Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How far do you travel?

A: We typically accommodate weddings up to 3hrs away from Asheville, NC. However, there is a proportionate fee for events farther away than 20mi.

Q: How many requests can we make?

A: Each ceremony package comes with three “off-the-list” requests that we’ll personally arrange for the hired ensemble configuration (if sheet music is available). These are usually used for the bridal party processional, the bride’s walk and the pronouncement/recessional at the end of the ceremony. However, you can make many more selections from our song-list! There’s no strict limit but we can’t guarantee that we’ll play all of them if you choose more than, say, a dozen per section (prelude/ceremony, cocktail hour, dinner, etc.)

Q: Can you play outside?

A: Who doesn’t love being outside!? Although, our wooden instruments and electronic amplification systems are sensitive to extreme temperatures and moisture. So, if your ceremony is outside, we kindly request cover to protect our equipment from direct sunlight or precipitation. There are also limits to extreme temperatures that we can tolerate. We read our sheet music from iPads which can turn off if they’re too hot or cold… and that would spell disaster at the wrong moment!

Q: How does your pricing work?

A: A lot of thought has gone into creating a transparent pricing structure that is determined by instrumentation, duration and the demands of the service. Each musician who performs at your wedding has poured countless hours into their craft— if you’ve got any musical experience at all, you know how long it takes to learn an instrument… an instrument that is typically very expensive too. We only work with highly trained, professional musicians who are worth every cent.

Q: Is gratuity included?

A: No, please feel encouraged to include a tip for the musicians. We try to keep our base costs as low as we can while keeping our pricing fair to enable the best musicians to play your wedding… and it really does make us feel good to receive a little something extra at the end of a long day! The standard seems to be ~$50 per musician but anything sparks joy! (Cash at the event is best but a digital payment via Zelle or Venmo can also be dispersed.)

Q: Are you a music management company?

A: Sort of… We can certainly manage the music for your event! I, Sam Irvin, am a musician first, a teaching-artist. I love to create in my recording studio. I love to practice and perform on my primary instrument, nylon-string “classical” guitar (and sometimes on my secondary instrument, trumpet, not to mention several other favorites…). I find so much meaning and reward from working on music together with others whether I’m collaborating with respected colleagues on a job, jamming with hobbyists or mentoring learners. I have found that to produce my best work in event entertainment, it’s important to direct things myself. Over the years, I have formed relationships with other performers that I respect (and familiarized ourselves to shared repertoire), I have collected lots of resources like sheet music (over 700 songs at last count!), gear and sample recordings, and I’ve built infrastructure to handle contracting, etc. (like this very Q&A!). While I do occasionally represent other musicians, the vast majority of Irvin Music Studio’s event entertainment work involves my personal involvement at the performance.

Q: Are you insured?

A: Yes, we do carry liability insurance and can easily provide associated documentation at the request of venues, planners or any other relevant parties.

Q: Dress?

A: We’re going to wear “concert black” attire unless you ask us not to!

Q: How do we secure the date?

A: We are not officially booked until we receive the deposit, typically half of the total balance. It usually works like this: we talk, discuss details, I send over a brief questionnaire to be filled out and once you do, I’ll put those answers/details into the terms of an invoice that includes payment instructions. The deposit is due immediately while the remaining balance will be due prior to the performance, whether that’s the day/week before or paid up front alongside the deposit.

Q: Do you accept credit cards? Other payment options?

A: Yes we do! There is a 4% fee to process them. Zelle/Venmo is preferred. Checks can be accepted by mail as well.

Q: Can a guest join you for a song?

A: We can sometimes incorporate a guest performer but there may be an additional fee for an extra request, extra gear or extra rehearsal time.

Q: Do you need to join the dress rehearsal?

A: We rarely attend the dress rehearsal but we can book out that extra time for an additional fee if needed.

Q: Are you LGBTQ+ inclusive?

We certainly do perform for LGBTQ+ weddings-- we do not discriminate and celebrate love and commitment in all forms. :D