A harp adds a certain elegance and ambiance to a wedding or other special event that few other musical instruments can. Rachel has been working with brides for over 10 years to customize their ceremony music to fit their individual style. Her repertoire stretches from Celtic music to love songs by John Denver - with a few Beatles melodies, Disney classics, and most traditional ceremony songs thrown into the mix as well. If there is a song that is not on her list, she will do what she can to accommodate your requests. She does have references upon request.
Book your wedding with Rachel today!
Rachel is so sweet. She was so professional and really went beyond to find the pieces I requested. She weaved each piece into an musical art tapestry. I would not hesitate to reserve her again for my next event. Thank you so much Rachel.
Rachel was so easy to work with. She played for our Valentine’s party 58 in attendance. Everyone was so impressed with her. She would be an asset to any event.
Photos from this event
I hired Rachel for a non-profit fundraising date night dinner; she was perfect for adding a warm, romantic atmosphere to the evening! She was very prompt and professional, and every song was perfect. She even learned a few extra songs so we could include some of our couples' first dance songs - which was such a nice touch.
Thank you, Rachel!
Photos from this event
Rachel was excellent! She was on time, prepared and played beautifully! I would definitely use Rachel again and suggest others do as well.
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thanks so much, Greg! It was a joy to play for you all!
Rachel was very professional. Prompt, great communication, kind, and considerate.
I would definately book her again.
You were wonderful. You soothed my anxiety.
Thank you so much for being there.
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thank you for having me! I'm so glad I could help you relax and enjoy your special night!
Rachel play for my wife’s birthday event and surprised her with a happy birthday tune. Very talented, professional, and kind. Was also very responsive and on time. Will definitely use her again!
So professional and on time! Played beautifully for my cocktail hour!
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thank you! Your wedding was beautiful!
Rachel’s music was a great addition our party. I would recommend her to anyone and plan to hire her again for future parties. Thanks again Rachel!
Wonderful, Rachel was very easy to work with and there were many compliments
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thanks Sandra! I enjoyed playing and just got asked to play there again next week!
Very personable and easy to work with. She is very prompt when responding. Her music provided a great background for our pre-dinner cocktail time and our dinner.
Rachel was excellent. Clear communication, timely, flexible, and a beautiful musician. I can’t say enough good things. I highly recommend her!!!!
Rachel was a lovely addition to our dinner and we appreciate her beautiful music.
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thank you so much! It was a beautiful evening!
Rachel did a great job and everyone enjoyed her playing
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thank you so much Nilsa! I enjoyed playing for you all!
Rachel plays beautifully. She was on time, played before, during and after the wedding ceremony. She suggested music for my daughter to choose from which was very helpful. Rachel is a professional harpist and a wonderful person. I am happy I found her.
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thanks Jonette! It was a joy to play for your daughter's wedding!
Rachel was great and so nice to work with. I highly recommend her!!
We had a few last minute changes, and the ceremony didn't start on time, but Rachel was incredibly flexible and just went with the flow. And the music was beautiful!
Rachel was great to work with before the wedding. She had many songs in her reportoire that worked well for us! My only regret is not being able to thank her in person after the ceremony as we were whisked away to greet and take pics!
But I thought the harp would be louder, not Rachel‘s fault, maybe because we were outdoors.
Rachel was very professional and her music added the perfect addition to our event. We would definitely use her services again in the future!
Rachel was very easy to communicate with and fulfilled all of our request! Her skills were beautiful and she was a huge hit on our big day!
Loved having Rachel play for our wedding! A harp adds so much to a wedding ceremony! Rachel is very talented and was so easy to work with for our event. Thank you for making our ceremony so special with your beautiful talent and harp!
Rachel did an outstanding job and made a very difficult time easier by her beautiful music for my sweet mom.
Response from Rachel Payne - Harpist:
Thank you so much Penny! It was an honor to play for your family. Your mom sounded like a wonderful lady.
What a wonderful pleasure it was to work with you on Beth and Shannon's wedding this past weekend. The melodic sounds that you are able to create with your beautiful harp is just breathtaking. From a professional standpoint I must let you know that your responsiveness in our email communication leading up to the wedding as well as your punctuality on the day of the wedding is a must have that I admire in working with other wedding professionals. These two qualities makes for a stress-free wedding day for the couple not having to worry with if their vendors will be on time but just focus on enjoying their wedding day. Thanks again.
Price Range: starting at $150
Gig Length: 30 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
Although no two weddings are the same, my typical outline stays generally the same or can be customized to suit my brides' preferences. I begin playing the prelude thirty minutes prior to the wedding ceremony and play until the bride's mom is seated. Occasionally, I have brides that pick out what songs they want to have played during this time, but usually I pick Celtic, classical and popular songs that set the tone for the couple's celebration and love. The bride's and groom's families are the last people to get seated before the bridal party's entrance. Some popular choices for the families' processional are "The Prayer" or "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." After the moms are seated, the bridal party begins to make their processional. It lasts from the first bridesmaid through the flower girl and/or ring bearer. Next is the bride's grand entrance. Whether she prefers to stick with the traditional pieces of "Bridal March of Lohengrin (Here Comes the Bride)" or "Pachelbel's Canon" or go with a more contemporary choice, I have repertoire to suit most needs. Some weddings include a symbolization of the couple's union with a unity candle or sand ceremony which usually has a song to accompany it. After the marriage is sealed with a kiss, the recessional is played until the bridal party and the family exits. Following the recessional, I continue to play lively music while guests exit the ceremony area and move towards the reception.
Rachel moved to Chattanooga in 2007 and has become one of the finest harpists in Chattanooga. She has continued to build her repertoire to suit many different styles for her clients' tastes. She works with individuals to make her music set an enchanted, elegant ambiance for any special occasion.
At age 12, Rachel began to tinker with the small 19-string Celtic harp that her grandfather had built for her many years prior. She began taking private lessons in the summer of 1997, just after her grandfather passed away. After just a couple of years, Rachel graduated to a larger Celtic harp made by Robert Cunningham from Atlanta, Georgia.
Rachel continued to take lessons to sharpen her skills and began to play for my family members' weddings or events at church. In the summer of 2000, she began to play professionally at weddings, funerals, banquets, open houses, and other special events. She also began teaching to students around the Pittsburgh area. Her youngest student was 8 and the oldest was in her 80’s! In 2007, Rachel left Pennsylvania and continued her music career in the Chattanooga TN are where she currently resides.
The harp's sound carries best on hard, un-carpeted floors. Depending on the size and the acoustics of the room that I play in, I may or may not need a microphone. What I have found works the best is to have a lapel microphone clipped on the inside of the harp's soundboard to really magnify the sound.
| September 21, 2024 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 25, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:30pm | Birthday Party |
| May 04, 2024 • 12:00pm - 1:00pm | Bridal Shower |
| April 19, 2024 • 9:30am - 10:30am | Surprise |
| February 14, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Dinner Party |
| February 10, 2024 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Nonprofit Event |
| January 05, 2024 • 7:30pm - 8:00pm | Worship Service |
| December 12, 2023 • 6:00pm - 6:45pm | Christmas Party |
| June 15, 2023 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 14, 2023 • 9:00am - 4:30pm | Southern Blooms Festival |
| May 13, 2023 • 9:00am - 4:30pm | Southern Blooms Festival |
| May 07, 2023 • 9:00am - 4:30pm | Southern Blooms Festival |
| April 29, 2023 • All-day event | Secret Place Open House |
| April 15, 2023 • 4:45pm - 5:45pm | Wedding Reception |
| March 19, 2023 • All-day event | Shamrock City |
| March 18, 2023 • All-day event | Shamrock City |
| March 12, 2023 • All-day event | Shamrock City |
| March 11, 2023 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Dinner Party |
| March 11, 2023 • All-day event | Shamrock City |
| March 10, 2023 • 6:30pm - 8:00pm | Anniversary Party |
| February 15, 2023 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Wine Down Wednesday |
| February 14, 2023 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Valentine's Day |
| January 28, 2023 • 3:00pm - 3:30pm | Birthday Party |
| October 22, 2022 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| September 27, 2022 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| September 24, 2022 • 5:00pm - 5:45pm | Wedding Reception |
| September 17, 2022 • 4:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding |
| April 30, 2022 • 5:30pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
| April 26, 2022 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Graduation |
| November 26, 2021 • 6:00pm - 8:00pm | Birthday Party |
| October 17, 2021 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| October 08, 2021 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Rehearsal Dinner |
| September 03, 2021 • 10:00am - 11:30am | Personal Occasion |
| August 30, 2021 • 5:00pm - 7:30pm | Coker Tire Open House |
| August 08, 2021 • 2:00pm - 3:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 01, 2021 • 4:30pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 19, 2020 • 3:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding |
| November 01, 2020 • 4:15pm - 5:30pm | Gatlinburg wedding |
| August 08, 2020 • 7:00pm - 7:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| October 12, 2019 • 3:00pm - 3:45pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| September 29, 2019 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 15, 2019 • 5:30pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| April 27, 2019 • 3:30pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Reception |
| November 15, 2018 • 5:30pm - 7:30pm | Grand Opening |
| October 14, 2018 • 5:00pm - 6:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| May 26, 2018 • 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| April 28, 2018 • 2:00pm - 4:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| April 19, 2018 • 12:00pm - 12:30pm | Funeral/Memorial Service |
| May 27, 2017 • 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Cocktail Party |
| May 14, 2016 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Private Residence, Dayton, TN |
| May 06, 2016 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Tennessee River Place |
| October 02, 2015 • 7:00pm - 8:00pm | Tennessee River Place |
| May 23, 2015 • 4:00pm - 5:00pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| December 28, 2013 • 5:00pm - 6:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
| June 30, 2013 • 3:00pm - 4:30pm | Wedding Ceremony |
I have a very large and steadily growing repertoire. Since my harp is a Celtic harp, I have a lot of Celtic music that I play intertwined between more commonly known songs. I have songs just for fun from movies - lots of Disney movies, Braveheart, Shrek, and many, many more!
Chair with no arms (optional)
decent lighting (cannot play in the dark)
Alpharetta, GA 
Harpist
Ruth C. said “Paula’s exquisite harp playing serenaded my guests as they arrived to be seated for my wedding. Her gorgeous harp and her song selections added to the…”
Atlanta, GA
Harpist
21 Verified Bookings Rebecca R. said “Lisa was amazing and so easy to work with. We booked her last minute and she worked with us patiently which we appreciate so much!! We received so many…”
Greeneville, TN
Cover Band
2 Verified Bookings Victoria Q. said “Played last year for our private party, we had a great time can’t wait to have them back again!”
Asheville, NC
Harpist
36 Verified Bookings Sarah M. said “I have always dreamt of having a harpist play at my wedding. I was hesitant on getting one since wedding planning is expensive in general. But I believe…”
List your services
Log In
