| Weddings are unique events. Each wedding breakfast | | | | and exciting? Steel pan and bluegrass bands are |
| and drinks reception will have a different combination | | | | ideally suited to outdoor events, providing great |
| of guests, venue and entertainment requirements, so | | | | music as well as visual entertainment. |
| finding a perfect musical match can take some time! | | | | If your budget is fairly modest, but you still want the |
| You might be wondering what kind of music your | | | | magic that live music can bring, how about a soloist? |
| guests would enjoy, and how you can make that | | | | A cocktail pianist, harpist or solo guitarist can provide |
| work with your budget and venue. Fortunately there | | | | gentle sophistication and a musical background |
| are a huge number of options available, so we've | | | | without being intrusive. The swing revival has brought |
| written this guide to take you through some of the | | | | a flood of tributes to Rat Pack-style singers who can |
| most popular - and more surprising - choices our | | | | draw on the glamour of a bygone age to create a |
| clients have made for their special day, and show | | | | classy accompaniment for your food and drink. |
| you how to fit great music in with all your other | | | | If you've already booked a wedding band it's worth |
| plans. | | | | checking to see if they can provide a smaller line-up |
| What's the best style of music? | | | | for earlier on in the day, such as an acoustic guitarist |
| Live music in any genre makes an event special, and | | | | vocalist, a cocktail pianist or a jazz trio. Using the |
| can be as much of a reflection of your personal | | | | same musicians for the whole day could save you |
| taste as what you wear. The choice you make | | | | money and help keep stress levels to a minimum! |
| depends on what you would like the music to do for | | | | Choosing an act |
| you. Do you have a lot of very young guests who | | | | Once you've decided on a style browse acts on the |
| would love some entertainment while they're waiting | | | | relevant music section on our site. Each act has a |
| for the cake? Would you like some gentle | | | | profile page featuring a biography, photos, audio |
| background music as a soundtrack to a formal meal | | | | samples of their playing, a repertoire list and |
| or drinks reception? Or would you just like to hear | | | | testimonials from previous clients. Some also have |
| your favourite sounds and share them with your | | | | video clips to view online. |
| friends? | | | | Dealing with the venue and equipment |
| Jazz bands are one of the more versatile options, | | | | Make sure you get in touch with any musicians you |
| available as everything from solo pianists to big | | | | have booked well before the actual day, so that you |
| bands. They can provide a selection of time-tested | | | | can explain the arrangements to them and they can |
| classics that everyone will recognise, or draw on a | | | | make sure you're happy with the music they plan to |
| more esoteric catalogue to impress serious | | | | play, giving you the chance to specify any special |
| aficionados. If you like your jazz a little spicy, a Latin | | | | favourites. Wedding musicians always have to work |
| band can give your drinks reception a groove to | | | | around the rest of the day's events, so will be keen |
| remember, as well as an entertaining show! | | | | to hear about your plans and what you'd like them to |
| Classical music is a wonderful way to enhance an | | | | do. They usually provide all their own equipment, so |
| elegant reception or wedding breakfast, and the | | | | you won't have to worry about organising this - |
| pieces the musicians play can vary a great deal. While | | | | though it's always worth checking with them |
| all string quartets, wind trios and other classical | | | | beforehand! |
| groups will have a repertoire of classical favourites, | | | | Some venues are designed with live music in mind, |
| some will extend their range to include pop hits and | | | | and some can easily accommodate it. Others might |
| medleys of folks songs. All of them list their | | | | be a little more difficult because of noise or space |
| repertoire on their profile pages, and it can be worth | | | | restrictions, but you can work around these kind of |
| speaking to the musicians themselves for more | | | | problems. It's easy to keep the volume down by |
| information. | | | | using an adjustable backing track, or save space (and |
| Guests always enjoy traditional music, with many | | | | money) by using fewer people. Good wedding |
| couples still choosing klezmer and dhol for Jewish or | | | | musicians will have experience of many places, and |
| Asian weddings. The increasing popularity of world | | | | will be able to adapt to your requirements with |
| music means there is a wider range of music available | | | | enough notice, so make sure you tell them as much |
| than ever before, so why not try something original | | | | as you can about your venue. |