If the word “wedding pianist” makes you picture someone playing Pachelbel’s Canon while guests find their seats, you’re probably not alone. But a piano doesn’t have to mean traditional.

The right pianist can turn your favourite pop punk anthem into a ceremony entrance, strip back an emo classic for your first dance or surprise your guests with an instrumental version of the song you’ve been screaming together in the car for years. In fact, there are loads of people on TikTok doing just that at the moment (prepare to go down the rabbit hole!) It’s one of the most versatile instruments you can include in a wedding, and it works just as well at an industrial warehouse, woodland venue or city pub as it does in a stately home.

Like everything else, it comes down to making choices that reflect you.

If one of you already plays, even better. We’ve seen couples perform during their own ceremony or reception, and others learning their first dance song as a surprise. It doesn’t have to be technically perfect. The fact that you took the time to learn it is what people remember. If that experience leaves you browsing a Yamaha grand pianos for sale afterwards, you’ve probably found a hobby you’ll keep long after the wedding!

The piano itself doesn’t have to fit a traditional mould either.

A grand piano can look incredible in the right setting, but it’s not always the practical choice. If you’re getting married in a converted warehouse, a tipi, outdoors or anywhere with limited access, a digital piano often makes far more sense. Modern instruments feel remarkably close to an acoustic piano while being easier to transport, more reliable in unpredictable weather and simple to amplify if you’re planning a bigger celebration.

If you’re practising at home before the wedding, something like a Yamaha Arius digital piano also lets you rehearse with headphones without driving everyone else mad.

Before hiring anything, ask your venue what’s already available. Plenty of pubs, theatres and historic buildings have a piano on site, which can save both money and logistics.

And hey, if your new hobby ends up being dropped after the wedding, don’t worry. In this circular economy there are plenty of options for where to sell my piano too.

Just remember, no matter what you choose, the best wedding music doesn’t just follow a formula. It reflects the people getting married. So whether that means walking down the aisle to an instrumental version of My Chemical Romance, playing your own slightly wonky first dance or mixing live piano with a playlist full of songs your guests actually want to hear, you’ve already understood the assignment. That’s exactly what alternative weddings are all about.