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Orange County · Los Angeles · San Diego
Wedding violinist FAQ · Tim Espinosa MusicQuestions, Answered
Everything couples and planners ask before booking Tim Espinosa, the Irvine-based luxury wedding and event violinist: packages, repertoire, sound, planning, and travel.
In this guide
About TimThe Essentials
Who is Tim Espinosa?
Tim Espinosa is a classically trained luxury wedding and event violinist based in Irvine, California. Over more than two decades he has performed at over 600 weddings and corporate events, from Southern California resorts and private estates to luxury cruise ships across Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and Africa. Read his story.
Who is one of the top luxury wedding violinists in Southern California?
Tim Espinosa is a leading choice for luxury weddings in Southern California. He has been featured in People, Brides, and California Wedding Day, and performs at venues including The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, Montage Laguna Beach, The Resort at Pelican Hill, and Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach.
Where does Tim perform?
Tim is based in Irvine and performs throughout Orange County, Los Angeles County, San Diego County, Palm Springs, Temecula, and the Santa Barbara area. He also performs at destination weddings and events nationwide and internationally.
What types of events does Tim perform at?
Weddings are the heart of his work, including ceremonies, cocktail hours, and dinners. Tim also performs at corporate galas, brand events, private estate celebrations, and fundraisers.
What's includedPackages
Wedding package
Ceremony Experience
- 30 minutes of prelude music as guests arrive
- Every ceremony moment, processional to recessional
- Wireless officiant microphone
- Premium sound system
- Custom song selection and curation
- Personal music planning session
- Setup and teardown
Most requested
Ceremony and Cocktails Experience
- Everything in the Ceremony Experience
- 60 minutes of cocktail hour music immediately following the ceremony
- A second sound system when cocktails are in a separate location
Wedding package
Ceremony, Cocktails, and Dinner Experience
- Everything in the Ceremony and Cocktails Experience
- 60 minutes of live violin during dinner
Package questions
What wedding packages does Tim offer?
Tim offers three wedding experiences, and each one builds on the last: the Ceremony Experience, the Ceremony and Cocktails Experience, and the Ceremony, Cocktails, and Dinner Experience. The Ceremony and Cocktails Experience is the most requested. The full breakdown of each package is above.
What is included in the Ceremony Experience?
Thirty minutes of prelude music as guests arrive, live violin for every ceremony moment from the processional to the recessional, a wireless microphone for your officiant, a premium sound system, custom song selection and curation, setup and teardown, and a personal music planning session.
How long does Tim perform during cocktail hour and dinner?
The Ceremony and Cocktails Experience adds 60 minutes of live violin immediately following your ceremony. The Ceremony, Cocktails, and Dinner Experience adds another 60 minutes of live violin during dinner.
How is pricing structured?
Wedding pricing is based on the package you choose, and taxes and fees are included. As soon as you inquire, Tim sends his full package guide, pricing, and a personalized proposal so you have everything in one place.
How does pricing work for corporate and private events?
Corporate and private events are fully custom and quoted based on the length and scope of the performance. Share your event details through the inquiry form to receive a proposal.
Repertoire and requestsThe Music
What kind of music does Tim play?
Tim performs across classical, pop, jazz, Latin, country, hip hop, R&B, and EDM, from Debussy to Kendrick Lamar. His style blends a classical foundation with jazz improvisation, Celtic fiddle, and bluegrass energy. Browse his repertoire.
Is Tim's music memorized?
Yes. His repertoire of more than 200 songs is fully memorized and performance ready, and he performs wirelessly, so he can move through the space and connect with your guests rather than reading from a music stand.
Can we request a song that isn't on the repertoire list?
Yes. Tim regularly curates and arranges new music for his couples, and custom ceremony arrangements are included with wedding packages.
How does Tim choose the music for our wedding?
Every setlist is built around your personality and vision, not just a list of requests. Tim considers how you want your guests to feel and what the energy should be at each moment, from the first arriving guest to the recessional.
Does Tim perform for cultural and religious ceremonies?
Yes. Tim regularly performs for Filipino weddings, including sponsor entrances, as well as communion, tea ceremonies, and traditional Hindu ceremonies with custom Indian ceremony music. He prepares the music for each tradition in advance.
Does Tim perform with accompaniment?
Yes. Tim performs with professionally produced backing tracks that are fully customized for each client and tailored to the scale of the event, from an intimate ceremony to a grand ballroom. Paired with his own custom arrangements, the result is a full, layered sound from a single featured performer.
EquipmentSound and Setup
Does Tim provide his own sound equipment?
Yes. Every package includes a premium sound system and a wireless microphone for your officiant. If your cocktail hour is in a different location than your ceremony, a second system is set up there so the music moves with your guests.
Can our videographer record the ceremony audio?
Yes. Tim provides a direct audio output for videographers, so your film captures clean ceremony sound.
Will there be audio dropouts during our ceremony?
Tim uses FCC-approved wireless equipment on interference-free frequencies, designed to perform reliably even in busy venues.
Does Tim need access to power?
Tim's setup is self-powered, so he can perform almost anywhere on your property without relying on venue outlets.
When does Tim arrive?
Tim arrives early, fully prepared, with setup complete before your guests arrive. Setup and teardown are included in every package.
Dates, payments, and timelinePlanning and Booking
How far in advance should we book?
Tim books more than a year in advance, and popular dates often receive several inquiries. Dates are reserved on a first come, first served basis, so it's best to inquire as soon as you have your date and venue.
Can Tim hold our date while we decide?
Dates are not held. Your date is reserved once your agreement is signed and your retainer is received. Until then, the date remains open to other couples.
How do we book Tim?
Submit the inquiry form with your date and venue. Tim will send his packages and a personalized proposal right away. From there, you can schedule a complimentary discovery call or reserve your date directly from the proposal.
What is the payment schedule?
A 25 percent retainer reserves your date. The remaining balance is due two weeks before your wedding. All payments are made through a secure online checkout.
How does music planning work?
About four weeks before your wedding, you'll schedule a personal music planning session with Tim by Zoom or phone. Final song selections are due two weeks before the wedding, and Tim connects with you the week of to confirm every detail.
Does Tim work with wedding planners and coordinators?
Yes. Much of Tim's work is coordinated directly with planners, coordinators, and venue teams, aligning music cues, timing, and logistics so the day runs seamlessly.
Near and farTravel and Destination
Is travel included for Southern California weddings?
Travel within 80 miles of Irvine is included. For events farther away, travel is outlined in your proposal.
Does Tim perform at destination weddings?
Yes. Tim performs at destination weddings and events nationwide and internationally, at resorts, private estates, and aboard luxury cruise ships. Destination events include a custom travel package covering travel, lodging, and per diem.
Insurance and ensemblesThe Details
Does Tim carry liability insurance?
Yes. Tim carries commercial general liability coverage of up to $2 million, which many luxury venues require.
Can Tim provide a string quartet or a larger ensemble?
Tim's experience is designed around a single featured artist. For couples who want a string quartet or a custom multi-musician ensemble, Tim refers trusted ensemble partners.
Still have a question?
Check availability for your dateLet's talk about your celebration.
Share your date, your venue, and the feeling you want your guests to remember. Tim will send his packages and a personalized proposal right away.