Planning an event involves a lot of decisions and I know that entertainment can be a big one! My whole purpose here is to help you get an idea of what hiring a harpist for your event would look like. Hopefully, this will not only answer your questions but also ease your nerves about your big day!

Hiring a Harpist: Where to Find a Harpist

There are lots of resources available to use when looking for a musician (or more specifically a Harpist) for your event! 

First, there are the obvious ones, Social media is wonderful for finding any vendor you might need! For example, If you’re looking on Instagram make sure to look for relevant hashtags! (like #torontoharpist or #torontomusicians) Or If you’re looking on Pinterest, use keywords to your advantage. Look for things like “Toronto harpist for events” or go very specific like “Toronto Wedding Harpist”. There are other resources too, like Facebook groups relevant to your area and event type.

There is also Google! It’s the most used search engine for a reason. you can find almost everything you need in one place. Hiring a Harpist is not an exception! Not only is it a great place to find local musicians but it’s also a great place to find reviews!

There is one last resource that should not be forgotten about, and that is event planning platforms!

There are many of these platforms available online for people to explore, and it’s a great way to shop around for your best options. The two best ones are WeddingWire and EventSource.

Hiring A Harpist: How To Choose a Harpist

Don’t underestimate the power of testimonials! Reviews will tell you a lot. They will tell you about more than just work ethic and talent. They can tell you about their working experience with them, their flexibility, how they interacted with the guests, and more. do a deep dive, really look over the reviews, and find someone who fits your ideal musician for your event.

Whenever possible try to speak directly with the musician you choose to hire. Whether it’s a quick phone call, a zoom call, or whatever you and the musician are comfortable with, make sure that you are on the same page with your expectations. Make sure that the timeline is understood and clear so there are no misunderstandings.

What should you ask for? Ask for sound samples! If there are specific songs you want for your event, ask for samples of that song or similar songs to get a true feel of what you will hear on the day of your event. Listen to samples on YouTube to get a sense of the types of music the harpist plays as well as their skill level.

Ok, so you found the perfect musician! Now, what can you expect on the day of your event?

A question I see a lot is what parts of the event should the harpist play? That depends on you! For example, let’s say you are having a wedding. For a wedding, a harpist will usually play the ceremony, like when the guests are taking their seats, the entrance of the couple, the signing of the marriage license, and when they walk out together as a married couple.

Other moments that a harpist can play for at a wedding are cocktail hour & wedding reception! Harpists also play well with other instruments and are a beautiful accompaniment. If you haven’t already hired other musicians to accompany the Harp, worry not, your Harpist can help you with that! Some common duets with the harp are harp/cello or harp/violin.

Now, keep in mind that if you plan on having your ceremony & cocktail hour in two different locations, you have to let the Harpist know with enough time so they can plan to move their harp to the other venue with enough time to set up.

Does a Harpist Need Special Equipment?

Most Harpists will bring their equipment, such as a music stand and a stool or a speaker if needed. The space that Harpists are playing in should also have good lighting.

How Much Room Will A Harpist Need?

A larger harp will need about 2 meters by 3 meters, a smaller one will need about 2 meters by 2 meters. This is something that should be communicated between you and the harpist when you know which venue you will be having your event at! Harpists will either be familiar with the venue or will set up a clear plan to be sure they have enough room.

Can A Harpist Play Outside?

Yes! But this requires planning! The Harp has to be shielded from the elements, It can’t get rained on or be on wet grass. A good rule to live by is if there is a flat, firm, and dry surface then your harpist will be happy at your event.

If you have more concerns about what hiring a Harpist entails specifically for a wedding, check out my blog post on Engaged Couples FAQs!