Holmes Mill Wedding Pianist | Craig Smith Music

Holmes Mill is one of the Ribble Valley’s most distinctive wedding venues, where wedding pianist Craig Smith regularly provides live piano music for ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts. With its industrial character, stylish interiors and the contrast between the Cotton Room and the Bistro, Holmes Mill offers a brilliant setting for live piano music throughout the wedding day.

The video below shows Craig playing a jazz and swing set during a busy Holmes Mill drinks reception in the 1920s-styled Bistro. It's a perfect example of how live piano music can complement the surroundings and add atmosphere while guests mingle, chat and celebrate.

Craig has been playing at Holmes Mill for well over a decade and is a familiar face there. As well as performing regularly for weddings and other functions, he has also provided music for Holmes Mill's own events such as the Gin Festival, giving him a real understanding of how the venue works and what styles of music fit best within its distinctive spaces for different types of celebration.

Holmes Mill is part of the James’ Places collection of venues, and Craig is regularly recommended by staff across the group. He performs very frequently at Holmes Mill's sister venues Mitton Hall and Eaves Hall, making him a well-known and trusted presence within the "Dream Venues".

Your Holmes Mill Wedding Piano Music

Music at Holmes Mill usually begins as guests take their seats for the ceremony in the Cotton Room, where Craig provides one of his elegant 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!

Piano 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.