How Much Does a Wedding Band Cost in 2024?
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- Updated: 15th January 2024
Average Price of a Wedding Band
If you're recently engaged and looking for live wedding music to entertain your guests, a professional wedding band could be the perfect way to kick off your evening.
If you've never hired a wedding band before, you may be unaware of the costs involved. In 2023, the average price of a wedding band in the UK was around £1000 - £1800, but this can vary depending on several aspects, such as the time of year, travel costs and the number of musicians in the band.
With the 2024 summer season fast approaching, now is the time to get your wedding entertainment budget in order. Let's take a look at what affects the price of a wedding band.
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Wedding Band Prices for Different Line-ups
The number of band members plays a major role in wedding band pricing. The more professional musicians in the band, the more people there are to pay.
Whilst there are no strict rules, let's take a look at what line-up you can expect to get for your budget.
Solo Wedding Musician: £300 - £500+
If you're planning an intimate occasion or are working with a limited budget, a solo wedding musician could be just the ticket. From acoustic singer/guitarists to professional vocalists with backing tracks, there are numerous options to consider.
Many wedding musicians offer packages to cover different parts of your day, including the ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and wedding reception. Head over to our wedding singers page to browse our roster of talented acts.
Duo: £500 - £800+
A duo will typically include a singer and guitarist, often with added keys, loop pedal or backing tracks to create a fuller sound to get your guests dancing.
Many duos can also add on additional musicians, such as a sax player or percussion. This a fantastic addition visually and will certainly add to the overall atmosphere.
3-piece Band: £900 - £1400+
The power trio is perhaps one of the most sought-after line-ups on offer. Often featuring vocals, guitar, bass and drums, a trio has the same punch as many 4-piece bands but with one less band member to pay. If you want to get your guests dancing, a rockin' 3-piece band won't let you down.
4/5-piece Band: £1200 - £1800+
The most popular wedding bands in the wedding industry feature four or five musicians. The perfect combination of vocals, guitars, bass, drums and keys mean your band will be fully equipped to deliver a diverse set of classics that will appeal to wedding guests of all ages.
6-8 piece Band: £2000 - 3000+
By increasing your budget, you'll now have the option to add a sax player or full horn section to your band. With six or more members, you can expect a vibrant performance that will be sure to make a strong impression. Just remember to check space and sound limitations with your wedding venue before making a booking.
What other factors affect the overall cost of a wedding band?
Numerous other factors affect how much wedding bands cost, from the band's popularity to the time of the year. Let's look at these in more detail:
1. How in demand are the wedding band?
Being a wedding musician is similar to any other job or business; if a great band has been going for many years, that will no doubt mean that there's a lot of work coming in. Over the years, the band may choose to increase their price to reflect their experience.
2. Seasonal prices / Last-minute bookings
Fridays and Saturdays in the summer are the busiest time for every wedding band, so there isn't usually room for a discount. If you're getting married in February and March, some bands may quote slightly lower than they would in the summer months.
Similarly, if you're organising a last-minute wedding and need a band in, say, 4 weeks, you can expect bands without a booking to offer a more competitive price. However, most bands on our books are fully booked for the summer by January, so try not to wait too long!
TipAs a general rule, the average cost per wedding musician is £300-350. This means that a 4-piece wedding band might cost anywhere from £1200 for the evening's entertainment.
3. Travel Expense / Time Spent Travelling
Most live wedding bands are used to travelling and realise it's not always easy to find a band in the same town, but as diesel prices continue to soar, fuel costs are inevitably passed on to couples.
Another thing to consider is that a couple of hours travelling to and from the venue can mean 4 extra work hours for 4 to 5 people. Some bands may consider this before quoting.
4. Arrival Time / Finish time
With travel time taken into account, a band can often expect to work 12-hour days. This is based on a 5:30 pm-6 pm arrival time, and any earlier will mean a price increase. Quotes are usually based on a midnight finish, and you can expect to pay more for the band to stay until 1 am or later.
5. Set Length / Performance time
Bands generally perform two sets of around an hour. That's just an average, some bands offer 2 x 45 minute sets, whilst others prefer 3 x 45 minutes. If you have specific timings in mind, just let your band know and they may be able to offer a suitable package.
6. Accommodation
If the band are based 3-4 hours away, they may need to stay over in a hotel, and this is also considered when calculating a quote.
How can I get the best deal on a wedding band?
If you're looking to bag yourself a wedding band bargain, here are a few tips to bear in mind.
1. Smaller Line-Ups:
The more musicians there are, the higher the price tag. Consider opting for a smaller line-up, such as a trio, to save money. Fewer musicians usually mean lower costs, and you can still enjoy the same high-quality performance.
2. Get a Package Deal
To save money on your wedding entertainment, enquire with your band to see if they also offer ceremony music, daytime acoustic sets and professional DJ service. Booking the same band to provide a full-day package works out cheaper than hiring separate musicians.
3. Book Early... or Last Minute!
Timing is everything. Wedding musicians often put their fees up periodically, often at the start of the year. By making your enquiries more than a year in advance, your quote may be based on the wedding band's current fees rather than next year's.
On the other hand, if you're not afraid to take your chances, holding off until the last minute may well bag you a wedding band bargain.
4. Budget-Friendly Bands:
Wedding bands come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. To get the best deal, choose a wedding band that fits your budget without compromising on quality. Although the price of a wedding band can vary greatly, it doesn't necessarily mean budget-friendly bands aren't as talented as the more expensive acts.
5. Go Local:
Start your search in your local area to avoid excessive travel costs. Websites such as Bands For Hire represent local wedding bands in every area of the UK, making it easy to find a band in your region.
6. Off-Peak Deals and Promotions:
Many wedding bands offer special deals and promotions for off-peak dates. These include weekday bookings and quieter months such as January, February, March and November.
TipSave money on your wedding music by asking your wedding band if they can offer a package deal to include daytime music and DJ sets.
What extras do wedding bands offer?
If you have the budget, many wedding bands offer a range of extras for a small additional cost. Depending on how much of your wedding budget you're looking to spend on entertainment, you may find music throughout the day is the perfect way to enhance your special occasion. Some of the extras offered by wedding bands include:
Ceremony Music: £250+
Many wedding bands offer a range of options to cover your ceremony, such as an instrumental guitarist, pianist or acoustic duo.
Drinks Reception Music: £400+
An acoustic wedding duo is the perfect way to entertain your guests once the formalities of the ceremony are over. With a mix of genres ranging from jazz and folk to indie-rock singalongs, it's a sure-fire way to keep your guests entertained.
DJ service: £150+
In addition to providing live music in the evening, many wedding bands offer an optional DJ service for a more comprehensive evening of entertainment. Often at a significantly lower cost compared to hiring a separate DJ, the band's DJ will use a laptop to mix and take song requests for a more interactive and personalised night of entertainment.
So, how much does a live wedding band cost?
The real answer is that there are no hard and fast rules, and many factors affect the price of a live wedding band - hopefully, our pricing guide has given you a good starting point.
Now that you're in the know, it's time to start your search for a live band. At Bands For Hire, we represent only the best wedding bands across the UK to cover a wide range of budgets. Take a look at our wedding bands page to get started, and drop us an email with any queries.
