Booking Julie Schatz — Common Questions

How much does it cost to hire a wedding violinist in NYC?

Pricing is zone-based. NYC bookings (travel included): wedding ceremony from $595, ceremony + cocktail hour from $950, full-day soloist (ceremony + cocktail + dinner) from $1,800. Long Island, Westchester, Northern NJ, and Greenwich are at standard zone pricing: ceremony $745, ceremony + cocktail $1,100, full-day soloist $1,950. The Soul Shades violin-and-piano duo starts at $2,400 (NYC ceremony) or $3,200 (NYC ceremony + cocktail). The DJ DX × Julie duo (DJ + live violin) starts at $2,200 for the Essential 3-hour experience and scales to $4,500 for luxury and destination events. Hudson Valley and beyond are custom-quoted. Every booking includes up to 3 song requests from the existing repertoire. A signed contract and a 50% non-refundable retainer secure the date. See the full rate sheet →

How far in advance should I book a wedding violinist?

For Saturday weddings in peak season (May–October), 6–12 months out is typical, with the most-requested venues filling earliest. For weeknight events, intimate ceremonies, off-season dates, and corporate bookings, shorter timelines are usually fine — sometimes as little as 3–4 weeks. The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility there is on custom arrangements and ceremony rehearsals. Once a 50% retainer is in, the date is locked.

Can you learn a custom song or arrange our first dance?

Almost always, yes. Julie regularly arranges custom versions of pop, R&B, classical, and indie songs for solo violin and piano — processionals, recessionals, first dances, and unity-moment songs. Every booking includes up to 3 song requests from the existing repertoire. Custom arrangements outside the repertoire are an add-on (+$200 per song); an instrumental-only version of a repertoire song is +$125, or both for +$300. Send the song reference as early as possible — 4–6 weeks of lead time is typical for a brand-new arrangement built from scratch.

Solo violinist vs. string quartet — which should we choose for the ceremony?

A solo violinist gives an intimate, conversational sound that fits ceremonies of any size and reads beautifully on video. A string quartet adds harmonic depth — best for very large rooms or guests who specifically want a fuller classical texture. Julie's solo offering is amplified through a low-profile, high-fidelity PA, which means it carries cleanly even in large outdoor or stone-walled venues — without the cost or staging footprint of four players.

For couples who specifically want quartet coverage, that can be arranged on request.

What's the difference between a DJ, a live band, and a DJ + live musician duo?

A DJ alone gives consistent dance-floor energy and the broadest catalog. A live band gives presence and improvisational moments but at a higher cost and footprint. A DJ + live musician duo (DJ DX × Julie) bridges the two — DJ-driven flow with live violin or keyboard layered into key moments. The duo is right for couples who want a music-forward reception with character but don't want the cost or stage space of a full band. DJ DX × Julie packages start at $2,200.

Do you travel to weddings in New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley?

Yes — NYC-based, with regular bookings across all of NYC, New Jersey, Connecticut, and the Hudson Valley. Travel is included for NYC bookings (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, Hoboken, Jersey City). A second tier covers Long Island, Westchester, Northern New Jersey, and Greenwich at standard zone pricing. The Hudson Valley and beyond are custom-quoted based on venue distance — please confirm the address at the time of inquiry so the quote reflects the correct travel scope. Destination events outside the tri-state region are available on request.

Do you bring your own sound system / PA for outdoor ceremonies?

Yes. Every booking includes a low-profile, high-fidelity PA system suited to the venue — wired XLR for indoor rooms, battery-powered amplification for outdoor lawns and rooftops, and wireless lavalier mics for officiants and vows when needed. Julie also travels with a professional electric violin and a portable keyboard rig when no venue piano is available. The setup is designed to disappear visually while filling the space cleanly on audio. DJ DX × Julie duo bookings include a full DJ rig with live instrument inputs scaled to the room size.

Can one musician cover both the ceremony and cocktail hour?

Yes — that's the most-booked configuration. Julie performs solo violin for the ceremony (prelude, processional, vows, recessional) and switches to jazz piano or violin-and-keyboard for cocktail hour. The single-musician approach keeps the energy continuous, simplifies coordination with planners, and is significantly more cost-effective than booking separate ensembles for each segment. Combined ceremony + cocktail packages start at $950 in NYC, $1,100 in Long Island / Westchester / Northern New Jersey / Greenwich, and are custom-quoted for the Hudson Valley and beyond.

What if it rains or the ceremony is moved outdoors?

All bookings include a weather contingency conversation during the planning call. Acoustic violin performs beautifully outdoors and adapts to most outdoor venues. The keyboard and amplification setup needs cover from rain — most outdoor venues with a tent, porch, gazebo, or pavilion work fine. For ceremonies that may need a same-day pivot indoors, the equipment setup adapts in about 15 minutes.

What's your deposit, contract, and cancellation policy?

To secure a date: a signed performance agreement and a 50% non-refundable retainer are required. The retainer holds the date and covers preparation, custom arrangements, and rehearsals. The remaining balance is due before the event. Date changes are accommodated when possible based on calendar availability; details are spelled out in the agreement so there are no surprises. Full terms are reviewed during the planning call before signing.

Are you available for corporate events and private parties, not just weddings?

Yes. Roughly half of bookings are corporate galas, brand events, private parties, and luxury hospitality residencies. The vibe scales from elegant solo violin (gallery openings, intimate dinners) to full DJ + live instrument hybrid sets (corporate galas, brand activations, milestone birthdays). The DJ DX × Julie duo specifically targets corporate and brand events with their Luxury tier; the Soul Shades violin-and-piano duo is suited to refined dinner sets and gallery contexts. Standalone corporate / gala bookings start at $495 in NYC and $645 in inner-ring zones.

How do we book?

Submit the inquiry form on the homepage with your date, venue, guest count, and a few details about the vibe you want. Julie reviews every inquiry personally and responds within 24 hours. A short video call follows before any agreement is signed — this is a chance for both parties to confirm the fit, talk through specific song requests, and walk through logistics. After the call, a contract and 50% retainer secure the date.