If you're browsing these pages as a newly engaged couple, then everyone at Last Minute Musicians would like to begin by offering our congratulations, and good luck with the planning!
This page is your central hub for planning wedding music and entertainment. Whether you need help choosing acts, understanding the practicalities, or finding inspiration for your first dance, you'll find it all here.
Planning tips | Ceremony | Drinks reception | During dinner | Evening entertainment | First dance ideas | Themed weddings | Jewish weddings | Extra services | FAQs
There are a lot of important things to think about when you're planning your wedding entertainment – some you probably wouldn't have even considered. So before the big day, here are a few useful tips and links to information to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch!
It's important to remember that most 4/5 piece wedding bands will be traveling with a lot of very heavy equipment, so make sure the venue is aware and have a plan in place for getting the band in and out of the performance space at the right time.
With a full PA and lighting systems to set up, even a small band can require a lot more room and time than you might imagine. It's always best to liaise with the band and venue in advance, get dimensions for any staging and find out the space requirements for your chosen act.
If you're tight on room, opting for a solo singer or acoustic duo can be a more practical solution to live music. Easy access to a reasonable amount of power sockets is also a must!
When looking at potential venues, it's always wise to mention that you are planning to have live music. One of the most important things to find out is whether they have any noise restrictions, and how they are enforced. Some older hotels will have restrictions in place to ensure an undisturbed night's sleep for other guests, while inner city venues may have close neighbours to consider.
While staff could monitor the volume level, it could also be governed by a Sound Limiter. A limiter is designed to cut off the mains power if the level of noise reaches a certain threshold.
To avoid suddenly plunging your wedding into awkward silent darkness, read our advice on sound limiters and always keep the band informed of any volume restrictions.
While you'll find that both bands and venues are prepared to offer discounts for bookings during the week, its worth remembering that this might not always be worth it in the long run. Many guests will have to leave early and watch how much they drink because of work commitments and driving - this can affect the atmosphere.
At the risk of upsetting parents, it can be tough to get people up and dancing with lots of little darlings running amock on the dance floor. Parents may also have to leave early. Consider coming up with a compromise if you're looking for a really rocking party to continue into the early hours.
Most bands on the Last Minute Musicians directory will be completely self contained, but it's worth working out exactly what is already going to be in place and try and head off any technical problems before they arise. The venue manager will generally be able to supply you with a Technical Rider/Specification for the venue, but many musicians will prefer to use their own equipment.
Most bands will be able to provide lighting as well, but there are plenty of companies that are able to supply extra.
If your ceremony or reception is outdoors, there are a few extra things to plan for. Acoustic acts work best in open-air settings as they don't rely on heavy amplification, and many musicians can perform unplugged without needing a power supply at all. If you do need amplified sound, make sure there are power outlets nearby and have a wet weather backup plan in case the band needs to move indoors at short notice. Wind can also be a factor, so check with your musicians about music stand weights and equipment covers.
A rough timeline helps everything run smoothly. As a guide: have music playing from around 20 minutes before the ceremony begins to settle guests. Allow 1-2 hours of background music during the drinks reception (this is when photos are usually happening). Music during dinner typically runs for 1-2 hours. The evening party usually kicks off around 8pm, with the first dance followed by 2 x 45-minute sets from the band. Build in time for speeches and coordinate with your band so they know when to pause.
Beyond the first dance, many couples also plan a father-daughter dance or mother-son dance. If you're including these, let your band or DJ know in advance so they can prepare the right songs and manage the transition smoothly. These moments can be just as memorable as the first dance itself, so it's worth giving them some thought.
A popular option for 2026 is to combine a live band with a DJ. The band performs their live sets, and the DJ fills the gaps between sets and keeps the dancefloor going after the band finishes. Many wedding bands now offer this as a package, which means fewer suppliers to coordinate and a seamless transition between live music and recorded tracks throughout the evening.
Picking out the sort of acts you want to put on your shortlist can be a lengthy process – there are so many good bands out there! As such, we've plotted out a draft timeline of your wedding day and highlighted the key points where live music may make a nice addition to proceedings (as well as pointing out some classic live music solutions!).
At the most important point of the day, you deserve to have things exactly as you imagine them. Whether you would like your ceremony to be traditional and romantic or more unique, a brilliant place to start is by having musicians performing in the background as you walk down the isle.
Some classic choices include a string quartet or a classical duo, but also consider harpists and classical guitarists for a more intimate setting, indoors or out.
For more information, see our page on Wedding Ceremony Music or Hire Wedding Ceremony Musicians.
After the ceremony is over, it's time to sit back and relax! This could be sophisticated champagne on a sunny terrace or simply a couple of drinks and some nice chat in the bar before the meal. Either way, having some live music in the background may be just the thing to add atmosphere and ease you into the night's proceedings!
A Jazz/Swing singer performing Sinatra classics or a more modern Bublé repertoire can be a very classy and sophisticated way to impress the evening guests, with Jazz Guitarists offering a similar vibe, with slightly less focus. An acoustic duo performing a few of your favourite pop hits could also resonate well with the crowd.
While some think it's acceptable to put a CD in the background over dinner, they really are missing out on a prime opportunity to take the meal from a formality to a real experience!
A cocktail pianist playing Jazz standards can add a real atmosphere of class to the background of your dinner, while an acoustic or swing singer will work well if you're looking for more of a focal or talking point.
Perhaps the most popular point of the day to hire live entertainment, now it's time to really pull out all the stops and put on an evening that will leave your guests talking for months to come!
Solo musicians can specialise in all sorts of styles of music - If you're tight on space or budget, then a solo singer utilising backing tracks can be a great solution to your evening's entertainment (Double check that they can perform lots of up beat numbers!). If you're looking for a larger celebration, then a rock/pop function band, playing a mix of everything from 60's singalong to modern chart hits will cover all the bases.
Stuck for ideas for that all important 1st dance? Check out this list for some inspiration!
"Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran
"All of Me" by John Legend
"How Long Will I Love You" by Ellie Goulding
"Just The Way You Are" by Bruno Mars
"All About You" by McFly
"Hey Ho" by The Lumineers
"You Are The Sunshine Of My Life" by Stevie Wonder
"Somebody To Love" by Queen
"The Book of Love" by Peter Gabriel
"Wonderful Tonight" by Eric Clapton
"Your Song" by Elton John
"Let's Stay Together" by Al Green
"Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" by Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
"For Lovers" by Wolfman ft Peter Doherty
"It Must Be Love" by Madness
"Better Together" by Jack Johnson
"You and Me Song" by The Wannadies
"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen
"Everything" by Michael Buble
"Perfect" by Ed Sheeran
"You Are The Reason" by Calum Scott
"Can't Help Falling In Love" by Elvis Presley
"Lover" by Taylor Swift
"Golden Hour" by JVKE
"Until I Found You" by Stephen Sanchez
"Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone
Top tip: always consult with your band well before the date of the wedding if you are looking for them to learn your first dance – arrangement and rehearsal takes time!
If the above sounds great, but you prefer something with more of a personal touch, then you may well end up going for a themed wedding and there is no reason not to reflect your theme in your choice of live music!
If you're looking for a Gatsby-esq vintage black tie event, a vocal harmony trio may be just the thing you need to make your evening look and sound authentic. At the other end of the scale, if you're looking to ditch the high heels and smart shoes in favour of the wellies and a full on Glastonbury style event, then think about hiring a folk band for the full foot stompin' grass-roots festival experience.
Check out our recommended festival style wedding bands.
The Last Minute Musicians' Directory features a whole variety of Jewish entertainment acts that are sure to put on the traditional show that you've always wanted!
As stated previously, most professional wedding bands will be self-contained, providing everything they will need for the performance. If you are looking to supplement with extra lights or staging, there are various companies ready to help, but make sure you do this in consultation with the band.
Remember, live music is not the only wedding entertainment to be found on the Last Minute Musicians directory - DJ's, magicians, caricaturists and much more can all be found in the DJ's & Other category.
If you're looking for more help and advice with planning wedding music, you can read our collection of articles (which specialise in subjects like Wedding DJ's and more).
These articles from our blog are packed with useful advice for couples planning their big day:
60 songs you should never play at a wedding
A typical wedding day has four key moments for live music: the ceremony (a harpist, string quartet or classical guitarist), the drinks reception (a jazz singer, acoustic duo or solo musician), during dinner (a cocktail pianist or background music band), and the evening party (a wedding band, function band or DJ). Last Minute Musicians has acts available for every part of the day.
Start by mapping out the key parts of your day: ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and evening party. Decide which moments you want live music for and which can use a playlist. Last Minute Musicians recommends allowing at least two hours for band setup and soundcheck, and coordinating arrival times with the venue. A timeline helps avoid gaps in entertainment and keeps the day flowing smoothly.
Yes, and many couples do exactly this. A common approach is to book a classical musician or string quartet for the ceremony, an acoustic act or jazz singer for the drinks reception, and a full band or DJ for the evening party. The Last Minute Musicians directory allows couples to browse and contact acts for each part of the day separately.
Many wedding venues have noise limits or sound limiters that cut the power if volume exceeds a set threshold. Last Minute Musicians advises couples to check sound restrictions early and inform their band. If restrictions are particularly tight, consider hiring an acoustic band or solo singer who can control volume levels more effectively. Read our full guide to sound limiters for more information.
Yes, but it requires some extra planning. Acoustic musicians work best outdoors as they do not rely on heavy amplification and some can perform without a power supply. If amplified sound is needed, make sure power outlets are accessible and have a wet weather backup plan in case the performers need to move inside. Last Minute Musicians recommends discussing the outdoor setup with both the venue and the musicians well in advance.
LastMinuteMusicians.com is one of the UK's most popular sites for sourcing live entertainment. More than just a directory – it's the most convenient way to find the perfect entertainment for your event.
You can browse an act's profiles, read reviews, listen to audio, watch videos and choose from an ever-increasing roster of high quality musicians, bands, entertainers and related companies.
The option to search by price allows you to find an act that meets your budget, whereas by searching by area you can find an act that's local. Many acts are also prepared to travel internationally.
If you have any questions about the Directory feel free to contact us and if you want help planning your event, consider getting in touch via the Last Minute Musicians Entertainment Agency.
We're always happy to help. If you need help choosing bands or musicians please get in touch...
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