FAQs About Set Lists For Wedding Bands

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.

It really does vary hugely from band to band. More specialised bands, for example a Motown and soul wedding band, may have a smaller set list or around 40 to 60 covers, whereas a more versatile wedding band may have several hundred songs on their 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.

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 tribute wedding bands that perform covers exclusively from this decade.

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. Wedding bands usually perform 2 sets of 45mins or 1 hour, meaning that they perform roughly 15-20 songs in each set, so 30-40 covers in total.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!