Wedding Bands
for Hire

Wedding band prices vary depending on factors such as the number of musicians, travel distance, popularity of the band and your wedding date. Recent booking data shows that most couples spend between £1,500 and £2,500 on their evening wedding band, although prices can range from £500 for smaller acoustic acts and duos through to £8000+ for luxury showbands with 10+ performers.

For a detailed breakdown of typical costs, see our Wedding Band Prices Guide - and for money saving tips our guide to saving money on your wedding band.

Your quotation will normally include the band's live performance, PA system, public liability insurance and all equipment required for the performance. Most bands also provide background music between sets, and many include stage lighting as standard.

Prices are usually based on a standard arrival time of around 6pm and a finish time of midnight. If you require earlier arrival times, additional performances or a later finish, these can often be arranged for an additional fee.

The most popular wedding bands are often booked 12-18 months in advance, particularly for peak summer Saturdays.

If you have a specific band in mind, we recommend booking as early as possible. Even if your wedding is much sooner, it's always worth checking availability as many excellent bands still have dates available throughout the year.

The best wedding band depends on your venue, guest profile and personal taste.

Rock & Pop bands are the most versatile option for many weddings, while Soul & Motown bands are known for keeping dancefloors full across multiple generations. Acoustic wedding bands are perfect for daytime celebrations, Jazz bands create a sophisticated atmosphere, and Festival or Mumford & Sons style bands are particularly popular for barn and outdoor weddings.

Use our Wedding Band Style Comparison Guide above to explore the different options or read our indepth guide to choosing the perfect wedding band.

For most weddings, a 4 or 5-piece band provides the ideal balance of sound, song choices, visual impact and value for money.

Larger 6-9 piece bands often feature additional vocalists, brass sections or percussionists, creating a bigger live sound and stage presence, and allowing for a broader repertoire of songs. Smaller duos and trios are ideal for intimate weddings, daytime entertainment or venues with limited space.

Our Wedding Band Size Comparison Guide can help you decide which option is most suitable for your wedding.

Most professional wedding bands perform a carefully chosen mix of modern chart hits, classic party songs and dancefloor favourites spanning several decades.

Popular artists often include names such as Bruno Mars, The Killers, Taylor Swift, Oasis, Stevie Wonder, Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and The Beatles, although every band has its own unique style and repertoire.

You can view the full song list on each band's profile page.

If you're looking for a more specialist style, you may also wish to explore our Mumford & Sons Style Bands, Soul & Motown Bands, Ceilidh Bands or Jazz Wedding Bands.

Yes. Most wedding bands are happy to take your preferences into account.

Many couples provide a list of favourite songs, along with any tracks they'd prefer not to hear. While some bands may allow you to build much of the set list yourself, most will use your preferences to create a performance that works best for your guests and keeps the dancefloor busy throughout the evening.

In most cases, yes.

Many wedding bands are happy to learn a first dance or special request, although some may charge a small additional fee depending on the complexity of the song and the rehearsal time involved.

If you're still deciding on your first dance, see our guide to the 100 Best First Dance Songs.

Absolutely.

Many bands now offer All-Day Music Packages that can include:

• Ceremony music
• Drinks reception entertainment
• Wedding breakfast music
• Acoustic daytime performances
• Evening live band sets
• DJ services

Booking a single supplier for multiple parts of your day is often simpler and can work out more cost-effective than booking separate acts.

A typical evening performance consists of either:

• 2 x 60-minute sets
• 3 x 40-minute sets

Most bands can adapt their performance schedule to fit around your wedding plans.

Many bands also provide background music between sets, and some offer extended performances or later finishes if required.

Yes.

Most wedding bands provide background music through their PA system during breaks between live sets, ensuring there's no silence throughout the evening.

Many bands also offer a professional wedding DJ service as an optional extra, allowing requests, announcements and continuous music throughout the night.

As a general guide:

Bands will also require nearby power sockets and appreciate access to a private changing area where possible.

Yes, provided suitable shelter is available.

Outdoor performances require protection from rain, wind and direct sunlight, and all electrical equipment must remain completely dry. Any gazebo or covered structure should be significantly larger than the band's performance area and capable of being enclosed if weather conditions change.

For more information, see our guide to booking a wedding band outdoors.

Not necessarily.

Many professional wedding bands regularly perform at venues with sound limiters and can adapt accordingly. As a general guide, limiters set at 95dB or above are rarely problematic, while lower settings can require more specialist equipment.

If your venue has a sound limiter, let us know before booking and we can recommend suitable acts, including our Sound Limiter Friendly Bands, Acoustic Bands and other low-volume entertainment options.

Both can work brilliantly, but they offer different experiences.

A live wedding band provides energy, audience interaction and the excitement of a live performance. A wedding DJ offers maximum flexibility in music choice and can be a practical option for smaller budgets or venues with limited space.

Many couples choose both, with a live band performing during the evening and a DJ providing music before, after and between sets.

You may also enjoy our detailed guide comparing wedding bands and wedding DJs.

Yes. We supply wedding bands throughout the UK, including London Wedding Bands, Manchester Wedding Bands, Yorkshire Wedding Bands, Kent Wedding Bands and many other locations nationwide.

You can browse bands by region or use our search tools to find acts closest to your venue.

Of course.

If you're unsure where to start, simply get in touch and we'll recommend suitable bands based on your budget, venue, guest numbers and preferred music styles.

You can also read our guide to choosing the perfect live band for your wedding.

Booking through Alive Network gives you the reassurance of working with one of the UK's most established entertainment agencies.

You'll benefit from:

• Secure booking contracts
• Dedicated personal support
• 24/7 emergency assistance
• Experienced entertainment coordinators
• Carefully vetted professional artists
• Transparent pricing
• Support throughout the booking process

Our role is to make booking live wedding entertainment as straightforward and stress-free as possible, while helping you find the perfect band for your celebration.