What to look for when selecting a harpist:
Does the harpist I'm considering have plenty of experience and ability?
Take a look at the musician's biography and performance history.  Find out how many years he or she has been performing.  Listen to their music.  Visiting a public concert or meeting with the musician in person is best, but recordings can also give you a good idea of how this artist sounds.
What styles of music does he or she perform?
Decide what genres you are looking for to suit your event.  Then, check to see if the harpist you're considering offers any selections that might complement nicely. 
Can requests be taken?
If you have any special songs you'd like to include, ask if these are in the musician's repertoire or if he or she could learn the piece before your event.
Is this musician in a good geographical location for me?
If your event is not in the same city as the harpist, find out how far he or she is willing to travel and what extra fees may apply. 
Am I getting a fair price?
Ask what the going rate for musicians in that area is, and how the harpist's prices compare with that of other similar artists.
Would having a harp complement the visual setting of my event?
The harp is a stunningly beautiful instrument.  Having one at a wedding, party, or open house, among other occasions, instantly adds an element of grandeur and distinction to the setting.  It can transform even a casual event into a classy affair. 
Is this harpist friendly and easy to work with?
Feedback from previous clients can give you a good idea of the experience that they had working with the musician.  But don't just rely on other people's judgement- talking with the harpist on the phone or meeting with him or her in person will give you your own sense of how amiable the person is, so be sure to contact them directly.
Will the harp provide enough volume for all my guest to be able to hear?
A pedal harp is capable of reaching audiences of over a hundred guests outdoors without the help of amplification.  Indoors, the harp will have an increased volume based on the room's natural acoustics.  The harp's volume can also be magnified with a microphone or other amplification system for larger settings.
Can the harp be performed at outdoor events?
One of the benefits of harp is that, unlike many large instruments such as the piano or the organ, the harp can almost always be set up outdoors.  All that is required is a few feet of level ground and a bit of shade in hot weather.
Shopper's Guide