
Perhaps that says something about my personality. I genuinely enjoy the process of learning, practising and polishing music, so it’s rarely something that feels like work.
Looking After Couples Behind the Scenes
Alongside the playing itself comes quite a bit of administration. I want couples to feel informed, reassured and looked after throughout the planning process. After all, they’re trusting me with one of the most important moments of their lives.
It’s common for me to record versions of entrance music and send them to couples in advance, so they can hear exactly how a piece will sound and let me know if they’d like any adjustments to the style, tempo or feel. Many couples also ask me to learn songs outside my usual repertoire for drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts. Whilst it’s not always possible to learn everything requested, I always do my best and genuinely enjoy expanding my repertoire.
I’m also very aware of the importance of keeping up with current music. One of the things I enjoy most about weddings is discovering songs and artists that might otherwise have passed me by. Every year brings new favourites and new trends, which helps keep the job fresh and interesting.
The Social Media Side of Being a Wedding Supplier
Then there’s social media.
It’s become an important part of modern business, and I enjoy sharing videos, photos and stories from the weddings and venues I’ve been fortunate enough to work at. Couples understandably want to see that the suppliers they’re considering are active, current and passionate about what they do. Social media provides a window into that world, although creating content and keeping everything up to date takes more time than most people realise.
A Wonderful Summer of Weddings
Looking back, it’s been an incredibly enjoyable few months. I’ve met some wonderful couples, played at some fantastic venues and performed a huge variety of music.
It hasn’t all been work, of course. Steph and I managed a mini-break in Somerset and I even squeezed in a trip to the USA to watch a few World Cup matches. Even so, wedding planning doesn’t completely stop. I found myself speaking to couples during both trips and even managed a bit of wedding music practice in the departures lounge at Heathrow Terminal 4.
Looking Ahead
October looks set to continue in much the same vein, with another 12 weddings still to come before the season begins to slow down for winter.
When things do quieten down, I’m looking forward to spending more time recording, creating content and writing. I’d also like to share more behind-the-scenes insights into life as a wedding pianist, because if this summer has taught me anything, it’s that there is always another story worth telling.
For now though, it’s back to the piano.