The Ultimate Guide To Hiring The Best Wedding Entertainment Ideas For Bands, Musicians, DJs & Entertainers UK Wide
We've put together the very best ideas for wedding entertainment into our Ultimate Guide. Keep reading to find ideas that will work for all the big moments of your big day, wedding entertainment advice for your individual wedding style, tips on how to get planning and ideas from real brides and grooms like you!
Search 1000s of wedding musicians and acts...
My Big Moments
Need inspiration? No problem! We’ve put together a hot list based on the wedding entertainment you're loving right now. These wedding bands, musicians and entertainers are the most popular options currently flying off our virtual shelves at Alive HQ.
Your top wedding entertainment picks...
My Ceremony
Prelude (as guests arrive) with music for about 30 mins.
Processional, signing of the register and recessional, usually 3-4 songs.
Want to make your wedding march really special? Check out our wedding ceremony musicians and get more artist ideas for your personalised ‘I dos’.
Want more ideas? Check out our wedding ceremony music & entertainment ideas here!
My Drinks Reception
After the ceremony, as guests mingle. Music is usually 2 x 45 min sets.
Most of our classical wedding musicians play chart tracks - think Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding - in a classical style. Perfect for your wedding drinks reception! Check out our full selection of classical wedding musicians for hire here.
Want more ideas, tips and handy hints? Get extra wedding drinks reception entertainment ideas here.
My Wedding Breakfast
After the ceremony, as guests mingle. Music is usually 2 x 45 min sets.
Most of our classical wedding musicians play chart tracks - think Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding - in a classical style. Perfect for your wedding drinks reception! Check out our full selection of classical wedding musicians for hire here.
Want more ideas? See our wedding breakfast music & entertainment ideas here.
My Evening Reception
Music is usually 2 x 60 min sets.
Bands are our forte. We’re the go to wedding entertainment agency for the UK’s very best bands. So say the bods at Google, and our awesome couples! Take a look at the UK’s best wedding bands for your evening reception here. Your dancefloor-loving friends will thank you for it.
Want more inspiration? Check out our wedding evening entertainment ideas here.
My Wedding Music SoundTrack
Playlist inspiration, love from our artists. We've put together a list of the latest wedding party anthems loved by you, as chosen by our brides, grooms and artists. Warm up with Ed Sheeran and build to a crowd bounce-a-thon with a Killers' indie classic.
Want to watch more videos? Check out our Live In Session video series here.
More Playlist Ideas...
Choosing Live Music For Your Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Hymns: The Ultimate Wedding Hymn Resource
A Classical Guitarists Guide to the Top 20 Guitar Songs for ...
Top 10 Wedding First Dances for a Ceilidh or Folk Band to Pl...
Civil Ceremony Music Ideas
Choosing Music For A Wedding Reception
Need more inspiration?
Keep reading to get wedding entertainment ideas for your wedding style...
What’s My Style?
We've looked at the most popular choices, now let's get creative! Select your wedding style to see perfectly themed entertainment ideas.
Love to hit the festival scene every summer? Fan of all things vintage? Your big day is about celebrating the things you both love in life. Your favourite music, style, or love of a great party!
Our nifty guide will help you hire bands and entertainers in tune with your style and life loves. Get artist ideas based on the wedding themes you’re feeling, from rustic to retro. And go rogue! Browse all styles to find a music match that’s all your own.
Rustic & DIY
Think handmade decor, beautiful rural surroundings, lantern-lit barns and footstomping, joy-filled live music.
We love our laidback, rustic loving couples. For you guys, lovingly-made details and live music are at the heart of your day. From Mumford style chart-topping bluegrass, to a good old Ceilidh band, it’s the kind of wedding we all want to be guests at – downing bespoke craft beers, eating a tower of artisan cheese and dancing ‘til dawn!
Let’s get started…
My Rustic
Ceremony
- You'll Love:
- Acoustic Guitarist-Singers
- Personal and warm-sounding
- £200 – £400
Beat the budget - search for artists near your unique wedding location and get the best price. Simpy click the 'nearest to me' button at the top of your results to reorder by location.
Drinks
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Roaming Bands & Caricaturists
- Impromptu, unplugged & delightful!
- £250 – £1,650
Too many artists, too little space! Check out our full Rustic and DIY collections for more entertainment ideas to suit your big day.
Wedding
Breakfast
- You'll Love:
- Acoustic Duos
- Happy, upbeat and cool!
- £250 – £900
Evening
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Mumford-Style & Ceilidh Bands
- The most you’ve ever had!
- £1,000 – £3,000
Many bands offer additional daytime-friendly set ups for your wedding ceremony or wedding breakfast. Simply check the booking options on their profile page. It may be easier and cheaper than booking separate artists – good news for the wedmin and the budget.
Something Special? D-I-Y Your Disco!
How about a personalise-able Silent Disco for you DIY-loving couples? Dance to music played through personal headphones rather than speakers, and choose between three channels of music. Cool grandparents can rock out to Led Zepp, sharing the same dancefloor as ravers partying to hardcore dance!
Vintage & Retro
Timeless, era-inspired and super stylish. You’re witty, partial to a bit of bunting and love cool, retro details.
Happy days for vintage loving couples, because entertainment suits your wedding like you suit each other! It’s one of the most effective ways to pull together everything you love about your vintage style on your big day. Whether your thing is the Gatsby glamour of Art Deco, the chintzy charm of the 1940’s, the iconic rock n roll style of the 1950’s, or you just want a modern-retro feel, you have so many great, all-year-round entertainment options that it’s one of our favourite styles.
Let’s get started…
My Vintage
Ceremony
- You'll Love:
- Pianists & Vintage Singers
- Timeless and super romantic
- £200 – £600
Looking for something special but you don’t quite know what?! We have just the thing! Book a consultation to chat to one of our lovely expert bods about all things wedding entertainment! You can sort a time that’s good for you, so no need for an awkward "I’m at work" conversation in front of your boss. Happy days!
Drinks
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Pop up Bars & Vintage Duos
- Upbeat and cool vintage vibes
- £300 – £600
So many different eras to take inspiration from, too little space! Check out our vintage wedding musicians & vintage entertainment ideas for more artists matching your specific vintage style or era.
Wedding
Breakfast
- You'll Love:
- Swing Singers
- Stylish. Retro. All the cool
- £300 – £650
Beat the budget! Search for Swing and Rat Pack singers near your venue and get the best price. Simply search and click the 'Nearest to Me' button above your results to reorder by location. Smooth!
Evening
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Modern-Vintage Bands
- Raise-the-roof party in a cool modern-vintage style
- £800 – £3,000
Planning on booking a modern-vintage band for your evening party? Most usually offer additional daytime-friendly set-ups for your wedding ceremony or wedding breakfast. It may be easier and cheaper than booking separate artists – good news for the wedmin and the budget! Check out more modern-vintage bands in our collection here. (You’re very welcome!)
My Final Touches?
What do you, The Fonz, and pretty much everyone else have in common? We all love a vinyl jukebox! Perfect for your throwback soundtrack, and will look gorgeous to boot. And if you fancy something completely different for your vintage style, how about a Gramophone DJ?! “Spin those spiffing tunes, kind Sir!”
Boho & Festival
Colourful, casual and effortless. It’s the wedding equivalent of just throwing on any old dress and looking uh-mazing. Think tousled tresses, cute flower crowns, tipis and a laidback, fun feel.
For you boho and festival loving couples, it’s all about authentic live music, personal details and that amazing wedfest vibe. Your Pyramid stage-worthy headliner band is a given, but there are loads of other ideas for you to create big feels with a great entertainment line up, making your big day or wedding weekender one amazing flag-flying day to remember.
Pop on your VIP wristbands and let’s get started...
My Boho
Ceremony
- You'll Love:
- Acoustic Guitarists & Duos
- Warm, unplugged and personal
- £200 – £400
Find entertainment that's as effortless as your wedding style in our Boho Wedding Collection.
Drinks
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Campervan Bars and Circus & Fire Performers
- Let The Celebrations Begin!
- £300 – £2,500
Go here for more pop up bars, and here for more festival-style street & circus performers. Not your bag? Go here for other entertainment ideas for your boho-style wedding reception.
Wedding
Breakfast
- You'll Love:
- Brass Fusion Ensembles
- The biggest of big entrances as Mr & Mrs
- £600 – £2,000
Get your ears around more brilliantly unique music picks here.
Evening
Reception
- You'll Love:
- A Headliner Band
- The Best Gig of Your Lives
- £1,000 – £3,000
Bands are our forte. We're the go to people for the UK's best bands (say the bods at Google, and our lovely couples!)... Take a look at the UK's best wedding bands here.
Boho Bonus... My After Party
How about a dance DJ for those sundown celebrations around the fire pit? Click here to check out our top dance DJs to fill the floor at your Boho / Festival Wedding.
Fairytale & Romantic
Breathtaking venues, feminine details, Jimmy Choos worthy of Cinderella, and a dress fit for a princess! Now just add some magical entertainment...
We love that you’re romantic and a little bit fanciful when it comes to your nuptials – and quite frankly, we don’t want your big day to be ‘just fine’ either! That’s why we’re thinking big in the most tasteful way. Ethereal harp music, twinkling tree lights, a flower wall, something unexpected to wow your guests – say, singing waiters or a firework display. And how about a live wedding band, fit for a certain red-haired, real-life Prince? Yes, really! Your big day will be so dazzling it will need its own Instagram account. Now where did we put that magic wand?
Shall we begin...
My Romantic
Ceremony
- You'll Love:
- A Harpist
- Ethereal romance
- £220 – £500
Many of our classical musicians have gorgeous arrangements of recent chart tracks in their repertoire. Simply go here to search for classical musicians available on your date, and check their repertoire on the right hand side of the page. If you have no time to search, just contact one of our lovely Entertainment Coordinators and they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction!
Drinks
Reception
- You'll Love:
- A Gospel Choir & Classical Singers
- Your big entrance as newlyweds!
- £550 – £1,200
Not quite sure what entertainment your heart desires? Book a consultation to chat through ideas with one of our lovely expert team. You can sort a slot that’s good for you, where you can take time to discover your perfect entertainment match. *Swishes fairy wand*
Wedding
Breakfast
- You'll Love:
- Singing Waiters & Light Up Letters & Love Signs
- Twinkling, magical and something unexpected
- £250 – £4,500
Want to check out other non-musical suppliers like pop up bars, ice sculptures, and light up dance floors for your fairytale / romantic wedding? There’s a collection for that! Explore what some of our lovely suppliers have to offer here.
Evening
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Dance Orchestra-Style Big Band
- Swooshing around the dancefloor with your Prince Charming
- £1,000 – £3,000
Want more inspiration? Check out our Fairytale Wedding Collection here. It's full of fantastical and ultra-romantic ideas to bring your fairytale wedding day to life.
A Band Fit for a Prince!
For the ultimate fairytale wedding, how about a band endorsed by Prince Harry himself?! Hipster are one of the UK’s most in demand rock and indie party bands, and as well as playing for the Prince, these guys have performed for King-in-the-North Jon Snow himself (AKA actor Kit Harington), and at castles and royal residences all over the UK! When not performing for real (or fantasy) royalty, these guys are festival regulars, working with numerous big names, including BBC Radio 2 and legendary record producer Nick Lowe. Not to mention thousands of brides and grooms all over the world!
Country Garden
Ahh the prettiest of weddings! Fresh, floral and full of English country charm. Think gorgeous greenery and handtied wild flowers with lawn games, ice cream and lovely live music. Pass the Champers!
Celebrations in beloved gardens, local grounds or even a family home are especially personal and meaningful. That’s why your entertainment should be too. Choose bespoke musical arrangements for your ceremony, and fun outdoor games that your family and friends will love. In the evening, take to a marquee bedecked in fairy lights for a live rendition of your first dance under a floral chandelier.
We’re just warming up! Let’s get started…
My Garden
Ceremony
- You'll Love:
- Classical Guitarists
- Big romance and unplugged
- £200 – £400
If you’re stumped for ideas and you want advice from a real-life-and-very-lovely person that lives to help out couples like you, no problemo! Book Your Unique Wedding consultation slot to speak with one of our expert bods. You can book a time that’s good for you, so no need for an awkward “I’m at work” conversation in front of your boss. Happy days!
Drinks
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Artisan Ice Cream & A String Quartet
- Your very own summer garden party
- £425 – £1,500
Obviously, we know it will be wall-to-wall sunshine on your big day. Fact. But just in case, be sure to set up any outside entertainment under shelter, a gazebo for example. This will not only protect them and their instruments and equipment from the rain (defo not gonna happen…) but will also shade them from any scorching sunshine. Likewise, some instruments like harps, cellos or double basses are best not put directly onto grass, so a rubber mat or solid floor is a good idea.
Wedding
Breakfast
- You'll Love:
- Jazz Ensembles
- Lively, friendly and sparkling!
- £450 – £1,500
Check out our Country Garden and Outdoor Wedding collections for more lovely entertainment ideas for your al fresco wedding.
Evening
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Live party bands & DJs
- Your fave songs and a marquee made for dancing
- £1,000 – £3,000
Do your band research to make sure they are perfect for you! Check out your favourite artists' profile pages to see full song lists, audio clips, and most have showreels or live videos too. If you really want a special song and it’s not listed, just ask! Most bands will learn it for you, for only a wee bit extra. It’s worth it to hear your favourite song played live. Likewise, most DJs will put together a personalised set for you, given notice. Noughties party hour, anyone?
Something Special?
How about a cool twist on the traditional photo booth for your outdoor setting?
Classic & Elegant
Elegant, light and always in style. We’re thinking metallic and pastel touches, delicate lighting (oooh tealights!), with personal touches to make it your own, like a cool string quartet playing your favourite indie anthem.
For classic and elegant couples, your timeless-yet-contemporary feel means you can go as big and bold (or discreet and laid back) as you want with your entertainment. We love classical musicians with a modern twist for your big daytime moments, and a knockout premier party band that gets everyone doing pointy-finger-in-the-air dancing for your all-important evening celebrations. Then capture all the shenanigans on camera with a modern classic – the mighty photo booth!
Let’s get started…
My Elegant
Ceremony
- You'll Love:
- Classical Strings
- Classic-meets-contemporary romance
- £400 – £1,500
Many of our classical musicians have gorgeous arrangements of recent chart tracks in their repertoire.
Simply go here to search for classical musicians available on your date, and check their repertoire on the right hand side of the page. Alternatively, just contact one of our lovely Entertainment Coordinators and they’ll be happy to point you in the right direction!
Drinks
Reception
- You'll Love:
- Pipers & Pianist-Singers
- Happy and stylish!
- £250 – £750
As well as welcoming the bride and groom and guests to the drinks reception, the bagpipes can be played before the wedding ceremony to welcome your guests, to accompany the bridal party's walk into the venue, the bridal entrance, and your walk back down the aisle as newlyweds. In Scottish tradition, a piper will also announce the wedding breakfast and pipe the couple to the top table.
Wedding
Breakfast
- You'll Love:
- Close-Up Magician
- Unacquainted guests seated together? Let the conversations begin!
- £300 – £650
Want to check out other non-musical entertainers for your Wedding Breakfast? There’s a roster for that! Have a mooch at some of the UK’s best non-musical performers here.
Evening
Reception
- You'll Love:
- A Premier Party Band
- Goosebumps, hands in the air
- £800 – £3,000
Bands are our forte. We’re the go to people for the UK’s very best bands, so say the bods at Google, and our lovely couples. Aww shucks guys! Take a look at the UK’s best party bands for your wedding here. Your dancefloor-loving friends will thank you for it.
Super Snaps!
So you’re planning an amazing party. But your photographer is only booked 'til 8pm? Two words. Photo booth!
Producing cool, instant photos on the night, these fellas now come in all shapes and styles, so you can tailor your booth to your groove. Retro, colourful, cool…with or without flattering filters… Now everybody smile and say ‘Artisan Cheese’!
Get Planning
Less worry, more party! From booking tips and budget advice, to on-the-day timings and handy checklists... We’ve got the planning side sorted so you can focus on the fun stuff.
Top 10 Tips
...on booking your perfect live entertainment!
Ten short-but-perfectly-formed vids, packed with money savers and planning hints.
On-the-Day Details
Everything you need to know about typical timings for your entertainment,
and at-a-glance checklists for your venue and your artists. Wedmin sorted!
Wedding Ceremony
Music for your prelude (as guests arrive)
30 mins
Music during your ceremony: Entrance of the bride, signing of the register, and your walk down the aisle as newlyweds
3-4 songs
Drinks Reception
After the ceremony, as your guests relax and chat before your wedding breakfast.
Your entertainment should… continue the excitement after your ceremony and provide the perfect mood for mingling.
60 mins or
2 × 45 mins
Wedding Breakfast
Ambient music or ice-breaking entertainment during the meal.
Your entertainment should… keep the buzz going, so the party feeling doesn’t flag before the speeches.
60 mins or
2 × 45 mins
Evening Reception
Entertainment for your big party finale, after evening guests arrive and the cutting of the cake.
First Dance
Your special song/s can be played live by your artist or through a laptop or iPod.
1-2 songs
1st Live Music Set
Your artist will be prepped to kick in with your first party set after the first dance.
60 mins
1st DJ Set
Your artist will take a break, but the party keeps going as your evening food is served.
45-60 mins
2nd Live Music Set
Time to push this party into another gear and get everyone on their feet again.
60 mins
2nd DJ Set
Dance the night away as die hard movers and ravers get their groove on.
Until close
Venue Checklist
(for ultimate party conditions!)
- Are there any sound limiters or noise restrictions
Heart set on live music? Check this before you book your venue! - Is there enough performance space?
At least 2x2m for a soloist, 3x4m for a 4-piece band - Is there a power supply near the performance area?
2-3 standard household sockets - Is there a changing space or room?
Where artists can smarten up before the performance - Are your bar and dancefloor located in the same room?
So your party isn't split across two rooms - Is there a live music curfew?
Usually midnight, but it can be earlier for some venues - Does your venue need proof of PAT & PLI for any live entertainment?
Standard safety and insurance requirements. All Alive artists have them and can produce certificates when needed.
Artist Checklist
Before Booking
- Availability
Search using your wedding date to see the artists available - Performance and style
Browse images, videos, audio clips - Repertoire
Check that the songs they play match your tastes - Reviews
Check out their previous performances
Ask Your Artist
- Can you learn a first dance or special song?
- Do you offer a DJ set in between and after live music sets?
- Do you offer additional daytime-friendly set ups for my ceremony, reception or wedding breakfast?
One Month Before
- Artist will contact you to run through the finer details of your day
- Give your artist advance notice to learn any ceremony or first dance song requests
On The Day
- Set Up Time
45 – 90 mins - Parking Space
Close to the venue - Outside Cover
Shelter from wind/rain/sun if performing al fresco - Soft Drinks and Food
Keep your artist's energy up for a crowd-wowing performance!
My Best Wedding Tip!
Golden advice nuggets from our brides & grooms who've been there, done it.
“Live music is such an amazing part of your day. Don’t forget to enjoy it and be a part of it. I spent too much time on my wedding day fretting about the small stuff when I should have been on the dancefloor! It’s the good times with my mates and family – and each other! – that were really the most important thing to me.”
Gwen and Tom
“You want music that’s personal and meaningful for your ceremony – so look for tracks you love when you search, and specify song choices with your musicians beforehand.”
Kieran and Liam
“Rather than playing your first dance through an iPod, ask your band if they can play it live. It really makes a difference. Our song wasn’t on the band’s repertoire, so they charged us a small fee to learn it. Worth every penny!”
Gill and Rich
“We didn’t realise our civil wedding ceremony couldn't feature music with any religious references. If in doubt, ask your artists for song inspiration – our gospel choir helped guide us with a selection of non-religious music that worked beautifully for our service.”
Louise
“Make sure your evening entertainment is in the same room as your bar. I’ve been at weddings before where it feels quite flat and quiet when everyone’s queueing for the bar, and I didn’t want that. I wanted everyone in the same room, having a laugh and a dance and joining in with the party!”
Lily and Peter
“If you want your guests to happily chat during your drinks reception, let your artists know that you are looking for a ‘background’ set – something more chilled out, with a volume and set up to match. Our acoustic band were just perfect.”
Lauren and Carl
“Ask your ushers to gather guests together for your first dance, so everyone’s there for your big moment. It means everyone is part of your moment, the photos look full…and mainly it means you can get everyone to join you on the dancefloor if nerves get the better of you after the first minute!”
Lottie and Rich
“Make sure your evening food is not being served at the same time your band are due to play. No matter how amazing the music, food will always win! Our times slipped so the band’s first set wasn't really watched or made the most of. Their second set was brilliant. It's our only regret because everyone loved them!”
Claire and Andrew
“If you plan on paying your artist in cash on the day, arrange for one of your trusted groomsmen to do it, or your dad (or someone else with inside jacket pockets) - preferably before the drinks start flowing!”
Ellie and Josh
“Don’t be afraid to mix things up – most classical artists we looked at could play an eclectic mix of styles, not just the usual! We met in Ibiza so we chose a string quartet that could play a few dance anthems as well as classical pieces! It made the music really special.”
Anna and James
You're Gonna Love These Wedding Entertainers...
Super fresh pop up bars, uber cool street musicians, and cos we're fancy...a Ferris wheel!
Your Real Weddings
Get lovely ideas for your own day from lovely real couples! See how they did it below. Want to share your own big-day story with us? Email us here, or use #alivebride on Instagram to show us your amazing wedding day entertainment ideas!
Our Real Weddings Blog Series
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Featured Reviews
Super happy couples say nice things about us and our artists...
Read over 30,000 rave reviews on our site! (You might need a coffee...)
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