Smart Ways To Save Money On Your Wedding Band (Without Any Compromises)

1. Be Flexible With Your Date

Bands are busiest on summer Saturdays, so that’s when their prices are often highest. If you’re open to a weekday or off-peak date (think November to March), you could save 15–20% on your entertainment costs. Plus, you’ll have a much wider choice of available bands.

Alive Network tip: Use our availability checker to instantly see which bands are free on your date – and spot better-value options mid-week or out of season. You’ll see any off-peak discounts on our artist listings.

Book weekday or off-peak date and you could save 15–20%

2. Book Early To Lock In Prices

Like most wedding suppliers, band prices can rise year-on-year. Booking 12-18 months in advance means you’ll secure today’s rates, even if the band increases their fees later.

Alive Network tip: Every Alive Network booking comes with a secure contract - so once you’ve booked, your price is locked and guaranteed.

Book your wedding band early to lock in prices

3. Choose The Right Band Size

Do you really need a 9-piece show band for 80 guests? A smaller line-up (say a 4–5 piece) can create just as much energy on the dancefloor, at a lower cost. Many bands offer flexible line-ups, so you can pick the size that suits your budget.

Alive Network tip: Our advisors can recommend bands with scalable line-ups - perfect if you want to balance budget with impact - or reserve the option to upscale at a later date.

Trio wedding bands offer great value for money

4. Maximise What’s Included

A smart way to save is to book bands who offer extra services at a cost that’s lower than booking separate suppliers:

• Free DJ playlists between live sets (so you don’t need a separate DJ)
• Premium DJ service (looks like a separate DJ, but it’s a band member)
• Sax and DJ club classics (available from selected bands as an additional set)
• Daytime acoustic sets (for your ceremony and / or reception)
• Photo Booths (available from selected bands)

Alive Network tip: Use our filter to find acts offering extras - and check out the all-day wedding packages on select artist profiles - these can save hundreds.

All-day wedding music packages save money vs booking separate suppliers

5. Think About Travel Costs

The further a band has to travel, the more you’ll pay in expenses. Choosing a local band can significantly cut costs - especially if your venue is remote.

Alive Network tip: Our search tool shows you what each band charges to travel to your wedding location - but you can also order your search results by ‘nearest me’ - to ensure all your money is going on the artist’s performance, and not their travel expenses.

Booking a local wedding band will help save on travel costs

6. Don’t Cut Corners On Quality

It’s tempting to go straight for the cheapest option, or book a local band directly, but beware: inexperienced or unverified bands can let you down. A no-show or a poor performance could cost far more in stress and last-minute fixes, and unless you book via a reputable agency - you’ve got no one to hold the band accountable for any issues.

Alive Network tip: Every band we represent is hand-picked and vetted for reliability, so you know you’re getting professional, trustworthy musicians every time.

Hire a professional wedding band to ensure quality and reliability

Wedding bands Under £1500

With the average cost of a wedding band getting close to £2000, we’ve picked out a few gems who are well under average on cost - but huge on value!

Why Book With Alive Network?

• Choice: Thousands of hand-picked bands, DJs, and musicians across all budgets.
• Transparency: Clear, transparent prices with no hidden costs.
• Expert advice: 26+ years of experience helping couples save smartly.
• Peace of mind: Secure contracts and contingency plans, so you’re always protected.

The Takeaway

Your wedding band is the beating-heart of the biggest celebration of your life - and the last place you want to compromise. But with smart planning, flexibility, and the right advice, you can book incredible live entertainment that fits your budget perfectly.

At Alive Network, we’re here to help you get the best value, the best music, and the most incredible memories - all without overspending.

Explore wedding bands with Alive Network and start saving smart today.

Further reading about wedding bands

• Complete Guide to Booking a Wedding Band
• Wedding band Prices in 2025 / 2026