Wedding violinist in Johannesburg and Pretoria
I am Esmé Bergh, a wedding and event violinist based in Gauteng. I play weddings, private and corporate functions, funerals and church services across Johannesburg, Pretoria and the rest of South Africa.
I play solo or with a duo, trio or quartet, from a book of more than 3,000 songs.
A wedding starts at R2,200 for the first hour of music, and the estimate on this site prices your venue before you give me any contact details.
What every booking includes
- Sound equipment wherever it is needed, at no extra charge. A microphone for the ceremony can be added if you need one.
- Songs from my songbook, as many as you like, at no charge.
- Up to three songs I would need to learn. After that each one is R400, and I take up to six new songs for one event.
Travel and accommodation
Travel is priced by the kilometre for the round trip from my base in Gauteng, with a short distance around it included at no charge. Beyond 400 km one way a wedding becomes a flight rather than a drive, so send me an enquiry and I will price it myself.
A night away is added only when the drive says so. If the drive home is two hours or less, I add a night only when the playing finishes after 21:00. If it is longer, I add a night when the finish plus the drive home would get me back after 17:00. A night is R1,800, and a venue more than 350 km away carries two.
Solo to quartet
The estimate prices solo violin straight away. Duo, trio and quartet bookings are available in South Africa, and I price those myself, so send me the details.
What an estimate looks like
Two examples, worked the way the estimate works them. Your own venue and times will give a different figure.
A two hour wedding, ceremony and drinks, at a venue 35 km from my base, from 14:00 to 16:00
- Two hours of music, solo violin
- R4,100
- Travel, 70 km there and back
- R225
- Total
- R4,325
A three hour wedding in Parys, 130 km away, from 18:30 to 21:30, with two songs I would learn
- Three hours of music, solo violin
- R6,000
- Travel, 260 km there and back
- R1,080
- One night nearby, because the playing ends after 21:00
- R1,800
- Two songs to learn, inside the three included
- R0
- Total
- R8,880
Photographs
Mid-ceremony, under the trees, which is where a lot of the best ones happen. 
Close enough to the table to take a request, far enough not to be in the photographs. 
Not always alone. Duo, trio and quartet bookings are available in South Africa.
In their words
“Thank you so much for everything. It was wonderful having you there. It added a touch of class and uniqueness.”
“Thank you so much to Esmé, who made our day extra special. She was absolutely fantastic to work with. Thank you Esmé.”
Questions people ask
How much does a wedding violinist cost in Johannesburg?
A wedding starts at R2,200 for the first hour of music, and each further half hour is R950. A two hour ceremony and drinks at a venue 35 km from my base comes to R4,325 with travel. The estimate on this site works out the figure for your own venue and times.
Do you play in Pretoria, the rest of Gauteng and further away?
Yes. I play across Gauteng and anywhere in South Africa, and travel is priced from my base by the kilometre. Beyond 400 km one way it becomes a flight rather than a drive, so send me an enquiry and I will price it with you.
Can you play a particular song?
Almost certainly. Anything from my songbook of more than 3,000 songs is free, and you can choose as many as you like. If a song is not in the book I can learn it. The first three are included, each one after that is R400, and I take up to six new songs for one event.
Do you bring sound equipment?
Yes, wherever it is needed, at no extra charge. A microphone for the ceremony can be added if you need one.
Do you play as a duo, trio or quartet?
Yes, in South Africa. The estimate prices solo violin, so for a duo, trio or quartet send me the details and I will price it myself.
Do you play at funerals and church services?
Yes, and I can be arranged at short notice when needed. I play hymns, classical pieces and meaningful songs with care and sensitivity, and I am a supplier to AVBOB Funeral Services.
When do you charge for accommodation?
Only when the drive says so. If the drive home is two hours or less, a night is added only when the playing finishes after 21:00. If it is longer, a night is added when the finish plus the drive home would get me back after 17:00. A night is R1,800.
How does booking work?
Get an estimate for your venue and date, then send it to me as an enquiry. I answer within two working days. The estimate is indicative rather than an offer, it is valid for 14 days, and your date is not held until I reply.
Get a figure for your venue
Enter your venue, your date and how long you would like music, and get an indicative figure with a breakdown of what it covers. It ends in an enquiry, not a payment.
Get an estimate