Frequently Asked Questions

What is your pricing?

Live Music Collections | $1,800 – $3,200
Studio Recordings | $150 – $1,200

For specific pricing, visit:
Weddings, Events, Funerals & Studio

What’S includeD?

Professional pianos & sound
Wireless mic for ceremony & speeches
Prelude music as guests arrive
Curated ambient music for breaks
Personalized song selections
3 to 5 custom song requests
Travel within 1 hr of Ottawa
Taxes

What’S EXTRA?

Parking for downtown venues
Additional custom song requests
Travel beyond 1-hour of Ottawa

Late-night logistics requiring overnight accommodation

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% fee)

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.

What Are your Site Requirements?

Can you perform outdoors?

Each performance location must have on-site parking, dolly/wheel access (no stairs), power within 25ft, and solid cover for outdoor locations (min. 10’x 10′ weighted/staked tent or canopy with at least one sidewall to block low-angle sun and wind).

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.

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.

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.

Do you bring your own piano?

Yes, I provide everything I need, including professional digital pianos and sound systems that sound incredible.

My digital piano & sound system in the NAC O’Born Room

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.

Grand piano live music at the National Gallery’s Great Hall

Can you provide a microphone for ceremony or speeches?

Yes, I can provide a wireless mic for your ceremony and speeches.

Do you have a backup if something happens to you?

I take my commitments very seriously. In 16+ 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.

How do we choose our wedding music?

Ceremony & First Dance

You are welcome to choose any songs that are meaningful to you for your ceremony and first dances. Depending on your chosen collection, 3 to 5 custom song requests are included. This allows me to create bespoke arrangements specifically for your most important moments such as the Processional, Signing, Recessional, and First Dances. For further inspiration, you can browse my curated song lists which feature hundreds of pieces I already know and love to perform.

Prelude, Cocktail & Dinner

Select favourites from my lists—or leave it to me to create the perfect ambiance.

What is the Typical Placement of Music for Weddings?

Ceremony Music

Prelude  |  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  |  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

Prelude  |  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  |  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 we need to rehearse?

No, a rehearsal is not necessary. I will synchronize the music in real time on your event day to match the flow and ensure everything runs seamlessly. There is no need to practice the timing of your processional song or have me attend the wedding rehearsal.

Can you record a song for us?

Yes, I am happy to. Please visit my Studio page for full details.

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.

How long should our first dance be?

1–3 minutes is ideal—long enough to enjoy the moment, short enough to keep guests engaged. A verse and the chorus of your chosen song is usually perfect.

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.

Can we use the original artist’s recording of a song?

Yes! I can play any recorded music you’d like, just like a DJ.

What happens during your breaks?

I have pre-set appropriate playlists for breaks. For ceremonies and cocktails, I usually don’t take breaks. For longer events, brief breaks are ideally timed with speeches.