07766 815982 info@stuarttoogoodguitarist.com
Planning · 2026-02-18

How Far in Advance Should You Book a Wedding Guitarist?

By Stuart Toogood, acoustic wedding guitarist, Worcestershire

This is one of the most practical questions I get asked, and the honest answer is: sooner than you think.

When do wedding dates get booked?

The most popular wedding dates, Saturdays in June, July, August, and September, tend to be booked 12 to 18 months in advance. I am often fully booked on peak summer Saturdays more than a year ahead. If you have a specific date in mind, it is always worth checking availability early.

What if my date is less than a year away?

Do not panic. Dates become available for many reasons, venue changes, cancellations, couples who originally planned a larger wedding and then scaled back. I always have some dates available at shorter notice, and it is always worth asking. Even if I am unavailable, I can sometimes recommend other guitarists.

How do I secure my date?

A £100 deposit secures your date. The remaining balance can be paid before or on the day, whichever works best for you. The deposit is a gesture of commitment from both sides: it tells me you are serious about the booking, and it means I will hold that date for you and turn away other enquiries.

What happens after I book?

Once you have paid the deposit, we are confirmed. I then invite you to come to the house, at a time that suits you, usually a few months before the wedding, to sit and listen, choose your ceremony songs, and talk through how the day will work. There is no rush. We have time to get it right.

Can I enquire before I know my venue?

Yes. Many couples contact me before they have confirmed their venue, particularly if they have a specific date in mind. I can provisionally hold a date for a short period while you finalise your venue, and then we formalise the booking once everything is confirmed.

If you would like to check my availability for your date, the easiest way is to use the enquiry form. I will come back to you within 24 hours with availability and any initial questions.

Stuart Toogood is an acoustic wedding guitarist based in Worcestershire, available across the Midlands for weddings, private events, and celebrations of life. With over 20 years experience and approximately 450 weddings performed, he specialises in contemporary acoustic arrangements for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, and wedding breakfasts. Read more about Stuart or enquire about your date.

450+
Weddings performed across the Midlands
20+
Years as a professional wedding musician
Recommended
Curradine Barns · Gorcott Hall · Arley House & more
Fully insured
PAT tested equipment · Public liability cover
Questions answered

Frequently asked questions

What is the earliest I should book a wedding guitarist?
As soon as you have your venue and date confirmed. The most popular dates, Saturdays in June, July, August, and September, can book up 12 to 18 months in advance. Once you know your date, it is worth checking availability early even if you are still deciding on other aspects of your music.
Can I still book if my wedding is only a few months away?
Often yes. Dates become available for many reasons, cancellations, postponements, couples who scaled back their plans. It is always worth enquiring even at short notice. I will tell you honestly if I am unavailable for your date, and where I can I will suggest other guitarists who might be free.
How does the deposit work?
A £100 deposit secures your date and I turn away all other enquiries from that point. The remaining balance is due a week or two before the wedding. The deposit is non-refundable but if you need to postpone I am always happy to transfer the booking to a new date, subject to availability.
What happens between booking and the wedding?
After the deposit, we confirm the booking and stay in touch as your plans develop. A few months before the wedding I invite you to come over to the house to go through your song choices, your entrance piece, the register music, the exit, and to talk through how the day will flow. Then a week or two before the wedding we confirm all the final details.
Ready to talk?

Enquire about your date

I am always happy to have a conversation with no obligation, about your venue, your song choices, or simply whether live guitar would work for the kind of day you are planning.

Get in touch View song list