top of page
Ivory Towerstar5.jpg

Weddings

Weddings

If you are looking to set an elegant ambience, then the harp is the perfect instrument to elevate your special day. I am experienced wedding musician and have performed throughout the country at some of the UK's most spectacular venues.

Whilst I am classically trained, and have a wealth of repertoire that will suit traditional tastes, I regularly receive compliments for my contemporary repertoire. My song list is entirely devised from arrangements that I have created by listening to a song and then  transcribing the sheet music by ear. I take a lot of care and consideration when learning new songs, and I pride myself in creating arrangements that both captures the character of the song and also sounds idiomatic on the harp.

 

The majority of the songs in my repertoire are timeless staples that will be forever popular. However, I realise that for many couples, the songs that are most significant are often undiscovered gems. With this in mind, I take requests to learn new songs to ensure that every wedding is as personal as possible.

 

I understand that planning a wedding can be a busy time, but I aim to make the booking process as simple as possible. When sending an enquiry, please include the date of your wedding, the address of your venue, and approximate timings (if possible). If you have any special requests please include them in your enquiry. Once I receive this information I will then be able to provide a quote for your special day.

As of Autumn 2023, my harp has had hidden microphones installed so I am able to provide amplification for all bookings. My amplifier is discreet and is battery powered, meaning it can be used outdoors.

Wedding Packages

  • Ceremony and Drinks Reception (up to 3 hours). This includes 30 minutes of background music whilst guests are taking their seats before the ceremony, 1 song for the bridal entrance, 2 or 3 songs during the signing of the marriage certificate, 1 song for the exit music and background music throughout the drinks reception. 

 

  • Ceremony (up to 1 hour). This includes 30 minutes of background music whilst guests are taking their seats before the ceremony, 1 song for the bridal entrance, 2 or 3 songs during the signing of the marriage certificate and 1 song for the exit music.

 

  • Drinks Reception (up to 2 hours). Background music throughout the drinks reception.

 

  • Bespoke Package Every wedding is unique; I can provide a variety of personalised options to help deliver a custom package that fits your needs. Everything that is most important to you will be incorporated for your dream wedding.

Repertoire

Repertoire

Popular

ABBA - Ode to Joy

Adele - Make You Feel My Love 

Alicia Keys - If I Ain’t Got You 

Aerosmith - I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing

American Authors - Best Day of My Life

Aphex Twin - Avril 14th

Avicii - Wake Me Up

Beatles - All You Need is Love, Here Comes the Sun, Hey Jude, Let It Be, Something, With a Little Help From My Friends, Yesterday

Ben E King - Stand by me 

Ben Howard - Old Pine

Beyonce - Halo

Billie Eilish - Ocean Eyes

Billy Joel - Always a Woman

Birdy - Wings

Boyzone - I Love the Way You Love Me

Bruno Mars - Just the Way You Are, Marry You
Bryan Adams- Everything I Do, Heaven

Calum Scott - You are the Reason

The Carpenters - On Top of the World

Celine Dion - Colour of my Love, The Prayer

Christina Perri - A Thousand Years 

Clean Bandit - Rather Be, Symphony

Coldplay - Clocks, Everglow, Paradise, Sky Full of Stars, Viva la Vida

Commodores - Three Times a Lady

Counting Crows - Accidentally in Love

The Cranberries - Dreams

Cyndi Lauper - True Colours

David Guetta ft. Sia - Titanium

Des’ree - I’m Kissing You

Ed Sheeran - Afterglow, Perfect, Photograph, Thinking Out Loud

Elbow - One Day Like This, What Time Do You Call This?

Ella Henderson - Yours

Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You, Love Me Like You Do, Still Falling For You

Elvis Presley - I Can't Help Falling in Love With You, Love Me Tender 

Eric Clapton - Wonderful Tonight 

Eva Cassidy - Songbird

Fleetwood Mac - Dreams, Everywhere

Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love, Spectrum (Say My Name), You’ve Got the Love 

Gary Jules - Mad World

George Ezra - Anyone for You (Tiger Lily)

Guns n Roses - Sweet Child o Mine 

Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar

Imagine Dragons - On Top of the World

Jack Johnson - Better Together

Jacob Collier - Never Gonna Be Alone

James Arthur - Say You Won’t Let Go 

James Bay - Let it Go

James Blunt - You’re Beautiful

Jason Mraz - I’m Yours 

John Denver - Annie’s Song

John Legend - All of Me, Love Me Now

John Lennon - Imagine 

Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

Joseph Kosma - Autumn Leaves

Josh Groban - You Raise Me Up

Justin Bieber - Anyone, Despacito, Love Yourself

Justin Timberlake - Can’t Stop the Feeling

K- Ci and JoJo - All My Life

Keane - Somewhere Only We Know 

The Killers - Read My Mind

Kodaline - The One

Lana del Ray - Love, Video Games, Young and Beautiful

Led Zepplin - Stairway to Heaven

Leonard Cohen - Hallelujah

Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

London Grammar - Baby It’s You, Strong, Wicked Game

Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World 

Love Affair - Everlasting Love

Lukas Graham - Love Someone

Lumineers - Ho Hey

Maroon 5 - Girls Like You, Memories

Marshmello ft. Bastille - Happier

McFly - All About You

Metallica - Nothing Else Matters

Michael Bublé - Everything

Minnie Riperton - Lovin’ You

Mumford and Sons - I Will Wait

Muse - Unintended

Nat King Cole - L-O-V-E, When I Fall in Love 

Natalie Cole - This Will Be

Nathan Sykes - Over and Over Again

Oasis - She’s Electric, Wonderwall

Olivia Rodrigo - Drivers License 

OMI - Cheerleader

Owl City - Fireflies

Paramore - The Only Exception, Still Into You

Passenger - Let Her Go 

Pharrell Williams - Happy 

Phil Collins - Another Day in Paradise

P!nk- Perfect

The Police - Every Breath You Take

Queen - Don’t Stop Me Now, You’re My Best Friend

Rita Ora - Anywhere

Robbie Williams - Angels, She’s the One

Ruelle - I Get to Love You

Rusted Root - Send Me on My Way

The Script - Hall of Fame

Shawn Mendes - Fallin’ All in You

Sigur Ros - Hoppipolla, Untitled #3

Sister Sledge - Thinking of You

Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars

Stevie Wonder - Signed, Sealed, Delivered, You are the Sunshine of my Life

Sting - Fields of Gold

Take That - Greatest Day, Rule the World

Taylor Swift - Lover, Wildest Dreams

Tom Walker - Better Half of Me

Tones and I - Dance Monkey

Toto - Africa

Train - Drops of Jupiter

Walking on Cars - Speeding Cars

The Weeknd - Blinding Lights

Wheatus - Teenage Dirtbag

 

Traditional

 

Ashokan Farewell
Auld Lang Syne
Calon Lan

Danny Boy

Eriskay Love Lilt
Flower of Scotland

Greensleeves
Highland Cathedral

Loch Lomond

Logan Water
My Love is Like a Red Red Rose 

Mairi's Wedding
The Mingulay Boat Song
Skye Boat Song
Suo Gan

The Water is Wide
Wille ye go lassie go
Ye Banks and Braes 

Movie/Disney/Musical

Across the Stars Love Theme from ‘Star Wars: Episode II’

Alice’s Theme from Tim Burton’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’
All I ask of you from ‘Phantom of the Opera’
All in the Golden Afternoon from ‘Alice in Wonderland’ 

As the World Falls Down from ‘Labyrinth’ (David Bowie)

Be Our Guest from ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Can You Feel the Love Tonight from ‘Lion King’ (Elton John)

Cavatina from 'The Deer Hunter'

City of Stars from ‘La La Land’ 

Colours of the Wind from ‘Pocahontas’ 

Concerning Hobbits from ‘Lord of the Rings’

A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes from ‘Cinderella’ 

Edelweiss from ‘The Sound of Music’

Engagement Party from ‘La La Land’

Fairytale from ‘Shrek’

For the Dancing and the Dreaming from ‘How to Train Your Dragon 2’

For the Love of a Princess from ‘Braveheart’
Force Theme from ‘Star Wars’

Game of Thrones Theme

Glasgow Theme from ‘Love Actually’

Go the Distance from 'Hercules'
A Heart Full of Love from ‘Les Miserables’ 

How Far I’ll Go from ‘Moana’

Into the Open Air from 'Brave'

Into the West from ‘Lord of the Rings’

I Could Have Danced All Night from ‘My Fair Lady’

I See the Light from ‘Tangled’ 

Jurassic Park Theme

La Valse de l’Amour from ‘Cinderella’

Let it Go from ‘Frozen’

Life’s a Happy Song from ‘The Muppets’

Ma Belle Evangeline from ‘The Princess and the Frog’ 

Main Theme from ‘Star Wars’

Married Life from ‘Up’ 

May it Be from ‘Lord of the Rings’ (Enya)

Mia and Sebastian’s Theme from ‘La La Land’

A Million Dreams from ‘The Greatest Showman’ 

Music of the Night from ‘Phantom of the Opera’

My Favourite Things from ‘The Sound of Music’

My Heart Will Go On from ‘Titanic’ (Céline Dion)

Never Enough from ‘The Greatest Showman’

On my Own from ‘Les Miserables’

Once Upon a Dream from ‘Sleeping Beauty’ 

Part of your World from ‘Little Mermaid’ 

Pink from ‘Barbie’ (Lizzo)

Rains of Castamere from ‘Game of Thrones’

Rewrite the Stars from ‘The Greatest Showman’

Sally’s Song from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ 

Sons of Skyrim from ‘Skyrim’

So Close from ‘Enchanted’ 

Somewhere Over the Rainbow from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ 

Storybook Love from ‘The Princess Bride’

Stranger Things Theme

Tale as Old as Time from ‘Beauty and the Beast’
Toss a Coin to Your Witcher from ‘The Witcher’

True Love’s Kiss from ‘Enchanted’ 

Turning Page from ‘The Twilight Saga’

Walking in the Air from ‘The Snowman’

When you Wish Upon a Star from ‘Pinocchio’ 

A Whole New World from ‘Aladdin’

You’ve got a Friend from ‘Toy Story’

Classical

 

Alvars - Romance in A flat
Bach - Air on the G string
Bach - Arioso*
Bach - Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring*
Bach - Prelude in C

Beethoven - Für Elise
Binge - Elizabethan Serenade

Campra - Rigaudon from Idomenee
Clarke - Trumpet Voluntary from 'The Prince of Denmark's March' 

Debussy - Clair de lune
Debussy - La fille aux cheveux de lin
Einaudi - I Giorni, Life, Nuvole Bianche, Two Trees

Franck - Panis Angelicus*
Glinka - Variations on a Theme by Mozart

Handel - Arrival of the Queen of Sheba

Handel - Chaconne in C

Handel - Finale from 'The Royal Fireworks Music'
Handel - Largo from Xerxes

Handel - Sarabande in D minor, HWV 437
Handel - Water Music- Allegro Maestoso
Hasselmans - La Source

Intermezzo - Mascagni

Massanet - Meditation from 'Thaïs'

Mendelssohn - Wedding March
Pachelbel - Canon in D

Sartori - Time to Say Goodbye (Con Te Partiró)
Satie - First Gymnopedie

Thomas - Watching the Wheat

Vivaldi - Largo from ‘Winter’, from ‘The Four Seasons’
Wagner - Bridal Chorus from 'Lohengrin'

Yiruma- Kiss the Rain, Love Me, River Flows in You

* indicates religious music not suitable for civil ceremonies.

Bollywood

Agar Agar Tum Mil Jao

Dil ko karaar aaya

Ek Ladki Ko Dekha

Ek Pyar ka Naghma Hai

Jashn-E-Bahaara 

Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein

Kabbi Kushi Khabbie Gham 

Kalank Title Track

Kaun Tujhe from M. S. Dhoni - The Untold Story

O Re Piya from Aaja Nachle

Pal from Jalebi

Raabta (Kete Hain Khuda) from Agent Vinod

Suraj Hua Maddham

Teri Meri

Teri Ore

Tum Hi Ho

 

 

 

 

Christmas

2000 Miles by The Pretenders

Away in a Manger

Carol of the Bells

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)

Coventry Carol

FairyTale of New York

Feliz Navidad 

First Noel

Gaudete

Glasgow Theme from Love Actually

God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Greensleeves

Hark the Herald

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

The Holly and the Ivy

I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus

I'll Be Home for Christmas

In the Bleak Midwinter

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear

Joy to the World

Last Christmas

Let it Snow

Let It Go from 'Frozen'

Portuguese Love Theme from ‘Love Actually’

Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

Somewhere in my Memory from ‘Home Alone’

Silent Night

Sleigh Ride

Sussex Carol

Walking in the Air from ‘The Snowman’

While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night

Winter Wonderland

Testimonials

testimonials

"Thank you for playing at my daughters wedding. We all thought you were absolutely superb - we had amazing comments from everyone about how fantastic you were and even the hallmark staff commented how wonderful it was to listen to you. You really did us proud and it made the day. My mum and dad were so impressed and it made my daughters wedding special. Fantastic repertoire."​

-NH

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding on 11/11/17. You were absolutely fantastic, and my family loved you! Everyone’s commented on how talented you are, how adaptable you were, and how different it was to have a harpist there. You coped so well with the table of my cousins, who gave you ‘challenge’ after challenge, and you just kept hitting them out of the park! I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to anyone, thank you again."​

-S&B

​"We both wanted to say a huge thank you to you for performing at our wedding. Having the harp music for our ceremony last weekend and then playing in the background during the drinks reception made such a perfect atmosphere for our guests. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect start to our special day and we are very grateful to you for your fantastic playing, including a couple of requests! Everyone we have spoken to since the wedding has commented what a wonderful addition to our day having you there was; we are so pleased that you were available for our day and helped make it so special."

-W&V

"Classical and folk harp music provides an excellent complement to many communal occasions. Elinor Nicholson is an excellent exponent of the instrument and I have asked her to perform, at a number of corporate and social events, on behalf of client groups. She has a very professional approach, an excellent repertoire and a delightful manner. I would strongly recommend her." 

-Dr GD

"We had our wedding ceremony in quite a large church space but were adamant that we wanted the sound of a single acoustic instrument to provide our music. The harp was perfect for the space and Elinor's playing was beautiful - she was happy to play all of our requests, from a traditional Irish folk piece to Lord of the Rings. It all worked perfectly and we would recommend Elinor without hesitation!"

-G&LA

"Elinor is a fantastic musician, she played at our wedding giving our drinks reception an extra special touch. She is professional, polite and accommodating from start to finish-even playing ACDC as my husband is a huge fan! We totally loved the harp and 100% recommend using Elinor!​"

-S&P

"We hired Elinor to play at our church service and reception in Ullswater this summer. She is an excellent harpist and I can recommend her highly. While we were waiting for the bride Elinor played with such passion and emotion the whole congregation fell silent and could not help themselves but to applaud her at the end. It was simply stunning.
Later during the reception Elinor played a selection of cover songs from her diverse repertoire and some of our personal requests including Metallica, Led Zep, Stevie Wonder and Nick Drake, all of which I never thought I'd hear played on such a beautiful instrument and which all worked perfectly. 
She is one very talented harpist. We did not want her to leave!
​"

-RG

'Elinor was outstanding at our wedding in May 2021. It's a huge thank you from us, the guests were enthralled by the harp music which we had kept as a surprise. Elinor was graceful and diligent especially given that our reception was undercover outdoors whilst the weather was not very pleasant. '

-HP

We hired Elinor to play for our guests on arrival, during the ceremony and at the drinks reception. Elinor played beautifully and the harp was a perfect addition to our wedding. Guests commented how lovely it was to have Elinor to play, there was a mixture of tracks which were played which pleased everyone. Thank you so much Elinor for making our day extra special!

-AC

I cannot put into words how amazing and talented you are, Elinor! Thank you so much for playing at my wedding. All of the guests couldn't stop talking about how great you were and how your playing just elevated the mood and added to the already very emotional ceremony! Your rendition of Clair de lune was perfect and I hope you play near Manchester soon so I can come watch. Anyone who books you is so lucky and I feel so happy to have had to play on the day, truly worth every single penny and more!

-DB

Elinor is an exceptionally talented musician who contributed to our Wedding Day on the 15th September. We asked for some Beethoven and Einaudi songs specifically and she played them so beautifully I will remember it for ever.

I couldn't recommend Elinor highly enough, professional, enthusiastic and wonderfully accomplished.

-ER

Elinor! I finally get time to write our thanks! We are so glad we chose you to provide our music for our wedding on Saturday. I was completely composed until I walked down the aisle and heard your stunning Pachabel Canon in D. That was it, I was a sobbing mess! You have been so great! Replying to my (many) emails so quickly, being so accommodating on the day and in general, an absolute delight. We can't recommend you highly enough.

-RW

FAQs

FAQs
  • I've seen you listed on other websites using a different name. Are you real/is this a scam website?! I work with a number of different agencies, who might present me using a different name so as to protect their own bookings. I am indeed real, and by using this website you'll be contacting me directly.

  • ​​Why don't you list your prices on your website? My fees depend on many factors including distance from my home, date and timings. If you would like a quote, please send an inquiry to elinornicholsonharp@gmail.com and I'll get back to you within 48 hours.

 

  • How many songs will you play? Typically, I play 20 songs in an hour. You are welcome to create a setlist of songs for me to play. You can also request that I choose songs from within a genre, or you can ask me to ‘read the room’ and play music that I think you and your guests will enjoy.

  • Can you perform outdoors? Absolutely! However, if your wedding will be held outside, I need to ensure that my harp will be safe from the elements. If it is a sunny day, my harp will need protection from the sun, ideally in the form of a canopy (bear in mind that the harp is 2metres tall). I will also need a flat surface for the harp to sit on. Due to moisture retained in the ground, this surface cannot be grass or bare earth, so pavement or decking is ideal. Finally, rain would damage my harp, so I cannot play outside if there is a risk of a passing shower. Therefore, please take these considerations into account if you are booking me for an outdoor wedding.

 

  • What are the dimensions of the harp? The harp is about 2 metres tall, 1 metre wide and 1 metre long. I will require a space of approximately 2.5m² in which to perform. 

 

  • Moving the harp. The harp is surprisingly mobile so I can easily move between rooms within a venue- this will only take me a few minutes. I can navigate the harp up most sets of stairs, however, please let me know in advance if your venue has narrow or spiral staircases. If your ceremony and reception are being held in two different venues, please mention this in your initial enquiry.

  • How will you travel to my wedding? I travel by car, and I am happy to travel throughout the UK to reach your wedding. If your wedding is a significant distance from where I am based (Manchester) I may ask for overnight accommodation to be provided. My travel expenses are included in any quote that I provide. Due to the size of the harp, I will require a parking space (preferably as close to the venue as possible).

 

  • Can you perform with another instrument? Yes- I regularly perform alongside other instruments including flute, violin, cello, saxophone and voice. If you would like this option then please mention it in your enquiry.

 

  • Do you just perform at weddings? I also perform at anniversaries, birthday parties, dinners, funerals, marriage proposals, vow renewals, and any other occasion.

  • Do you have Public Liability Insurance? Yes- my insurance is provided through my membership to the Incorporated Society of Musicians and I am insured to the sum of £10 million.

UKbride_approved_supplier.jpg
bottom of page