Finding the perfect wedding musicians for your big day can make your celebration all the more memorable. Wedding music sets the ambience, provides entertainment for guests, and lets you showcase a bit of your personality.
If you’re in the depths of wedding planning, you’ll know that the running order of your wedding music is just as important as finding the right genre or style for your event.
With this in mind, let’s look at how to seamlessly fit live music into your wedding day schedule.
The order of your wedding day plays a big role when it comes to choosing where to put your wedding music. Music can completely shape the atmosphere of your big day, so you need to think about what else is going on.
For example, you might adore 80s Rock ballads or noughties Pop-Punk, but will this type of music provide the ambience you want for walking down the aisle or as a backdrop to a sophisticated drinks reception?
When choosing artists and music for your day, think about:
• The mood you want to set — romantic and poignant? Celebratory?
• Who will be present? Is it an intimate ceremony with just a few guests or a big reception with 100+ people?
• The venue type and size — are you having a church ceremony, for example? Is there space in your reception venue for a full 8-piece band?
These aspects will help you plan your music choices with practicality and ambience in mind.
Every couple will have a different vision for their wedding day. Whether you’re planning a traditional day with all the following parts or a more casual affair that doesn’t follow the classic structure, live wedding music is one of the best additions.
Here’s some inspiration on the types of wedding musicians to consider for each element of your wedding timeline:
Your ceremony will usually be the most emotional part of your day. It’s a chance for you and your partner to say your vows and showcase your dedication in front of all your loved ones. As such, many couples opt for more gentle soundtracks.
Classic music can work very well, particularly when walking down the aisle. A harpist, like Helena Pearson, can provide an ethereal take on both classical and modern pieces.
Acoustic and solo singers also offer a romantic approach that’s upbeat yet soft.
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as it really depends on your itinerary and preferences.
As a general rule of thumb, however, you’ll usually need to pick three (three to five) pieces of ceremony music:
• A song to walk down the aisle to — when you book with AMV Live Music, your chosen artist will usually offer to learn a specific song for you if you have a track in mind.
• A song to play while you’re signing the legal documents (We advise picking 2-3 songs for signing in order of preference as sometimes with witnesses, photos etc this can take longer)
• An exit song as you return down the aisle as a married couple.
A drinks reception is the perfect transition from your ceremony to the reception. At this time, you may have canapes and a glass of fizz as guests mingle and your photographer captures your first moments as a married couple.
Acoustic singers, string quartets, and duos or trios can provide the ideal backdrop. Choose chilled instrumental music from Newcastle-based Aurora Strings or go for upbeat retro vibes from Jive Swings or Viva La Vintage.
As your guests enjoy the wedding breakfast meal, it’s a good idea to opt for chilled background music that ensures the conversation flows between everyone.
Harpists and pianists can be an excellent choice, but you may also choose a solo artist to sing. Whether you’re serving a buffet or a sit-down meal, here are some of our top musician recommendations for wedding breakfasts:
• Kirsty Forster Duo: The perfect vocal and piano pairing, offering mellow yet upbeat tracks from artists like Fleetwood Mac and Natalie Cole.
• Love Like This: A four-piece band showcasing chilled RnB tracks from the 1990s and 2000s.
• Faye Shearer: A stunning voice and versatile repertoire covering everything from 60s Pop tracks to modern-day hits make Faye Shearer a popular wedding singer for ceremonies and breakfasts.
If you need to transform your wedding breakfast space into a dance floor, hiring musicians can be the ideal way to keep the atmosphere bright and avoid any post-meal lulls. We recommend solo artists, including acoustic singers like John Gatenby, who can keep everyone entertained amongst the shuffle.
Alternatively, why not go for something different, like a saxophonist? Vlada Sax can bring a fun twist to your day with her smooth, funky sound.
Your evening reception is a time when wedding music bands can truly shine! The best part about selecting music for your reception is that you can tailor your choices to suit you and your guests.
You could opt for an all-round function band to provide a variety of tracks or go for something more genre-specific. From Indie throwbacks to Hip-Hop, there’s something for everyone in the AMV Live Music Catalogue.
Unsure where to start? Here are a few of our top live music wedding bands:
• Hip Hop Hooray: A wedding band with a twist, Hip Hop Hooray have over 10 years experience of bringing old-school Hip Hop hits to life for your special day.
• The Houndcats: Get everyone dancing with old-school Rock ‘n’ roll tracks from this 1950s-style act.
• Foxy Rewind: Let Foxy Rewind transport you to the 90s and noughties with nostalgic Garage hits.
• Georgia Groove: An energetic 6-piece band with breathtaking vocals from Georgia, and skilled musicians at the helm, George Groove promises to ignite your wedding celebrations with non-stop hits.
• Stereo Typical: A unique wedding and function band, Stereo Typical have a wealth of experience performing for huge stars like Elton John, 911 and Boyzone.
You could also go for a DJ as a standalone act or as an add-on to keep the party going after the wedding band has concluded. DJs can bring a variety of tracks so you can ensure all your guests are catered to, from the teenagers to your grandparents.
At AMV Live Music, we aim to make finding the best wedding bands and singers as stress-free as possible.
Our artist catalogue has hundreds of talented performers who can make every part of your day truly memorable. Check out the artists’ showreels, add your favourites to your shortlist, and follow our super easy booking process.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
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