Sydney Wedding Guitarist

Pro

Category: GuitaristsLocation: Sydney-wide

Highlights

Solo acoustic guitarist and singer Dave Calandra, with more than 400 weddings behind him
Battery-powered sound system for beach, garden and other outdoor ceremonies
Travels beyond Sydney to the Hunter, the Illawarra, the Southern Highlands and the Blue Mountains

About Sydney Wedding Guitarist

Sydney Wedding Guitarist is the working name of Dave Calandra, a guitarist and vocalist who has spent around two decades performing solo and has played well over 400 weddings. His ceremony venues have ranged from beach headlands and harbourside lawns to city cathedrals, wineries, country estates and private homes, and he sits on the preferred-supplier lists of several harbourside venues. The sound is acoustic and relaxed: fingerstyle guitar, vocals and occasional harmonica, drawing on classic songwriters and more recent artists alongside a few of his own songs. Instrumental pieces suit the pre-ceremony prelude, traditional choices such as Canon in D work for the processional, and a song that matters to the couple usually fills the five or so minutes of register signing. Afterwards the cocktail set stays low enough for conversation. He is a single performer rather than a dance band, so once the dance floor opens he hands over to the DJ. Packages cover ceremony only, ceremony plus canapés (the most requested option, starting at two hours), a full ceremony-to-reception day of four to six hours, or a one to two hour cocktail set. Every booking includes consultations, song suggestions, liaison with the venue coordinator about load-in and sound limits, insured professional audio gear and dress to suit the setting. A battery-powered system handles outdoor ceremonies without mains power, and he learns special song requests for an extra fee. Corporate and private functions, including mid-week events, are quoted on request.

Inclusions & amenities

Entertainment type

Guitarists

Pricing

Sydney Wedding Guitarist does not publish prices; each booking is quoted on the date, duration and location. Travel, multiple locations and special song requests can change the quote.

Performance Details

Solo guitar and vocals. Packages run from a ceremony-only set to a one to two hour cocktail set, a two to three hour ceremony and canapés booking, or four to six hours from ceremony to reception. All sound equipment is supplied and set up, with a battery-powered rig for outdoor ceremonies; he usually sets up across the aisle from the signing table and needs shelter in rain or extreme heat. A microphone and speaker for the celebrant can be hired as an extra.

Frequently asked questions

How many musicians does Sydney Wedding Guitarist send?

Just one. Dave Calandra performs alone on acoustic guitar and vocals, which keeps the footprint small and the cost below that of a full wedding band.

Can Dave play a wedding ceremony with no power?

Yes. He carries a battery-powered sound system for beach, bush and garden ceremonies or any remote spot without a power point.

Will he play through the reception dancing?

He covers background music through canapés, dinner, cake cutting and the first dance, but he is not a dance band, so a DJ usually takes over for the party set.

Can we hear Dave play before booking?

Yes. He plays public venues several nights a week and couples are welcome to come along, and there are audio and video samples on his site.

Will he learn a song that is not on his list?

Most songs can be arranged for guitar, and he plays them in his own style. Learning a special request usually adds a fee depending on the work involved.

Areas we service

Northern BeachesInner WestMacarthurSutherland ShireNorth ShoreEastern SuburbsSouth West SydneyHawkesburySouthern SydneyWestern SydneyHills DistrictSydney CBD & Surrounds