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Our experienced team book live bands for thousands of events every year, so if you're in need of some friendly advice, please feel free to get in touch.
Looking to hire a wedding band but not quite sure where to start? Below you'll find answers to some of the most common queries about wedding band music.
What time will the wedding band arrive and set up
Our bands generally quote to arrive early evening at around 5:30 pm/6 pm to set up just after the wedding breakfast and speeches have finished. If the band are performing in the same room as the meal, the venue staff will need to turn the room around and this is when the band will load in for the wedding party.
If you need the band to arrive before the meal due to space or time constraints, most bands are happy to do this and will quote extra for their time.
How long does a wedding band take to set up?
Most wedding bands take about an hour to set up; however, some function bands can take 90 minutes or longer depending on the size of their set up.
How much does a live wedding band cost, on average?
As you start your search for wedding bands in the UK, you'll find that prices for bands can vary. As a guide, you might find prices for a high-quality party band start from £300-£350 per musician, but this is purely a starting point. Fees vary depending on location, band style, time of the year and experience of the function band. Find out more on our blog: What Affects The Price of a Wedding Band.
How long does a wedding band play for?
In England and Wales, wedding bands usually offer a package that includes 2 hours of live music split into either 3 x 40 or 2 x 60-minute sets.
Your party band will also include DJ playlists or iPod music throughout the evening so that there's no need to book a separate DJ. Many bands also offer 'laptop DJ sets' which consists of one member of the band looking after the music, taking song requests and generally ensuring they're present throughout the evening.
What style of music do your wedding bands play?
The majority of the wedding music bands we represent have put together a varied set list to cater for guests of all ages. This will usually include a mixture of genres including modern rock and pop, soul, Motown, indie rock and well-known oldies from across the decades.
If you're looking to hire a wedding band that specialises in a specific style of music, you'll also find a range of jazz bands, swing bands, 50s bands, 80s bands and Motown tribute bands on our website.
Why Hire a Function Band through us?
All of the bands on our website have been selected because they meet our strict guidelines on what makes a great function band for a wedding. That means fantastic lead vocals, faultless musicianship and a professional attitude during the planning stages and on the wedding day itself.
A high-quality wedding band not only puts on a great live show but also takes extra care to make sure everything goes without a hitch. Turning up on time, setting up professionally, being courteous and polite to guests and venue staff; these are all important factors to take into consideration.
Why use Bands For Hire? We offer a professional booking service to ensure you have absolute peace of mind on your wedding day. With thousands of reviews and positive feedback, you can be confident you'll be hiring a wedding band you can trust - wedding band hire is what we do!
How long is the band’s break?
Most cover bands will require at least 15 minutes break between sets, but this can be longer to suit your schedule. For example, you might like to spread their sets out or leave a longer gap for the evening buffet.
Who are the best wedding bands in the UK?
We've spent the last ten years putting together a roster of the best wedding bands for hire in the UK. When booking a party band through Bands For Hire, you can be confident that they've passed our strict criteria and are of an exceptionally high standard.
Will the band learn our first dance song?
Most wedding bands will be happy to learn your first dance as long as it's a song that works with their line-up and style. It's worth noting that some bands charge a small fee to cover their rehearsal time, so always mention this before booking.
Don't forget to check out our list of first dance songs to get you some ideas!
What equipment will the band provide?
Most party bands come fully self-contained with everything they require. Depending on the size of the band this usually includes full PA system (speakers, mixing desk and power amps), backline (guitar amps), lighting and instruments. Unless specified in the band's quote, you won't be required to provide any equipment.
Do bands provide DJ sets between and after their performance?
All of our evening function bands offer free playlists between sets free of charge, however, it's always a nice touch to add a DJ between sets and after the band, especially if you've booked the venue until the early hours. Many of our wedding music bands offer a DJ package, not only does this work out cheaper for you but also saves on precious venue space.
We also work with a huge database of wedding DJs and wedding singers in the UK, so if it's package deal you're after, please mention this when making your enquiry.
How do I book a wedding band?
Once you've found a wedding band you like the look of, either fill in the contact form on their profile page or add them to your enquiry list.
Once you've added your favourite bands to your shortlist, you can enquire about all of your bands by clicking on 'My Enquiry List'.
If you're happy with your quote and are looking to book a band, we'll just need you to send over your full name and address along with confirmation of the wedding venue. At that point, we'll email you an online contract and invoice for a small deposit of approximately 20%. This can be paid by card or bank transfer.
Where can I find out further information?
Our team of writers have put together a range of articles to help with your wedding planning. Head on over to our blog to get started or check out some of our most popular articles below: