Wedding singer at South Farm, Cambridgeshire
South Farm, near Royston, is a very picturesque venue and a working farm, which you notice within about a minute of arriving. Hannah and Ross had me there for three separate sets, so I saw most of the place. If you are after a wedding singer in Cambridgeshire, this is one of the rooms and courtyards I can describe from having played in them rather than from a brochure.
The set list
What I played at South Farm
Every one of these is from my write-up of the day itself, for Hannah and Ross. Your day would be built from your own choices on the planning call.
Ed Sheeran
one of the table names, played by request round the room
Bastille
table name, played during the wedding breakfast
One Republic
table name, played during the wedding breakfast
James Bay
table name, played during the wedding breakfast
Coldplay
table name, played during the wedding breakfast
Let Me Love You by Mario
the evening turnaround, upbeat and RnB
When I played there
Hannah and Ross, spring 2018
I played three sets for Hannah and Ross: one for their afternoon reception drinks, one during the wedding breakfast, and one for the turnaround as their evening guests arrived.
Their ceremony took place onsite and guests then poured out into the courtyard afterwards. It was also the first wedding with my new guitar, which did a great job.
The rooms
The rooms, and what they do to sound
The first set was outside in the courtyard, where guests spilled out after the ceremony. Ice cream was on offer, made fresh at the venue, and although it was not a hot day, friends and family still took full advantage. Playing outdoors in a courtyard means nothing reflects the sound back at you, so the PA carries more of the load and I sit closer to the edge of the crowd than the middle of it. A number of the animals, including pigs and geese, came out to say hello to us during the day.
After the drinks reception, guests made their way into the barn, which the staff had set beautifully. That is where the meal and, later, the first dance and evening celebrations happened.
For the turnaround I moved back into another part of the farm, where the newly arrived evening guests were gathering. Three positions across one day at South Farm is straightforward enough, it just needs to be in the plan rather than sprung on the day.
How the day ran
What Hannah and Ross booked
Three parts of the day, in day order. Each table in the barn was named after a musical act Hannah and Ross had been to see, so I asked round the room and played a song by each of them, which is about as personal as a wedding breakfast set gets. By the turnaround it was appropriate to play some more upbeat numbers, and RnB tunes were going down well.
- Afternoon drinks reception£500
45 to 60 minutes
- Wedding breakfast£600
2 × 45 minutes
- Evening drinks and turnaround£500
45 to 60 minutes
The practical bits
Access, power and getting set up
Hannah and Ross had their speeches before the meal rather than at the end, which is an increasingly popular option and means the father of the bride, the groom and the best men actually enjoy their food. It also changes when I stop and start, so it is worth telling me early.
I worked alongside photographer Lily Lane Photography, with Sophie Lake as second shooter, and videographer Danny Jack. All of them did a very professional job and were easy to work around.
Beyond that, I will call your coordinator, ask about access, power and any sound limiter, and turn up knowing what I am walking into.
The full write-up from the day: Hannah and Ross's day at South Farm.
For coordinators
- One musician, one guitar, one mic stand, one PA. Footprint about 2m by 1m.
- Sets up in twenty minutes, packs down in twenty.
- Battery-powered PA available where there is no power.
- Public liability insurance, certificate sent to the venue on request.
- I will ring you the week before to sort out access, power and any sound limiter.
- I will always have a plan for the weather changing its mind.
Proof
What couples say
I can't edit these. Go and look.
Availability
Playing at South Farm?
Send me the date and I'll tell you within 24 hours whether I'm free. No deposit, no obligation.
Or call me on 07739 469321