The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Music

Choosing the right music for your wedding will enhance the day and make it an even more memorable occasion.

wedding entertainment

Choosing the right music for your wedding will enhance the day and make it even more memorable. We can offer expert advice and supply music for each stage of your wedding day to ensure live music will flow throughout.

Musical Acts to Enhance Each Moment of Your Day

The following article will guide you effortlessly through each wedding stage, suggesting suitable musical acts that will fit perfectly and provide the desired atmosphere.

So let’s not wait a second longer – it’s time to embark on the best part (at least we think so!) of your wedding planning journey.

Church Ceremony

The wedding day has finally arrived, and after you’re dressed and looking your best, it’s time to get officially married!

A church ceremony has several sections, and each part can lend nicely to some live music, so we will take you through some of the options you could consider below to help commemorate your love and this momentous occasion.

Guest Arrival

As guests begin to arrive at the church or venue, there will be roughly 20-30 minutes of waiting around, allowing the groom to greet guests and ushers to help everyone find their seats.

As guests politely wait, some live music would be a wonderful accompaniment to sustain the romantic atmosphere and create a seamless transition from arrival to ceremony. Your guests will appreciate this entertainment, which can sometimes transform an ordinary space into something truly magical.

A solo singer-guitarist or acoustic duo would work well during this section. Gentle but with significant impact, they can provide a variety of music tailored to your preferences. Depending on the space, the natural acoustics of a church can make vocals & guitar sound exquisite without any need for amplification.

Processional

All the guests are seated, and the groom is ready and waiting at the end of the altar. Depending on the specifics of your day, you’ll expect to have the flower girls, ring bears and bridesmaids walking down the aisle before the bride and her father (traditionally).

You may wish to select one song for everyone to walk down the aisle, though it’s not uncommon to pick two songs, the second choice being the bridal entrance. Consider whether the two songs transition well into one another, or discuss with your musician whether they can make your chosen song work for everyone. They will be able to elongate certain parts, repeat sections and even time your entrance to the part of the song you desire to hear.

An organist would typically play during the ceremony, often making use of the church’s organ and leading the hymns during the service. However, a harpist, string quartet, pianist or choir could work wonderfully with the natural acoustics of a church. If your ceremony is outside, consider asking your chosen musician or act to provide speakers so everyone can enjoy the music clearly.

Tip – Double-check with your venue that they can have amplified musicians outside, as some venues do not have a license for this or may even have sound restrictions and policies in place.

Signing of the Register

Phew! The prominent part of the ceremony is over, and hopefully, nobody stumbled on their vows or forgot the rings! 

As the newlyweds, you’ll be taken aside with your witnesses to sign the legal documents and legally confirm the marriage. This section takes roughly 10-15 minutes, and the photographer will capture a few photos of the happy couple. 

Your chosen musical act will perform during this section to celebrate the union, entertain guests and create a romantic and happy atmosphere. Picking 2-3 meaningful songs will cover this period perfectly.

Recessional

It’s time to celebrate and leave the church in rapturous applause! A special song to accompany the bride and groom’s exit is the perfect way to round off the ceremony and showcase your newfound unity and love.

An upbeat song works well for this part, or something fun and silly to express your relationship and make everyone smile.

Remember, if you’re unsure what songs would work well during these sections, your chosen musical act can help guide you and offer advice on which songs to pick and what has worked well in past events they’ve performed at.

Guitarist wedding ceremony

Civil Ceremony

Civil ceremonies often provide a more laid-back and personal setting, allowing for a more diverse and potentially bolder selection of music.

Options extend from classic string quartets and skilled pianists to versatile guitarists and harpists, each bringing their unique touch to your special day.

Alternatively, consider an acoustic duo for a more upbeat vibe or a bagpiper to honour your partner’s cultural heritage.

Drinks Reception

The party begins here! Drinks are being served, and everyone is mingling and getting excited in anticipation for the rest of the day.

The music during this part of the day should be uplifting and entertaining without overshadowing the natural excitement and atmosphere created by all your guests.

Consider a soloist, for example, an accordionist or saxophonist who can move and mingle between guests, allowing for spontaneous moments whilst simultaneously creating quieter spaces for guests to converse and catch up.

If you’re hoping to entertain your guests (and suspect they will want a dance early on!), perhaps an acoustic band would be the ticket. A percussionist to create a beat and a vocalist to encourage the crowd could quickly turn a dull and dreary reception into a pre-party akin to university days!

Waiters Musicale
Waiters Musicale!

Wedding Breakfast

The Wedding Breakfast presents an excellent opportunity to blend fine dining with exceptional background music. If done correctly, the music should serenade guests, being audible enough to be enjoyed yet not so loud as to overpower their conversations.

Opting for a jazz ensemble will easily fill the room with grandeur and elegance. Whether you’re looking for background music or more focal entertainment, a jazz ensemble can adapt to either, offering various lineups to consider. Feeling overwhelmed? Keep it simple with a lineup of piano, double bass and drums for a classy affair.

Alternatively, a string quartet offers a touch of classical sophistication, providing a more tranquil and graceful auditory experience. Most string ensembles will read music by sight, meaning they can just about perform any song request, provided they can locate the sheet music, of course! Perfect for couples who have some slightly more niche requests and musical tastes.

Suppose you’re considering a musical act featuring vocals. In that case, this can work, but you may find their performance overshadowed by the cacophony of noise during the wedding breakfast, which is why an instrumental act is a safer bet. However, a singer-pianist can be an excellent addition to the meal.

Tip – Consider hiring additional speakers around the room’s perimeter so your guests can enjoy the music during dinner.

Evening Reception

Kick those high heels off because it’s time to hit the dance floor! Although chaotic in the best possible sense, the evening reception will require consideration regarding how it flows. Below, let’s take a quick look at a typical evening wedding reception, which may influence your scheduling and musical choices.

Cutting of the Cake & the First Dance

Let them eat cake – and drink champagne! Your first dance is on the horizon, and there is nothing more romantic and memorable than having a live band perform your chosen number.

Most bands can accommodate a more delicate song for the first dance, using acoustic guitars and lighter percussion to get the feeling across. They should then be able to build mid-way and erupt into the original or an entirely new song altogether to get guests flooding the dance floor.

Whatever vision you have, discuss this before booking, as you’ll be surprised what live bands can achieve for this special moment.

Evening Food / Fireworks

The food trucks are outside, and guests are piling out to take a look and grab a quick bite. Evening food can slightly disrupt the party atmosphere, but only for a moment, so you should never schedule your evening food to be served while the band is still on or before they start their second or third set – the same goes for any fireworks planned!

First Dance

Last Orders at the Bar & Final Song

The hardest part of any wedding is knowing when the night has ended; we all know the guests who don’t like to admit it. Instead of dragging them out kicking and screaming, picking a few classic ‘end of night’ bangers is wise to help prepare everyone for this.

Below are a few ideas to help get the creative juices flowing:

  • New York, New York – Frank Sinatra
  • Hey Jude – The Beatles
  • Angels – Robbie Williams
  • Don’t Look Back In Anger – Oasis
  • One Day Like This – Elbow
  • You’ve Got The Love – Florence & The Machine
  • Come on Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners 
  • (I’m Gonna Be) 500 Miles – The Proclaimers 
  • Anything for Love – Meatloaf
  • Zorba The Greek – John Murphy & David Hughes

Tip – Instruct the band to announce the last orders at the bar and when they will play their final song. Having the band finish their final set 20-30 minutes before the night’s end is a good idea. Winding down the evening with pre-mixed music through the PA system is much easier than a hyped-up crowd after a live band’s crescendo!

Wedding Bands

Hiring the right band for your evening reception is tricky and often accompanied by hours of researching online to find ‘the one’. Using a reputable agency is by far the easiest way to find what you’re looking for, hassle-free and quickly.

You’ll find all of our top-quality wedding bands neatly categorised to make finding the right band a cinch:

For the contemporary couple, we have a great selection of Party Bands, Pop & Rock Bands and Indie Rock Bands, all of whom can kickstart the evening off with a bang!

If you’re after the classic wedding vibe, consider looking at our established Soul, Funk & Motown Bands, who will effortlessly create the perfect party vibe.

Are you having a Great Gatsby-themed wedding? Say no more; our Vintage & Retro Bands will help set the right tone for a glamorous party and night of splendour.

If your wedding is hosted in a vintage diner, we’d wholeheartedly recommend our Rock and Roll Bands to set the evening alight with their infectious sound and raucous performance!

If you need help figuring out where to start, the best place to begin is by looking through our professional roster of Wedding Bands here. Hopefully, this will provide some inspiration for your wedding day and evening entertainment, but don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need further advice.

Wedding couple on a hill

Wedding Music Experts

DG Music, a premier live music provider in the UK, specialises in creating the perfect musical backdrop for weddings. We assist over 1,000 brides and grooms each year in finding the ideal tunes for their special day.

Understanding that searching the internet for dependable, high-quality musicians can be stressful and time-consuming, we step in to ease the process. With our extensive experience handling numerous weddings weekly, you can trust us to meticulously curate the best options, ensuring your big day is in expert hands.