Wedding Violinist & Pianist in New Jersey

From Jersey City rooftops to Princeton estates, from Morristown country clubs to the Jersey Shore and down to Cape May — Julie Schatz performs solo violin and jazz piano at weddings and private events across all of New Jersey. NYC-based with NJ Transit and the PATH at the door, NJ bookings are essentially a home market: short travel, fast load-in, no out-of-state surcharges within the state.

What NJ couples are asking for right now

What New Jersey couples are asking for right now: full ceremony + cocktail packages where the violin moves from prelude through processional and recessional, then transitions into solo jazz piano during cocktails. Custom arrangements of pop and indie first-dance songs are popular — especially for couples with eclectic music taste who want the wedding to sound personal rather than templated.

Logistics for NJ weddings

NJ weddings span four very different logistical worlds: urban North Jersey (Jersey City, Hoboken, Newark — usually rooftops or boutique hotels), the suburban estate belt (Morristown, Madison, Princeton, Far Hills — typically older country clubs and historic estates), the Jersey Shore (Asbury Park, Spring Lake, Cape May — beachfront and boardwalk venues with weather contingencies), and the South Jersey wineries. Julie's setup adapts to each — most ceremonies need 45 minutes for load-in and soundcheck, plus the standard weather conversation for any outdoor element.

Common questions about New Jersey bookings

How much does a wedding violinist cost for a New Jersey wedding?

Pricing is zone-based. Hoboken and Jersey City are part of the NYC zone with travel included — wedding ceremony from $595, ceremony + cocktail from $950, full-day soloist (ceremony + cocktail + dinner) from $1,800. The rest of Northern New Jersey (Bergen County, Montclair, Newark, Morristown, Princeton, the Gold Coast) is 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) / $2,550 (zone) for ceremony, or $3,200 / $3,350 for ceremony + cocktail. The DJ DX × Julie duo (DJ + live violin) starts at $2,200 for the Essential 3-hour reception experience. South Jersey and the Jersey Shore beyond Asbury Park are custom-quoted. See full rate sheet →

Do you charge a travel fee for New Jersey weddings?

Travel is included for Hoboken and Jersey City — they're part of the NYC zone. The rest of Northern New Jersey (Bergen County, Montclair, Newark, Morristown, Princeton, the Gold Coast) and the Jersey Shore through Asbury Park are at standard zone pricing — no separate travel fee, just the zone-tier rate. For South Jersey, Cape May, or venues beyond the Pine Barrens, the booking is custom-quoted based on venue distance. Please confirm the venue address at the time of inquiry so the quote reflects the correct zone.

How far in advance should we book a NJ wedding violinist?

For Saturday weddings in peak season (May–October) at popular NJ estate venues and shore properties, 6–12 months out is typical. Off-season dates and weeknight bookings often work on shorter timelines.

Do you do Jersey Shore beach weddings?

Yes — beach ceremonies are a regular part of summer bookings (Spring Lake, Asbury Park, Avon-by-the-Sea, Long Beach Island). Acoustic violin handles wind well; the keyboard rig and amp need a tent, gazebo, or porch for shade and weather protection. Load-in is coordinated with the wedding planner so equipment is set before guest arrival.

Can you learn a custom song for our NJ ceremony or first dance?

Almost always, yes. Julie regularly arranges custom versions of pop, R&B, indie, and classical 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.

Can one musician cover both the ceremony and cocktail hour?

Yes — that's the most-booked NJ configuration. Solo violin for the ceremony, then a switch to jazz piano or violin-and-keyboard for cocktail hour at the same venue. One musician keeps the energy continuous and is significantly more cost-effective than booking separate ensembles.

What NJ venues has Julie performed at?

A current venue list is being assembled. To check whether Julie has performed at your specific NJ venue, send a quick inquiry — typical response within 24 hours.