If you are thinking of having some acoustic music at your wedding then Liquid Strings have your back! This is their run down on the best kind of music genres to have playing at an outdoor wedding. Music that will add to the already awesome atmosphere that your wedding is going to create.

From Jazz Bands to a Gospel Choir, here are Liquid Strings best acoustic music acts for an outdoor wedding….

Acoustic Music Acts For An Outdoor Wedding…

If the weather is right and you have a beautiful outdoor space at your venue, then of course an outdoor wedding is going to be the best choice. Everything looks and feels better on a sunny day and you can really capture the most vivid and memorable photos also. 

In which case, music can provide the perfect atmosphere to complete the day. Most live music works well outdoors, but some acts work better than others. 

Factors To Consider….

Factors to consider include the number of guests and how large an area is going to be occupied, especially for the champagne reception. Also, is the area equipped with outdoor electrical points that a band could plug their amps into? This is not always crucial as more bands these days have battery-powered amps for this precise reason that they can play outdoors without having the hassle of extension leads. A point to note, acoustic acts often don’t use amplifiers, but if there are a large number of guests talking loudly it can make the sound level optimum to have some form of amplification, especially if you hire a singer, for example. You can still plug in an acoustic guitar, so the act can still be acoustic but just with a slightly bigger sound.

Let’s look at a few musical options that will work well depending on how formal or informal you want your wedding day to be.

Jazz…

Firstly, a jazz band. This is a great choice, because the best ones play a mix of jazz and jazzy versions of pop songs also, so have a modern edge. It’s music that lends itself to being outdoors – light, summery and toe-tapping. A lot of jazz bands can also wear straw boaters or even vintage 30s/40s suits and frocks if you’re having more of a vintage-inspired wedding. This can be a classy touch and transport the wedding to another era!

String Quartet…

A string quartet is another good option, although these musical instruments don’t like the sun, so it only works if they can play in some shade if it’s a warm, sunny day. They can play English Country Gardens and other classic tunes – old and new. A variety of pop from the 60s to the present day and tunes from TV/film can really entertain your guests. It’s a good acoustic option, especially if you don’t have a really large wedding since the instruments are not amplified. A quartet is easily portable too, so could move between sets which is a nice touch. String quartets have a wide repertoire and the surprise element of playing such variety is great, as everyone loves to recognise a tune – it’s also more quirky as they’re unlikely to have heard it played in this format. So, novelty and familiarity combined!

Singer/Guitarist

If you just want a bit more of a relaxed, festival vibe, then a singer/guitarist is a great combination. A male or female singer strumming and singing acoustic versions of favourite songs is always likely to be well-received. You may think it will be too loud or distracting, but an experienced performer will always read the atmosphere and tone up or down accordingly. They’re not trying to be heard above your guests talking or draw attention – they are there to play beautiful live music that can be enjoyed without being the centre of attention. If going this route, there are some great duos to add another element. Some will add another instrument, like a saxophone. Others may have two singers with two guitars for a fuller and more folky sound. Whatever the band contains, this is great outdoor music and will definitely add to a relaxed and natural vibe. 

Solo Harp…

If a singer doesn’t appeal, but you like the idea of an elegant and simple musician, then a solo harp can work beautifully. With the exquisite sound it makes and the fact that most professional harpists can play a really wide variety of music, it really adds a magical touch to the day. From classical to folk, rock and indie, so much music translates well to harp. It also looks amazing as well. It’s worth mentioning that it’s not the loudest of instruments, so perfect for a small – medium sized wedding, but will not be heard as well with 200+ guests for example. Or if the harp doesn’t appeal, a solo guitarist even without singing can play some great tunes – jazz, folk, pop and blues among other genres. 

Bossa Nova…

Another style of music that is well-suited to outdoors is bossa nova. It’s sung softly and the music is never loud but very laid-back, light and summery. Most bossa nova bands will always be able to play jazz and some also with a mix of bossa nova versions of pop songs. This will also be a more original choice of live music than others. 

Gospel Choir…

Last but not least, an example of an acoustic act that works really well for an outdoor wedding is a gospel choir. You only need a few of these fantastic singers to bring a completely unique atmosphere to a wedding. Walking up the aisle to gospel music is very special. The singers can then afterwards do another couple of short sets in the reception. You might think it’s going to be too much like a concert, but they can do background gospel just as well and some really chilled, summer tunes. It’s music that always brings a smile and people really love it for being so unique, uplifting and special.

Choose Music You Love…

If you’re planning your outdoor wedding, think about the kind of music you love and then search for the kind of acts that are best suited to outdoor performances. We’ve covered a few in this article, but there are lots more out there. A live soundtrack to an outdoor wedding really does bring everything together in the best way!

Liquid Strings are a member of our Festival Wedding Directory. For more information on their services and the music acts they represent, please visit their listing: Liquid Strings Music Agency or visit their website:
https://www.liquidstrings.com/