Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will we meet with the Musician before our event?
Quinn offers professional consultations by e-mail or phone to assist you in planning the music for your event. In-person consultations are available but not necessary.
2. Can you play outdoors?
Yes. Please keep in mind there are weather conditions that can either impede the guitarist's ability to perform or put the instrument in danger of being damaged. Please provide shade in the case of sun and be sure to have an alternative indoor location available in the event of weather complications.
3. What will we need to provide at the event?
Please arrange for access to electricity (if available), adequate light and space, and shade if the event is outdoors. If there is no electricity available, Quinn needs to know in advance, in which case he brings a battery-powered amplifier.
4. What will the Musician provide?
Beautiful music! Quinn will come with a his own amplification, acoustic guitar and music stand.
5. How do I request a song that I want played at my event?
If it is not on the master list, please make requests at least 6 weeks in advance so that the guitarist has time to create an arrangement at no extra fee.
6. What will the Musician wear?
Depending on the event, the client can choose from formal tuxedo, semi-formal or business casual. Please let Quinn know if you have a preference.
7. What parts of the Ceremony should have music?
For the music, most American wedding ceremonies have six major parts:
1. Prelude (20-30 minutes before the ceremony)
The prelude music is played while guests arrive and take their seats. Usually light and upbeat music setting a tone of celebration.
2. Processional (Bridal Party and Bride's)
One of the most important decisions you can make is the song or songs you choose for the processional(s). Some couples choose just one processional piece that's played while the bridesmaids and the bride enter the venue. Others choose a separate piece special for the bride's entrance, often a song meaningful to the bride or couple. The processional officially "announces" the start of the ceremony and brings the guests to attention. Traditional songs like "Pachelbel's Canon" and John Denver's "Annie's Song" are popular choices.
3. Interlude
Often there are songs meaningful to the bride and groom that they would like played while candles are lit, as background to a poem being read or during some other meaningful moment in the ceremony. I often use my own original instrumentals to fit the mood perfectly.
4. Recessional
The music you choose for your recessional speaks to your relationship going forward together. It's the culmination of the entire ceremony, and is often fast-paced and upbeat. This is a great place to insert a contemporary tune.
5. Postlude
The purpose of the postlude is to provide joyful music to accompany the departure of your guests from your wedding ceremony.
This is only slightly different than the recessional, whose purpose is to provide joyful music to accompany the departure of the newly-married couple and the wedding party from the ceremony.
Additional times appropriate for music after the ceremony are; during photos, the Cocktail Hour and Reception.
The Cocktail Hour and Reception- Casual music played before and during dinner. Usually upbeat and contemporary.
Please contact Quinn for examples of music for each section. Or go here to listen to music samples.
8. Where should the Musician be located during a ceremony or event?
The guitarist should be in an area with adequate space and light, out of the way of guests/wedding party/wait staff. He should be in a position to see the as much of the processional as possible in the case of a ceremony. Quinn will often assess the situation upon arrival and find the best location or work with the Wedding planner.
9. Our family member or friend is a singer and we would like you to accompany him/her during the ceremony. Is this possible?
Absolutely! Please send Quinn the name of the song and key the vocalist needs to sing the song in. The musician will be paid for rehearsal time at the rate of $30 per half hour. Usually one rehearsal is sufficient.
10. Will the musician come to the wedding rehearsal?
The musician is available for a fee, but does not need to attend the rehearsal.
11. I would like to hire Quinn Fitzpatrick. What is my next step?
Please go to the contact page and submit an inquiry. When we receive this information, we will send out a quote and contract for you to complete and return with a deposit. Once we receive the contract and deposit, your date and time will be saved.
All one and a half hour wedding packages include the following:
Professional consultations by e-mail or phone.
20-30 minutes of prelude music as Guests arrive and are being seated
Music for all Processionals
Music during the Ceremony as indicated in the Wedding Script or in the case of religious ceremonies, during the Offertory, Communion, etc.
Music for the Recessional
Additional music as Guests exit
12. What is the amount of deposit you require?
The deposit is a check for 50% of the quoted fee and is non-refundable.
13. Do you take credit cards?
We do accept payment through paypal. Most clients send a check.
1. Will we meet with the Musician before our event?
Quinn offers professional consultations by e-mail or phone to assist you in planning the music for your event. In-person consultations are available but not necessary.
2. Can you play outdoors?
Yes. Please keep in mind there are weather conditions that can either impede the guitarist's ability to perform or put the instrument in danger of being damaged. Please provide shade in the case of sun and be sure to have an alternative indoor location available in the event of weather complications.
3. What will we need to provide at the event?
Please arrange for access to electricity (if available), adequate light and space, and shade if the event is outdoors. If there is no electricity available, Quinn needs to know in advance, in which case he brings a battery-powered amplifier.
4. What will the Musician provide?
Beautiful music! Quinn will come with a his own amplification, acoustic guitar and music stand.
5. How do I request a song that I want played at my event?
If it is not on the master list, please make requests at least 6 weeks in advance so that the guitarist has time to create an arrangement at no extra fee.
6. What will the Musician wear?
Depending on the event, the client can choose from formal tuxedo, semi-formal or business casual. Please let Quinn know if you have a preference.
7. What parts of the Ceremony should have music?
For the music, most American wedding ceremonies have six major parts:
- Prelude
- Wedding Party’s Processional
- The Bride’s Processional
- Interlude
- Recessional
- Postlude
1. Prelude (20-30 minutes before the ceremony)
The prelude music is played while guests arrive and take their seats. Usually light and upbeat music setting a tone of celebration.
2. Processional (Bridal Party and Bride's)
One of the most important decisions you can make is the song or songs you choose for the processional(s). Some couples choose just one processional piece that's played while the bridesmaids and the bride enter the venue. Others choose a separate piece special for the bride's entrance, often a song meaningful to the bride or couple. The processional officially "announces" the start of the ceremony and brings the guests to attention. Traditional songs like "Pachelbel's Canon" and John Denver's "Annie's Song" are popular choices.
3. Interlude
Often there are songs meaningful to the bride and groom that they would like played while candles are lit, as background to a poem being read or during some other meaningful moment in the ceremony. I often use my own original instrumentals to fit the mood perfectly.
4. Recessional
The music you choose for your recessional speaks to your relationship going forward together. It's the culmination of the entire ceremony, and is often fast-paced and upbeat. This is a great place to insert a contemporary tune.
5. Postlude
The purpose of the postlude is to provide joyful music to accompany the departure of your guests from your wedding ceremony.
This is only slightly different than the recessional, whose purpose is to provide joyful music to accompany the departure of the newly-married couple and the wedding party from the ceremony.
Additional times appropriate for music after the ceremony are; during photos, the Cocktail Hour and Reception.
The Cocktail Hour and Reception- Casual music played before and during dinner. Usually upbeat and contemporary.
Please contact Quinn for examples of music for each section. Or go here to listen to music samples.
8. Where should the Musician be located during a ceremony or event?
The guitarist should be in an area with adequate space and light, out of the way of guests/wedding party/wait staff. He should be in a position to see the as much of the processional as possible in the case of a ceremony. Quinn will often assess the situation upon arrival and find the best location or work with the Wedding planner.
9. Our family member or friend is a singer and we would like you to accompany him/her during the ceremony. Is this possible?
Absolutely! Please send Quinn the name of the song and key the vocalist needs to sing the song in. The musician will be paid for rehearsal time at the rate of $30 per half hour. Usually one rehearsal is sufficient.
10. Will the musician come to the wedding rehearsal?
The musician is available for a fee, but does not need to attend the rehearsal.
11. I would like to hire Quinn Fitzpatrick. What is my next step?
Please go to the contact page and submit an inquiry. When we receive this information, we will send out a quote and contract for you to complete and return with a deposit. Once we receive the contract and deposit, your date and time will be saved.
All one and a half hour wedding packages include the following:
Professional consultations by e-mail or phone.
20-30 minutes of prelude music as Guests arrive and are being seated
Music for all Processionals
Music during the Ceremony as indicated in the Wedding Script or in the case of religious ceremonies, during the Offertory, Communion, etc.
Music for the Recessional
Additional music as Guests exit
12. What is the amount of deposit you require?
The deposit is a check for 50% of the quoted fee and is non-refundable.
13. Do you take credit cards?
We do accept payment through paypal. Most clients send a check.
Solo acoustic guitar services are offered throughout Whidbey Island, western Washington state, Oregon, and Northern California. Quinn Fitzpatrick provides music for Wedding Ceremonies, rehearsal dinners, cocktail hours, receptions and Special Events.