Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
Pricing
– Live Music –
1 hour – *$1800 | 2 hours – $2000
3 hours – $2200 | 4 hours – $2400
5 hours – $2600 | 6 hours – $2800
7 hours – $3000 | 8 hours – $3200
*Prelude music before a wedding ceremony or funeral service is included in the 1 hour pricing.
Included
Piano(s) & Sound System(s)
Wireless mic for ceremony & speeches
30-60 mins of prelude music before the service
Background music for breaks
Personalized song selections
Up to 5 custom song requests
Travel within 1 hr of Ottawa
Taxes included
Add-Ons
Parking (if required)
Additional custom song requests, $50/song
Travel over 1 hr (one-way) from Ottawa
Overnight stay if travel is 11 PM – 7 AM
How do we book?
Contract and 50% deposit to reserve your date.
Balance due two weeks before the event (or full payment if event is within 2 weeks).
e-transfer | kim@kimberleydunn.com
credit card / PayPal | (+3% transaction fee)
How do we choose our wedding music?
Ceremony & First Dance
You’re welcome to choose any meaningful songs or browse my curated song lists for inspiration.
Prelude, Cocktail & Dinner
Select favourites from my lists—or leave it to me to create the perfect ambiance.
Can you learn new songs?
Yes! Up to 5 custom song requests are included. Additional songs are $50 each.
How can we choose songs easily?
Use my Song Selections Form to browse and choose your favourites.
Can you perform solo piano?
Absolutely! I can perform instrumental music for the entire event or just for specific parts like the prelude or cocktails.
Do you bring your own piano?
Yes, I provide everything I need, including digital piano(s) and sound system(s).
Can we rent a grand piano?
Absolutely! Grand pianos add such luxury and elegance. Yamaha and Steinway rentals start around $1,800 and include delivery and tuning.
What’s the smallest and largest group you’ve performed for?
I’ve performed for intimate proposals with just 2 people, as well as large audiences of up to 10,000.
Do you attend our wedding rehearsal?
I can (additional charge), but it’s usually not necessary. I’ll ensure the music is timed perfectly on the day of your event.
Should we rehearse the timing of our processional song?
No need! I’ll synchronize the music in real time to match the flow, ensuring everything runs seamlessly on your special day.
How long should our first dance be?
1–2.5 minutes is ideal—long enough to enjoy the moment, short enough to keep guests engaged.
Can you record a song for us?
Yes, happy to! Please visit my Recordings page for full details.
Can you match the music to a dance we’ve been practicing?
Absolutely! I can match the exact tempo (BPM) and adjust the song length to fit your routine perfectly.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyTlFRxAxQA/
Can we change the lyrics to a song?
Yes! If you’d like to customize the lyrics of a song, just let me know. Here’s a recording of “To Build A Home” with lyrics personalized by my couple.
Do you need to visit our venue beforehand?
No, a site visit isn’t necessary. I’ll arrive early on the event day to navigate and set up.
Can you provide a microphone for ceremony or speeches?
Yes, I can provide a wireless mic for your ceremony and speeches.
What if our wedding takes place in 2 or 3 different spaces?
I have 3 digital pianos and 3 sound systems, and will set up all spaces in advance to ensure smooth transitions between ceremony, cocktails, and dinner.
What if our wedding is in two different venues?
If there’s enough time between locations, I can travel and set up at the second venue. Otherwise, I can pre-set at the reception before the ceremony.
Can you move your equipment?
Yes, but I usually need about an hour. For events spanning multiple spaces (ceremony, cocktails, dinner), I set up each space in advance to ensure smooth transitions.
Can you perform outdoors?
Yes, with a suitable backup plan for rain, and cover if there’s no shade.
Can we use the original artist’s recording of a song?
Yes! I can play any recorded music you’d like.
We don’t have a DJ—can you play for the whole event?
Yes! I can provide live music throughout and adapt to the event’s energy. While my solo music isn’t suited for fast dancing, I can play a dance playlist—yours or mine—through my sound system.
What is your cancellation policy?
The initial 50% deposit is a non-refundable retainer. Once your date is reserved, I turn away all other inquiries. The remaining 50% (due two weeks before the event) is refundable if you cancel before that time.
If you need to reschedule, any fees already paid can be applied to a new date within the next calendar year. If I must cancel due to serious illness, injury, or force majeure, 100% of all payments will be refunded.
Do you have a backup if something happens to you?
I take my commitments very seriously. In 15+ years and 750+ events, I’ve never cancelled or been late. If an emergency arose, beyond my control, I would do my best to find a trusted replacement, but a backup cannot be officially guaranteed.
When will you arrive to set up?
Each setup takes about 30–60 minutes. I usually arrive 1–3 hours before the start time to allow for setup, sound check, and coordinating details with your venue or officiant.
What happens during your breaks?
I have a pre-set playlist for breaks. For ceremonies and cocktails, I usually don’t take breaks. For longer events, brief breaks are ideally timed with speeches.
What do you require to perform?
All I need is a chair and access to power. I bring everything else required for the performance.
What is the Typical Placement of Music for Weddings?
Ceremony Music
Prelude | 30-60 mins of music before the ceremony
Processional | entrance song(s)
Signing | song during the signing of the documents
Recessional | exit song
Catholic Ceremony Music
Depending on your church, there may be some or all of these songs, usually in this order:
Prelude | 30-60 mins of music before the ceremony
Processional | entrance song(s)
Responsorial Psalm | sung after the first reading
Gospel Acclamation | “Alleluia” sung after the second reading
Offertory Hymn | during the preparation of gifts for Communion
Communion Song | during the Communion
Signing | during the signing of the marriage documents
Recessional | exit song
Note: I do not sing the “Gloria”, “Holy, Holy”, or “Lamb of God”, as these parts of the Mass can vary from parish to parish. To honour each church’s traditions, I leave these sections to be spoken or sung by the Priest, according to their custom.
Cocktail Music
10 songs per hour
Choose your favourites from my song lists or let me curate the set.
Grand Entrance
A fun, upbeat song for your entrance.
Can be performed live or played as a recorded version (original artist).
Dinner Music
10 songs per hour
Choose your favourites from my song lists or let me curate the set.
First Dances
Bride & Groom’s First Dance
Father-Daughter Dance
Mother-Son Dance
How do we choose our funeral music?
Funeral music is deeply personal, and you’re welcome to choose any pieces that are meaningful to you. If a song isn’t already in my repertoire, I will happily learn it. Looking for ideas? Browse my curated song lists for frequently requested selections.
Typical Placement of Music for Funerals
Funeral Music
Prelude | 30-60 mins of music before the service
Processional | song that opens the service
Song(s) of Reflection | special songs of meaning, typically in between or after eulogies
Recessional | song that closes the service
Catholic Funeral Music
Depending on your church, there may be some or all of these songs:
Prelude | 30-60 mins of music before the service
Processional | song that opens the service
Responsorial Psalm | song after the 1st reading
Gospel Acclamation | “alleluia” sung after the 2nd reading
Offertory Hymn | song during the preparation of gifts for Communion
Communion Song | song during Communion
Blessing/Incensing | song during the blessing of the casket or urn
Recessional | song that closes the service
Do you have more song samples?
YOUTUBE
youtube.com/kimberleydunnmusic
INSTAGRAM REELS
instagram.com/kimberleydunnmusic/reels/
Already a client?
Complete a questionnaire to share your event details and song selections!
Song Selections Form
If you’d prefer to choose your favourite songs from a checklist, feel free to use this form.
Have a question that wasn’t answered?
I’d love to help—please feel free to reach out and ask!