Wedding Music

Find the Best Wedding Musicians in the UK

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Live Wedding Music Ideas

When it comes to your big day, it's essential to hire the right live wedding music to suit you and your guests. Whether that's a string quartet during the ceremony, a jazz band throughout the wedding breakfast, or a live wedding band for your evening reception party. From live musicians to wedding playlists, keep on browsing for more wedding music ideas.

Evening Wedding Entertainment

When the meal and speeches are over, it's time for the dancing to begin! On our site, you'll find a selection of wedding bands in every genre. Most of our wedding bands for hire have a little something for everyone in their setlist, from soul and r&b to rock 'n' roll, indie, and pop. If you want to keep your guests on their feet, a wedding function band is most definitely the perfect choice.

Wedding DJs

Booking a DJ is a great way to end the night with a bang, either as an alternative to a live wedding band or to accompany the band throughout the evening. Although all of our wedding cover bands provide music between sets, hiring a DJ can really help your wedding reception flow seamlessly.

live function bands

Wedding Bands

A wide range of wedding bands, perfect for your evening’s entertainment. From Indie, Rock & Pop to Motown, Soul and more.

jazz and swing bands for weddings

Jazz & Swing Bands

From 1920s Speakeasy to 1940s Swing; from Sinatra to contemporary pop with a twist, there's something for everyone.

String quartets for hire

Wedding String Quartets

We represent a number of highly talented string quartets & ensembles, perfect for your wedding ceremony and drinks reception.

High end party bands

High-End Wedding Bands

Take your event to the next level with one of our all-singing and all-dancing premier party bands.

Acoustic bands for hire

Acoustic Wedding Music

Whether it's Classical, Folk, Pop or Indie you're looking for, you're certain to find the perfect acoustic band or solo performer at Bands For Hire

Wedding Harpists

Wedding Harpists

Hire one of our talented wedding harpists to add a touch of class to the proceedings; from classical to modern, to Broadway and beyond.

Wedding Pianists for hire

Wedding Pianists

We work alongside a number of experienced wedding pianists, both instrumental and with vocals; take a listen and see who strikes the right chord.

wedding singers for hire

Wedding Singers

When a live band feels a little too much for the occasion, our wedding singers offer a compact alternative to get the party on its feet.

Wedding DJs for hire

Wedding DJs

A selection of highly professional wedding DJs playing music from every genre imaginable.

Wedding Saxophonists for hire

Wedding Saxophonists

Whether it's a stylish jazz sax player or Cafe Del Mar style performer, we've got you covered.

World Music

World Music

From Cuban and Latino to Bollywood and Mariachi, we've got all bases covered. Visit our world music page to be inspired!

Ceilidh, Folk and Country bands

Ceilidh, Folk and Country

Hire one of our Ceilidh or Country bands for the ultimate barn dance experience - guaranteed to get the audience on their feet!

Wedding Ceremony FAQs

If it's your first time organising a wedding, you're bound to have lots of questions. We've outlined some of the most common queries below along with some tips to get your planning underway.

What type of wedding musicians should I book for my wedding ceremony?

There are a whole host of fantastic options to consider when choosing your ceremony music. Some of our most popular acts include wedding harpists, string quartets, classical guitarists, solo singers and acoustic duos.

For something slightly more unique, you might consider a solo sax player, a wedding violinist or even something a little jazzier. Whatever your wedding theme, you'll find a range of options to suit your day.

How long will my ceremony musicians play for and when?

You can hire wedding musicians to cover either the ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast or a combination of the three. As a guide, most couples tend to hire wedding musicians for either the ceremony and drinks reception or the drinks reception and wedding breakfast.

A typical ceremony and drinks reception package might look something like the below:

  • Prelude: 15-25 minutes performance before the ceremony as guests arrive
  • Processional & Bridal Entrance song: The all-important song as the bridesmaids and bride enters
  • Interlude / Signing of the Registers: Two or three songs during the signing of the registers
  • Recessional: A final piece of music as the bride and groom exit followed by the wedding party and their guests
  • One hour performance during the afternoon drinks reception

How much does it cost to hire wedding musicians?

In general, most harpists and string ensembles tend to quote on a per hour basis, meaning they'll charge a minimum performance fee covering two or three hours, and then an hourly rate after that.

On average, you can expect a string quartet covering your ceremony and drinks reception to cost anywhere between £650 and £1000.

Acoustic solo acts and acoustic duos will usually offer an all-in price to cover the wedding ceremony and drinks reception with prices starting from £250/£300 per musician.

Do wedding musicians learn song requests?

Yes, all of our wedding musicians will be more than happy to take song requests for your ceremony. Harpists, string musicians and other instrumentalists will usually require sheet music to perform and would request any associated costs to be covered.

If there are no song arrangements or sheet music available for your requested song, our musicians will be happy to make a bespoke arrangement and will usually charge a small fee to cover their time.

Wedding Singers and acoustic acts will usually learn one new song free of charge but may charge extra for additional requests.

What time do wedding ceremony musicians arrive and how long does it take to set up?

We'll arrange for your wedding musicians to arrive at least an hour before they begin their performance to ensure they're ready to play with plenty of time to spare.

What style of music is suitable for the ceremony?

Your wedding songs can be traditional, classical, contemporary or a mixture of the three. Below are some popular wedding songs to get you started:

Popular Classical Ceremony Songs

  • Canon in D - Pachelbel
  • Bridal Chorus - Wagner
  • A Thousand Years - Christina Perri
  • Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo’Ole
  • Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Handel
  • Air on a G string – Bach
  • Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Mozart
  • Wedding March – Mendelssohn

Popular Contemporary Ceremony Songs

  • Songbird – Eva Cassidy
  • Chasing Cars – Snowpatrol
  • Yesterday – The Beatles
  • Perfect – Ed Sheeran
  • Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold
  • Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran
  • How Deep is Your Love – Bee Gees
  • Elbow - One Day Like This
  • All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
  • Wonderwall – Oasis
  • Make You Feel My Love - Adele
  • Hoppipolla – Sigur Ros
wedding musicians

Wedding Ceremony Music

Take your pick from our extensive roster of wedding ceremony musicians to accompany you on your big day.

From wedding singers to string quartets, harpists, and acoustic duos, you'll find a range of options on offer.

Wedding Ceremony Musicians

Wedding Ceremony Musicians

Add one of our featured wedding ceremony musicians to the mix for an unforgettable opening to your big day. Choose from solo musicians such as classical guitarists, harpists, and wedding singers, or take things to the next level with one of our stunning wedding string quartets.

Wedding Ceremony Music

All of our wedding musicians have a vast repertoire of ceremony music to choose from, from traditional classical music such as Wagner's Bridal Chorus and Pachelbel's Canon in D to more contemporary favourites.

If there's a particular song you'd like for your wedding processional or exit, you'll find all of our musicians are more than happy to learn a piece of music, especially for you. Just let us know in your request, and we'll take it from there.

Jonathan - Singer / Pianist
From £450
Jonathan is an exceptional talent with a distinct vocal ability that's certain to delight and entertain. With a beautiful combination of...
Oceano Strings
From £490 + VAT
A wonderfully talented string ensemble to complement any special occasion including weddings, champagne receptions and garden parties. This fabulous quartet of...
Lera - Harpist
From £425
Lera is an award-winning harpist with an extensive repertoire spanning popular, jazz, rock, classical, and Bollywood genres. Lera is a professional harpist who began...
Ed - Singer / Guitarist
From £610
Known for his powerful yet soulful voice, Ed can entertain in any capacity performing intimate wedding ceremonies, parties and drinks...
Thomas - Looping Violinist
From £610
Experience the dynamic sound of violin virtuoso Thomas and his epic fusion of contemporary looping and classical composition. As a...
Juniper Strings
From £410
An impressive group of classically trained musicians, who together perform wonderfully enchanting arrangements from an array of genres....

Drinks Reception Music

With the wedding ceremony complete it's time to amp up the atmosphere with some light entertainment.

There are no strict rules when it comes to drinks reception music so you're free to take your pick!

Acoustic BandsJazz & Swing Bands
wedding drinks reception music

Drinks Reception Musicians

Each month we put together a featured selection of recommended wedding musicians to get you started. You'll find reviews and feedback for each of our bands on their profile pages along with more videos, demos, photos, and setlists.

JJ & The Beatniks
From £2750 + VAT
JJ & The Beatniks are a unique acoustic band performing tailor-made mash-ups of popular songs. If you're looking for an acoustic band...
Blackbird
From £775
Bustling with energy and a passion for live music, Blackbird showcase soul, jazz, blues, Motown and contemporary songs in their own impressive style. Perfect for...
Misko
From £490
Misko's blistering guitar skills will leave you speechless as he blasts his way through modern and classical favourites. Having performed extensively throughout the UK...
James - Saxophonist
From £365
Ibiza classics, jazz & modern pop saxophonist. James is a professionally trained saxophonist with over 15 years of experience, having...
Robin - Singer / Guitarist
From £310
With ten years of experience on the events scene, Robin promises to deliver an accomplished performance at every event. Robin is a gifted...
Artisan Jazz
From £585
Artisan Jazz are an instrumental trio who've handcrafted the ultimate swing and gypsy jazz experience! Based in and around London, this skilful group of musicians...

Daytime Wedding Music Guides

At Bands For Hire we have over 20 years experience in the wedding industry, organising live bands and wedding musicians to cover every aspect of your wedding entertainment. To get you started with your wedding planning journey our team have put together the following wedding music guides.

Wedding Music Guide (Infographic)
Wedding Music Guide (Infographic)

The perfect starting point for wedding music newbies.

String Quartet Booking Guide
The Complete String Quartet Booking Guide

Everything you need to know before hiring a string quartet for your next event.

Harpist Booking Guide
The Complete Harpist Booking Guide

Everything from set times and logistics to guide prices and popular song choices.

wedding breakfast music

Wedding Breakfast Music

Take the tempo down a notch with one of our talented instrumentalists or wedding singers.

Choose from a range of background wedding music options, from solo pianists and guitarists to jazz duos and trios.

Wedding PianistsWedding Guitarists

Dinner Musicians

Choose from our range of pianists, guitarists, sax players and jazz groups.

Chris - Piano / Vocals
From £295
Chris is an accomplished pianist, perfect for jazz piano during your wedding breakfast or a combination of piano and vocals during...
Spenser - Wedding Singer
From £335
Experienced male vocalist and multi-instrumentalist available to hire for wedding receptions and special occasions. With a fully...
Mike - Pianist
From £360
London pianist Mike performs a broad spectrum of styles ranging from classical to contemporary. Perfect for weddings, drinks parties and corporate functions. With a...
Hayden - Guitarist
From £250
The classical guitar provides a wonderful air of sophistication to any event, and Hayden does not disappoint with his acute precision and...
Anthony - Pianist
From £295
Anthony specialises in carefully crafted piano arrangements of the great classic indie, pop and rock songs through the ages. Anthony is a...
Iris Quartet
From £820
A highly-skilled horn-led jazz outfit providing a sophisticated backdrop to your event. This professional instrumental jazz band is led by two of London's most sought...
Daytime Wedding Music FAQs

From champagne reception music to background music during your wedding breakfast, here are some handy pointers to help with your planning.

What type of music should I have during my drinks reception?

When it comes to drinks reception entertainment, there are no limits. Some of the most popular options include contemporary acoustic singers, Mariachi bands, Gypsy jazz bands, swing bands and acoustic roaming bands.

How long do musicians perform for during the drinks/champagne reception?

Acoustic musicians, jazz bands and instrumentalists will usually quote to include two sets of either 2 x 45 minutes or 2 x 60 minutes.

Will my drinks reception musicians also play during the wedding breakfast?

Our musicians will be happy to tailor a quote to suit your preferences. If you'd like your musicians to perform at both the afternoon reception and wedding breakfast, they'll need to account for the additional hours spent at the venue when quoting.

How much does it cost to hire musicians for the afternoon drinks reception and wedding breakfast?

We have wedding entertainment to suit every budget, from solo musicians starting at £250 to acoustic duos in the region of £500 upwards.

What type of musicians should I hire for the wedding breakfast?

Popular wedding breakfast musicians include wedding pianists, guitarists, jazz trios and wedding singers.

Our dinner musicians cover an extensive repertoire of wedding music including classical, jazz, TV & movie soundtracks, musicals and contemporary chart music.

Evening Wedding Bands

Make your evening wedding reception unforgettable with one of our live wedding bands.

From contemporary pop, rock and indie to old school soul we promise to have your guests on the dance floor!

View All Wedding Bands
wedding music bands

Featured Wedding Bands

Featured wedding bands for January 2021 including our very own wedding bands, exclusive to Bands For Hire.

Replay
From £1350
From classic indie rock to all-out party anthems, Replay promise to leave your guests wanting more. Replay are a professional and versatile band delivering a live show...
SugarFly
From £1345
Powerhouse line-up bringing non-stop crowd-pleasers to the dance floor. Meet SugarFly, a dynamic function band with a rich history in the UK music scene. Having cut...
Tailor & Co
From £995
Keeping the rhythm and soul flowing are Tailor & Co; a North West trio bringing together the very best of soul, rock 'n' roll and...
The New Tones
From £1395
The New Tones are a young and vibrant function band who offer a lively repertoire, enthusiastic performance and upbeat style to kickstart your event. The New Tones...
The Mesh Band
From £1250
Experienced 4-piece function band performing a variety of music from 50s rock 'n' roll to Motown, indie rock and up-to-date pop. With band members having performed...
Soho Soul
From £1595
An upbeat soul band from London who bring an abundance of style and charisma to the stage! Having studied in numerous music colleges in the capital, such as BIMM...

Wedding Band Blogs

Our experienced team have put together the following wedding band guides to help get you started. From band prices, set times, repertoire, sound checks and more you'll find lots of helpful tips and info on our blog.

wedding entertainment
100+ Wedding Entertainment Ideas

From singing waiters to an epic midnight firework display, here are over 100 ways to entertain your wedding guests.

How to Nail Your Evening Wedding Schedule
How to Nail Your Evening Wedding Schedule

Plan your evening wedding reception schedule like a pro.

Wedding Band Costs - What Affects the Price of a Wedding Band?
Wedding Band Costs

What Affects the Price of a Wedding Band? Everything you need to know before hiring a live band.

Wedding Playlists & Song Ideas

Looking for ideas for your wedding playlist? Check out our latest blogs with first dance song ideas, last dance songs, father and daughter dances and playlists.

Bride and groom dancing
300+ Wedding Song Ideas

The ultimate selection of wedding songs to complement each moment of your big day.

First dance wedding songs
100+ First Dance Wedding Song Ideas

Struggling with your first dance? Take a look at our list of classics for some inspiration.

Father / Daughter Dance Song Ideas
Top 100 Father / Daughter Dance Song Ideas

Set the perfect tone with the traditional father and daughter dance.