Wedding Bands With Saxophone
A wedding band with saxophone brings a live horn element to the classic function-band lineup. Think soul, funk, pop and Motown with a saxophonist soloing over the top, weaving through vocal hooks, and stepping out front for featured moments.
It's a sound that sits somewhere between a traditional covers band and a brass-driven party act, and it's increasingly what couples are searching for.
79+ UK-based bands on FixTheMusic include a saxophone player as part of their full-band lineup.
Across 1,519 confirmed UK bookings for these acts, couples have paid a median of £3,774, with most paying between £2,865 and £5,590. 1,492 enquiries mentioning "sax" in the requirements have been submitted for bands on the platform.
View Our Wedding Bands With Saxophone
How it works
What a Saxophone Adds to a Wedding Band
The saxophone occupies a unique role in a wedding band. Unlike a guitar or keyboard, which sit in the rhythm section and are heard throughout the night, the sax steps forward, soloing during instrumental breaks, doubling vocal melodies and adding colour to brass stabs and funk riffs.
In a soul or Motown set, it's the instrument guests notice during "Try a Little Tenderness" or "Proud Mary." In a pop set, it's the hook from "Careless Whisper" or "Baker Street."
Popular lineups include:
- 5-piece band with sax: vocals, keys, bass, drums and sax. The most common configuration, versatile across soul, pop and funk.
- 6-piece with sax and trumpet: adds a second horn for a fuller brass section, popular with luxury showbands.
- 4-piece with sax: vocals/guitar, keys, drums and sax. A tighter, more compact option for smaller venues.
- Roaming band with sax: acoustic setup where the sax player moves among guests during drinks reception, then plugs in for the evening set.
A band with sax can read the room, change tempo, extend songs, and interact with the dancefloor in a way a DJ simply can't. The sax is one instrument in a living ensemble, not a soloist over backing tracks.
Couples frequently ask for a band "including sax and vocals" or specifically request "a sax or a bit of wind in the band." Some want the sax featured during ceremony or drinks reception as well as the evening party. Many of these bands offer a roaming acoustic set earlier in the day before the full lineup kicks in for the evening.
How Much Does a Wedding Band With Saxophone Cost?
The median price couples paid for a wedding band with saxophone on FixTheMusic is £3,774, based on 1,385 confirmed UK bookings with price data (of 1,519 total confirmed bookings). Most couples pay between £2,865 and £5,590.
Prices vary with band size, reputation, season and travel distance. A 4-piece with sax starts around £1,500, while a premium 7-piece showband with a full horn section can reach £10,000–£11,000 for large-scale productions.
Here is a sample of what couples actually paid, drawn from confirmed FixTheMusic bookings:
| Band | Price | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| The Moon Walkers | £1,500 | Silverholme Manor, Ulverston |
| The Beat Chiefs | £1,800 | Hazel Gap Barn, Budby |
| The Jive Misters | £2,158 | Lost & Found, Leeds |
| The Incognitos | £2,700 | Welwyn, Hertfordshire |
| Full House | £2,710 | Swinton Estate, Ripon |
| The Scottish Soul Collective | £3,455 | Seamill Hydro Hotel, West Kilbride |
| The Manhattans | £3,585 | Eastwell Manor, Ashford, Kent |
| ROAMEO | £3,900 | Voewood, Holt, Norfolk |
| The Manhattans | £4,285 | Pangdean Old Barn, Brighton |
| Soul Flight | £5,189 | Gaynes Park, Epping |
| MOJO | £5,400 | Coolham, Horsham |
| Supersoul | £6,000 | The Ferry House, Kent |
| ROAMEO | £5,985 | Stone Barn, Cheltenham |
Premium showbands like Mashup Kings and Forever Diamonds Showband command £10,000–£11,000 for larger lineups at prestige venues. These are the exception though; most couples booking a band with saxophone through FixTheMusic pay between £2,800 and £5,600.
Reviews from local events in the UK
“Where to start… The Manhattans were absolutely incredible from start to finish, if you are in two minds about who to use for your wedding, this is your sign to go with these lads. From the first planning meeting with Sam, we were so impressed with his professionalism and attention to detail. This continued throughout the lead up to the wedding, with how proactive and responsive Sam was. Nothing was too much trouble and the band even learnt a song at the Emma’s request (and completely nailed it!). On the day, the band arrived and set up with the minimum of fuss and were ready to go in good time. When they did take the stage, they blew us and our guests away. There were a mix of songs we’d requested from their set list and a few others they threw in too. The vibe was perfect and they kept the dancefloor packed over two sets. Plenty of our guests have said they’re the best band they’ve ever seen at a wedding and we agree. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone. This was followed up with a DJ set to close the night out, which was again fantastic and kept everyone on the dancefloor til last orders. One of the things we wanted most for the day was great music and a big old party and The Manhattans brought that for us. Thank you so much, you were brilliant! Rick & Emma”
“Honestly made our wedding, everyone was up dancing the whole time, all the guys were great. Very kind and just got it! Everyone has told us since the wedding how amazing the band was. For anyone having a wedding soon, know the music is most important to have a great time, and ROAMEO are just great!!! Highly recommend, if anything I’m telling you to have them there!!! Thanks ROAMEO, same time again next week???”
“These guys were epic! Everyone absolutely loved the music and have been raving about it since. They read the room perfectly and kept everyone going. They performed our first dance song spectacularly and the medleys were amazing! Loved every minute of their performance and sad we won’t see them play again, unless they play at a friend's wedding in the future 🙏 Couldn’t recommend more. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
“I would highly recommend Soul Flight! They performed at our wedding this summer & were amazing! We received so many compliments on how great they were. They totally brought the party & got everyone on the dance floor!”
“This review can only be categorised as a minuscule representation of how incredibly amazing The Moonwalkers are. We loved their promo videos and examples of their repertoire on the website…. We are OBSESSED with their live performance. They absolutely made our wedding. We feel so lucky to have had them perform at our wedding and they brought the roof down at the wedding breakfast. A guest actually said “this wedding will be known as the most uneaten dessert and that’s the biggest compliment I can give you”. That’s because our guests could not stay in their seats once they started their second set. Another guest has lined them up for their 40th. They are such a talented, wonderful, attractive and amazing group of men. We didn’t want them to leave! If you’re thinking of booking them, please do, I can assure you won’t regret it. Thank you so much to Tom and the rest of the band for creating core memories for us for life. I hope we get the pleasure of being at another performance again in the future. Jack and Victoria Hunt x”
“The Incognitos were amazing! They really got the crowd involved (including getting the bride up on stage to sing a song), and allowed a guest to sing a song when they asked. They were flexible with timing. They were friendly and polite. Couldn’t have asked for a better performance!!”
“The Scottish Soul Collective were superb! They really got our wedding guests going from the off. We went with a 9 piece band, which really did a great job providing the party atmosphere we were after. We particularly enjoyed the ceilidh dancing and the dance off! Many thanks for helping make our day so fun and memorable.”
Booked The Scottish Soul Collective for a wedding at The Engine Works, Glasgow
“Not sure where to start but MOJO were absolutely FANTASTIC! The vibe and party atmosphere we wanted to create for our wedding couldn’t have been achieved without them! From our entrance into the wedding breakfast, the performances during the wedding breakfast and the fact that our guests haven’t stopped talking about the band and literally couldn’t wait for them to come back on the night of the wedding is the biggest compliment I can give. Mark was brilliant with his communication throughout and just got Katie and me from the get go. Thank you so much for a brilliant day and evening of performances! Even our other wedding vendors have asked for MOJO's details since the wedding which is a clear compliment of how good they are! Thank you, thank you, thank you all!”
“Sam and the whole of the Manhattans were just brilliant!!! They were a joy to work with in the planning stage and their performance was fantastic! An extremely talented set of musicians who put on a great show! They were so charming and charismatic, had everyone dancing, and made our big day even better! We couldn’t have wished for better! I cannot recommend them highly enough!”
“We booked Festival Beats for our wedding and couldn't have been happier. They were brilliant fun from start to finish, kept the dance floor packed all night, and had a real knack for reading the room. Everyone commented on how much they enjoyed them — warm, professional, and a genuine pleasure to listen to. We'd recommend them to anyone without hesitation. Thank you for making our evening so special!”
“LOVED The Manhattans for our wedding - fantastic band, really got the party started on the dance floor! Loved the choice of songs and they also learnt our first dance family dance. Had so many compliments from our guests saying how brilliant they were. Fully recommend Sam and the team - professional from start to finish - amazing band!”
Booked The Manhattans for a wedding in Priory Bay, Isle of Wight, United Kingdom
“The 8 piece band we booked were absolutely incredible and we got so many compliments from our wedding guests. The dance floor was full the entire evening and they did such a good job of keeping the good vibes. Thank you!”
Booked The Scottish Soul Collective for a wedding at Carrick Castle Estate, Cairndow
See Our Wedding Bands With Saxophone in Action
How Far Do These Bands Travel?
The 79 UK-based wedding bands with saxophone on FixTheMusic are spread across the country, with the largest concentration in London. Bands based in Glasgow, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Surrey ensure coverage from Scotland to the South West, and most are willing to travel beyond their home region.
Travel costs are typically included in the quote when the venue is within the band's home area. For venues further afield, bands may add a travel and accommodation charge. This is always itemised in the quote so you know the total before booking.
Confirmed bookings for these bands span the full breadth of the UK, from Holkham Hall in Norfolk and Carlowrie Castle outside Edinburgh to Hensol Castle in South Wales and Brympton House in Somerset. London venues like 100 Barrington, Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire and Elmore Court in Gloucestershire are among the most frequently booked.
FAQ: Hiring a Wedding Band With Saxophone
How much does a wedding band with saxophone cost?
The median price couples paid on FixTheMusic is £3,774, based on 1,385 confirmed UK bookings with price data. Most couples pay between £2,865 and £5,590. A 4-piece with sax starts around £1,500, while premium 7-piece showbands with full horn sections can reach £10,000–£11,000. Your quote will depend on band size, date, venue location and travel distance.
What's the difference between a wedding band with saxophone and a DJ with sax?
A DJ with sax is a two- or three-piece electronic act: a DJ playing tracks with a saxophonist improvising over the top, using backing tracks rather than a full live band. A wedding band with saxophone is a full live band (typically 4–7 pieces) that includes a sax player alongside drums, bass, keys, guitar and vocals. The sax is integrated into live arrangements, not layered over recorded tracks.
If you're looking for a DJ-and-sax act specifically, see our DJ & Sax groups for weddings in London.
How far in advance should I book?
Couples typically book a wedding band with saxophone around 9 months before the wedding date (median lead time of 269 days). For a Saturday in peak season (June–September), aim to enquire at least 10–12 months ahead. The most popular bands get booked early, especially for summer dates.
Can the saxophonist play during the ceremony or drinks reception?
Many of these bands offer a roaming acoustic set for the ceremony or drinks reception, where the sax player performs with acoustic guitar or vocals in a stripped-back format before the full lineup kicks in for the evening. Several couples have specifically requested "sax and chilled Ibiza vibes for the drinks reception" followed by the full party band in the evening. Ask the band about multi-set packages when you enquire.
Do these bands include a saxophone player, or do I need to hire one separately?
Every band listed on this page includes a saxophone player as part of their standard lineup — you don't need to hire one separately. The sax is built into the band's arrangements and performances.
What size bands are available with saxophone?
Lineups range from 4-piece (vocals, keys, drums, sax) to 7-piece and larger showbands with multiple horns. The most common configuration is a 5-piece with vocals, keys, bass, drums and sax. Larger bands add trumpet or a second horn for a fuller brass section.
Do wedding bands with saxophone travel outside their local area?
Yes. Most bands travel nationally, though they may charge for travel and accommodation if the venue is a significant distance from their base. Travel costs are always itemised in the quote. The 79 UK-based bands on this page cover the full country, with concentrations in London, Manchester, Glasgow, Leeds, Bristol and Cardiff.
Are there any all-female wedding bands with saxophone?
Several bands on the platform feature female saxophonists and all-female lineups. Browse the card section above and filter by the band profiles to see which acts feature female musicians. The Roaming Sisters and Dancefloor Divas are examples of acts with female lineups that can incorporate sax.
What genres work best with a saxophone in a wedding band?
Sax works across soul, Motown, funk, pop and R&B — genres where the instrument can solo, double melodies, and add texture to brass stabs. Classic soul numbers like "Try a Little Tenderness" and "Proud Mary" showcase the sax beautifully, as do pop hooks like "Careless Whisper" and "Baker Street." Many bands also use the sax for modern dance and Ibiza-style sets during the drinks reception.
Do these bands provide PA and lighting equipment?
Most wedding bands with saxophone include a PA system and basic lighting in their quote. If your venue has its own sound system, let the band know — this may reduce the cost. For outdoor or marquee weddings, check whether the band needs to bring additional equipment.
What if my venue has a sound limiter?
Sound limiters are common in UK wedding venues, and most experienced bands know how to work within them. A saxophone is an acoustic instrument, which can be an advantage — the band can adjust dynamics without fully muting the horn section. Always mention any sound restrictions when you enquire so the band can plan accordingly.
Can I hear the saxophone in the band's videos?
Yes, the videos in the section above show these bands performing live. Listen for sax solos and horn lines in the clips. If you want to hear more of a specific band's sax work, visit their profile for additional videos and audio samples.
If you're specifically looking for a DJ-and-sax act rather than a full band, our guide to DJ and sax hire in the UK covers that format in detail.