Wedding Bands in Colchester
Colchester's wedding venue scene centres on the villages around Coggeshall and Dedham Vale.
Houchins Wedding Venue in Coggeshall is the most popular wedding venue on FixTheMusic for live music, with 11 enquiries and confirmed bookings starting from £1,500.
The Talbooth Restaurant, Dedham Vale Vineyard and Stour Coach House form a cluster of venues in the Dedham Vale AONB, popular with couples planning summer weddings in Constable Country.
Over the last three years, 130 couples have enquired about wedding bands for Colchester venues, with a median price of £1,625.
Get quotes, videos and availability from Colchester bands — compare them side by side, then book when you're ready.
Most popular wedding bands in Colchester
How it works
How Much Does a Wedding Band Cost in Colchester?
Based on 18 recently confirmed bookings at Colchester venues, wedding bands cost from £1,500 to £5,400, with a median of £1,625. The table below shows what couples have paid at real Colchester wedding venues.
| Band | Price | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Up The Ante | £1,500 | Houchins Wedding Venue, Coggeshall |
| The Young Bucks | £2,295 | Teybrook Orchard, Colchester |
| The Billboards | £2,900 | Houchins Wedding Venue, Coggeshall |
| The Cardinals | £3,111 | Stour Coach House, Dedham |
| Groove Addiction | £4,150 | Houchins Wedding Venue, Coggeshall |
| Mashup Kings | £5,400 | Talbooth House & Spa, Dedham |
DJ & sax combos are also popular at Colchester weddings. Rhythm Riot have two confirmed bookings at Old Essex Barn in Kelvedon (£688) and Colchester town (£2,706), and Fusion Girls have performed at both Houchins and Talbooth Restaurant.
Most confirmed bookings at Colchester venues come from London-based bands. Travel from the capital is around an hour and is typically included in the quote. August is the busiest month, and Saturday dates in peak summer command the highest fees.
Barn venues like Houchins and Old Essex Barn may require the band to bring full PA and lighting, while hotels like Talbooth may have some equipment on site.
Check out our Colchester wedding bands in action
Reviews from local events in Colchester
“I hope you are well. I would just like to thank you for playing on our wedding day. Everyone was commenting on how good you are. We had a lovely day and both had the biggest grins on our faces when we arrived back to Milsoms from the church and standing outside our cars, the sun was shining with you playing up on the green. It was just perfect. Thank you!!”
“Hello, Just wanted to say a massive thank you. Everyone absolutely loved the band. They really made the evening. Thanks again, Lara x.”
“We cannot even express in words how happy we were with Fusion Girls. They CRUSHED our wedding beyond our wildest dreams. We knew they would be perfect when we booked them but honestly, it made our wedding so much more fun and special. Not only are they amazing at the "fun party vibes" but their vocalist, sax soloist and violinist were so fantastic with the ballads and calmer music during our dinner. They are a one-stop shop for anyone's wedding. You'd be lucky to get them!!! Thank you again for making our wedding day so perfect. Love, Corey & Oliver.”
“The Manhattans made our night! They were amazing and had such a great vibe. Everybody has commented on how good they were and I would definitely recommend them to any of my friends! Great range of music and also very easy to deal with throughout the whole wedding planning process.”
FAQs: Wedding Bands in Colchester
How far in advance should we book a wedding band in Colchester?
The median lead time for Colchester weddings on FixTheMusic is 254 days, roughly 8 months. August draws the most bookings of any month, and Houchins and Talbooth fill up fastest for Saturday dates in summer. If you're targeting a peak Saturday, enquire 10–12 months out; off-peak dates can be secured with 3–4 months' notice.
What are the most popular wedding venues in Colchester for live music?
Houchins Wedding Venue in Coggeshall is the most-booked Colchester venue on FixTheMusic, with 11 enquiries and confirmed bookings from £1,500 to £5,040. The Talbooth Restaurant and Talbooth House & Spa in Dedham, Dedham Vale Vineyard, and the Old Essex Barn in Kelvedon are also popular. Stoke by Nayland Resort in Leavenheath and Browning Bros. Chalkney Water Meadows round out the top venues. All are within 20 minutes' drive of Colchester town centre.
Can we book a DJ and sax instead of a full band?
Yes, DJ & sax combos are the most popular alternative to a full band at Colchester weddings. Rhythm Riot (DJ, sax and bongos) have two confirmed Colchester bookings, and Fusion Girls (all-female DJ, sax and percussion trio) have performed at both Houchins and Talbooth Restaurant. DJ & sax combos typically cost from £700–£1,500, less than a full wedding band.
For a wider selection, browse our wedding DJs in Essex.
Do the bands provide PA and lighting?
Barn venues like Houchins and Old Essex Barn typically don't have a built-in sound system, so the band brings their own PA and lighting. This is included in most quotes on FixTheMusic. Hotels like Talbooth may have some AV equipment on site. If your venue provides sound, mention it when you enquire; some bands will reduce their fee to reflect the equipment they don't need to bring.
Can the band play for our ceremony as well as the evening reception?
Yes, couples at Colchester venues regularly book bands for both. One couple at Houchins Wedding Venue requested "acoustic singing for the ceremony, small performance during the wedding breakfast, performance during the evening, DJ to finish. Roaming would be amazing." Many bands offer an acoustic duo for the ceremony and drinks reception, then bring the full line-up for the evening. Ask about ceremony options when you enquire; some bands include it, others charge an additional fee.
What time do bands finish at Colchester venues?
Most Colchester wedding venues have a live music curfew of 23:00 or midnight. Bands typically play two 45–60 minute sets between 8pm and midnight, with DJ music or a playlist between sets. If your venue has a later licence, let the band know when you enquire. Some offer an extended finish for an additional fee.
Can we book a roaming or acoustic band for the drinks reception?
Yes, roaming bands are popular for daytime sets at Colchester weddings with outdoor space. ROAMEO and Wandering Three both perform unplugged, moving among guests during the drinks reception. One couple at Stoke by Nayland Resort specifically requested "a modern, high-energy roaming vocal group" for drinks through to 10pm, alongside a separate DJ and sax for the evening — multi-act bookings like this work well at Colchester venues with gardens and terraces.
Can we book a band and a DJ for the same wedding?
Yes, many Colchester couples book a live band for the evening reception and a DJ for the after-party. Several bands on FixTheMusic include a DJ service as part of their package, offering "DJ music before, in-between and after live sets" or a laptop DJ service through the band's PA system. If you want both live music and a dedicated DJ, mention this when you enquire so bands can tailor their quote.
Looking for a wider selection? Browse our full guide to the most popular wedding bands in Essex, a ranked list with videos, reviews and booking details.