| This guide will help you choose the right | | | | (and usually a few audio samples of them playing) on |
| accompaniment for your ceremony. | | | | their profile pages on our website, along with a |
| When you choose music for your wedding reception, | | | | biography, photos and sometimes even videos. Many |
| there is a lot to consider. What style of music would | | | | of them give extensive testimonials from their |
| be appropriate? Will the musicians be suitable for the | | | | previous audiences, which can help you work out |
| venue? How will it fit in with the wedding ceremony? | | | | whether you would like them too. |
| Where and when will they perform? Can I choose | | | | If you're planning to hire a wedding band for your |
| the tunes they play? And how much is it going to | | | | evening reception, it might be worth finding out if |
| cost? | | | | they can play at the wedding ceremony as well. |
| Choosing a style of music | | | | Many pop and rock wedding bands also provide |
| Live music makes a wedding ceremony special, and | | | | acoustic solo or duo options; using the same |
| your choice of music will make it unique - but what | | | | musicians for both the ceremony and the reception - |
| would you like from your wedding musicians? Would | | | | and perhaps even the photos and wedding breakfast |
| you like them to create a relaxed atmosphere while | | | | - could save you money and make your planning |
| your guests arrive, entertain you while you sign the | | | | easier! |
| register, play at the end of the ceremony, or all | | | | Choosing the music your musicians play |
| three? Wedding musicians can do all of this and more | | | | If you're familiar with classical music, you might |
| in many styles - but with so many different styles | | | | already have a list of favourites in mind. Most |
| and combinations to choose from, where do you | | | | wedding musicians will list their repertoire on a |
| start? | | | | website, and many are prepared to learn any special |
| Classical music tends to be the most popular choice | | | | requests you might have - some will even do this |
| for wedding ceremonies. Our classical groups and | | | | free of charge! |
| soloists come in many different formats, from | | | | If you've always loved classical music, but haven't |
| soloists to quartets, and they don't only play classical | | | | had time to get to know it in the way you'd like, |
| music: many have a repertoire that includes specially | | | | why not leave the choice of pieces to the musicians? |
| arranged pop and folk favourites as well as classical | | | | All wedding musicians have a repertoire that they will |
| pieces, and some will even learn a special song for | | | | be happy to adapt to your ceremony, venue and |
| you. | | | | guests. |
| String quartets, harpists and classical guitarists are the | | | | Some classical groups and musicians also include pop, |
| most popular choice for wedding ceremonies, | | | | opera, jazz and folk music in their repertoire, |
| providing a rich, beautiful and resonant sound that will | | | | sometimes in special arrangements or medleys - |
| be at exactly the right volume for most venues. | | | | speak to the musicians or check their profile pages |
| They can provide a diverse repertoire of time-tested | | | | for more information. |
| classical favourites, often touching on modern songs | | | | Working with your venue and musicians |
| as well. If you like classical music, but would like to | | | | Classical musicians and soloists are very adaptable, |
| try something different, a popular variation on the | | | | and should find it easy to work with the space you |
| traditional string quartet is a wind ensemble, usually | | | | have available. Because they don't require much |
| consisting of a mixture of string and woodwind | | | | space or amplification, they don't need a stage or |
| instruments, such as the oboe and clarinet. | | | | have any power requirements. |
| If you'd like something very different, a steel pan | | | | However, it is a good idea to speak to the soloist or |
| group or soloist can give your ceremony an exotic | | | | group you choose before the actual day so that you |
| touch and enchant your guests. World music is | | | | can discuss your arrangements with them and what |
| becoming increasingly popular for weddings, especially | | | | you'd like them to play. Most musicians are happy to |
| for well-travelled and sophisticated guests, with folk | | | | talk through your ideas with you, and will always be |
| music from various countries also making regular | | | | happy to help you to work out a good list of pieces |
| appearances. | | | | for the day. An experienced wedding musician or |
| For something more modern, go for a rock/pop | | | | group will be used to working around plans for the |
| acoustic act, such as a guitarist/vocalist or a solo | | | | ceremony, so don't be afraid to be specific about |
| pianist, playing and singing covers from the 60s to | | | | what you'd like them to do and when you'd like them |
| the 00s. They can blend into the background or be a | | | | to play. |
| main feature of your ceremony; most will be happy | | | | While some wedding venues have been designed |
| to learn a special song for you. See our soloists and | | | | with live music in mind, and you will easily be able to |
| duos page for more options, including solo pianists. | | | | arrange where the musicians will play, others can be |
| Traditional music, such as klezmer for Jewish | | | | more difficult. If your venue is small or has specific |
| weddings and dhol for Asian weddings, is always a | | | | acoustic requirements, it can be helpful to speak to |
| popular option. See our specialist music section for | | | | the musicians well in advance, so that they can help |
| more info. For a Scottish wedding, you could even | | | | you make the appropriate plans. Wedding musicians |
| hire a bagpipe player! | | | | are used to these kind of restrictions and will be able |
| Classical musicians and acoustic soloists don't need | | | | to plan around them. |
| amplification, so they can move around during the | | | | Fitting music around the ceremony |
| ceremony and play both in and outdoors - though it's | | | | At what points in the ceremony would you like the |
| always a good idea to make sure there is some kind | | | | musicians to play? Would you like a special piece for |
| of shelter in case it starts raining! | | | | the bride's entrance and the couple's exit? Do you |
| So now that you have an idea of the range of styles | | | | want background music to keep guests entertained |
| available, and probably a pretty good idea of what | | | | as they arrive and during the signing of the register? |
| you want, how do you go about choosing the | | | | Work out when you would like music, and discuss |
| musicians to hire? | | | | with your musicians closer to the day - remember, |
| Most of our wedding musicians list their repertoire | | | | they have done this many times before! |