Proposing to your partner is one of the most personal and important moments of your life. However, how you go about doing it is a completely blank canvass! In this blog, we’ll go through why adding a touch of live music to your proposal is a brilliant idea and can help one of the most intimate moments of your life be the best it can be.
Planning your proposal is incredibly tough. For some, it is an incredibly private moment, that should take place in a quiet spot, with just the two you.
For others, during an amazing meal in a fancy restaurant is the perfect occasion. Alternatively, if you’re The Enemy’s Tom Clarke, the right time is on stage at your band’s very last show, in front of hundreds of fans…
Music and love are intrinsically linked in ways that we cannot even begin to fathom. From the “She Loves You’ to “Make You Feel My Love” and everything in between, it’s been chronicled by some of our very best songwriters.
Music is also the soundtrack to our lives, and that often includes the moment we meet that special someone. Whether you met at a gig, or there was just a song on in a bar when, there will always be particular songs that remain special to you as a couple.
I was chosen, I think, because I sang the particular songs he wanted – ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’ by Elvis and ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ by Frank Sinatra. The booking was kept as a surprise from his girlfriend and she knew nothing about it until I took my guitar out inside the pod and started singing!
Stewart Hull
if you’re still looking for some inspiration for a wonderfully romantic proposal, why not consider employing a musician to perform a couple of pieces of music that are special to you both?
Top picks of solo musicians to play
Traditionally, most proposal acts are solo musicians or possibly duos.
This is not a hard and fast rule, but is presumably based upon the fact that these acts have a much more flexible set up – it’s probably pretty hard to arrange a full soul band to be playing on the top of that romantic hill top you had your eyes on, or fit a 4-piece string quartet around your table in a crowded restaurant.
I was asked to stand on the roof of a castle and play for a proposal. In the end it was a lovely event, if a bit windy! I just didn’t look over the edge as I don’t like heights…
Penny Legat
As such, here is a list of some perfect categories of musicians to hire for your proposal…
Guitarists – rock/pop
One of the most common musicians to hire for a proposal is a rock and pop guitarist/vocalist. Their repertoire is usually an extensive list of rock and pop classics, from the 1960s, right up to the present day. Even if your perfect tune isn’t immediately available, they will usually be able to take requests if given in advance.
- View all guitarists for hire
Violinists
Another classic choice for proposal music is a Violinist. With no bulky instrument requirements and a relatively loud projection when playing acoustically, a Violinist can be a wonderful surprise addition that’s ready to go at a moment’s notice.
- View all violinists for hire
Pianists
Whilst most couples won’t enjoy the unexpected luxury of having Stevie Wonder perform at their wedding reception like one couple did, a pianist can still be a brilliant act to hire for your proposal. Whether they are playing jazz standards, rock/pop classics or a couple of soul songs, getting a keyboard player in place for your proposal will be a simply wonderful idea.
- View all pianists for hire
Harpists
If you have a bit more space and time to organise your proposal, the harp is a classic instrument of romance and an amazing contribution.
While you might first assume a harpist would only perform classical music, many modern harpists also have a selection of pop songs arranged for the harp. You can read more in our blog on how to hire a harpist.
- View all harpists for hire
Ukulele players
If you’re looking for something more light-hearted and whimsical to accompany you popping the big question, why not book a ukulele player?
They have a wonderful selection of tunes, as well as taking requests of songs that are special to you as a couple.
- View all ukulele players for hire
If you have more space, you can also consider looking at acoustic bands or other duos/small groups.
Some popular songs for proposals
- “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” – Elvis Presley
- “Your Song” – Elton John
- “All Of Me” – John Legend
- “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
- “Stand By Me” – Ben E. King
- “At Last” – Etta James
- “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
- “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” – Stevie Wonder
- “Fly Me To The Moon” – Frank Sinatra
- “Everything” – Michael Buble
We played at a lady’s 60th birthday party, but weeks before the party, her partner secretly contacted us to say he’s going to propose on the night, so we helped arrange the surprise after her birthday speech! It was a lovely surprise for her and we’re now booked to perform at their wedding!
Hayley Judge
Practicalities of booking a musician for your proposal
Once you’ve decided to book a musician for a proposal, it’s probably a good idea to run through some of the practicalities of doing so, in order to ensure smooth running.
Space
It may sound obvious, but make sure that the location where you are planning to propose is suitable to the live music that you are planning to book.
While the 11-piece soul band on the top of a hill is a very drastic example, it’s important to remember that most musicians will require more space that you might at first need. Even solo, un-amplified musicians might require a space to store instrument cases, for example.
Attire
Most professional musicians will default to a smart/casual dress code in most performance situations.
However, if you would like to request that your musician is dressed a certain way for their performance (such as black tie) make sure you let them know in advance.
15 years ago we were asked to play in a tiny front room for a guy’s wedding proposal and found it very hard to know what to charge !!!! What if she said ‘no’- with just the two of them there –and us ! She accepted BUT whether they married l never found out!
Fay – Carlton Ensemble
Sound
Not all venues will be suitable for live music, and so it’s important you check with them in advance.
Simple examples like booking an acoustic artist for an environment that’s particularly loud might be obvious, but also not booking an artist that’s going to be inappropriately loud in the location is a concern.
Are you looking for the perfect musician for your proposal? Start your search here…
Did you book a musician for your proposal? What and where did they perform? What advice would you give to someone looking to book? Leave your comments below.
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