Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What kind of harp do you offer?
- What’s the difference between your harps and a Celtic harp?
- Which wedding consultants do you work with?
- May I contract you privately?
- Do you play your harp for outdoor events?
- Will you be able to play for my beach wedding?
- What’s the weather usually like on Maui?
- How would you suggest I go about choosing my wedding music? There are so many pieces out there, and a lot of the Classical selections I don’t know by title.
- How do I go about reserving a day, and how far ahead is it necessary to book a musician?
Q: What kind of harp do you offer?
A: You can see two harps pictured throughout the site. I play both a gold symphonic pedal harp and a standard lever harp. For a more detailed explanation, please see the page on Instruments.
Q: What’s the difference between your harps and a Celtic harp?
A: All harps are not created equal. I play two different harps, one a symphonic concert harp that most people visualize when thinking of a harp; the other a slightly smaller, concert-tension lever harp. We offer the only lever harp with concert tension on Maui, which makes for a fuller, richer sound than other Celtic style harps. For more details please see Instruments.
Q: Which wedding consultants do you work with?
A: I work with all consultants! I also work through many of the music agencies here on Maui, as well as from O‘ahu and the Big Island. Check out my Links page to find some of my favorite wedding coordinators who offer the most professional service, based on my 13 years of working with many of them here on Maui.
Q: I am making my own arrangements. May I contract you privately?
A: Yes, certainly, I’m very glad to work with you directly. Please be aware, though, that wedding consultants often offer packages for weddings that include a musician, and you may very well get an overall “better deal” than ordering each individual service yourself. Just be sure to ask your wedding consultant to call Heavenly Harps specifically, as not only are all harps not created equal, but all harpists are not the same. I will be delighted to provide music for your wedding or event. Please see the Links page for some consultants who frequently work with us.
Q: Do you play your harp for outdoor events?
A: Absolutely. However, please be aware that the instruments we offer are made out of wood and must be treated with the same respect that one would a very fine piece of antique furniture. Therefore, we cannot have harps in direct sun nor in a place where they may be splashed with water. Likewise, instruments must be protected from the rain.
Q: Will you be able to play for my beach wedding?
A: I am happy to bring my lever harp on grass near a beach, even possibly out on the sand, but once again, complete care must be made to protect the instruments from the elements, whether it be full sun or rising surf.
Q: You mentioned rain. What’s the weather usually like on Maui?
A: Weather in South Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena area) is generally beautiful year-round, with occasional dashes of rain. During winter, you can expect to have more wet weather, but many brides still choose our lovely months of January, February, and March for their wedding months. For a weather link for South Maui, click here:
It sprinkles more frequently on the Westside (Lahaina, Ka‘anapali, Napili, Kapalua), even during the summer months. However, many of the rain showers are short-lived and are over as quickly as they came, leaving everything fresh, greener, and blessed with a rainbow!
Lahaina (West Maui) area weather, click here:
Q: How would you suggest I go about choosing my wedding music? There are so many pieces out there, and a lot of the Classical selections I don’t know by title.
A: First, check out my article entitled “How to Select Your Wedding Music”. Also, visit the Repertoire page where I have sorted the most commonly performed music selections by category according to where each is most often used in a ceremony. Also, many of the pieces on the Repertoire page have sound files to give you a feel of what the music is like.
As well, on my “How to” page, there are links to some CDs that will help you make your choices. While not all of these CDs feature harpists, they will give you an idea of what the music sounds like, and most of the selections may be performed on a harp.
Q: How do I go about reserving a day and how far ahead is it necessary to book a musician?
A: Good question! With the popularity of Maui as a conference and wedding destination ever growing, it’s good to book in advance as soon as you can. Maui is the “Wedding Capital of the World”, especially during the months of May, June, September, and October!
If you won’t be using a Wedding Consultant or music agency and wish to book harp or ensemble services directly, you may do so by phoning: (808) 870-6050, faxing: (808) 874-3836, or emailing: harpinfo@heavenlyharps.com
