by New Zealand's premier Wedding & Event Violinist.
With over 15 years on global stages, Arna Morton is a defining, genre-fluid violinist whose career spans elite classical concert halls and massive commercial music festivals. Following a distinguished tenure as a principal musician with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Arna now performs full-time as a solo artist for prestigious classical and commercial concerts, high-profile corporate galas, and bespoke luxury weddings.
Recent career highlights include performing as a featured Solo Artist alongside SYNTHONY and SIX60 for the historic, sold-out Once In A Lifetime inaugural concert at Ōtautahi Christchurch's One New Zealand Stadium, and being handpicked to perform alongside Europe's elite musicians for Orchestre Visionnaire's inaugural concert at the legendary Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam.
“Having performed now on such a diverse range of stages, I’ve come to realise there is no one setting that lights me up more than another because good music is simply good music, no matter the context. Above all else, I am just deeply passionate about the transformative power of live music and the profound connection it creates with my audiences and my clients.”
Whether you desire relaxed, classical melodies for your wedding ceremony, Bridgerton-style pop covers for your cocktail hour, or high-energy dance sets for your reception party, Arna can curate a bespoke soundtrack that complements your unique love story, captivates your guests, and elevates your wedding day for a truly unforgettable celebration.
UNLIMITED BY GENRE
Unmatched in artistry
A photographer may expertly capture what your wedding looks like, but the music preserves how your day felt.
Music holds such an extraordinary power over our emotions and our memories. More than that, live music in particular has an incredible ability to enhance the natural collective effervescence of a gathering that allows for a much richer “in-the-moment” experience, resulting in deeper, more profound memories shared by you and your guests.
But what if I told you there was a way to elevate the power of music on your wedding day even further?
It all comes back to novelty.
Because there really is a distinct magic created when the melodies of your life’s most meaningful songs blend with the heartfelt, expressive voice and classical mastery of my violin artistry. And it is this very magic that cements the memories of your special day with even deeper nostalgia.
Long after many anniversaries have been celebrated, hearing those meaningful melodies again will instantly unlock the exact feeling, energy, and atmosphere of each extraordinary moment of your love story’s biggest milestone.
Your Day’s
Musical Moments
Whether you are imagining a quiet, romantic ceremony on a cliffside or a high-energy dance floor party that your guests will talk about for years, I can bring that vision to life.
CEREMONIES
-
Warm, welcoming live violin music to set a sophisticated atmosphere as your loved ones arrive and find their seats in whatever genre you fancy.
-
To frame what is often the most anticipated and iconic moment of your day, I perform your chosen song as you make your official entrance down the aisle to begin your ceremony.
-
I will serenade your guests with another custom song selection while you take a quiet moment to sign your legal registries.
-
I am more than happy to provide live music if your ceremony includes special rituals such as traditional hymns and prayers, or contemporary elements like lighting a unity candle.
-
You’ve officially tied the knot! As you make your grand exit from the ceremony, I will perform a joyous, celebratory number to soundtrack your first official steps together as newlyweds.
COCKTAIL HOUR
-
Elegant, high-vibe live music designed to enrich the space while your guests enjoy bubbles and canapés.
-
Whether you want the timeless, global sophistication of a vintage lounge, the trendy romance of modern pop strings, or the high-energy pulse of an upscale day club, choose from one of my thoughtfully curated collections to elevate the ambience for drinks and canapés.
Modern Reimagined
Pop chart-toppers reinterpreted for violin 'Bridgerton Style'
Romantic Songbook
The great classic love songs of history
Elevated House
Violin melodies layered over ambient EDM tracks
Intercontinental Lounge
American, Latin, & French Jazz Vibes
Classical Elegance
Opera Arias and Timeless Instrumental Works
RECEPTIONS
-
A dedicated welcoming performance to refresh the energy as your guests move into your reception space.
-
Custom live song choices crafted to elevate your reception’s highlights, including your grand newlywed entrance, cutting the cake, and your first dance.
-
My fully wireless professional setup allows me to drift amongst the tables, serenading guests with relaxed, understated numbers to elevate the dining experience in between speeches.
-
Why settle for traditional entertainment when you have one of the country's leading stage instrumental performers looking after your night?
For an undeniable flex that will completely electrify the room, I can bring my stadium-level energy straight to your reception with a high-impact headline showcase launching your night into a party your guests will talk about for years to come.
-
An immersive, high-energy live performance set designed to overlay, remix, and amplify the tracks of the DJ or playlist, keeping your guests absolutely captivated right up to last drinks of the night.
Wedding Experiences
Fully bespoke and tailored violin wedding music packages crafted to perfectly match the vibe and formality of your day. Investments from 1300 NZD
The Magnum Opus
The ultimate, exclusive all-inclusive wedding entertainment experience if you desire a complete and flawless white-glove orchestration for every musical chapter of your day, from ceremony to celebration.
-
From the breathtaking romance of your ceremony to the refined vibes of cocktail hour and reception dining, culminating in an electrifying, immersive DJ + Violin dance floor experience, ‘Magnum Opus’ is the ultimate full-day, live-fusion curation.
-
Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, & Full Reception
Arna + DJ (2 Artists) | 7 – 10 Hrs
'The Magnum Opus’ experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Ceremony
Pre-Ceremony Ambience
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Ceremony Special Moments
Cocktail Hour
Choice of Curated Set Lists
Reception
Guest Arrival Set
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Reception Signature Moments
Dining Ambience
Feature Showcase
Live Dancefloor | DJ + Violin
(2 Artists)
MC Duties
Musical Direction & Support
Expert Music Curation & Advice via email/video call, including repertoire suggestions, ceremony flow and timings, & vendor suggestions for additional musical collaborations
Audio Setup
Premium wireless portable performance sound gear for your ceremony & cocktail hour (including for your celebrant if required)
Full audio & dance floor lighting system for reception dining ambience and party time.
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire selections for both violinist + DJ that harmonise with your day’s colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Symphony
My signature solo offering for couples who value a truly immersive, seamless, and iconic musical experience for their entire day.
-
My definitive full-day live violin showcase, including ceremony serenade, to the sophisticated ambience of cocktail hour and reception dining, culminating in an immersive dance floor elevation that completely transforms your choice of third-party DJ or playlist.
-
Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, & Full Reception | 7 – 10 Hrs
'The Symphony' experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Ceremony
Pre-Ceremony Ambience
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Ceremony Special Moments
Cocktail Hour
Choice of Curated Set Lists
Reception
Guest Arrival Set
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Reception Signature Moments
Dining Ambience
Feature Showcase
Live Dancefloor Elevation of your third-party DJ or Playlist
Musical Direction & Support
Expert Music Curation & Advice via email/video call, including repertoire suggestions, ceremony flow and timings, & vendor suggestions for musical collaborations (e.g. DJs)
Wireless Audio Setup
Premium portable performance sound gear for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception dining. Option to add on a larger sound system if I’m performing solo against a playlist for the dance floor segment.
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire selections that harmonise with your day’s colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Concerto
A comprehensive experience that weaves a continuous thread of live violin ambience across all your day’s formal chapters.
-
Designed to look after the entire primary arc of your wedding day until party time, ‘The Concerto’ will enhance your vows, elevate your cocktail hour, and bring warmth to your reception before your DJ, band, or playlist takes over the dance portion of the night.
-
Ceremony, Cocktail Hour, & Half Reception | 5 – 6 Hrs
'The Concerto' experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Ceremony
Pre-Ceremony Ambience
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Ceremony Special Moments
Cocktail Hour
Choose from one of my curated set lists
Reception
Guest Arrival Set
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Reception Signature Moments including newlywed entrance, cutting the cake, and your first dance.
Dining Ambience
Musical Direction & Support
Expert Music Curation & Advice via email/video call, including repertoire suggestions, ceremony flow and timings, & vendor suggestions for musical collaborations (e.g. DJs)
Wireless Audio Setup
Premium portable performance sound gear for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception dining.
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire selections that harmonise with your day’s colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Suite
For couples who desire a sophisticated, continuous soundscape across your afternoon proceedings.
-
Bridging your formal vows to your social hour, ‘The Suite’ delivers an enchanting musical backdrop for the first half of your day, from welcoming your guests to your ceremony before seamlessly flowing into your drinks and canapés reception.
-
Ceremony & Cocktail Hour | 3 – 4 Hrs
'The Suite’ experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Ceremony
Pre-Ceremony Ambience
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Ceremony Special Moments
Cocktail Hour
Choose from one of my curated set lists
Musical Direction & Support
Expert Music Curation & Advice via email/video call, including repertoire suggestions, ceremony flow and timings, & vendor suggestions for musical collaborations (e.g. Singers)
Wireless Audio Setup
Premium portable performance sound gear for your ceremony & cocktail hour.
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire that harmonises with your day’s colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Overture
A grand opening musical statement delivering couples bespoke live violin elegance to elevate their day’s most significant moment.
-
Enhancing the atmosphere of your entire formal vow ceremony, from guest arrival to your first steps into the world as newlyweds.
-
Ceremony | 1 – 2 Hrs
'The Overture' experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Ceremony
Pre-Ceremony Ambience
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Ceremony Special Moments including Processional (Aisle Music), Signing of the Register, Special Rites, and Recessional.
Musical Direction & Support
Expert Music Curation & Advice via email/video call, including repertoire suggestions, ceremony flow and timings, & vendor suggestions for musical collaborations (e.g. Singers)
Wireless Audio Setup
Premium portable performance sound gear for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception dining.
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire that harmonises with your day’s colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Finale
A high-energy celebration package, built entirely to look after the final movement of your wedding day.
-
For couples who want to bypass the daytime chapters and focus completely on a show-stopping reception, this collection is designed to take your evening from elegant dinner ambience to an explosive, unforgettable dancefloor.
-
Full Reception | 5 – 6 Hrs
'The Finale' experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Reception
Guest Arrival Set
3 – 4 Custom Song Choices for Reception Signature Moments including newlywed entrance, cutting the cake, and your first dance.
Dining Ambience
Feature Showcase
Live Dancefloor Elevation
Musical Direction & Support
Expert Music Curation & Advice via email/video call, including repertoire & vendor suggestions for musical collaborations (e.g. DJs or other artists for duets etc)
Wireless Audio Setup
Premium portable performance sound gear for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception dining.
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire selections that harmonise with your evening’s colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Manuscript
An intimate live violin performance designed exclusively for the moment your marriage composition begins: the proposal
-
I will work discreetly behind the scenes with you or your proposal planner to orchestrate a flawless, high-surprise execution for your big question.
-
Proposal Serenade | 1 Hr
'The Manuscript’ experience can be customised to your vision, but often encompasses:
Proposal Serenade
A bespoke song choice for the main moment
Ambient background music to accompany your post-engagement toast/photoshoot
Wireless Audio Setup
Premium battery-powered portable performance sound gear
Considered Couture
Carefully curated performance attire that harmonises with your colour palette, vibe, or theme.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
ENHANCEMENTS
to elevate any wedding experience
The Prelude
First Look Pre-Ceremony Feature
An intimate accompaniment to the private moment you share with each other before the ceremony, setting the emotional tone before guests arrive.
-
Bespoke song choice during your private first-look reveal
30 minutes of ambient background music during your initial couple portrait photography session
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Rehearsal
Day-Prior Ceremony Practice
On-site live practice for aisle cue and pace coordination for the ceremony with your celebrant and the wedding party the day prior.
-
On-site musical direction and processional pacing walk-through with your bridal party, coordinator, and wedding celebrant.
Up to 60 minutes
Please Note: Subject to calendar availability and can only be confirmed within 28 days of your wedding date.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Duet
Live Vocals & Live Violin Duo
Elevate your ceremony, cocktail hour, or reception dining ambience with the addition of live vocals.
-
Available as a premium enhancement across my solo collections, this collaboration allows Nicole Hannen’s soulful vocals to masterfully carry the lyrical heart of your favorite tracks blended with Arna’s live violin harmonies, introducing a rich, multi-dimensional layer of live music that completely transforms how your most meaningful songs fill the room.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Ensemble
Additional Instrumental Performers
Enhance the scope of your celebration by adding further world-class instrumentalists to perform alongside Arna’s violin artistry.
-
While my solo violin sets are meticulously engineered to command the absolute presence of a room all on their own, as an accomplished chamber and orchestral musician, I welcome the opportunity to design a more layered acoustic tapestry when a couple’s vision demands it.
Through Morton Music’s exclusive collective of premier New Zealand instrumentalists, we can expand your live wedding soundtrack into a sophisticated instrumental duo, trio, quartet, or even an orchestra.
Enquire for availability and my wedding packages pricing guide
The Archives
Studio Keepsakes
Custom-recorded tracks of your signature wedding music selections, providing your cinematographer with a deeply personal musical backdrop for your wedding film and organic social media reels.
-
1x Digital audio track meticulously mixed in-studio and delivered via a custom download link.
Includes a non-commercial, personal use license
-
3x Digital audio tracks meticulously mixed in-studio and delivered via a custom download link.
Includes a non-commercial, personal use license
Frequently Asked Questions
-
I can look after the complete audio design for your day, utilising a pristine, portable, performance sound system for your ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception dining across all packages, with a my DJ providing an additional full sound and lighting setup for the dancefloor included in the ‘Magnum Opus’ experience.
Fully independent and self-sufficient, the systems are engineered to accommodate celebrations of up to 120 guests, with my portable battery-powered sound system granting me absolute freedom to perform in some of New Zealand’s most remote luxury locations, from majestic mountain peaks to luxury lakeside shorelines and intimate forest clearings.
For larger guest lists, I can easily coordinate an expanded audio production system for any package for an additional fee, or seamlessly integrate my setup directly with your venue's house audio or third-party infrastructure.
-
Absolutely! Your wedding soundtrack should be a direct reflection of your relationship, and I love taking the melodies of your most meaningful tracks and reinterpreting them through the expressive voice of the violin, no matter the style or genre!
Depending on your chosen package, we will work one-on-one to select and arrange bespoke music choices to perfectly enhance the significant moments of your day, such as your aisle entrance, signing of the register, or cutting of the cake.
-
While I am proudly based in Christchurch, I am fully mobile and frequently travel across New Zealand (and even internationally) to perform for my couples.
Whether you are planning a destination celebration with a scenic Queenstown vista, on a Waiheke Island estate, or a remote private coastal hideaway, I will gladly be there.
Simply share your location details when you fill out the enquiry form, and we can easily arrange a custom travel-inclusive package.
-
Honestly, this is the ultimate energy booster for your party and one of my favourite features of my wedding services!
While my electric violin was specifically commissioned by a Melbourne-based luthier to seamlessly blend in with the aesthetics of a wedding day, it is equally at home on the dancefloor where I live remix, overlay, and amplify your evening party music.
I work seamlessly alongside your chosen third-party DJ or a curated venue playlist, moving energetically through the crowd to deliver a high-octane live showcase performance that keeps your guests completely captivated until last drinks. And if you want me up on a table, I’ll do it – just here to bring the vibes all night long!
-
I completely understand that wedding timelines can naturally be fluid, whether by design or simply because the energy is high and you want the celebration to keep going!
I always build a generous cushion of contingency time around my calendar bookings, allowing me to work closely with your coordinator or celebrant to respond fluidly to the room and keep your music entirely seamless and stress-free.
Should your timeline diverge significantly or your party call for an extension, my overtime enhancement – let’s call it The Encore – is available to keep the soundtrack playing, subject to my schedule on the day.
-
As a seasoned wedding performer, I am adaptable to the natural dynamics of an outdoor celebration. However, because fine wooden string instruments and high-end audio electronics cannot be exposed to direct rain, heavy moisture, or damp conditions, having a suitable wet-weather backup option is an essential part of our planning.
Similarly, for outdoor summer ceremonies under harsh, unprotected midday sunlight, a shaded performance space is required. And look, it’s not just because I am quite fair-skinned and burn easily hehe but the intense heat actually causes my strings to expand, throwing the pitch out of tune! Providing a little shade from the direct sun for long periods of performance ensures your music sounds absolutely flawless, stable, and pristine.
If the timeline shifts or weather rolls in, my portable gear is highly tactical and lightweight, allowing me to transition to your backup location seamlessly without disrupting the flow of your day.
-
Yes please, I would be incredibly grateful! Performing live is highly physical work, and keeping refreshed ensures I can deliver peak energy to your celebration from your first guest arrival right through to the final song of the night.
To keep things simple, I kindly request access to non-alcoholic refreshments (like water, juice, or soft drinks) across all bookings, regardless of duration.
If you have selected an experience that spans over 3 hours, such as The Symphony, The Concerto, or The Finale, a hot vendor meal provided during your dining service or speeches is required.
Please note: my dietary requirements are no seafood or shellfish
-
I will always ask in advance for your wedding day’s formality and colour scheme so I can tailor my attire to your occasion perfectly. Whether you’d like me to blend in with the surroundings and decor or stand out in a contrasting colour, my large wardrobe from semi-formal dresses and jumpsuits to black or white tie formal gowns has something to suit every celebration!
Destination Weddings
Is your wedding based outside the Greater Christchurch area? No problem at all!
I am more than happy to travel all over New Zealand and beyond to help you design your day's atmosphere. Whether you are planning a celebration in a hidden vineyard, a lakeside estate, or a remote coastal hideaway, myself and my portable audio gear will be there to make sure the soundtrack to your love story is completely uncompromised.
destination package minimums & travel costs apply