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About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2020

Last update: May 2026

Joel Grainger is a classically trained violinist and live looping specialist who offers a truly unique musical experience for weddings across the UK and beyond. Combining traditional technique with modern technology, Joel’s performances create rich, layered soundscapes that leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.

Joel has performed for audiences of many thousands, including a memorable support slot for Coldplay, and has entertained at exclusive events for global brands like Google, Aston Martin, and Bank of America. Sometimes referred to as the "Ed Sheeran of Violin" or the "One-Man Bridgerton," Joel’s style seamlessly blends innovation with timeless elegance.

His vast repertoire spans genres from classical and folk to hip-hop, pop, rock, and dance, ensuring something for every taste. If there’s a specific song you’d love to hear, Joel is happy to discuss incorporating it into his set, ensuring it fits seamlessly with the atmosphere of your wedding. From the ceremony to the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, Joel’s performances are tailored to create the perfect soundtrack for your celebration.

You can see more of what Joel does at: www.joelgrainger.co.uk

Frequently asked questions

What services do you offer?

Ceremony music
Cocktail/banquet music
Entertainment
Other (Pre-Ceremony, Drinks Reception, Wedding Breakfast, Evening Reception, First Dance)

What is included in the wedding package?

I would usually offer the following: Pre ceremony (as guests arrive) - 20mins. Ceremony itself (entrance, signing of register and Exit). Drinks Reception/Wedding Breakfast - 3 x 30mins sets

How far in advance should I contact you?

Anytime! There's always a chance I have availability, even if last minute - so worth getting in touch :)

Size of group:

Soloist

Repertoire:

I have a large set list that I play from (available on request)

Is it possible to request something that's not in the repertoire?

Yes I do also often take requests (especially for the ceremony), though this would just be subject to an arrangement fee

What's your experience?

I have had the great pleasure of playing at many hundreds of Weddings across the UK and Worldwide :)

Do you have your own equipment?

Yes

Do you need specific materials or conditions to offer your service?

No

Can you travel?

Yes

Is there a charge for travelling?

Yes, 30p/mile

Do you do open-air acts?

Yes

Do you charge per hour or per event?

Per event

If needed, would you be able to work extra hours?

Yes

How do you charge extra time?

Yes, for example if the couple wanted me to stay later into the evening (for example for First Dance, or Evening Reception) I could accommodate this for an additional fee

What are the forms of payment?

- 30% Deposit to secure the date (bank transfer) - Remaining balance due 1 week before the wedding (bank transfer or cash on the day)

Served in

Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Central & Glasgow, Cheshire, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Durham, East Riding of Yorkshire, Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Herefordshire, Hertfordshire, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Lothian & Borders, Merseyside, Norfolk, North London, North Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Tyne & Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Yorkshire and Worcestershire

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Do you have any questions?

Reviews for Joel Grainger (Live Looping Violinist)

Nicci
Nicci Sent on 04/06/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Fabulous violinist May 2026

We just had Joel at our wedding at Danby Castle Barn and he was amazing. He was easy to book with good communication beforehand and prompt on the day,
He played while guests were arriving and entering for the ceremony and then moved out into the grounds, while we all had drinks and photos. The feedback from the guests was all positive, his skills and music choice really added a beautiful ambiance to the day.
I would highly recommend him to add something extra to your day.

Thank you Joel for making our day even more special.

Nicci and Andy x
Nicci
Nicci Sent on 17/05/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Best of the best 🎻

Joel was one of the first vendors I booked to play at our wedding last Friday and I’m so glad I did!
He was absolutely fantastic from start to finish, he played all of the songs we requested perfectly and created such an amazing atmosphere throughout the day.

His live looping was incredibly impressive and added something really unique and special to the performance.
Joel is so talented and professional, and so many of our guests commented on how brilliant he was.
We were genuinely so happy with his performance and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a wedding violinist.
Thanks again, Mr and Mrs Morris 🥰
Alicia
Alicia Sent on 14/05/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely Exceptional

Joel was, without question, one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day. From the moment he began playing, our guests were captivated — the compliments just kept coming all day. His talent speaks for itself, and it clearly left a lasting impression: one of our other suppliers was so blown away that they’ve already asked to recommend him to their own clients. That says everything.
What really set Joel apart, though, was his dedication to making our day truly special. He stayed longer than agreed to ensure that Chris and I had a genuine moment together — just the two of us, surrounded by his music. That wasn’t part of the brief; he simply cared enough to make it happen.
Joel went above and beyond in every sense. He’s not just a brilliant musician — he’s someone who brings real heart to what he does. If you’re looking for a violinist who will elevate your event and leave your guests talking, look no further. Absolutely fantastic. Highly, highly recommended
Thomas
Thomas Sent on 13/05/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Best addition to our day.

Joel was genuinely the jewel in the crown of our wedding day.

I honestly cannot put into words how incredible he is, both as a musician and as an all round lovely person. From the moment we booked him, he was an absolute dream to work with and brought so much warmth, professionalism and talent to the entire experience.

We asked him if he would be willing to learn a special song for us (Video Games by Lana Del Rey) and the way he performed it was honestly magical. It became one of those unforgettable moments in the day that people will talk about forever. Hearing it played live as part of our wedding was emotional, cinematic and completely perfect.

Joel played throughout our ceremony and drinks reception, and he completely transformed the atmosphere of the day. His music created the most beautiful backdrop to everything and elevated the entire vibe from start to finish. There was this constant feeling of warmth, elegance and emotion throughout the day because of him.

So many of our guests commented on how amazing he was, and several asked for his details afterwards which says it all really.

An unbelievably talented musician, a genuinely lovely person, and worth every single penny. We feel so lucky to have had him as part of our wedding day.
Liz
Liz Sent on 10/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Just wow !!!!

I contacted Joel very late in the day as I had arranged a Christmas wedding at short notice. He was amazing and really helpful and flexible. As for his performance I can’t really find the words to explain how amazing and talented he is. His presence and music made my day and my guests were blown away and so complimentary. My only regret is that he had to stop playing and leave at some point ! A super chill, great guy that is just the most talented violinist and performer !!!! I need to plan another event of some kind just to have an excuse to book him again - wedding re-do next year was my suggestion to the hubby 😂
S
Steph Sent on 25/11/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Thank you!

I have been a fan of Joel’s musical performances, compositions and arrangements for around 15 years. When it came to planning our wedding, there was absolutely no question of who we needed to perform. I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle to his beautiful original composition. Joel set the tone for the entire day, from the intimate lake-side ceremony set, to the upbeat pop covers at our sunny courtyard reception, he was phenomenal. Joel helped to plan the song selections to match the flow of the day and he was prompt, professional and respectful. Guests still ask who the ‘amazing violinist was’ and although I would love to keep it as our secret, Joel deserves the recognition for his outstanding talent, creative flair and attention to detail. (Photo credit: Rachel Jane Photography)
L
Layli Sent on 25/10/2025
5 out of 5 rating

So so good

We first discovered Joel on Spotify, and after checking out his tracks (and videos), we knew he was perfect for our wedding.

Joel was absolutely brilliant on the day, playing for our ceremony and drinks reception. He even arranged a special track for my entrance which was so beautiful!

So many of our guests told us how much they loved his music and we really couldn't be happier with his amazing contribution to our day!

Thank you so much again
L
Lauren Sent on 24/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely incredible!

We found Joel through a sponsored post he had shared and remember saying to each other “wow this is absolutely incredible, could you imagine if we had him play on our wedding day”. Of course we made contact with Joel shortly after to enquire and we were so happy to have been able to book Joel to play on our special day.

The music shared on our wedding day was an honour to listen to. A highlight for us was sitting at the table signing the marriage certificate and commenting on how beautiful Joel’s music was in that moment. Our entrance song was something Joel had learnt especially for that moment and hearing it brought so much emotion to the room. It was absolutely perfect Joel and we cannot thank you enough.

Our guests were blown away with the how incredible Joel was and we are so thankful for the music shared with us. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.
Sophie
Sophie Sent on 18/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible - 100% recommend

Joel was absolutely amazing! From guest arrival to the ceremony and reception drinks, he created a magical and timeless atmosphere that perfectly suited our wedding. His playing was both calming and joyful, setting the tone beautifully and adding an extra layer of elegance to every moment. Guests kept commenting on how wonderful and enchanting the music was, and it truly made the day feel even more special. Joel’s talent, professionalism, and warmth made him a fantastic part of our celebration.
T
Terry Sent on 11/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible Violinist Who Made Our Day Magical

Joel was absolutely fantastic and brought such a special touch to our wedding. From the moment he started playing, the atmosphere transformed — elegant, emotional, and unforgettable. His talent is undeniable, and the music created such a beautiful backdrop for the ceremony and reception.

He was also a pleasure to work with: professional, reliable, and so accommodating with our song requests. Many of our guests commented on how amazing he was, and it’s something that really stood out about the day.

If you’re looking for a musician who will add warmth, class, and that extra spark of magic, I couldn’t recommend Joel highly enough.
Helena
Helena Sent on 29/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Outstanding Musician & Professional!

I first saw Joel many years ago busking in Cambridge and have been a huge fan of his style of music/performance ever since. Recently, he performed at our wedding, and we were absolutely blown away - as were our guests!

From my initial enquiry through to the day itself, Joel’s communication was prompt, clear, and professional. He is not only incredibly talented but also warm and approachable. We especially loved the wide selection of songs he offered - a great mix of modern and classic choices.

Our ceremony was made even more special and memorable thanks to Joel’s performance. So many of our friends and family commented on how amazing he was! If I could give 10 stars I would, and I wholeheartedly recommend Joel to anyone.

Joel, thank you again for playing such a meaningful part in our day. Your performance helped make it even more magical and unforgettable.
Sophie
Sophie Sent on 30/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Violinist, Beautiful Music

From the moment we saw clips of Joel playing Violin, we knew we wanted him for our big day. Joel was so lovely and made the effort to come all the way from York to our wedding in Bicester! The music really added to our special day and everything about it was so beautiful. Thank you Joel!!!
Lauren
Lauren Sent on 12/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

WOW, such a talent!!

I have to say Joel was the vendor I was most excited about when I booked him for my wedding in May and he didn't disappoint. We have had multiple guests mention to us how amazing and talented he was, and how much they enjoyed listening to him play during the drinks reception. I don't think I will ever forget hearing the sound of him playing just before walking down the aisle, it is a special moment that will replay in my head for a very long time.

As others have said, the only regret I have is that I didn't have much time to listen to him myself on my wedding day (due to being taken for photos etc), I wish I could have been a guest at my own wedding. I just hope we get invited to another wedding where Joel is playing!!

Thank you so much for your amazing music, Joel.

Harry & Lauren Done
M
Michael Sent on 02/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional Violinist

Joel was a dream to have on our day, he arrived and provided no fuss, he was clear and precise before the day, didn't need constant checking in on and was always quick to reply before the day, he performed incredibly on the day just like all his demos online. A number of guests mentioned that watching him perform was one of the highlights of the day and i feel incredibly lucky that we were able to book him for ours.
Scott
Scott Sent on 31/05/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Absolutely brilliant

Joel played so beautifully during our ceremony and reception. The sound was perfect and we loved the mix of songs played. Our guests thought he was brilliant and all commented on the music.

He was professional, easy to get hold of and we would definitely recommend him to anyone.

Thank you
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Joel Grainger (Live Looping Violinist) Real Weddings

Vini & Paul
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