Thank you! I did not have any musical instruments played at the ceremony. I used the ipod speaker system that the hotel furnished...it is included in the complementary package. You will pick 3 songs for when the guests are being seated, 1 song for the bridal party, 1 song for the bride, and then 1 song after the kiss. The music is plenty loud once you are down there on the beach. While we were waiting for the ceremony to begin, it was a little harder for us girls to hear any music. This is at the top of the stairs and where you will begin your walk. Be prepared to have plenty of spectators before, during, and after the ceremony. The photographer must have been able to photoshop them out of our pictures...because in reality they were everywhere. I would assume that the harpist would have a way to ensure that the music played will be heard. You may want to check with the wedding coordinator to double check. The minister will have a microphone and will hold it for you when it is your time to speak. Since our wedding was in August, the weather was definitely not cold. It was breezy, but hot in the sun. But, it really wasn't that bad. The wind didn't seem to be that big of an issue either. My mom recorded the ceremony with her camera and the wind isn't too bad on her copy either. I think the cocktail hour on the beach is a neat idea...but just know that it won't be private. There will be people walking up and down the beach the entire time. We even had random people come over and sit in the ceremony seats before the wedding, so make sure you have someone watching for that.