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Wedding Music Entertainment - Please choose Acts from below
Bagpipers
Celtic / Ceilidh Musicians
Classical Bands & Musicians
Harpists
Jazz / Swing Bands
Live Function Bands
Musicians Agencies
Celtic / Ceilidh Musicians
Classical Bands & Musicians
Harpists
Jazz / Swing Bands
Live Function Bands
Musicians Agencies
Live Music for your Wedding?
Live Music is always something to consider for your wedding. If your budget allows, it is a great way to add atmosphere to your special day and is far more effective both visually and aurally than a CD playing in the corner. There are many options available from solo musicians for a wedding ceremony, through to small groups such as a string quartet or a full function band for the evening entertainment. Prices can range from about £150 upwards, depending on how long you require the musicians for, where they have to travel from, and whether you require specific repertoire or are happy to go with what they advise.
What type of music should I have and when?
It is important to consider where you can best use the music and decide upon the type of music most appropriate to that point in the occasion. If live music is to be a part of your budget it is no use blowing £600 on a top quality String Trio for during dinner entertainment, if you have 250 guests all chattering away loudly. You and your guests will not hear the music properly, the musicians will feel as if they are doing battle against the throngs and you will have wasted your money! As a general guide, I would suggest the following groups:
Ceremonies:
Solo musicians- Organist, Violinist, Singer, Cellist, Harpist, Wind player, Trumpeter, Piper
Duos - String Duo, Flute & Harp, Voice & Piano
Small Ensembles - String Trio or Quartet, Flute Quartet (= Flute, plus 3 strings), Woodwind Quartet (e.g. Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon), Brass Quartet (e.g. 2 Trumpets, French Horn, Trombone)
Drinks Receptions:
String Group - Trio, Quartet, Quintet
Woodwind Group - Trio, Quartet, Quintet
Piano Trio or Quartet (= Piano, plus 2-3 strings)
Jazz Band - 3 -5 musicians, often including saxophone, drums, bass
Brass Group - Quartet or Quintet
Wedding Breakfast (suited to smaller numbers of guests, say up to 130)
Piano Trio/Quartet
String Quartet
Jazz Trio/Quartet
Singer plus small band
Wedding Breakfast / After Dinner Entertainment (suited to larger numbers of guests)
Jazz Band - 4+ musicians
Function Band - usually 4+ musicians, with singers
Ceilidh Band - for barn dancing English, Scottish, Irish folk music (a good caller is essential)
Brass and Woodwind instruments tend to cut through background noise better, whereas a string quartet is more subtle and suited to smaller numbers of guests. Most classical musicians will play acoustically, unless you specifically ask them to provide amplification. If you want musicians to play outside during a drinks reception, ask how portable they are. Most acoustic musicians are happy to pick up their music stand and move to a new spot for you, whereas anything involving electric cables is obviously far more problematic!
What will I pay?
Fees for musicians vary enormously depending on whether the musician is a professional or amateur, how far they have to travel to your wedding venue, whether you require them to change venue, how long you would like them to play etc. etc. Most musicians have a minimum fee, usually based on a fixed hire period. If you ask them to play for half an hour at a ceremony and then come back 2 hours later for the wedding breakfast you will be charged more and this is probably not the most cost effective use of your money. It would be much better to decide “Well, I think music at the ceremony is the most important part for me, so let’s just book for that and the drinks reception for a couple of hours.”
Solo musicians often charge a higher hourly rate, but may work out cheaper in the end if you are only using them for a civil ceremony say. Groups of musicians will have a higher fixed fee, but generally, the longer you book them for, the more you get for your money. Good function bands can cost from about £750 upwards, with bands based in London charging closer to £1600.
How far in advance do I have to book?
Popular groups and solo musicians such as Harpists can get booked up between 6 and 18 months in advance, particularly for the summer season. My recent experience is that the season is now extending from April right through to the end of October and in fact for the last 2 years, September has been our busiest month. So the sooner you can book, the more likely the musicians you have chosen, will be available for your date.
What do I need to look out for?
When booking musicians make sure you find out as much about them as you can. You will have spent a lot of time and effort planning your big day, so the last thing you need is unreliable amateurs. Ask:
How long have they been playing together? Have they played at weddings before? Have they played at your particular venue before? Are their charges based on hire time or playing time? How many breaks will they take? Are they local? How far will they travel? Are they members of any professional societies? Who are the musicians? Can they provide references? Do they have contingency plans for illness etc? How long will they need to setup at the venue? What are their space requirements? Do they need a power source? Do they provide a PA/ their own amplification? What kind of repertoire do they have? Can you request specific songs/pieces?
Ask whether they have a demo CD (most good groups will) or if you can hear them play live at any events. A personal meeting is always good, so that you can discuss your specific requirements.
What will I need to provide for the musicians?
Practically, most musicians will need to be provided with seating, lighting and enough space in which to perform. Some may also need power sockets. It is always good to let musicians know what your schedule is for the day, so that they can set up and take breaks at appropriate times. If you require them to play outside, make sure you let them know as they will probably need some shade if it is sunny and cover if it is damp. Most musicians are very accommodating and will try to oblige your requests, but faced with a £10,000 instrument outside in a rain shower, you may get some funny looks!
Musicians always appreciate being well looked after and providing them with sustenance in the form of drinks and food, will keep them happily playing for hours on end!
Michelle Falcon
Musician
www.bathspastringquartet.co.uk
Live Music is always something to consider for your wedding. If your budget allows, it is a great way to add atmosphere to your special day and is far more effective both visually and aurally than a CD playing in the corner. There are many options available from solo musicians for a wedding ceremony, through to small groups such as a string quartet or a full function band for the evening entertainment. Prices can range from about £150 upwards, depending on how long you require the musicians for, where they have to travel from, and whether you require specific repertoire or are happy to go with what they advise.
What type of music should I have and when?
It is important to consider where you can best use the music and decide upon the type of music most appropriate to that point in the occasion. If live music is to be a part of your budget it is no use blowing £600 on a top quality String Trio for during dinner entertainment, if you have 250 guests all chattering away loudly. You and your guests will not hear the music properly, the musicians will feel as if they are doing battle against the throngs and you will have wasted your money! As a general guide, I would suggest the following groups:
Ceremonies:
Solo musicians- Organist, Violinist, Singer, Cellist, Harpist, Wind player, Trumpeter, Piper
Duos - String Duo, Flute & Harp, Voice & Piano
Small Ensembles - String Trio or Quartet, Flute Quartet (= Flute, plus 3 strings), Woodwind Quartet (e.g. Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon), Brass Quartet (e.g. 2 Trumpets, French Horn, Trombone)
Drinks Receptions:
String Group - Trio, Quartet, Quintet
Woodwind Group - Trio, Quartet, Quintet
Piano Trio or Quartet (= Piano, plus 2-3 strings)
Jazz Band - 3 -5 musicians, often including saxophone, drums, bass
Brass Group - Quartet or Quintet
Wedding Breakfast (suited to smaller numbers of guests, say up to 130)
Piano Trio/Quartet
String Quartet
Jazz Trio/Quartet
Singer plus small band
Wedding Breakfast / After Dinner Entertainment (suited to larger numbers of guests)
Jazz Band - 4+ musicians
Function Band - usually 4+ musicians, with singers
Ceilidh Band - for barn dancing English, Scottish, Irish folk music (a good caller is essential)
Brass and Woodwind instruments tend to cut through background noise better, whereas a string quartet is more subtle and suited to smaller numbers of guests. Most classical musicians will play acoustically, unless you specifically ask them to provide amplification. If you want musicians to play outside during a drinks reception, ask how portable they are. Most acoustic musicians are happy to pick up their music stand and move to a new spot for you, whereas anything involving electric cables is obviously far more problematic!
What will I pay?
Fees for musicians vary enormously depending on whether the musician is a professional or amateur, how far they have to travel to your wedding venue, whether you require them to change venue, how long you would like them to play etc. etc. Most musicians have a minimum fee, usually based on a fixed hire period. If you ask them to play for half an hour at a ceremony and then come back 2 hours later for the wedding breakfast you will be charged more and this is probably not the most cost effective use of your money. It would be much better to decide “Well, I think music at the ceremony is the most important part for me, so let’s just book for that and the drinks reception for a couple of hours.”
Solo musicians often charge a higher hourly rate, but may work out cheaper in the end if you are only using them for a civil ceremony say. Groups of musicians will have a higher fixed fee, but generally, the longer you book them for, the more you get for your money. Good function bands can cost from about £750 upwards, with bands based in London charging closer to £1600.
How far in advance do I have to book?
Popular groups and solo musicians such as Harpists can get booked up between 6 and 18 months in advance, particularly for the summer season. My recent experience is that the season is now extending from April right through to the end of October and in fact for the last 2 years, September has been our busiest month. So the sooner you can book, the more likely the musicians you have chosen, will be available for your date.
What do I need to look out for?
When booking musicians make sure you find out as much about them as you can. You will have spent a lot of time and effort planning your big day, so the last thing you need is unreliable amateurs. Ask:
How long have they been playing together? Have they played at weddings before? Have they played at your particular venue before? Are their charges based on hire time or playing time? How many breaks will they take? Are they local? How far will they travel? Are they members of any professional societies? Who are the musicians? Can they provide references? Do they have contingency plans for illness etc? How long will they need to setup at the venue? What are their space requirements? Do they need a power source? Do they provide a PA/ their own amplification? What kind of repertoire do they have? Can you request specific songs/pieces?
Ask whether they have a demo CD (most good groups will) or if you can hear them play live at any events. A personal meeting is always good, so that you can discuss your specific requirements.
What will I need to provide for the musicians?
Practically, most musicians will need to be provided with seating, lighting and enough space in which to perform. Some may also need power sockets. It is always good to let musicians know what your schedule is for the day, so that they can set up and take breaks at appropriate times. If you require them to play outside, make sure you let them know as they will probably need some shade if it is sunny and cover if it is damp. Most musicians are very accommodating and will try to oblige your requests, but faced with a £10,000 instrument outside in a rain shower, you may get some funny looks!
Musicians always appreciate being well looked after and providing them with sustenance in the form of drinks and food, will keep them happily playing for hours on end!
Michelle Falcon
Musician
www.bathspastringquartet.co.uk