Your Ultimate Guide To
Wedding Entertainment

We're the UK's largest wedding entertainment supplier

You're here! The #1 place to plan and find the best wedding entertainment. Over 1000 ideas for Wedding Bands, Musicians, DJs & Entertainers. Our expert coordinators book entertainment for over 8000 weddings every year, so we've come to learn a thing or two. Our guide provides inspiration for all your big day's big moments - from ceremony music to evening party. Find entertainment ideas to match your wedding style. Plus, get tips from real brides & grooms like you.


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Your BIG Day Your way

From your favourite ceremony music to evening reception acts, these are the most popular ideas for wedding entertainment that are flying off our virtual shelves.

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WEDDING BANDS

#HearTheDifference. Over 1000 of the best wedding bands in the UK to choose from, with many exclusive to Alive Network.

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Match to Your Wedding Style

Love to hit the festival scene every summer? Fan of all things vintage? Whether you have a wedding theme, want to match the era to your venue, or just want your friends to have fun, find bands & entertainers that will help your pull it all together.

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Wedding Entertainment Advice

Ready to delve into even more wedding entertainment planning ideas and tips? Check out our advice articles and exclusive collections.

Wedding Songs And Music Ideas

Choosing Live Music For Your Wedding Ceremony

Choosing Live Music For Your Wedding Ceremony

Here at Alive Network we hire entertainment for more than 5000 weddings each year. We're frequently asked how much of an inpu...
Traditional Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Traditional Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Make a grand entrance with these ideas for traditional processional songs to walk down the aisle to. Get inspiration for your...
51 First Dance Songs - As Chosen By Music Insiders

51 First Dance Songs - As Chosen By Music Insiders

Chosen your first dance song yet? Here are 51 first dance favourites to help you find The One, as picked by pro musicians and...
Wedding Recessional Songs - As Chosen By Music Insiders

Wedding Recessional Songs - As Chosen By Music Insiders

Need song ideas for your happy 'just married' moment? Explore 50+ popular wedding recessional songs, and find The One to matc...
Last Dance Wedding Songs

Last Dance Wedding Songs

Want a memorable ending to your wedding reception? From romantic ballads to anthems and full-on fun, these last dance wedding...
Wedding Hymns: The Ultimate Wedding Hymn Resource

Wedding Hymns: The Ultimate Wedding Hymn Resource

Find the best traditional & modern hymns in our ultimate guide to popular wedding hymns and songs.
A Classical Guitarists Guide to the Top 20 Guitar Songs for ...

A Classical Guitarists Guide to the Top 20 Guitar Songs for ...

Are you looking to hire a classical guitarist for your wedding? Are you in need of some inspiration choosing the perfect piec...
Non-Traditional Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Non-Traditional Songs To Walk Down The Aisle To

Don’t fancy ‘Here Comes The Bride’ at your ceremony? Make a grand entrance with these ideas for non-traditi...
Father-Daughter Dance Songs

Father-Daughter Dance Songs

Taking to the dancefloor with your dad on your wedding day? Explore the best collection of father-daughter dance songs, and f...
Top 10 Wedding First Dances for a Ceilidh or Folk Band to Pl...

Top 10 Wedding First Dances for a Ceilidh or Folk Band to Pl...

The first dance is a personal moment for the bride and groom and often a special song is chosen which holds meaning for the h...
Civil Ceremony Music Ideas

Civil Ceremony Music Ideas

Wondering what makes great, non-religious civil wedding ceremony music? Alive Network's artists and staff suggest 42 civil we...
Choosing Music For A Wedding Reception

Choosing Music For A Wedding Reception

Helpful hints and tips to guide you through choosing the right live music for your wedding reception.

Get more wedding song ideas.

Wedding Entertainment Planning Advice

25 Sizzling Ideas for Summer Wedding Entertainment

25 Sizzling Ideas for Summer Wedding Entertainment

Make the most of the sunshine and delight your guests with the best in British summertime entertainment for your wedding day...
How To Make Your Wedding More Fun

How To Make Your Wedding More Fun

According to a recent survey, 70% of brides and grooms want their wedding to be described as fun and that's just what Alive N...
Vintage Wedding Entertainment

Vintage Wedding Entertainment

If you're looking for an on-trend theme for your wedding that looks great, look to the past! Vintage and retro weddings are a...
Wedding Hymns: The Ultimate Wedding Hymn Resource

Wedding Hymns: The Ultimate Wedding Hymn Resource

Find the best traditional & modern hymns in our ultimate guide to popular wedding hymns and songs.
Top 10 Rock & Pop Wedding Bands 2024

Top 10 Rock & Pop Wedding Bands 2024

This year's top ten list of the hottest wedding bands for hire in the UK right now!
Fun Wedding Entertainment Inspiration

Fun Wedding Entertainment Inspiration

Wedding entertainment isn't just about the evening party, it's also about entertaining your guests throughout the day, so the...
Christmas Wedding Entertainment

Christmas Wedding Entertainment

Christmas weddings are often top of a bride-to-be's fantasy list, and rightly so... Fulfil you're winter wedding fantasy by h...
Wedding Entertainment Prices: What Can You Get For Your Mone...

Wedding Entertainment Prices: What Can You Get For Your Mone...

Budgeting for a wedding is one of the trickiest parts to get right. It’s pretty unusual to nail it first time but Alive...
Booking A Wedding Band: How To Ensure Everything Runs Smooth...

Booking A Wedding Band: How To Ensure Everything Runs Smooth...

It's your big day - congratulations! This article offers a few insights and tips to help ensure your evening reception goes w...
Exclusive Video! How to save money hiring a wedding band

Exclusive Video! How to save money hiring a wedding band

At Alive Network we work with our artists to ensure their fees are both fair and good value for money, but there are always w...
Choosing Music For A Wedding Reception

Choosing Music For A Wedding Reception

Helpful hints and tips to guide you through choosing the right live music for your wedding reception.
Top 10 Wedding Reception Songs To Avoid At All Costs

Top 10 Wedding Reception Songs To Avoid At All Costs

Alex from Alive Network has created a list of songs for you to give to your DJ and/or band. Make it clear that if they play a...
How To Keep Your Function Band Happy

How To Keep Your Function Band Happy

When you see your function band up on stage, with the lights, the PA system, the costumes, you may think we're really living...
A Guide To Loudness & Venue dB Limiters!

A Guide To Loudness & Venue dB Limiters!

More and more venues are fitting (or are being forced to fit) sound limiters in a bid to appease local council noise restrict...

Get more wedding entertainment planning advice.

Something Different

The Crowd Surfing Bride Collection

The Crowd Surfing Bride Collection

Ditch the dancefloor for the mosh pit and rage against tradition with our collection of killer rock bands. Recreate all the f...
80+ Music & Entertainment Ideas for Rustic Weddings

80+ Music & Entertainment Ideas for Rustic Weddings

Rustic weddings are all about lovingly-made décor, beautifully-lit barns and amazing live music. From Mumford-style bands and...
Signature Wedding Bands Collection

Signature Wedding Bands Collection

Our signature collection of award-winning wedding bands, five-star recommended by cool and creative Brides and Grooms all ove...
50+ Music & Entertainment Ideas for Vintage Weddings

50+ Music & Entertainment Ideas for Vintage Weddings

Love cool, retro details? Partial to a chintzy tea set? Well we’ve got a collection that will make your vintage hearts sing....
Alternative Wedding Entertainment

Alternative Wedding Entertainment

From Rockabilly and Folk covers of modern pop songs, to indie rock wedding bands fit for festival stages, if you're looking f...
Boho Wedding Music & Entertainment Ideas

Boho Wedding Music & Entertainment Ideas

Looking for entertainment that’s as effortless as your flower crown-wearing style? Raises hand. Well here’s some gorgeously b...
50+ Ideas for Fairytale Wedding Entertainment

50+ Ideas for Fairytale Wedding Entertainment

No. We don’t want your wedding to be ‘just ok’ either. Bring your dream big day to life with our collection of ultra-romantic...
The Enchanting Wedding Collection

The Enchanting Wedding Collection

Make it magical with our hand-picked collection of enchanting artists to complete your fairytale wedding. Leave your guests s...
Country Garden Entertainment Ideas

Country Garden Entertainment Ideas

Pass the Pimms! We’re talking a gorgeously green wedding full of traditional country charm. Think lawn games, sweet outdoor t...
Signature Wedding Ceremony Music Collection

Signature Wedding Ceremony Music Collection

From string quartets and harpists to classical guitarists and opera singers, this collection is packed with wedding ceremony...
Signature Wedding Drinks Reception Collection

Signature Wedding Drinks Reception Collection

A selection of our favourite wedding bands, musicians and entertainers for your drinks reception. The ultimate collection of...
50+ Ideas for Outdoor Entertainment

50+ Ideas for Outdoor Entertainment

Sunshine, love and live entertainment…Count us in! Check out our collection of artists perfect for your al fresco celebration...
Classic & Traditional Wedding Music & Entertainment Ideas

Classic & Traditional Wedding Music & Entertainment Ideas

Timeless classic-meets-contemporary romance. This stylish collection includes gorgeous modern hits on classical strings, uber...
Summer Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Summer Wedding Entertainment Ideas

Recreate the glamour of the French Riviera for your blissful summer wedding. Sip champers by the sea with a DJ pumping your f...
130+ Ideas for DIY Wedding Reception Entertainment

130+ Ideas for DIY Wedding Reception Entertainment

Handmade touches and truly unique styling is what it’s all about. Extend the DIY detailing to your entertainment with our co...
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Real wedding inspiration

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 Instragram to show us your amazing wedding day entertainment ideas!

From Our 'Real Weddings' Blog Series

Natasha & Paul

Natasha & Paul

Which Disney song do these fun-loving summer newlyweds choose for their first dance? Check out their gorgeous Beauty and the...
Megan & Gerard

Megan & Gerard

Dreaming of a rural wedding with DIY touches, & a Mumford-style party? Want to up your Insta photo count? Want to include...
Nick & Spencer

Nick & Spencer

What music do professional performers choose for their own wedding day? Check out Nick and Spencer's off-the-scale gorgeous c...
Anna & Steph

Anna & Steph

Looking for cool & colourful wedding inspo? Planning your own barn ceremony or festival style wedding? Anna & Steph&r...
Robyn & Ryan

Robyn & Ryan

How does a florist dress her own wedding day? See the surprise bouquet that makes our florist bride get emotional. Want to kn...
Stephanie & Shaun

Stephanie & Shaun

Want to know how to blend a love of festivals and football with a touch of the Orient and a darn good party? Let your hair do...

Tips From Real Brides And Grooms

Featured Reviews From Amazing Wedding Couples

On-the-Day Details

Everything you need to know about typical W-day timings for your wedding entertainment, and at-a-glance checklists for your venue and your artists. Your wedmin sorted!

Wedding Ceremony

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

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

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!

178887 Events Made Awesome So Far

A UK-Wide & International Wedding Entertainment Agency

As the UK's largest wedding entertainment agency we book over 10,000 wedding bands, musicians, DJs and entertainers each year. We pride ourselves on providing great wedding entertainment UK-wide and internationally.

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