CENTRAL COAST WEDDING & EVENT MUSIC

Central Coast California-based Wedding & Event Acoustic Singer/Songwriter & Guitarist

Refined. Intimate. Uniquely Yours.

Live acoustic music thoughtfully woven into your wedding day.

Singer-songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Dave Tate creates distinctive musical experiences for weddings throughout San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Big Sur, Monterey, and California's Central Coast.

From intimate instrumental guitar as your first guests arrive to soulful vocals for cocktail hour, dinner, and first dances, the music evolves naturally alongside your celebration.

For couples looking for a complete musical experience, DJ services can carry that atmosphere into the reception and dancing, creating one cohesive soundtrack from the beginning of your wedding through the end of the night.

The result is more than a series of performances.

It's the soundtrack to your wedding.

Listen to live recordings from my large list of popular modern and classic love songs. I also perform original material upon request. 

Your all-in-one music provider! I perform at ceremonies, cocktail hours, receptions and engagements. I can also provide an excellent sound system after the performance for your own playlist.

My schedule fills up fast, often a year or more in advance, so send a "Save the Date" email as soon as possible to reserve your special day!

MUSIC

Fingerstyle Guitar

Intimate. Expressive. Timeless.

Instrumental fingerstyle guitar is one of the foundations of my approach to wedding music.

Rather than simply strumming chords beneath a melody, fingerstyle guitar allows the instrument to carry melody, harmony, rhythm, and texture simultaneously.

The result is a full but intimate sound particularly suited to weddings.

It works beautifully as guests arrive, during ceremonies, over dinner, and anywhere music should enhance the atmosphere without taking over the room.

Cannon in D - Fingerstyle Guitar by Dave Tate - Central Coast Wedding Music

Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring- Fingerstyle Guitar by Dave Tate - Central Coast Wedding Music

I Will - Fingerstyle Guitar by Dave Tate - Central Coast Wedding Music

The Water is Wide - Fingerstyle Guitar by Dave Tate - Central Coast Wedding Music

Acoustic Guitar & Vocals

Familiar Songs, Made Personal

My guitar and vocal style draws from singer-songwriter, folk, americana, soul, rock, acoustic pop, and music from across the decades.

Rather than trying to recreate the original recording, I reinterpret songs through my own acoustic style.

That allows familiar music to feel fresh while preserving the emotional quality that made you connect with the song in the first place.

To Make You Feel My Love (Bob Dylan) - Dave Tate

Can't Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis) - Dave Tate

All of Me (John Legend) - Dave Tate

Let's Stay Together (Al Green) - Dave Tate

Better Together (Jack Johnson) - Dave Tate

Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes (Paul Simon) - Dave Tate

Maybe Love (Dan Tate) - Dave Tate

Daughters (John Mayer) - Dave Tate

REVIEWS

Dave was absolutely perfect. Their beautiful acoustic sound set the perfect atmosphere that I wanted at my wedding reception. It really completed the whole evening and was definitely one of the added elements that I thought definitely worth it and made the evening feel complete.
— Emma
Dave was wonderful to work with! The music was so perfect and really added a magical quality to our wedding! Many of our guests commented on how great the music was as well. Not only were the songs just what we wanted, they were performed perfectly as well.
— Vickie
Dave did a phenomenal job with our wedding music! Dave’s voice and musical skill are second-to-none, and all of our guests raved about him. He truly went above and beyond, honoring all of our musical requests and helping us come up with song ideas to set the tone we wanted. Dave is an absolute professional and has superb attention to detail. We couldn’t recommend him more highly. Thank you, Dave, for helping to make our wedding truly magical!
— Christine

WEDDING SERVICES

Live Music for Your Wedding Day

Ceremony 

Processional, recessional, and interlude music crafted to elevate your vows.

Your ceremony is the heart of your wedding day — the moment everything else leads to. I work with you to select and arrange music that feels deeply personal and emotionally resonant, from a breathtaking processional as your bridal party walks, to a meaningful interlude during your unity ceremony, to a joyful recessional as you walk back down the aisle as a married couple. Whether you envision a classic like Pachelbel's Canon in D, a modern favorite like "Can't Help Falling in Love," or a custom arrangement of a song that holds special meaning to you both, every note is performed live with warmth and intention. I coordinate timing with your officiant and wedding planner so each musical moment aligns perfectly with the flow of your ceremony.

Cocktail Hour

An elegant acoustic backdrop as you and your guests celebrate with drinks and conversation.

The cocktail hour is where your celebration truly begins — a golden window where guests mingle, toast, and soak in the joy of your just-completed ceremony. I provide a sophisticated acoustic soundtrack that sets a warm, welcoming tone without overpowering conversation. My repertoire spans timeless standards, relaxed acoustic covers, and instrumental fingerstyle pieces that complement any venue, from a sunlit vineyard terrace to an intimate garden courtyard. Couples often request a blend of classic love songs, light jazz-inflected arrangements, and contemporary favorites. The result is an atmosphere that feels refined yet effortless — the perfect bridge between your ceremony and reception.

Reception

First dance, parent dances, and dinner music that set the mood for celebration.

Your reception is where memories are made — and music is the thread that runs through every one of them. I perform your first dance live, the way you imagined it, with the intimacy and emotion that a recorded track simply can't match. Parent dances, toasts, and dinner music are all tailored to your vision, creating a seamless flow from the heartfelt moments to the joyful celebration that follows. During dinner, I keep the energy warm and inviting with acoustic favorites that encourage connection and conversation. Whether you want a romantic, understated feel or something more upbeat as the evening builds, I read the room and adjust the setlist to match the mood of your guests in real time.

Elopements

Intimate acoustic guitar & vocals can also fit perfectly for small groups and elopements. Contact me to let me know what you are envisioning!

DJ

A quality sound system for your own playlist, plus MC services and a microphone for toasts.

When my live performance wraps, the celebration keeps going. I provide a professional-grade sound system and DJ services for your own curated playlist, so your favorite songs carry the night exactly the way you want them. I also offer MC services to keep the evening flowing smoothly — announcing your grand entrance, the first dance, toasts, cake cutting, and the send-off — so you and your guests never wonder what's happening next. A wireless microphone is available for toasts and speeches, ensuring every word is heard clearly. From the last dance to the final farewell, you'll have everything you need for a seamless, unforgettable reception.


Engagement

Surprise your partner by having their favorite songs performed when you propose!

About Me

Meet Dave

Central Coast Wedding Music

crafted with soul

For couples seeking something more than just background music, I bring an intimate, soulful experience that transforms your ceremony into an unforgettable moment.

Every song is performed with intention, creating an atmosphere that feels both personal and magical. Based in San Luis Obispo on California's stunning Central Coast, I've had the privilege of performing at more than 1000 weddings and events throughout San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles wine country, Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, and beyond.

From vineyard celebrations to beachside ceremonies, each event is unique, and I craft a setlist that tells your story. Over twenty years of performing has taught me that the right song, in the right moment, can turn a beautiful day into an unforgettable one — and that's the standard I bring to every wedding.

"Music should make you feel something. That's what I bring to your day."


His own unique style (think of a cross between Paul Simon and Jeff Buckley, not just in style but also in quality) hits such a level of perfection that it’s hard to comprehend anything more beautiful….I have come to know long before now, as Nick Drake was discovered to be, that Tate is one of the most unique singer-songwriters ever.
— Heaven Magazine, The Netherlands

Email or call Dave at 435-760-9163 as soon as possible to reserve your special day!


Central Coast Wedding Music offers customizable and affordable packages to suit your needs for Ceremonies, Receptions, Engagements and Elopements. We primarily serve the California Central Coast area including San Luis Obsipo, Paso Robles, Cambria, Morro Bay, Atascadero, Avila Beach, Pismo Beach, Templeton, Cayucos, Creston, Grover Beach, Arroyo Grande, Santa Margarita, Oceano, San Simeon, Harmony, Nipomo, Guadalupe, San Miguel, Shandon, Bradley, Santa Maria, Casmalia, Los Alamos, Lompoc, San Ardo, Los Osos, and Santa Barbara. We are also available for travel nationwide.

 

Top Cover Photography courtesy of Sweetly Photography

Engagement Photo courtesy of Wild Is Our Love Photography

Bubble/Testimonial courtesy of Nick Adams Photography

Videography on home page first banner courtesy of Forevermore Films

Videography on home page second banner and video above it courtesy of Gary Dee Films

Circle Photo courtesy of Jacob Lacey at Chromatic Collective

Black and White About Me Photo courtesy of Robbie Bruzuz Photo