Wedding Music Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book wedding entertainment?

Start your research online to find interesting acts. Remember to search locally as acts that are far away may charge a lot more for the extra travel and expense. Get in touch and request more info, such as videos and testimonials. If you find someone you like, book them quickly to make sure you secure them for your particular date.

How do I choose between so many different wedding entertainment suppliers?

Look for the most reliable and see how responsive they are to your initial enquiry and further questions. If someone is more responsive and professional, then there’s more chance of everything going smoothly on the big day.

How do I choose the wedding ceremony music?

Most music is acceptable for the wedding ceremony. For a civil ceremony, no religious music is allowed. Favourite pop songs are popular for the key moments. If unsure, ask your musicians for their ideas and suggestions too.

How many songs do you need for a wedding ceremony?

Four songs work well. One each for the Entry and Exit music and then two for the Signing of the Register.

Does the bride/groom walk down the aisle to the same song as the wedding party?

If you have live musicians, it will be easier if it’s the same song in terms of ‘flow’ of the procession. It is possible for one song for the entry of the bridesmaids and another for the bride to walk in to.

What are the best bridal entry songs?

Pachelbel Canon is popular because it works well. Many slower pop songs/romantic ballads work really well also.

Which songs are popular for the ceremony?

Entry Music – “Pachelbel Canon, Wedding March” (Wagner), “Kissing You” by Des’ree, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Signing of the Register – Elgar “Salut D’amour”, “She” from Notting Hill, Bach “Air on a G String”, “All of Me” by John Legend, “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith, “Make you Feel my Love” by Adele, “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” by Stevie Wonder
Exit Music – Purcell “Arrival of the Queen of Sheeba”, “Happy” by Pharrell, “Hoppipolla” by Sigur Ros, “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay.

How do I know when is the right time in the music to walk into the room as a bride?

This good question gets asked a lot. Take your time as it’s not a race to get to the front of the aisle. Rather, listen to the music and as soon as you feel it’s the right moment (this can be a few seconds after everyone else) then slowly walk in and enjoy this amazing moment!

How much does it cost to book wedding musicians?

A solo musician starts at around £200, a function band at around £1,000 and a jazz band at around £600. There are lots of other acts at varying prices.

How much does a string quartet cost?

Many string quartets start at around £600 and you can pay up to £1,000+ for some also.

Can a string quartet play outside?

Yes, although the string quartet will require cover if it’s sunny and even if there is very light rain. Most outdoor venues have some cover, like a gazebo or large umbrellas.

Is a string quartet too noisy for a small wedding?

No, it never is. You can have a string quartet or small jazz band in a wedding with only around 20 – 50 guests and it won’t drown anyone out or be intrusive. What it will do is create a great atmosphere.

What music works well for the champagne reception?

A string quartet works well after the more formal ceremony as it can provide a variety of tunes and genres and you can have the same act for the main part of the day. A jazz band also works well, as does an acoustic singer/guitarist.

How much does a wedding band cost?

Most bands start at around £1,200 for a 4 piece. Premium bands can charge as much as £5,000 – £10,000.

Is it better to book a band or a DJ for a wedding?

A band is better if you want the ‘live’ atmosphere and some have singers and band members who will interact with your guests on the dance floor.

A DJ is better if you want lots of different styles of music and slightly more of a ‘club’ feel for the evening part of the wedding.

How long do wedding bands play for?

2×60 minute sets with a break works well. Some bands also offer 3×40 minute sets. They will usually play a great playlist through their speakers during any breaks.

How do we match the music to the wedding venue we’ve booked?

It’s useful to consider the size of the venue and ask them if they have any live music restrictions before starting to consider what music to book.

Also ask the musicians or DJ as they may already know your venue and will almost certainly know and understand what acts could work at your chosen venue.

Do acts bring their own amplifiers?

Some do and others only play acoustic music. Acoustic is handy as they can move to different rooms for different parts of the wedding easily. In a very large wedding with around 500 guests, then an amplified act will be more effective as they can adjust the volume according to the level of noise in the venue.

Do DJs bring lighting as well as other equipment?

All professional DJs bring their own equipment and some bring basic and simple lighting also. If you want more elaborate lighting, then it’s best to go to a specialist lighting company.