You’ve set a wedding date, you’ve got your venue, and perhaps you’ve even secured your catering. But what about your entertainment? There’s no denying that wedding music can bring fun and vibrancy to your special day but it’s also important to choose a musician or band that complements your wedding celebration’s energy.
Whether you’re planning a relaxed ceremony with a chilled acoustic soundtrack or looking for a full band for a night of dancing, we have some handy tips to help you find the perfect musicians for your wedding.
It might seem like a strange place to begin, but before you start contacting any musicians, think about your venue. Can it cater to a five-piece band or is it better suited to a solo singer?
It’s important to speak to your venue about the types of wedding musicians they can host, particularly if they have any volume restrictions or curfews. Aside from any restrictions, taking your venue into account can also help you get the best experience from your band or artist.
Live music can create a fantastic atmosphere for an outdoor festival-style wedding, for example — but only if you have the facilities for it. If it’s not feasible to set up the electrics or power you need, you may have to rethink your entertainment choice.
For more advice, take a look at our guide to pairing the perfect wedding music with your venue.
Your venue will inform your wedding music choices to a degree, but once you know what type of set-up will be most suitable, it’s time for the exciting part — deciding what sort of atmosphere you want your wedding musician to create.
Do you and your partner have a favourite music genre? This can be a great place to start, and with the AMV catalogue, you can search by keyword to find the perfect musicians for your celebration.
If you love funk, soul, and disco, a band like Discography is sure to get your guests up on the dancefloor. The Maverick Rejects can bring an energetic take on pop and rock songs — perfect for Indie fans. For a hip hop twist to your wedding reception, Hip Hop Hooray are sure to make it a night to remember with new and old-school hip hop tracks performed live - the North East’s top hip hop tribute band.
Many wedding bands offer versatile set lists, covering a whole host of genres to make sure there’s something for everyone. We suggest taking a look at our artists showreels and song lists to get a feel for each artist’s range.
It’s also important to decide which part of your wedding day will feature live music. When it comes to music for your wedding ceremony, do you want a calm and sophisticated instrumental accompaniment for your walk down the aisle?
Alternatively, for a wedding drinks reception, it’s helpful for the music to be relaxed yet upbeat, allowing your guests to chat and mingle as they listen. While for the evening party, you might be hoping for an all-encompassing band or DJ to keep everyone entertained.
The cost of hiring musicians for your wedding varies greatly depending on several factors. In most cases, the more band members, the higher the price, so a five-piece band will usually cost more than a solo artist or duo.
Experience and demand also come into play, as does the length of time the artist is at the venue.
Location can also influence the quote you receive from an artist. As well as helping support the local music scene, hiring a wedding band or musician close to your venue can also reduce the need for travel costs.
If you’re searching for the best wedding bands across Scotland and the North of England, AMV Live Music has you covered. We work with artists from the North East and North West, as well as the Lake District and Cumbria, Yorkshire, and Scotland, so you’re sure to find wedding reception and ceremony musicians near you.
You’ll need to pay a deposit to secure an artist for your wedding day, so it’s helpful to have this set aside ready for when you find the perfect musician.
The deposit amount is outlined on the AMV system when you receive a quote for your chosen artist.
Watching a band’s showreel or demo is a great way to get an idea of what they can offer.
If you have a particular song in mind for your first dance, we recommend mentioning it when you enquire. Most artists will be more than happy to learn the track(as long as it’s within their music style) if it’s not already in their set list but it’s best to give them as much notice as possible. At this time, it’s also a good opportunity to discuss logistics and details, such as lighting, PA systems, and whether you’ll be providing food for the performers.
Hiring your wedding musicians through a trusted agency like AMV can bring you peace of mind. Not only will you be able to see performance examples and testimonials but the agency will do all the admin for you.
Our management service ensures there’s always somebody available to help out with any queries. Plus, we’ll communicate directly with the artist on your behalf so you can discuss all the details mentioned above through our dashboard. Here, you can request specific songs, schedule changes, and anything else to ensure your wedding music runs without a hitch.
Booking your wedding musician with AMV Live Music provides essential cover for your special day, ensuring that in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as performer illness, an alternative performer is provided, ensuring your wedding entertainment goes ahead.
Live music can be a wonderful way to make your wedding truly magical but with so much choice available, it can be tricky knowing where to start. If you’re looking for wedding musicians in the North of England and across Scotland, we’re here to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. With the AMV catalogue, you can peruse incredible singers and bands, request a quote, and get your wedding music booked in just a few easy steps.
Found an AMV musician that looks perfect for your big day? Get in touch with our friendly team to get the ball rolling.
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