Wedding Bands for Hire in the UK

Question 1

What is the cost of a wedding band?

Answer

The cost of hiring a wedding band depends on many aspects. The best wedding bands might cost more because they have more experience, have higher demand, and sing more professionally. Additionally, the size of the wedding band, the presence of male and female vocals, and the amount of time you need the live band at your wedding party also affect the cost.

Question 2

How to choose the wedding band?

Answer

The size of your wedding and wedding venue determine your ideal wedding band choice. If you want a vintage-themed wedding, you might want to have a jazz wedding band play to align with your theme. When looking at live bands for hire, you want to pick the best wedding band to play at your wedding. You want a professional wedding band with the right equipment--lights, a PA system, and a whole range of instruments. The band should also display professionalism in how they present themselves. You can browse through the bands' video profiles posted on our platform to get an idea of what to expect. You should also ask about certain logistics on the wedding day, like when the wedding band arrives and their setup process. Most bands arrive early evening, about an hour or two before the party. Note that bands charge extra if you need them to arrive earlier. The heart of the matter, however, is the band's performance. Typically, wedding bands play two-hour performances. The sets are split into two 60-minute sets or three 40-minute sets. The best live bands can read the room to know when to drop pop classics or classic hits to get guests dancing. Some bands might also include a DJ service to provide background music during their set breaks.

Question 3

How to choose the right wedding band style?

Answer

Whether you're into the latest wedding trends or you have had your perfect wedding theme planned out since you were 9, you should have a wedding band that fits your wedding theme. Our hand-picked professional wedding music bands provide a selection of Motown & soul bands, oompah bands, jazz bands, and more genres to fit your preference. For nearly a decade, we have been helping couples find professional bands for hire in the UK and have made our platform easy for you to find your preferred wedding bands.

Question 4

How early should I book a wedding band?

Answer

You should aim to book your band as soon as possible. Most of our best wedding bands have bookings at least two years in advance. If your wedding is on a Saturday in May, June, July, August or September, you should really be looking to book at least a year in advance of your date. This is because most weddings fall on a Saturday during summer so our bands receive the most enquiries for these days. That said, there are more and more weddings taking place on Sundays and mid-week (especially on Thursdays and Fridays) so it’s best not to wait too long before locking down your band.

Question 5

Can I see wedding bands perform live before I book?

Answer

Usually it’s not possible to see the band live. Most professional bands perform at private events only, such as weddings and corporate events. It’s not usually possible for the bands to allow potential clients into these venues to watch them perform. It is occasionally possible so there’s no harm in asking. And sometimes wedding bands will do the odd gig at a pub or festival that’s open to the public.

Question 6

How long do most wedding bands perform for?

Answer

Most bands play 2 x 45 minute or 2 x 1 hour live sets at weddings. Some bands will play for longer than this. The bands will usually tell you how long their sets are when they provide you with their quote.

Question 7

What happens between and after the wedding band's live sets?

Answer

Most bands provide a “laptop DJ” service. This isn’t the same as providing the service of a professional DJ who reads the room and adapts to the feel on the night. Instead, they will have a playlist (usually on something like Spotify or iTunes) that they play out of their PA system. It's worth checking the details of this with the band, as some wedding bands only provide the live music and prefer to leave the rest of the evening's music to the couple or a professional DJ.

Question 8

Can I choose the music that the wedding band plays in between and after their live sets?

Answer

Yes, usually you can send the band a list of requests before the wedding and the band will download them onto their laptop or device, ready to play on the night. Alternatively, you can compile a playlist and bring your own device to plug into the band’s PA system. You should check this with the band first, as not all bands are comfortable with others using their own equipment.

Question 9

What songs will wedding bands play?

Answer

Most bands have a repertoire of songs that they perform regularly at weddings. This will be a tried-and-tested playlist that they know works well at weddings: it appeals to guests of all ages and keeps people on the dance floor. The set list will change throughout the year, as the band adds and removes songs.

Question 10

Will the wedding band learn my first dance song?

Answer

Yes! Most bands will be delighted to learn your first dance song and perform it live for you on your wedding night. If it doesn’t fit the band’s style, then they might suggest you use the recorded version of the song and the band will play this out of their PA system.

Question 11

Can I give a list of songs to the band to play at my wedding?

Answer

Most bands will usually learn one song for your wedding that isn’t already in their setlist. Some bands will offer to learn 2 or 3 new songs, but in our experience they are rarely able to learn more than this. It can be very time consuming for the band to learn and rehearse new songs, and especially so for singers to learn all the new lyrics.

Question 12

Can I indicate my song preferences to the wedding band?

Answer

Yes. Most bands will be happy for you to indicate which songs from their set list you dislike and don’t want them to play, and songs that you like and absolutely want them to play on the night. The band will usually then build their setlist around these preferences.

Question 13

What time will the wedding band arrive?

Answer

Most bands aim to arrive at around 5pm to be ready to play by 7pm. During this time they will set up their equipment and carry out a sound check, essential to making sure the volume of the band is appropriate to your venue and that any sound / noise limiters are taken into account.

Question 14

Can the wedding band turn up earlier than that?

Answer

Yes, most bands will be happy to turn up earlier than 5pm, but you should expect to pay them for the extra time. A lot of wedding couples worry about the band setting up while guests are at the venue. Bands with lots of experience of weddings should be able to set up discreetly and without making too much noise and mess. The noisiest part is when they have to carry out the sound check, but this should only last about 15 - 30 minutes.

Question 15

What time will the wedding band finish?

Answer

Most bands expect to finish by midnight. This suits most weddings as the majority of venues require live music to stop by this time.

Question 16

Can the wedding band stay later than midnight?

Answer

Usually, yes, the band can finish after midnight. But bands will normally charge a slightly higher fee for this later finish, and this should be arranged with the band in advance.

Question 17

Can I use the wedding band’s PA system after midnight?

Answer

Usually, yes. Though this will also attract a slightly higher fee, as it means that at least one band member has to wait until the end of the party to pack up the PA system and head home. Some band members might be a couple of hours’ drive away from your venue, so finishing at 1am means they won’t arrive home until 3am or 4am.

Question 18

Will the wedding band bring their own equipment?

Answer

Yes. Professional wedding bands will bring their own equipment. This includes a PA system, mixing desk, some basic lighting for the dance floor and their own instruments. If you are planning a particularly large wedding with hundreds of guests, you might consider hiring in a larger PA system and more lighting. Not all bands in Europe provide their own equipment (e.g. they might not bring lighting), so you may wish to check this before booking.

Question 19

Do wedding bands need a stage?

Answer

No. Most bands are happy to perform without a stage, though it can look special if you can offer them a stage to perform on.

Question 20

If I do provide a stage, how much space will the wedding band need?

Answer

This will depend on the size of the band of course, but to give you a rough idea, a 4-piece band would usually need at least 5m x 4m. This is to provide room for not only the band members themselves, but also their instruments (keyboards and drum kits take up quite a bit of space) and other things like speakers and a mixing desk.

Question 21

Can I or my guests perform or sing with the wedding band?

Answer

If you ask the band in advance, most will be happy to allow you or one of your guests to sing or play along with them for one or two songs. We always advise checking this with your band first.

Question 22

Do I need to hire a DJ as well as a wedding band?

Answer

Most bands will provide pre-recorded playlists between and after their live sets, so your entire evening will be covered. However, if you want a professional DJ who will adapt his music choices on the night and interact with guests, then it’s better to hire a DJ as well.

Question 23

If I do hire a separate DJ, can the wedding band and DJ share equipment?

Answer

Bands and DJs will often share the same PA system, as it can look cluttered to have two sets of speakers around the dance floor. However, you’ll need to discuss this with both the DJ and band before the event to check the equipment suits everyone’s requirements and that everyone is happy to share. One problem can arise when the DJ is booked to provide music into the small hours, but the band is to finish at 11pm. In this case, it would make more sense for the band to use the DJ’s equipment to save the band having to wait until the DJ had finished his set.

Question 24

Do I need to provide anything for the wedding band?

Answer

Professional wedding bands will normally bring all their own technical equipment and instruments. However, most will expect to be provided with a hot meal each and soft drinks. The musicians will probably have left their homes around lunchtime to arrive at your venue in good time to set up and soundcheck. It can be a long day for them and they will be much more energetic on stage if they’ve had a good meal and refreshments before performing for you. The bands won’t expect to be given the same meal as you provide for your guests. Most wedding venues have an option you can purchase in advance for your suppliers or you can give the musicians access to your buffet if you’re having one.

Question 25

Will the wedding band members be the same as the ones I’ve seen in their videos?

Answer

Not always. Most professional bands will have a core group that plays at the majority of weddings they are booked for. However, they will also have a group of deputies (or “deps” as they are known in the industry) that they call upon frequently to cover for band members. This is a standard and essential practice in the music industry. Most musicians work as freelancers, meaning they might work for different function bands or tour with famous pop groups for example. Being able to draw upon a deputy musician to cover a band member who is unavailable (or ill) means the rest of the band can still work.

Question 26

What do wedding bands wear?

Answer

You should get a good idea of what the band wears from their videos online. Most will opt for a smart shirt, but if you have a particular theme or any requests, let them know well in advance. For example, if you’re having an 80s style wedding, you might want to check if the band could wear appropriate clothing to match!

Question 27

Will the wedding band need parking spaces?

Answer

Most bands will arrive by car as it’s the easiest way for them to bring their equipment and instruments. Having 1 or 2 parking spaces available for them to use that are close to the venue will be appreciated by the musicians. In certain cities such as London, you might also need to cover the costs of parking.

Question 28

Can wedding bands play outside?

Answer

If you’re getting married in Europe, it’s a good idea to make the most of the summer months and have as much of your wedding outside if possible. That said, the weather isn’t always the most reliable – so whilst many bands will be happy to play outside in principle, they will always require access to a shelter from the elements, whether that’s strong sunlight or rain. Musicians’ instruments can be worth thousands of pounds and a small amount of water damage or sun can have a devastating impact on the instrument.

Question 29

Do I need a contract with my wedding band?

Answer

The most secure way to book a band is to do so via FixTheMusic. All bookings are governed by the booking agreement on our website, which is based on the Musicians Union standard contract and amended by the particular details that you agree with your band by email (date, venue etc.). The contract provides protection to both parties.

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