Wedding Band Set Lists: How They Work, Sample Set List & FAQs

Updated on 7 August 2026

Reading time — 4 minutes

Wedding Band Set Lists: How They Work, Sample Set List & FAQs

One of the most common questions we get from couples booking wedding bands on FixTheMusic is about set lists: what they are, how many songs a band plays, and how much say you have in choosing them.

Based on the set lists of 1,399 wedding bands on FixTheMusic (with a median of 91 songs per band) and 25,000+ wedding enquiries we've received since 2024, this guide covers everything you need to know - from how many songs a band typically performs to what a real set list looks like on the night.

What is a set list for a wedding band?

A set list is also referred to as a repertoire list or song list. Put simply, it’s a list of the covers that the wedding band have rehearsed and are able to perform at your wedding.

How many songs are on an average wedding band set list?

Based on the 1,399 band set lists on FixTheMusic, the median repertoire size is 91 songs, but this varies significantly by band type. Motown and soul wedding bands have the largest repertoires (median 132 songs), while indie rock bands are tighter (median 91). Jazz and swing bands sit around 86 and ceilidh bands around 87. At the extreme end, luxury showbands carry a median of 155 songs, reflecting the wider range of material they need to cover for high-end events.

What’s the difference between a band’s set list and a repertoire list?

Generally the band’s repertoire refers to the entire catalogue of songs that the band knows how to perform. The set list is a shorter list of songs that the band performs on a more regular basis and in a particular order, often throughout an individual wedding season.

What genres of covers are on wedding band set lists?

Some party bands perform a broad range of covers from 1950s rock ’n’ roll to 1970s funk, to 90s covers and even chart songs from recent years. Some bands specialise in one genre, e.g. 90s wedding bands that perform covers exclusively from this decade.

But how many songs will the band perform at my wedding, as it can’t be every cover on the set list?

This is a good question. Most wedding bands will ask you to list some covers from their set list that you absolutely do want, and some that you definitely don’t want. Bands will then take your preferences on board to create a list of songs to perform on the evening. Most wedding bands perform 2 × 45–60 minute sets, playing roughly 30–40 songs in total.

Can I choose every song for the band to perform on my wedding day?

Most bands will strongly advise against asking them to perform a list of songs completely dictated by the client. This is because experienced bands know exactly which songs will complement your preferences, in which order to perform them and, crucially, they need some leeway on the night to “read the room” in deciding which songs to perform at which moments.

Can wedding bands take requests on the night?

Some wedding bands will take a small number of requests if they already know the songs, but their priority is keeping the dance floor full. Giving the band flexibility helps them maintain the energy and flow of the evening.

What if there’s a song that I really want to be performed that isn’t on their set list?

Most wedding bands will offer to learn 1 or 2 songs free of charge, especially if it’s for your first dance. Any extra songs will be charged at a fee for learning and rehearsing. A fee is charged as it’s a time-consuming process to arrange the parts for each instrument, followed by rehearsing. In our experience, the cost is roughly £50 to £100 for each new song request, or a bit more for larger bands.

How many sets does a band play at a wedding?

The best wedding bands in the UK perform two hours of live music. This is split into either 2 x 60 minute sets or 3 x 40 minute sets. Some Scottish wedding bands play three hours of music, usually divided into 3 x 60 minute sets.

How often do wedding bands update their set lists?

Generally, bands update their set lists once a year after learning new material before the start of each summer wedding season.

How many songs should a wedding band know?

Most wedding bands will know at least 40 songs. Many bands will know lots more. This will often depend on the ability of the singer to learn and memorise the lyrics to such a vast catalogue of songs.

Are the set lists for bands on FixTheMusic up-to-date?

The vast majority are up-to-date, but it can be worth checking with the band as they may have recently learned some new covers which they haven’t added to their profile yet.

Where can I find the band’s set list on their FixTheMusic profile?

On mobile, the set list is at the bottom of the page below the band’s photos. On widescreen desktop, the set list is on the right column, below the band’s photos.

What’s the usual format for a set list?

Most bands will group songs into categories, for example genres (e.g. funk, soul, indie, rock) or into decades (e.g. 50s, 60s, 70s…you get the picture). Most wedding bands list the song as well as the artist/composer.

Is there anything more to say about wedding band set lists?

I think that’s pretty much it. Set lists are a great way of getting a good idea about the style of the band so it’s important to look over it before booking. We hope this will serve to be a comprehensive list of FAQs on the subject, but if you still have a question about repertoire lists, let us know and we’ll add it to the list!

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What a typical wedding band set list looks like

Most wedding bands structure their evening around two 60-minute live sets, with a break in between for the wedding breakfast or evening buffet. Here's how a typical evening flows, based on the set lists of bands on FixTheMusic.

Set 1 (60 minutes, roughly 15-18 songs)

The first set is about getting guests onto the dance floor and building energy. Bands typically open with something universally recognisable, then mix in floor-fillers across decades to appeal to all ages.

Segment	Purpose	What the band plays
Opener (2-3 songs)	Get people up, set the tone	High-energy, instantly recognisable covers, usually a current hit or a classic everyone knows
Floor-fillers (4-5 songs)	Fill the dance floor, mix eras	Upbeat tracks spanning the 60s to the 2020s, chosen to get different age groups up in sequence
Singalongs (3-4 songs)	Get everyone joining in	Anthems with choruses the whole room knows, the kind where guests sing louder than the band
Closer (1-2 songs)	Big finish to end the set	A high-peak floor-filler that leaves guests wanting more during the break

Break (30-45 minutes)

The band takes a break while the evening buffet is served. Most bands provide a laptop playlist or DJ service during this time at no extra cost.

Set 2 (60 minutes, roughly 15-18 songs)

The second set is higher energy. The dance floor is already warm, so bands lean into bigger anthems and current hits. This is often where bands play your requested songs and any first dance they've learned.

Segment	Purpose	What the band plays
Re-opener (2-3 songs)	Get people back up after the break	Something upbeat and familiar to restart the energy quickly
Anthems (4-5 songs)	The biggest songs of the night	The band's strongest material, often their most-requested covers
Requests and first dance (2-3 songs)	Your personal picks	Whatever you've asked for, the band will have rehearsed these in advance
Party finish (3-4 songs)	Keep everyone dancing to the end	Upbeat, celebratory covers designed to end the night on a high

For specific song recommendations for each part of your wedding day, see our data-backed guide to the best wedding songs.

Of the 25,000+ wedding enquiries we've received since 2024, 465 couples specifically mentioned "set list" or "song list" in their requirements, and 481 mentioned their first dance. Only 21 specified a "do not play" list. Most couples trust the band's judgement on what to avoid.

How set lists differ by band type

Not all bands approach set lists the same way. Here's how it varies across the main types of wedding band on FixTheMusic.

Function and party bands (the most common type, 373 bands on FixTheMusic) tend to have the largest repertoires, with a median of 95 songs covering everything from 60s Motown to current chart hits. They read the room and adjust on the fly, so the exact running order changes every gig.

Indie and rock wedding bands (59 bands) focus on guitar-based covers from the 90s and 2000s. Their set lists are tighter (median 91 songs) but more focused in style; think Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs and The Strokes rather than Stevie Wonder and ABBA.

Jazz and swing bands (84 bands) often split their evening between background sets for drinks receptions and upbeat sets for dancing. Their set lists lean on standards from the Great American Songbook, with a median of 86 songs. Some bands offer postmodern jukebox-style covers of modern pop in a vintage style.

Ceilidh bands (17 bands) structure their set list around called dances rather than floor-fillers. A typical ceilidh set includes 6-7 dances per hour, with the caller guiding guests through each routine. Their median repertoire is 87 songs. Some ceilidh bands also offer a covers set to finish the night.

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How to choose the perfect set list for your wedding

Creating the perfect set list is all about balance: keeping your guests happy, reflecting your personal taste and letting the band do what they do best.

Think about your crowd: Mix eras and genres so everyone has something to dance to, from older relatives to your friends.
Pick a few favourites: Highlight 3–5 must-have songs that mean something to you as a couple.
Trust the professionals: Experienced wedding bands know which songs work best together and how to read the room on the night.
Plan the flow: Start with upbeat singalongs to fill the floor, save the big anthems for later, and slot in slower songs when guests need a breather.
Ask about medleys or mashups: Many modern bands (e.g. Mashup Kings, Party Academics or Mashup Roamers) mix songs seamlessly to keep energy high and transitions smooth.

A great set list keeps the dance floor full and the night flowing. The best wedding bands know exactly how to make that happen.

Our research into wedding music trends from 10,000 real couples has more insight into how couples approach setlist planning.

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Adam Southall

Adam is a co-founder of FixTheMusic and works on everything from copywriting and marketing to design and user experience. He studied Music at Cambridge University. Adam is a keen pianist, and also learned cello and trumpet from an early age.