Eaves Hall Wedding Pianist | Craig Smith Music

Eaves Hall in Lancashire is one of the Ribble Valley’s most highly-regarded wedding venues, known for its grand country house setting, sweeping grounds and elegant ceremony and reception spaces.

Wedding pianist Craig Smith regularly performs at Eaves Hall, providing music for ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts. Live piano music fits perfectly here, adding atmosphere from the moment guests arrive through to the wedding breakfast and beyond, whether it’s creating a sense of anticipation as guests take their seats, or providing a relaxed and engaging backdrop during the reception.

At Eaves Hall, the piano is often used to enhance the sense of occasion. With a range of indoor and outdoor spaces available throughout the venue, Craig's portable baby grand pianos allow music to move seamlessly between each part of the celebration so you're not limited to music in the entrance hall and can maintain a consistent atmosphere from start to finish.

Craig's music is carefully selected in real time, based on your preferences, to help shape the flow of an Eaves Hall wedding day in a way that feels personal to each couple and expertly builds the energy as the day progresses. You can enjoy a video of him performing at Eaves Hall below.

Over 20 Years Playing at Eaves Hall Weddings

Craig first began performing at Eaves Hall over 20 years ago, making it one of his longest-standing venues. He has since played there regularly for weddings and events, and is frequently recommended by the James’ Places team.

That experience means couples don’t need to second-guess how the music will work on the day. From positioning the piano in each space to timing music around key moments, everything comes naturally with a clear understanding of how weddings at Eaves Hall flow.

Eaves Hall's piano in the foyer is central to many couples' musical plans. It's an old instrument and not the easiest to play, with many unusual quirks, so a pianist with vast experience on that instrument is highly recommended. They'll know how to adapt your chosen music to suit the instrument.

Craig’s portable baby grand pianos, which you'll be able to choose in white or gloss black, may be used throughout the venue, from the Ballroom and Dining Room to outdoor locations such as the veranda, Wedding Pavilion and gardens. This flexibility allows live music to remain a consistent part of the day, wherever each section of the wedding takes place, without the loss of music that would occur through moving equipment.

Even on bookings where couples only intend Craig to play the venue's piano, he'll bring a portable baby grand just in case because, more so than many venues, guests at Eaves Hall will head outside during the drinks reception if it's dry. Having an outdoor option means your guests don't have to choose between drinks in the sun and enjoying the entertainment you've so carefully chosen for them.

Piano Music for an Eaves Hall Wedding Day

At Eaves Hall, piano music is typically used to highlight key moments, whether that’s welcoming guests into the house, accompanying the ceremony or creating a relaxed atmosphere during the wedding breakfast with the added fun of totally unlimited live requests for guests. Couples are able to choose music for any and all of the follwing:

• Guests’ arrival hour before the ceremony
• Wedding ceremony including guests' seating
• Drinks reception
• Wedding breakfast
• Room turnaround / early evening

Eaves Hall is also the ideal location for outdoor ceremonies and alfresco drinks receptions, and Craig’s portable baby grand pianos can be set up in multiple locations for those.

Given its age, Eaves Hall's piano does struggle to hold its tune so it's important to ask the venue to tune the piano for you if you're intending to use it. That said, Craig always carries tuning equipment when visiting Eaves and will be happy to "nip up" the tuning to ensure the best possible sound — something most pianists aren't able to do.