How Much Does a Wedding Violinist Cost?
A wedding violinist for the ceremony costs $725 to $925 with Julie Schatz, depending on how far your venue is from Brooklyn. Ceremony plus cocktail hour runs $1,250 to $1,450. Every booking includes the sound system, prelude music and up to three song requests from the repertoire.
Four things change the price: your travel zone, the number of hours, whether you add piano or the Soul Shades duo, and any custom song arrangements. The full table for every zone is below. You can also see the full 255-song repertoire or go straight to booking options.
See your starting price
Same numbers as the tables below. Pick what you need and the starting price updates. Add your date and Julie checks it against her calendar right away.
Includes the sound system, prelude music and up to three song requests from the repertoire. Your final quote depends on your date, venue and hours.
Wedding pricing
Every wedding booking includes up to 3 song requests from the existing repertoire, a low-profile high-fidelity sound system, and prelude coverage. Piano is priced as its own service — different setup, different footprint.
| Service | Zone 1 · Under 20 mi | Zone 2 · 20–40 mi | Zone 3 · 40–60 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| ViolinCeremony or cocktail hour, to 1 hr. | $725 | $825 | $925 |
| PianoCeremony or cocktail hour, to 1 hr. | $875 | $975 | $1,075 |
| ViolinCeremony and cocktail hour. | $1,250 | $1,350 | $1,450 |
| PianoCeremony and cocktail hour. | $1,450 | $1,550 | $1,650 |
| Violin and pianoAcross the event. | $1,550 | $1,650 | $1,750 |
Additional hour $300, any zone. Zone 4 (60+ miles from Brooklyn — Hamptons, North Fork, deep Hudson Valley, inland CT such as Candlewood Inn): custom-quoted, includes overnight when required.
DJ and live violin
Full DJ setup with live violin performed over the set, sound and lighting included. One vendor for the whole night.
| Booking | Zone 1 · Under 20 mi | Zone 2 · 20–40 mi | Zone 3 · 40–60 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Added to a ceremony or cocktail bookingOne vendor across the day. One load-in, one contact. | $3,800 | $4,000 | $4,200 |
| Standalone, 4 hoursReception only, no ceremony or cocktail booking. | $4,500 | $4,700 | $4,900 |
Additional hour $500.
Private event pricing
Milestone birthdays, mitzvahs, sweet sixteens, anniversaries, engagement parties, baby showers, estate and yacht parties. Base rates match the wedding page — same instrument, same preparation, same travel.
| Service | Zone 1 · Under 20 mi | Zone 2 · 20–40 mi | Zone 3 · 40–60 mi |
|---|---|---|---|
| ViolinTo 1 hour. | $725 | $825 | $925 |
| PianoTo 1 hour. | $875 | $975 | $1,075 |
| Violin2 hours. | $1,025 | $1,125 | $1,225 |
| Piano2 hours. | $1,175 | $1,275 | $1,375 |
Additional hour $300, any zone.
DJ and live violin · 4 hours
| Booking | Zone 1 | Zone 2 | Zone 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DJ + live violinFull DJ setup with live violin over the set, sound and lighting included. | $4,500 | $4,700 | $4,900 |
Additional hour $500. Yacht, estate and Hamptons events quoted individually.
Investment
Custom Songs & Special Requests
Custom arrangements outside the existing repertoire, instrumental versions of repertoire songs, and short-lead-time bookings. Send the song reference as early as possible. 4–6 weeks of lead time is typical for a brand-new arrangement.
How It Works
Retainer & Contract
50% non-refundable retainer + signed performance agreement secures the date. Remaining balance due before the event.
Travel Zones · Measured from Brooklyn (11216)
Zone 1 (under 20 mi) — Included. All of NYC (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island), Hoboken, Jersey City, and closer parts of Northern NJ / Westchester / Nassau.
Zone 2 (20–40 mi) — Flat +$100. Most of Long Island (Oheka Castle, Garden City Hotel), most of Westchester (Tappan Hill, Blue Hill at Stone Barns), most of Northern NJ (Montclair, Pendry Natirar, Park Chateau), and Greenwich CT.
Zone 3 (40–60 mi) — Flat +$200. Fairfield County CT (Stamford, Norwalk, Westport), Falkirk Estate, deeper Suffolk, southern Hudson Valley, Central NJ, Princeton.
Zone 4 (60+ mi) — Custom quote. Hamptons, North Fork, deep Hudson Valley, inland CT (Candlewood Inn, Litchfield), and destination gigs. Julie vets these on inquiry; overnight may be required.
Song Requests
Up to 3 songs from the existing repertoire are included with every booking. Custom arrangements outside the repertoire are an add-on; ideally booked 4–6 weeks ahead.
Sound System
Every booking includes a low-profile, high-fidelity PA scaled to the venue: wired XLR for indoor rooms, battery-powered amplification for outdoor lawns and rooftops, and wireless lavalier mics on request.
Response Time
Julie reviews every inquiry personally and responds within 24 hours. A short video call follows before any agreement is signed.
Lead Time
For Saturday weddings in peak season, 6–12 months out is typical. Off-season, weeknight, and corporate bookings often work on shorter timelines.
Wedding Violinist Pricing: Common Questions
How much is a violinist for a wedding ceremony?
A ceremony with solo violin is $725 in Zone 1 (under 20 miles from Brooklyn, which covers all of NYC, Hoboken and Jersey City), $825 in Zone 2 (20 to 40 miles) and $925 in Zone 3 (40 to 60 miles). That covers up to one hour: prelude music as guests arrive, the processional, and the recessional. The sound system and up to three song requests from the repertoire are included.
How much is a violinist for the ceremony and cocktail hour?
Ceremony plus cocktail hour on violin is $1,250 in Zone 1, $1,350 in Zone 2 and $1,450 in Zone 3. On piano it is $1,450, $1,550 and $1,650. With Julie playing both violin and piano across the event it is $1,550, $1,650 and $1,750. This is the most-booked wedding package and runs about two hours.
How much do violinists charge per hour?
Julie prices by package, not by the hour, because setup, travel and preparation are the same whether she plays 40 minutes or 60. The first hour of violin is $725 in Zone 1. Each additional hour is $300 in any zone. For a private event, two hours of violin is $1,025 in Zone 1.
Is travel included?
Yes for Zone 1, which is anywhere under 20 miles from Brooklyn: all five boroughs, Hoboken and Jersey City. Zone 2 (20 to 40 miles, most of Long Island, Westchester, Northern NJ and Greenwich) adds a flat $100. Zone 3 (40 to 60 miles) adds a flat $200. The prices in the tables already include those amounts, so the number you see for your zone is the number you pay. Zone 4 (60 miles and beyond, including the Hamptons and inland Connecticut) is quoted individually.
How much is a violin and piano duo?
There are two ways to get violin and piano. Julie plays both herself and switches between them across the event for $1,550 in Zone 1, $1,650 in Zone 2 and $1,750 in Zone 3. The Soul Shades duo is two musicians playing violin and piano together, and starts at $2,875 for a ceremony in NYC, or $3,825 for ceremony plus cocktail hour. See the duo page for details.
How far ahead should we book?
For a Saturday wedding in peak season (May through October), 6 to 12 months ahead is typical. Weeknight, Sunday and off-season dates often work on shorter timelines, sometimes three to four weeks. Bookings made less than two weeks out carry a 25% surcharge. A signed agreement and a 50% retainer hold the date.
How much does a wedding pianist cost?
Piano is priced as its own service because the setup is different (keyboard, stand, pedal, bench and cabling). A ceremony or cocktail hour up to one hour is $875, $975 or $1,075 for Zones 1, 2 and 3. Ceremony and cocktail hour together is $1,450, $1,550 or $1,650. More on the wedding pianist page.
How much is DJ and live violin for the reception?
A full DJ setup with live violin played over the set, sound and lighting included. Added to a ceremony or cocktail booking it is $3,800, $4,000 or $4,200 for Zones 1, 2 and 3. As a standalone four-hour reception it is $4,500, $4,700 or $4,900. Each additional hour is $500.
What do private events cost?
Private events use the same base rates as weddings. Violin up to one hour is $725, $825 or $925 by zone. Piano up to one hour is $875, $975 or $1,075. Two hours of violin is $1,025, $1,125 or $1,225, and two hours of piano is $1,175, $1,275 or $1,375. Yacht, estate and Hamptons events are quoted individually.
How much does a corporate event cost?
Corporate engagements begin at $3,000 and are quoted individually based on format, duration, guest count and production requirements. Send the details through the corporate inquiry form and Julie replies with a number within 24 hours.
Why are the prices published when most wedding musicians hide them?
So you can budget before you inquire. The price you pay is the published rate for your zone plus any add-ons you choose, such as extra time or a custom song arrangement. Corporate events are the exception and are quoted individually.
Ready to inquire?
Send a few details about your event (date, venue, guest count, and the vibe you want) and Julie will respond within 24 hours with a tailored quote.
Submit an Inquiry