A guest post by Jon Fellows of Last Minute Musicians

Our favourite pieces of music often hold a special place in our hearts, and can remind us of some of the most significant moments of our life. As such, many happy couples choose to involve as much live music in their big day as they can!

If you’re at the planning stage of your wedding, then one of the best ways to add that extra sense of occasion to special times of the day is with live music. In this blog, we at Last Minute Musicians offer our top picks, for the classic times to involve live music in your big day…

1) Wedding Ceremony….

While it is traditional to have the bride walk down the aisle to music, no one dictates what that has to be! While many classical pieces like Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” (often known as “Here Comes The Bride”) or Pachebel’s “Cannon In D” are traditional, in reality you can pick whatever piece you like… from The Beatles to Bruno Mars!

Whatever you choose, there are various acts that can add a sense of romance to your wedding ceremony. Classic choices like a string quartet will be able to recite your favourite classical pieces, or even classical arrangements of popular songs. Acoustic singers will be able to play your favourite popular hits, in a live lounge style, for a more relaxed feeling. Other instrumentalists, like harpists and violin players, can inspire a more mystical atmosphere, especially in an outdoor setting.

Popular acts: acoustic singers, string quartets, harpists, classical guitarists, violin players

2) Drinks Reception

Once the formal part of your day is over, it’s time to relax, unwind, and wait for your evening guests arrive. This is a brilliant opportunity for a little background music, while guests enjoy a cocktail or two, and swap stories of the happy couple.

A swing singer will add a wonderful sense of class to proceedings, reciting your favourite big band classics – from Frank Sinatra to Michael Buble. A jazz “cocktail” piano player will help create a similar atmosphere, playing instrumental versions of your favourite jazz standards, or perhaps singing jazz/pop tunes by the likes of Norah Jones and Jamie Cullum. Both acts will contribute to the atmosphere, whilst still allowing for conversation and not overpowering the room.  

However, if you’re looking for something a little less formal, consider hiring an acoustic singer, or maybe even a steel band, who can bring a touch of the Caribbean to even the most remote location!

Popular acts: swing singers, jazz pianists, acoustic Singers, steel bands

3) During Dinner

While guests are seated and enjoying the wedding breakfast, some dinner music will act as a brilliant ice breaker – a great conversation piece for guests who might not have met before.

A jazz quartet will really come into it’s own here, reciting music that oozes class and delight, whilst not impacting on the guest’s ability to hold a conversation. If your budget is tighter, jazz or classical guitarists will also serve the same purpose, making for a wonderful addition to the room.

For those looking for a less formal approach to dinner, an acoustic duo/trio or pop piano player can recite excellent modern and classic pop hits. You may even want to consider hiring some singing waiters, who will blend seamlessly into the serving staff until their time to shine comes!

Popular acts: jazz quartets, jazz/ classical guitarists, acoustic duos, pop piano players, singing waiters

4) The Evening Celebration

Perhaps the most popular time to hire live entertainment for your wedding is for the evening celebration. After the meal, most happy couples will look to put on some entertainment for their guests, and there is nothing more exciting than live music.

The classic wedding band will always be popular here. These are bands that usually specialise at playing weddings, and will have a set of material that spans the decades, suitable for both young and old. They will organize it in such a way as to carry the energy levels of your party right through the evening. If you’re on a budget, there are also options for solo wedding singers, who use backing tracks to achieve their sound, but will still tap into much of the same repertoire as the live bands.

For anyone looking for something a bit different, festival folk bands have proven increasingly popular, as have vintage bands. Folk bands will channel the likes of Mumford & Sons to transform your wedding into that wed-fest Glastonbury atmosphere. Vintage bands will wind the clock back in years, with music that embodies class and style, while still performing select interpretations of up-beat chart hits, in their own way.

Popular acts: wedding bands, festival bands, vintage bands

5) The “Late Night” Slot

While this will vary from celebration to celebration (and may be viewed to some as optional) for those looking to party into the small hours, there is no reason not to book some more live entertainment!

If you’re looking for a more modern party atmosphere, booking a saxophonist to perform alongside a DJ will make for an amazing high-energy show, guaranteed to keep your guests up and dancing into the night. Similarly, indie rock bands will be able to pump out those classic sing-along anthems!

However, if you’re looking for a different kind of atmosphere altogether, than a classical piano player will be a lovely way to close off the night, allowing your guests to relax and unwind by the fireside before bed, brandy in hand.

Don’t forget, many wedding bands will also offer the option for a late night DJ playlist, as well as additional sets, for a modest increase in their quote.

Popular acts: saxophonists and DJs, indie rock bands, classical piano players.

From everyone at Last Minute Musicians, we wish you the best of luck planning your big day. If you’re looking to source live entertainment, consider browsing through the over 3300 acts currently listed on lastminutemusicians.com.