Craig Smith Music
Craig Smith Music: Weddings & Functions Solo Piano
Wedding Piano North West
Craig has provided premium wedding piano and function entertainment at North West wedding venues since 2002, and is now one of the most sought-after event and wedding pianists anywhere in the UK, playing up to 20 weddings and events a month. To find out more about him, visit the Biography page via the Home menu.He also has a trusted team of wedding and event pianists that work for him, so there's never the need to be disappointed if Craig is already booked on the date of your event.
There is a package for every budget; standard packages and prices start at just £550.
All UK wedding piano bookings include as standard:
- A portable baby grand piano in white or gloss black
- P.A. and all other necessary equipment inc. second portable electric piano if required
- Requests and music prep
- Travel / fuel costs*
- Early set up time
- Insurance
For wedding ceremonies, all of the music is your choice - there is no pre-set list that you are asked to choose from as is the case with many North West wedding pianists, nor is there any charge to learn pieces of music. For all other parts of the day, requests are available to guests on the day as well as to the couple in advance, in absolutely any sytle, from jazz and swing to Britpop.
Craig can facilitate real grand piano hire through his weddings and events hire company, as well as the portable options above, and a more compact white electric piano is also available for smaller spaces or for a second room at the venue.
Craig doesn't just offer solo piano; saxophonists, violinists, flute players and singers for weddings are all available with one simple booking form. Craig's team of pianists also offers reassurance in case Craig was to be unavailable on the day due to unforeseen circumstances, and can be booked where Craig is already booked too.
Finally, there is the option to add at a heavily discounted rate Craig's wedding indie covers party band to any daytime booking for wedding band entertainment..
* Travel includes as standard travel up to 90 minutes in each direction, beyond which additional costs may apply
Wedding Venues / Areas Covered
Craig is available nationwide and in parts of Europe, but the majority of his work is as a solo wedding pianist in the North West, in Lancashire wedding hotels , and he regularly plays wedding piano in Cheshire, Merseyside, and the Lake District, with many jobs in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Wales too. He is available for both receptions and ceremonies, and is a part of acts including talented singers and session musicians on other instruments, such as saxophone and violin.
Craig is the resident pianist and/or recommended and booked directly by staff at a number of venues across the UK, the majority of which are in Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire. His most regularly booked venues for 2024/25 are currently:
- West Tower Wedding Pianist Aughton near Ormskirk
- Bartle Hall Wedding Pianist Preston
- Wrenbury Hall Wedding Pianist Nantwich
- Mitton Hall Wedding Pianist Clitheroe
- Eaves Hall Wedding Pianist West Bradford
- Hidden River Barn Wedding Pianist Carlisle
- Sparth House Wedding Pianist Clayton-le-Moors
- Town Head Estate Wedding Pianist Newby Bridge
- The Out Barn Wedding Pianist Clitheroe
- Broadoaks Country House Hotel Wedding Pianist Windermere
- Hobbit Hill Wedding Pianist Bashall Eaves
- Armathwaite Hall Wedding Pianist Keswick
- Wyresdale Park Wedding Pianist Scorton
- Sandhole Oak Barn Wedding Pianist Congleton
- Larkspur Lodge Wedding Pianist Knutsford
- The River Barn Wedding Pianist Poulton-le-Fylde
- Merewood Country House Wedding Pianist Windermere
- Holmes Mill Wedding Pianist Clitheroe
- The Inn on the Lake Wedding Pianist Glenridding
- Stirk House Wedding Pianist Clitheroe
Ribble Valley wedding venues make up a large number of his bookings, with Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, Shireburn Arms, Stanley House Hotel and Stirk House all regular haunts too. He also heads to the Lake District a lot, with other regular venues not mentioned above including The Belsfield, The Grange Hotel, Cragwood, Lodore Falls and Storrs Hall.
There are various piano wedding packages available in Lancashire, Cheshire, Merseyside, Cumbria, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire starting at just £550, ranging from simple piano solos during a wedding ceremony, right through to a full day of wedding music. Our packages are priced to be affordable; due to the musicians we use all being busy professional musicians working most days of the week, they do not need to surcharge for weddings at weekends.
Pianos
The pianos available as standard within all wedding packages include a portable baby grand in white, and one in gloss black. A more compact white electric piano is available too.
Craig can also arrange the supply of full-sized acoustic grand pianos, although there is really no need to go to the expense with the portable ones looking so stunning!
Corporate Event Clients
As well as wedding music, Craig is a popular choice at venues for restaurant, hotel and corporate piano entertainment. Local and national corporate clients have included:
- Bartle Hall
- Best Western Hotels
- The Born Free Foundation
- Haven Holidays
- Hilton Hotels
- Holmes Mill
- James' Places
- M&S Bank
- Mercure Hotels
- Mitton Hall
- Pure Elegance Events
- Shireburn Arms
- Stanley House Hotel
- TalkTalk
- The Villa Group
- West Tower
- Whittles Jewellers
Happy Customers
Craig never asks for references. Once you've had your big day, you want to be left alone in peace to enjoy your first days of married life; the last thing you want it suppliers pestering you for reviews, or worse: award nominations! Still, most couples do choose to get in touch at some point when things have settled down, with letters, cards and emails of thanks and recommendation. Please browse below just a small selection of these. There are many more on Craig's Facebook Page.
We Would 1000% Recommend Booking Craig
Wow, what a day! Craig (and Chris who joined on violin for the ceremony) was just perfect in every way! They played some cracking music for our guests and the music played during the ceremony was so emotional. We would 1000% recommend booking Craig for your wedding, you will not regret it and will not be disappointed!
- Mr & Mrs Hill
Wedding Ceremony, Drinks Reception & Wedding Breakfast - Piano / Vioin Duo
West Tower - Aughton - September 9th, 2021
Can Play Pretty Much Anything
Booking Craig was probably the only decision I got to make about the day, and it was without doubt one of the best decisions of the day. He is mega talented and can play pretty much anything asked of him. He set the tone perfectly for the ceremony and drinks reception, taking his piano outside in the sun to continue the entertainment after the ceremony. Lots of our guests commented on how good he was. I would recommend him without hesitation.
- Aled
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception - Solo Piano
Bartle Hall - Bartle Hall - July 25th, 2021
Amazing From Start To Finish
Craig played whilst I walked down the aisle, during the drinks reception and during our wedding breakfast. He was amazing from start to finish, from playing Irish songs requested by my husband's family to learning my husband's favourite song from scratch. He was complimented throughout the night and still to this day. Thankyou for making our day extra special.
- Melissa
Wedding Ceremony, Drinks Reception & Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano
Meols Hall - Southport - July 16th, 2021
Communication Was Excellent
Craig was excellent. I booked him as a surprise for my wedding. His communication prior was excellent and his portfolio of tunes covered everything. Would recommend, 5 star service.
- John
Guests' Arrivals & Drinks Reception - Solo Piano
Bartle Hall - Preston - July 11th, 2021
Personal Songs
Craig was the pianist at my wedding, he played before the ceremony, during the ceremony and at the drinks reception. Craig did an amazing job, we got so many comments on how beautiful his playing was. Craig did not require us to pick from a song list and we got all the personal songs we wanted on the day performed perfectly by Craig... even the lego movie theme tune. Craig really was an amazing addition to our wedding!
- Lauren & Scott
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception - Solo Piano
The Tithebarn - Skipton - December 13th, 2019
Out Of This World!!
Craig performed at our wedding on Saturday & he was out of this world!! We would highly recommend him to anybody wanting a pianist he is truly talented. All our guests commented on how fantastic he was.
- Danielle & Paul
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception - Sax & Piano Duo
Samlesbury Hotel - Preston - May 19th, 2018
Absolutely Fantastic!
I booked Craig & John to play piano and sax at our wedding on 4th February 2018 at Peckforton Castle. They were absolutely fantastic! They played music during our service and reception and it was warming and beautiful. So happy! I requested a handful of songs that meant something to us but then decided to let John and Craig decide the rest and we were not disappointed. Complete professionals, friendly and such stars! Highly recommend! Thank you so much, you made our day!
- Victoria & James
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception - Sax & Piano Duo
Peckforton Castle - Tarporley - February 4th, 2018
Magical
Me and my husband would like to thank you for your wonderful music at our wedding ceremony at Newhouse Farm. We were blown away by your professionalism and your talent. It really made our day even more magical than we had anticipated. We just wish that you lived in our house and played your piano there 24/7. Thank you so much!
- Lizzie & Lance
Whole Day Wedding Package - Solo Piano
New House Farm - Lorton, nr. Keswick - March 18th, 2017
Our Guests Were Awestruck
We got married on Saturday 17th September at Samlesbury Hall and were literally blown away by Craig. He is so talented and genuinely made our day. Craig set the atmosphere so perfectly and our guests were awestruck. He even helped me do my speech by playing along with cards I held. Nothing was too much and he played so beautifully, I had tears in my eyes. Thank you so much Craig, you're the best!
- Hollie & James
Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano
Samlesbury Hall - Preston - September 17th, 2016
Made My Husband's Day
My new husband & I would like to say a MASSIVE thank you for playing at our wedding. You made our wedding breakfast perfect & made my husband's day by playing Z-cars! We couldn't recommend you highly enough. Thanks for everything!
- Louise and Martin
Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano
The Villa - Wrea Green - September 16th, 2016
Had Me In Tears!
My husband and I would like to say a massive thank you for the beautiful music you arranged and played at our wedding on the 13th of August at the Last Drop Village. My entrance music was just perfect and even though the day went by in such a blur, I'll always remember hearing it before I came in the room, it had me in tears! It was all so beautiful and our guests loved it.
- Charlotte and Matthew
Wedding Ceremony - Piano & Violin
Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa - Bolton - August 13th, 2016
Professional and Reliable
How lovely yesterday was to work with a professional and reliable pianist as yourself Craig. Look forward to doing so again soon. Mr & Mrs Taylor loved it!
- Donna Brown, Pure Elegance Weddings & Events Ltd [Wedding Planner]
Wedding Ceremony, Drinks Reception & Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano (ceremony); Piano & Sax (reception) and Piano & Vocals (meal)
Eaves Hall - Clitheroe - July 1st, 2016
Nothing Was Too Much Hassle
We booked Craig for our wedding at Barton grange in June 2016. Nothing was too much hassle, he was even prepared to learn music that he had never played before. Having the piano played as guests entered the room made the setting even more perfect. All of our guest commented on how lovely it was having Craig play the piano whilst relaxing having a drink and said it was nice just to sit listening to him play. We couldn't recommend Craig enough.
- Lucy and Anthony
Drinks Reception & Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano
Barton Grange Hotel - Preston - June 4th, 2016
Absolutely Perfect
With love and thanks for your help in making our wedding day everything we dreamed of and more! Thanks you so much for playing at our drinks reception and wedding breakfast, your music was absolutely perfect and we would recommend you to everyone.
- Laura and Craig
Drinks Reception & Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano
Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa - Southport - March 26th, 2016
Would Highly Recommend!
Just want to say a massive thanks to Craig for playing at our wedding on 13th Feb - he was absolutely fantastic throughout and so helpful! I had very specific requirements as to the procession music and Craig put me totally at ease that all would go to plan and really delivered on the day! Thanks Craig! Would highly recommend!
- Steph and Carl
Whole Day Package - Solo Piano
Peckforton Castle - Cheshire - February 13, 2016
Fantastic Decision
I just wanted to say on behalf of all of us - a huge thank you for your great playing at our wedding yesterday. It was a fantastic decision to choose you and it was nice to simply get on with things without having to worry, knowing that the music was taken care of. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend you and certainly would use you again for other family occasions.
- Alan Taylor (father of the bride)
Ceremony & Drinks Reeption - Solo Piano
Carden Park - Cheshire - October 11, 2015
What a Great Job
Just watching our wedding video and I wanted to say what a great job you did playing the piano at our wedding at Eaves Hall last November. Your performance of Paradise by Coldplay was awesome and our videographer got it all. You should have it on your website. Thank you so much, albeit belated!
- Sue and Oliver
Wedding Ceremony & Drinks Reception - Solo Piano
Eaves Hall - Clitheroe - November 1st, 2014
Awesome
You were too awesome for words!
- Derek Gustard [wedding magician]
Heard Craig while working - Drinks Reception - Solo Piano The Villa - Wrea Green - August 30th, 2014
Professional Throughout
Just a quick message to say a massive thank you for playing at our wedding. All our guests commented on how beautiful the music was, you were a very special part of our day. You were professional throughout and it was a pleasure to have you with us. We had a truly magical day. We won't hesitate in recommending you to our friends and family in the future.
- Emma & Damien
Wedding Breakfast - Solo Piano
Mytton Fold - Whalley - August 30th, 2013
Perfect Backdrop to our Beautiful Day
Thank you so much for the amazing music you played which was the perfect backdrop to our beautiful day.
- Caroline & Ian
Cocktail Reception - Piano & Sax
Mitton Hall - Clitheroe - July 6th, 2013
Beautiful Musical Arrangements
Thank you so much for your beautiful musical arrangements, many of our guests commented about "the wonderful music". We had a fantastic day and all ran like clockwork.
- Juliet & Gary
Wedding Ceremony - Solo Piano
Bolton School - Bolton - August 26th, 2012