Armathwaite Hall Wedding Pianist | Lake District Pianist

Armathwaite Hall is one of the most sought-after Lake District wedding venues, set above the shores of Bassenthwaite and surrounded by gardens, woodland and fell views.

Armathwaite Hall is an ideal location for live music and, having its own pianos, a pianist is of course a perfect choice. The Lake District Pianist, Craig Smith, has played at Armathwaite Hall for many years, and many of his couples there have come through recommendations from the venue team. That familiarity means he understands which piano setup works best in each space, how the music should flow between different parts of the day, and how to schedule discreet piano moves between spaces where needed so that guests never notice.

Craig regularly provides live piano music at Armathwaite Hall for pre-ceremony guests’ arrival drinks, ceremonies, drinks receptions and wedding breakfasts, and each of the venue’s spaces lend themselves perfectly to live music, with several locations around the hotel to set up.

Wedding Piano at Armathwaite Hall

At Armathwaite Hall, guests usually first arrive into the Main Hall. It’s a large space with high ceilings and wood panelling, so one of Craig’s portable baby grand pianos feels completely at home here, both visually and musically, as people gather. The height of the room lends itself well to more ambient music, so many couples opt for lighter, more atmospheric choices during this part of the day.

Ceremonies are usually held in the Lake View Lounge, where the venue’s own electric baby grand piano is one of the first things guests see as they take their seats. Guests file out past the piano at the end of the ceremony too, so that’s a great opportunity to choose a favourite song that sets the mood you’d like for the rest of the day.

Couples and their guests love to head outside onto the terrace and lawns overlooking Bassenthwaite following the ceremony, and it’s a real sun trap on a bright day. Live piano works especially well for relaxed drinks receptions in the fresh Lakeland air. You can enjoy a video of some alfresco drinks entertainment below, where the couple asked for a selection of 90s classics — you’ll be able to tailor the music to reflect you as a couple too.

For the wedding breakfast, the piano can be set up in whichever room is being used. In the larger Broadwater and Lime Trees suites, the music carries easily without being intrusive from anywhere in the spaces, and in the smaller Dining Room the piano is usually positioned off to the side near the conservatory doors, with a more intimate approach taken to the music and guests welcome to make requests.

Piano Across Your Armathwaite Hall Wedding

Couples booking Craig's music for Armathwaite Hall choose from:

• Guests’ arrivals
• Wedding ceremony
• Drinks reception
• Wedding breakfast

As you can see in the video below, live piano offers plenty of flexibility and is a perfect choice for an upbeat drinks reception. Later in the day, why not entertain your guests with totally unlimited requests, which they can make in person or send direct from the dining table using Craig's unique and very popular Electronic Requests System?

Watch Craig Playing at Armathwaite Hall

The video below is taken from an Armathwaite Hall drinks reception on the terrace. The bride and groom asked for lots of music from the 90s for this wedding, and actually asked Craig to stay for an extra two hours to play an additional unplanned wedding breakfast set having enjoyed the reception music so much! The video features Sit Down, Rhythm is a Dancer and more.