Holmes Mill Wedding Pianist | Craig Smith Wedding Music

Looking for live wedding music at Holmes Mill? Craig Smith is one of the venue's longest-serving wedding pianists, providing live piano music throughout the day for ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts.

Holmes Mill is one of the Ribble Valley’s most distinctive wedding venues, combining the light-filled Cotton Room with the characterful Bistro. Craig has been performing there for well over a decade, making him a familiar face for ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts.

Holmes Mill is part of the James’ Places collection of venues, and Craig is regularly recommended by staff across the group. He performs particularly often at Holmes Mill's sister venues Mitton Hall and Eaves Hall, and has played other JP non-wedding events such as Holmes Mill's Gin Festival and retreat weekends at Eaves, making him a trusted presence within the "Dream Venues".

Wedding Music Throughout Your Holmes Mill Wedding

Wedding music at Holmes Mill usually begins as guests take their seats for the ceremony in the Cotton Room, where Craig provides one of his portable baby grand pianos. In this large space, there are two options: position the piano close to the action, or place it at the back of the room. At the back of the room, a PA system is also recommended to help fill the space with sound, but if positioned closer this won't be needed and you'll achieve a more natural piano experience.

Afterwards, the celebration usually moves into the venue’s striking art deco Bistro for the drinks reception, where Craig performs on the fantastic Bechstein grand piano. This piano is well-maintained and works for all styles, whether it's something relaxing or more upbeat. There's something about this space that encourages guests to come out of their shell and chat to Craig to make requests (have a watch of the instagram reel on the video page to enjoy watching guests get interactive at Holmes Mill!).

Following the drinks reception, music may continue into the wedding breakfast, whether that remains in the Bistro or returns upstairs to the Cotton Room using Craig's portable baby grand piano — you'll have a choice of white or gloss black models for any part of the day that requires piano provision.

We'd recommend the black baby grand to work with the industrial chic of the cotton room, but if you've lots of softer decor, the white might be the choice for you!

Wedding Music At Holmes Mill Weddings

Generally, couples book piano music to start either with guests taking seats for the ceremony or as they enter the Bistro for the drinks reception. Ceremony bookings almost always include the drinks reception, and most bookings also include the meal. Occasionally, couples choose music to fill the gap between the meal and the evening party. You'll be able to choose from the following parts of the day:

• Wedding ceremony
• Drinks reception
• Wedding breakfast
• Room turnaround / early evening

Music can start earlier in the Bistro if guests are arriving to the bar there rather than the Beer Hall, too.

As well as solo piano, using the venue's piano or one of Craig's portable baby grand pianos, Craig also works with other wedding musicians at Holmes Mill:

• Piano and singers (including fellow recommended musician Sochia)
• Piano with violin
• Piano and sax entertainment