Dave Milliken  •  Wedding Singer and Guitarist

Contemporary and classical music for weddings and events in the Ottawa area

 

milliken@sympatico.ca          613-247-1402          www.davemilliken.com

 

Intro   •   Testimonials   •   Listen   •   Rates   •   Repertoire   •   Availability   •   FAQs   •   Photos

 

Dave Milliken hunkering with his Yamaha acoustic guitar
Photo by Gordon Metcalfe

 

 

Introduction

Live music adds wonderful ambiance to a wedding ceremony. More and more couples are choosing contemporary music for their ceremonies. After all, your wedding is your special day and you can choose music that means something to you. I can sing your favorite song while I accompany myself on guitar or I can arrange the song as an instrumental piece for solo guitar. Here are a few songs that I have recently performed at weddings:

I'm Yours - Jason Mraz

1, 2, 3, 4 - Plain White T's

I'm A Believer - The Monkees

Green Eyes - Coldplay

See my complete repertoire below. I will be happy to try to fulfil any requests you might have.

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Testimonials

Weddings

"Mark & I would like to extend a big thank you for bringing your music to our wedding at Tew's Falls this past Saturday. You were awesome. Your music & singing helped to make our ceremony fit our personal style perfectly. I was really touched when you moved up the walk to get closer to our congratulatory hug-fest! It was a great day, and one we'll not soon forget. Thanks for the part you played in it."
         - Jen & Mark Drake, May 28, 2011

"We want to thank you soooo much for helping to create the best wedding day ever!!! You did an amazing job with my song “I’ll Be”. I loved it... All of our family and friends are still talking about what a great time they had and how amazing you were during the ceremony and the cocktail hour! Everybody really enjoyed the variety of music...honestly we would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts....You were absolutely wonderful! We will definitely recommend you whenever we can! Thank you so much!"
         - Samra Uzicanin and Jeremie Astles, August 13, 2010

"We are glad that we chose you to play music at our ceremony. It was fantastic. We will be referring you to others. Thanks,"
         - Christine Finlay & Alain Decoste, July 24, 2010

"Thank you so much for being part of our wedding day. Your music was perfect for our ceremony and we couldn't be happier with the service you provided. Thank you for learning "Sunshine on my Shoulders" for our wedding. It was a very special surprise for my parents - as that was their wedding song 31 years ago. Thank you again for helping to make our day so special."
         - Keith & Brenda Van Ryswyk, July 24, 2010

"We were so happy with the music at the ceremony. Everyone (guests and wedding party) complimented your style and the music that was played. It was perfect!! Thanks again! Everything was perfect and the music was the icing on the cake :)"
         - Robin McCorkell, June 19, 2010

"We loved our music! Thank you so much for being part of our wedding. Several of our guests commented on how much they enjoyed your music. If you ever need a reference, please don't hesitate to ask us as we would be happy to provide a glowing one. All the best,"
         - Lauren Babcock-Dunning & Nick Turk-Browne, June 12, 2010

"Thank you for doing an awesome job with the music at our wedding. The song arrangements were perfect, helped set the mood and gave the day that special feeling we were looking for. We would not hesitate to recommend you in the future. Thanks for sharing in our day!"
         - Courtney Edwards & Peter Smith, May 29, 2010

"Thank you so much for playing at our wedding. Your music is beautiful and helped make the day memorable. I always wanted an outdoor wedding with acoustic guitar music, and you helped make this dream a reality. We appreciate all your hard work, and the help you gave us in trying to decide what songs to use. Thanks for everything!"
         - Meghan & Mike Auger, May 28, 2010

"Dave, you were fantastic!!!! Everyone was saying how great you were. I'm so happy I found you!!! It was perfect! Thank you so much for being part of our day :) I will keep you in mind for our next big party. And of course if I hear anyone looking for a singer I will send them your way."
         - Amanda & Luke Campbell, March 27, 2010

"Everything was fantastic, and we received so many compliments on the music you provided. We were really happy with your performance, and it made our special day so much more memorable. Thanks again!"
         - Melissa Hamilton & Stéfan Ruest, September 11, 2009

"Thank you so much for learning the songs and playing them so well at our wedding. It was just as we hoped it would be and your talent was enjoyed by all."
         - Margaret MacCrimmon & Colin Wharton, August 28, 2009

"I can't tell you how happy we were with the music during the ceremony. It was exactly what I wanted."
         - Chantal LeBlanc & Yannick Jacob, August 26, 2009

"I just have to say a huge THANK YOU! Your music is beautiful and you really captured the ambiance we were going for. We received so many compliments from our guests and a couple even asked for your contact info. I have passed along your website address. You are a great artist and many thanks."
         - Andrea Latendresse & Jeff Marmus, August 15, 2009

"We just wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful music you played at our wedding - everyone including the priest was raving about how incredible you were!! The songs, your playing & your voice set the perfect mood for our wedding!! Thank you for playing such an important role in our marriage ceremony - we could not have imagined more perfect music!! We would highly recommend you to any looking for a musician. We truly appreciate that you took the time to learn "Beautiful Day" for our ceremony - thank you again for making everything so special!"
         - Barry & Danielle Gaudet, April 25, 2009

"I just wanted to send you a quick note to say Thank You for playing at our wedding. Hearing Canon in D while the wedding party walked in before me was exactly what I wanted. It was beautiful. It was very nice of you to take a special request for a song that we really like - I was so pleased to hear you playing Green Eyes when we were signing the registry. Solsbury Hill was perfect for us to walk away after the ceremony, and Yellow was a nice touch, too. Thanks for adding it! Genevieve told me she was impressed and pleased to meet you. She has had many other musicians at her site, and she said you were one of the easiest, most pleasant ones to deal with :-) From now on, whenever I hear that someone is engaged, right after I congratulate them, I will highly recommend that they check out what you have to offer by visiting your website. You were professional and polite at all times. We were privileged to have such a talented musician for our special day."
         - Brianna Cameron & Marc-Andre Ladouceur, October 25, 2008

"We were both extremely happy with the music during our ceremony! It suited the atmosphere of our wedding perfectly! I really want to thank you for being part of our wedding, and for doing such a beautiful job on all of the songs. Many of our guests commented on the ceremony music and how smoothly it all went together. Thank you again :)"
         - Tricia Mattice & Jessy Kouk, June 14, 2008

"We were truly impressed with your music. It was a terrific addition to our wedding ceremony. Many of our guests specifically mentioned how amazing your music was. Thank you again for taking the time to learn new songs for us. It made it even more special. We feel very fortunate that you were recommended to us. In turn, we highly recommend your services to anyone (and have already done so!). We wish you continued success and hope to enjoy your music in person again soon."
         - Sue Carchidi & John Lammey, May 31, 2008

"Thank you so much for being part of our special day. You are a talented musician and a true professional. Thank you for going out of your way to do an arrangement of Pachelbel's Canon for our entrance; it meant a lot to us to have this song, and it was beautifully played. Thank you!"
         - Lisa Mitchell & Josée Chevalier, May 24, 2008

"Your musicianship and professionalism framed our wedding ceremony beautifully. Our guests raved about how excellent the music was. You are very talented. We want to thank you again for enhancing our special day, especially on such short notice."
         - April & Sean Coleman, March 21, 2008

"We were both pleased with the music you played and we had lots of great comments from the guests on your selections. Thank you again for being part of our special day."
         - Melissa Davenport & Stephanie Small, September 1, 2007

"I wanted to thank you again for the amazing job. We had many compliments on the beautiful arrangements you did!"
         - Natalie Matula & Peter Kelly, May 5, 2007

"I just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful job you did at our wedding - you were great. The music and songs you did were perfect and just what I had wanted."
         - Joanne & Sean Lyons, April 28, 2007

"We wanted to let you know that you did an incredible performance on Sunday! Your playing/singing was beautiful and we were super pleased with the music at our wedding ceremony."
         - Sari Markel & Dan Ting, August 6, 2006

"We simply cannot tell you how meaningful that song was for all of us, and truly stands out as a moment in time we won't ever forget as a family.  You were so easy to work with, and we felt 100% confident with you and your experience.  You helped make a perfect day even more memorable and extremely personally meaningful."
         - Annmarie & Ruari Long, June 25, 2006

"I wanted to tell you that we were absolutely thrilled with your playing. We had several comments from the guests about how wonderful the ceremony music was and everyone was very impressed. Thanks again for everything! Please feel free to use us as a reference, we will definitely recommend you to others!!"
         - Rosemary Quirouette & Steve Morse, August 19, 2005

Events

"I just wanted to thank you on behalf of my family for the excellent music you provided at my father's memorial mass on Saturday September 6th. The balance of solos, classical guitar and organ for the hymns was perfect. There were so many compliments about the elegance of the mass and this was due in large part to the music. Several members of the RCMP Veteran's Association commented that it was one of the most fitting memorial tributes they had ever attended for a member of the Force. I sincerely appreciate the excellent service you provided."
         - Dale Synnett Caron, September 6, 2008

"It was wonderful to have you with us.  People really enjoyed your music and singing.  Thank you for contributing to the success of the art show."
         - Phil Emond, Gordon Harrison Art Show, June 2 & 3, 2007

"It was truly a pleasure to have you join us at the Wakefield Mill.  Your musical talent, professionalism, and easy-going nature put the evening over the top!"
         - Keely Hachey, MD Financial, April 19, 2007

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Listen

Contemporary Vocal Music

Ice Cream, written by Sarah McLachlan

Harvest Moon, written by Neil Young

Thank You , written by Jimmy Page & Robert Plant

Lost Together, written by Greg Keelor & Jim Cuddy

Contemporary and Folk Guitar Music

Here Comes The Sun, written by George Harrison

Si Bheag Si Mhor, written by Turlough O'Carolan

Hey Hey, written by Big Bill Broonzy

Classical Guitar Music

Prelude (from Cello Suite No. 1), written by J. S. Bach

Lady Laiton's Almain, written by John Dowland

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Rates

For a wedding ceremony in Ottawa, my fee is $180. This includes prelude music for fifteen minutes as guests are arriving, as well as any pieces that you would like during the ceremony, up to and including the recessional. For additional music before the ceremony or after the recessional, I charge $80 per hour. There may be an additional fee to cover travel time or set-up time depending on the venue and location.

Once the details of location and timing are set, I can email you a contract to fill out and send back to me. Along with that, I ask for a cheque for half the amount and a post-dated cheque for the balance in order to confirm the booking.

I am also available to perform at other private and corporate events and parties. For an event in Ottawa, my fee is $180 for the first hour and $80 for each additional hour.

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Repertoire

Contemporary Vocal Music

The following songs are great choices for a ceremony because of their lyrics. To see a full list of the songs I sing, click here.

To see the lyrics for any of the songs listed below, click on the word in the third column.

SONG ARTIST LYRICS
1, 2, 3, 4 Plain White T's lyrics
All I Want Is You Barry Louis Polisar lyrics
And I Love Her The Beatles lyrics
Banana Pancakes Jack Johnson lyrics
Better Together Jack Johnson lyrics
Bridge Over Troubled Water Simon and Garfunkel lyrics
Crazy Little Thing Called Love Queen lyrics
Eight Days A Week The Beatles lyrics
Everlong Foo Fighters lyrics
Everything Lifehouse lyrics
Forever Ben Harper lyrics
Green Eyes Coldplay lyrics
Grow Old With You Adam Sandler lyrics
Happy Together The Turtles lyrics
Harvest Moon Neil Young lyrics
Here Comes The Sun The Beatles lyrics
Here, There And Everywhere The Beatles lyrics
Hey There Delilah Plain White T's lyrics
I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby jazz standard lyrics
I Walk The Line Johnny Cash lyrics
I Will Be Here Steven Curtis Chapman lyrics
I'll Be Edwin McCain lyrics
I'm A Believer The Monkees lyrics
I'm Yours Jason Mraz lyrics
Ice Cream Sarah McLachlan lyrics
Imagine John Lennon lyrics
In My Life The Beatles lyrics
Is This Love Bob Marley lyrics
La vie en rose

Edith Piaf/Louis Armstrong

lyrics
Lost Together Blue Rodeo lyrics
Love Will Keep Us Alive The Eagles lyrics
Love You 'Til The End The Pogues lyrics
Pride And Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan lyrics
She's Everything Brad Paisley lyrics
Thank You Led Zeppelin lyrics
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong lyrics
When You Say Nothing At All Alison Krauss lyrics
Yellow Coldplay lyrics
You're My Best Friend Queen lyrics
You've Got A Friend James Taylor lyrics
Your Everything Keith Urban lyrics

 

Contemporary and Folk Guitar Music

SONG ARTIST OR COMPOSER GENRE
Si Bheag Si Mhor O'Carolan, Turlough Celtic
Blackbird The Beatles Rock
Here Comes The Sun The Beatles Rock
In My Life The Beatles Rock
She's Everything Brad Paisley Country
Something Pretty Patrick Park Rock
Annie's Song John Denver Pop
Here, There and Everywhere The Beatles Rock
Hallelujah Leonard Cohen Rock
He'll Make Me Happy Jeff Moss (Muppets) Pop
I Will Be Here Steven Curtis Chapman Pop
Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm Crash Test Dummies Rock
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic The Police Rock
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You Bryan Adams Pop
Horizons Genesis Folk
Signe Eric Clapton Rock
Classical Gas Mason Williams Folk
Mood for a Day Yes Folk
Dust in the Wind Kansas Folk
Rain Song Led Zeppelin Rock
Her Favorite Song Larry Carlton Jazz
After the Gold Rush Neil Young Folk
Bron-yr-aur Led Zeppelin Folk
Busted Down Around O'Connelly Corners Doobie Brothers Folk
Black Mountain Side Led Zeppelin Folk
Friends Led Zeppelin Folk
Hey Hey Eric Clapton/Big Bill Broonzy Blues
Is There Anybody Out There? Pink Floyd Rock
Malagueña Traditional Spanish
Moorish Dance Traditional Spanish
The Handing Down Edward Gerhard Folk
Boom Boom John Lee Hooker Blues
Mary Had a Little Lamb Stevie Ray Vaughan Blues
Pride and Joy Stevie Ray Vaughan Blues
Fanny Powers O'Carolan, Turlough Celtic
Banks of Newfoundland Traditional Celtic
Hot Dog Led Zeppelin Country
St. Louis Tickle Bennett, Theron Catlan Country Blues
Freight Train Libba Cotten Country Blues
Make Me A Pallet Mississippi John Hurt Country Blues
Stack O'Lee Blues Mississippi John Hurt Country Blues
Buckdancer's Choice Sam McGee Country Blues
Mediterranean Sundance Al DiMeola Flamenco
Alegrias Traditional Flamenco
Farruca Traditional Flamenco
Guajiras Traditional Flamenco
Peteneras Traditional Flamenco
Sevillanas Traditional Flamenco
Soleares Traditional Flamenco
Alice's Restaurant Arlo Guthrie Folk
First Ride Don Ross Folk
Lucy Watusi Don Ross Folk
Lenny Stevie Ray Vaughan Jazz
Dream On Aerosmith Rock
Never Going Back Again Fleetwood Mac Rock
Come On Jimi Hendrix Rock
Little Wing Jimi Hendrix Rock
Over the Hills and Far Away Led Zeppelin Rock
Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin Rock
Nothing Else Matters Metallica Rock
Goodbye Blue Sky Pink Floyd Rock
No Memory Stone Temple Pilots Rock
Sparks The Who Rock

 

Classical Guitar Music

PIECE COMPOSER
Balleto Anonymous
Dove Son Quei Fieri Occhi Anonymous
Kemp's Jig Anonymous
Minuet in G Major Anonymous
Pezzo Tedesco Anonymous
Romance Anonymous
Sarabande Anonymous
Wilson's Wilde Anonymous
Solitudine Anzaghi, L. O.
Tempi Lontani Anzaghi, L. O.
Air on the G String (from Orchestral Suite No. 3, BWV 1068) Bach, J. S.
Bourrée (from Lute Suite No. 1, BWV 996) Bach, J. S.
Menuet (BWV anh. 116) Bach, J. S.
Prelude (from Cello Suite No. 1, BWV 1007) Bach, J. S.
Sleepers Awake (Choral Prelude in Eb Major, BWV 645) Bach, J. S.
Estudio Sencillo 1 Brouwer, Leo
Estudio Sencillo 2 Brouwer, Leo
Estudio Sencillo 3 Brouwer, Leo
Estudio Sencillo 4 Brouwer, Leo
Estudio Sencillo 5 Brouwer, Leo
Etude in A Major Carcassi, Matteo
Study (Op. 60, No. 9) Carcassi, Matteo
Allegretto (Op. 241) Carulli, Ferdinando
Andante (Op. 241) Carulli, Ferdinando
Etude in A Minor Carulli, Ferdinando
Rondo (Op. 241) Carulli, Ferdinando
Waltz Carulli, Ferdinando
Greensleeves Cutting, Francis
Toy Cutting, Francis
Andante cantabile (Op. 89, No. 6) Diabelli, Antonio
Minuetto Diabelli, Antonio
Almain (Poulton 49) Dowland, John
Galliard "Can She Excuse (Poulton 42) Dowland, John
Lady Laiton's Almain (Poulton 48) Dowland, John
Mrs. Winter's Jump (Poulton 55) Dowland, John
Round Battle Galliard Dowland, John
Vivace Falckenhagen, Adam
El Amable Ferrer, José
Andante Espressivo (Op. 40, No. 7) Giuliani, Mauro
Andantino (Op. 50, No. 21) Giuliani, Mauro
Grazioso (Op. 50, No. 23) Giuliani, Mauro
Air from Suite No. 5, The Harmonious Blacksmith Handel, George Frideric
Alman Johnson, Robert
Aria Logy, Johann Anton
Sarabande Logy, Johann Anton
Pavan Milan, Luis
Allegro (K. 3) Mozart, W. A.
Der Fuggerin Tanz Neusidler, Melchior
Canon in D Pachelbel, Johann
Minuetto Paganini, Niccolò
Canarios Sanz, Gaspar
Españoleta Sanz, Gaspar
Gallarda Sanz, Gaspar
Pavane in D Minor Sanz, Gaspar
Allegro Scarlatti, Domenico
Choros Semenzato, Domingos
Study in B Minor (Op. 35, No. 22) Sor, Fernando
Lesson (Op. 31, No. 4) Sor, Fernando
Study (Op. 35, No. 13) Sor, Fernando
Study (Op. 35, No. 17) Sor, Fernando
Waltz (Op. 2, No. 2) Sor, Fernando
Adelita (Mazurka) Tárrega, Francisco
Làgrima (Prelude) Tárrega, Francisco
Study (T.I. ii-26) Tárrega, Francisco
Sonnet Valderrábano, Enriquez de
Minuetto Visée, Robert de
Sarabande Visée, Robert de

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Availability

I'm sorry but I'm not available on the following dates (inclusive):

June 9 - 10, 2012

July 4 - 15, 2012 (not available after 6:00 pm)

Aug 3 - 6, 2012

Sept 15 - 16, 2012

Other dates on which I am already booked for at least part of the day are listed here. You may still be able to book another event on these dates depending on the timing.

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FAQs

Where can I have music in my wedding ceremony?

What if the song isn't the right length for the processional or the signing?

How did you become a wedding singer?

 

Where can I have music in my wedding ceremony?

Anywhere you like! But the most common places are:

Prelude - as guests start to arrive, usually about 15 minutes before the wedding ceremony is scheduled to begin.

Processional - as the bride walks down the aisle. This can be one piece of music for the entire processional (including ring bearer, flower girl, bridesmaids and bride) or two pieces (a separate piece for the bride).

Between readings.

During the lighting of a unity candle.

Signing of the registry - there may be time for two pieces here.

Recessional - as the bride and groom walk back down the aisle together at the end of the ceremony.

Postlude - as the guests are milling about after the ceremony and pictures are being taken. (There is an extra fee for this since it occurs after the ceremony.)

FAQs

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What if the song isn't the right length for the processional or the signing?

I can adjust the length of the song as I am playing it by repeating or skipping verses and I can create an ending at many different places in the song in order to make it end at the right time. If you would like to hear the whole song even if it is not finished by the end of the processional or signing, just let me (and the officiant) know ahead of time.

FAQs

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How did you become a wedding singer?

I have been singing for many years in bars and clubs around Ottawa and beyond, both solo acoustic guitar shows and with many different bands in which I also played guitar or bass. Throughout this time, my alter ego was playing classical guitar at weddings with a flutist in Duo Capriccio. In the last few years, I have received more and more requests to sing contemporary songs at weddings, so here I am!

FAQs

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Photos

Dave playing guitar
following the weddding ceremony of Jen Richard & Mark Drake
at Tews Falls near Hamilton ON, May 28, 2011

 

Dave playing guitar
at the weddding ceremony of Tricia Mattice & Jessy Kouk
at the Canada Club near Perth ON, June 14, 2008

 


Photo by Sam and Mary Photography

Dave playing prelude music
at the weddding ceremony of April & Sean Coleman
at the Courtyard Restaurant, Ottawa ON, March 21, 2008

 

Dave playing classical guitar
at the weddding ceremony of Melissa Davenport & Stephanie Small
at Strathmere, North Gower ON, September 1, 2007

 

Dave providing classical background music
before the weddding ceremony of Joanne & Sean Lyons
at Olde Virginia Manor, Manotick ON, April 28, 2007

 

Dave singing and playing during the cocktail hour
following the weddding ceremony of Joanne & Sean Lyons
at Olde Virginia Manor, Manotick ON, April 28, 2007

 

Dave Milliken with his Hirade classical guitar

 

Dave Milliken          milliken@sympatico.ca          613-247-1402