The Ultimate Guide to Booking a Guitarist

Versatile, atmospheric and effortlessly cool, live guitar music is a hit at almost any occasion. A classical guitarist can provide an elegant soundtrack to a wedding ceremony, an acoustic guitarist can set the mood during a drinks reception, while a singer-guitarist can serenade guests as they mingle. 

With everything from classical and jazz to pop, rock, folk and soul on the menu, there’s also plenty of scope to tailor guitar music to your event and tastes. 

But what type of guitarist should you book? How much will it cost? And will they bring their own equipment? We’ve answered some of the most common questions about hiring a guitarist below, plus we looked to our very own guitarists for some top tips.

Before we get into the specifics of booking a guitarist, it’s worth covering the basics of hiring any live musician.

Before confirming your booking, think about:

Your venue – Is there enough room for the musician to set up comfortably? Are there any noise restrictions? Is there easy access to power if amplification is required? These details can all affect the type of performer you choose.

Budget – Decide roughly how much you want to spend before you start browsing. A solo guitarist will usually cost less than a duo or larger ensemble, while factors such as travel, performance length and additional equipment can also affect the final price.

Performance times – Think about exactly when you’d like your guitarist to play. At a wedding, for example, you might want music during the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast, while a guitarist at a private party may perform several sets throughout the evening.

Extras – Do you want your guitarist to sing as well as play? Would you like them to learn a special song? Perhaps you’d like an additional musician to perform alongside them? Check what's possible before booking.

For more advice on hiring live entertainment, take a look at our A-Z guide to booking a musician or band.

The cost of hiring a guitarist varies depending on the performer, location, type of event and how long you’d like them to play.

A solo local guitarist performing for a couple of hours will generally be one of the more budget-friendly live music options. Prices can increase if you require a longer performance, extensive travel, additional musicians or a larger sound setup.

Other factors that can affect the cost include the guitarist’s experience, whether they also provide vocals, special song requests and the date of your event. Popular summer Saturdays and dates around Christmas and New Year can be particularly busy, so prices and availability may vary.

Our guitarists range from £200 for shorter bookings to around £1100 for all day entertainment. 

What Type of Guitarist Should I Book for My Event?

The right guitarist depends largely on the atmosphere you’d like to create: “I would say it's important to make sure you book the right style of guitarist for your event. A classical guitarist or an acoustic guitarist might be suitable for certain events but if you're looking for people to dance and fill the dance floor, make sure the act you are booking is likely to get people up and moving,” Advises Bert Taylor, one of our Brighton based guitarists. 

Acoustic guitarists are a popular choice for weddings, drinks receptions, garden parties and relaxed events. They can provide anything from gentle background music to upbeat acoustic versions of well-known songs.

Classical guitarists work particularly well for wedding ceremonies, formal dinners and sophisticated receptions. Their repertoire usually includes traditional classical music alongside Spanish guitar but can include contemporary arrangements and popular songs.

Singer-guitarists combine live guitar with vocals and can provide a more engaging, personal performance. They’re a great option for parties, wedding receptions and events where you’d like the entertainment to become more of a focal point.

Jazz guitarists can bring a laid-back, sophisticated atmosphere to cocktail parties, dinners and corporate events.

Electric guitarists are great for energetic pop and rock performances and may perform alongside backing tracks or other musicians.

How Far in Advance Should I Book a Guitarist?

For weddings and large events, booking your guitarist around 6–12 months in advance is a good rule of thumb.

Popular performers can get booked up much earlier, particularly for Saturdays during the summer wedding season. Christmas parties and other peak dates can also be busy, so it’s worth getting your entertainment sorted as soon as you know your date.

For smaller private parties and corporate events, you may be able to find a great guitarist with only a few weeks’ notice, although booking early will always give you the best choice.

Can a Guitarist Learn Special Song Requests?

In many cases, yes. Professional guitarists are often happy to learn a small number of special requests, particularly for weddings and milestone celebrations.

For weddings, you might want to request a particular song for:

• Walking down the aisle
• Signing the register
• Walking back up the aisle
• Your drinks reception
• Your first dance
• A special moment involving family or friends

One of the lovely things about guitar music is how easily familiar songs can be adapted. A favourite pop or rock song performed instrumentally on acoustic or classical guitar can take on a completely different feel and work beautifully during a ceremony.

If a particular song is important to you, discuss it with your guitarist before booking. They may already know it, but if not, they'll need time to learn and arrange it, plus they may charge to learn songs outside their usual repertoire. 

“Most musicians are prepared to learn a handful of songs and would often be glad to, especially if it’s within a selection of music that they love,” says Exeter based guitarist Richie J. 

Can a Guitarist Sing as Well as Play?

Some can, but not all guitarists provide vocals, so this is something to check when browsing performers.

An instrumental guitarist is ideal if you want subtle background music that allows guests to hold a conversation easily. This can work particularly well during ceremonies, dinners and drinks receptions.

A singer-guitarist, on the other hand, can offer a more engaging style of entertainment that’s more likely to get guests dancing. They can still provide relaxed background music but can usually turn things up a notch later in the event, making them particularly versatile for parties and wedding receptions.

“I tell clients to expect less lively music at the beginning and happier and ‘cheesier’ music towards the end. At the beginning I focus on impressing their guests/clients, taking advantage of the place while it’s a bit less noisy. As it gets louder and they relax, drink and engage in their conversations, then I tend to play the ‘groovy’ stuff,” says London guitarist Andres G. 

Bert Taylor has a similar approach: “Personally, I like to read the room and the audience and perform to the atmosphere in front of me, for example, if it’s kind of laid back and people are trying to talk, I will play chilled out background music. If people are looking to get up and have a dance, I will whip out some sing along and boogie classics!”

Some guitarists may also perform with backing tracks or offer the option of adding another singer or instrumentalist. If you like this idea, be sure to check out our acoustic duos too. 

Think about the role you want the music to play at your event. If you're looking for understated ambience, instrumental guitar may be perfect. If you'd like guests to stop, listen and perhaps sing along, a singer-guitarist could be a better fit.

What Songs or Styles Can a Guitarist Play?

Professional guitarists often have wide-ranging repertoires spanning several decades and genres.

Depending on the musician, these might include:

• Pop
• Rock
• Indie
• Folk
• Jazz
• Blues
• Soul
• Motown
• Classical
• Spanish and Latin music
• Film and TV music
• Musical theatre
• Acoustic covers
• Romantic ballads
• Christmas music

Many guitarists can adapt their set to suit both the audience and the stage of the event. A wedding guitarist, for example, might perform romantic instrumental arrangements during the ceremony before switching to upbeat acoustic pop during the drinks reception.

Take a look at each guitarist’s repertoire before booking, but don't worry if every song you like isn't listed. Repertoire lists are often only a snapshot of what a professional musician can play and many are happy to learn special songs.

How Long Does a Guitarist Usually Perform For?

Performance times will vary depending on the event and the package you book.

Typical bookings might include:

• 1–2 hours for private parties
• Ceremony-only wedding performances
• 2–3 hours during a drinks reception
• Longer wedding packages covering several parts of the day
• Multiple shorter sets during an evening event

Rather than playing continuously for several hours, most musicians perform in sets with short breaks in between. A typical arrangement might be two or three 45-minute sets, although this varies between performers.

Some guitarists can provide recorded background music through their PA system during breaks, helping to avoid any awkward silences. If you'd like this, check whether it's something your chosen performer offers.

Does a Guitarist Provide Their Own Equipment?

Professional event guitarists will generally bring the instruments and equipment they need to perform.

Exactly what that involves depends on the type of guitarist you book. An instrumental guitarist performing in an intimate space may require relatively little equipment, while a singer-guitarist performing for a larger crowd may bring a PA system, microphone, stands and amplification.

An electric guitarist may also use pedals, effects and backing tracks as part of their setup.

Check what's included when you book, particularly if you're holding a larger event or your venue has its own sound system.

Although your guitarist will usually bring their own instrument and essential equipment, they will still need a suitable place to perform.

Depending on their setup, they may require:

• Access to a power supply
• Enough room for themselves and their equipment
• A chair or stool
• Suitable lighting
• Shelter if performing outdoors
• Easy access to the performance area for loading equipment

It’s also worth checking parking and access arrangements. Although a guitar is a lot easier to transport than a piano, amplification and PA equipment can still be heavy and awkward to carry.

Let your guitarist know in advance about stairs, long walks from the car park or any other access restrictions so they can plan accordingly.

What Should I Ask Before Hiring a Guitarist?

Before confirming your booking, asking a few practical questions can help make sure you and your guitarist are on the same page.

We recommend checking:

• Are you available on our date?
• What styles of music do you specialise in?
• Do you sing as well as play?
• Can you learn special song requests?
• Do you bring your own PA and equipment?
• How much space do you need?
• Do you require access to power?
• How long are your performance sets?
• Can you perform outdoors?
• Are you insured?
• What happens if you're ill or unable to perform?

You should also give the guitarist as much information about your venue and event as possible. An experienced performer will usually be able to advise you on the most suitable setup and performance schedule.

Can a Guitarist Perform Outdoors?

Yes. Guitarists are a great choice for outdoor weddings, garden parties, marquees, courtyards and other al fresco events.

However, there are a few practical considerations.

Musical instruments and electrical equipment need to be protected from rain and moisture, so your guitarist will usually require adequate shelter even if the forecast looks promising. Direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can also cause problems for both instruments and performers.

If amplification is needed, you'll also need to consider access to a safe power supply.

It’s best to discuss an outdoor performance with your guitarist and venue beforehand. That way, you can make suitable arrangements and have a backup plan ready in case of typical British weather.

The Bottom Line

From romantic wedding ceremonies and laid-back drinks receptions to corporate events and lively parties, a guitarist can provide a soundtrack to suit almost any occasion.

The key is to think about the atmosphere you want to create. Decide whether you'd prefer instrumental music or vocals, consider the styles of music you and your guests will enjoy, and check the practical details with both your musician and venue.

Once those boxes are ticked, all that's left to do is sit back and enjoy the music.