Wedding Music Guidelines

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Wedding music plays an important role in setting the overall wedding and reception mood. Couples often utilise several forms of music and a variety of musicians, bands, and Disc Jockeys to complete the event.


The Music Matters

Great Music makes for a Great Party!

The Music is one of the most important parts of your wedding. A little pre-planning can help ensure success.
Keep in mind that your guests will have a variety of musical tastes, and that you should attempt to cater to all of them. Ask your band or disc jockey manager to provide a complete list of all music they can perform/play to ensure you get the variety you desire.

If you have specific songs or themes you would like to hear, inquire about their availability in advance of booking the musicians and disc jockey service.

Music can make or break a party, and a talented live band or musician will add immeasurably to your special day. Visit the local music venues, and inquire about the area's most popular bands. Before hiring a band, it's best go out and hear them perform. 

Remember, a poor disc jockey service or band can ruin the party. A unique, live band or talented disc jockey can make the party memorable and fun!

Hiring A Band For Your Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Live music is often the best alternative for your wedding ceremony and reception. Your music vendor can make or break the party, and a talented live band or musician will add immeasurably to your special day.

A live local or regional band can usually be hired for around £400 or more. The more experienced the band, the more the services will cost you - but they are generally well worth the extra expense. Be sure to have your agreement in writing, signed by the band manager or agent.

Contracting A Band

Following are key points to discuss with the band manager or agent:

  • What is the band's music specialty? Are they willing to include other types of music and your special requests? 
  • What is their fee and payment schedule (payment in cash at the event is usually preferred). 
  • Discuss the number of hours the band is expected to play, including beginning and end time. 
  • what is the hourly charge for overtime (often a good party runs longer than anticipated - pay the band to extend). 
  • What is the number and lengths of breaks you can expect the band to take? (generally a 15 - 20 minute break after each 45 - 50 minutes of playing) 
  • Will they provide music during breaks? (request special songs you would like to hear during breaks) 
  • Will the band require food and beverages? (it is customary to provide free food and drinks to the musicians) 
  • Review in detail the plans for dinner, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, other special dances, cake cutting, etc. 

Hiring A Disc Jockey For Your Wedding Ceremony & Reception

While some believe a live band is the best music option for a wedding reception, others will argue that a talented disc jockey can be just as enjoyable - if not more so. Most do agree however, that unless your ceremony is themed and requires a disc jockey, live music should be played during the ceremony.

Disc Jockey services are usually available for £100 or more. The more experienced the disc jockey, the more their services will cost - but it is generally well worth the extra cash. Remember, a poor D.J. service can ruin the party where a talented D.J. can make the party memorable and fun!

Be sure to have your entire agreement in writing signed by the D.J. or their manager.

Contracting a Disc Jockey

Discuss the following points with the Disc Jockey:

  • What is the D.J.'s music specialty? Are they willing to include other types of music and your special requests? 
  • What is their fee and payment schedule (payment in cash at the event is usually preferred). 
  • Discuss the number of hours the D.J. is expected to play, including beginning and end time. 
  • What is the hourly charge for overtime (often a good party runs longer than anticipated - pay the D.J. to extend). 
  • What is the number and length of breaks you can expect the D.J. to take? 
  • Will they provide music during breaks? (request special songs you would like to hear during breaks) 
  • Will they require food and beverages? (it is customary to provide free food and drinks to the musicians) 
  • Review in detail the plans for dinner, first dance, bouquet toss, garter toss, other special dances, cake cutting, etc. 

Disc Jockey Music FAQs

Great Music makes for a Great Party!
Is is better to have a live band or disc jockey play at the wedding ceremony and reception?
While some believe a live band is the best music option for a wedding reception, others will argue that a talented disc jockey can be just as enjoyable, if not more so. Most do agree however, that unless your ceremony is themed and requires a disc jockey, live music should be played during the ceremony.

Will a disc jockey be as talented and professional as a band?

A good disc jockey will choreograph your entire wedding reception, and is often a talented host and narrator for your reception events. If you have specific songs or themes you would like to hear, inquire about their availability before booking your disc jockey service.

Will a disc jockey make announcements?

It is important to communicate prior to the performance what you expect of the disc-jockey service. If you expect them to announce names or perform other special services, be sure to provide them with the proper pronunciation of names for the bride, groom, mother, father, best man, etc. A poorly read announcement is often worse than none at all. Plan ahead to avoid embarrassment.

Does a disc jockey have all the songs we will want?

Be sure the DJ has the songs you request in their inventory. Ask to see a music list and determine their willingness to purchase additional discs if necessary. And remember to have your entire agreement in writing signed by the DJ or their manager.

How much will a good Disc Jockey cost?

A talented disc jockey can usually be hired for £100 or more. The more experienced the disc jockey, the more the services will cost you - but they are generally well worth the extra expense. State your budget and be specific about your requirements, insisting all agreements be in writing. Remember, a poor disc jockey can ruin the party - A talented disc jockey can make the party memorable and fun!

Hints & Suggestions for Selecting Music Providers

The Music is one of the most important parts of your wedding. A little pre-planning can help ensure success. Following are some simple tips to ensure your music provider is sensational:

  • Bands and disc jockeys are often booked months in advance so act quickly to obtain your favourite group or disc jockey.
  • Communicate prior to the performance what you expect of the musicians and/or disc jockey.
  • Inquire about specific song availability in advance of booking a band and/or disc jockey.
  • Provide your band or disc jockey with a detailed schedule of events so they know what music to play when.
  • Be sure to inform your band or disc jockey of any announcements you want them to make well in advance of the reception, and provide them with proper pronunciation of names. A poorly read announcement is often worse than none at all. Plan ahead to avoid embarrassment.
  • The time to ask the band or disc jockey about fulfilling special requests is during the negotiating period - not at the reception.
  • Be very specific about what you would like to hear and what you don't want to hear.
  • Be specific about your budget and insist that your final agreement be in writing.
  • Oftentimes tapes are not a very good indicator of the band's live sound. It is best to find out where the band will be playing or performing and take the time to go out and hear them for yourself.
  • Bands and disc jockeys generally prefer payment in cash at the event.

The First Dance

Usually, the bride and the groom will agree on a song that means the most to them, or portrays the way that they feel about each other. The first dance is a very special dance…the one that will be remembered by your guests the most. Some couples even choose to take dance lessons to perfect their song together beforehand. 

Sometimes, finding that one song is a very difficult thing to do, so here are some suggestions on songs that have been used in several weddings from the past:

  • Unforgettable
  • Someone Like You 
  • From This Moment 
  • I Will Always Love You
  • When A Man Loves a Woman
  • I Swear
  • Because You Loved Me
  • You’re Still The One
  • Everything I Do
  • Here and Now
  • Fly Me To The Moon
  • What A Wonderful World
  • Wind Beneath My Wings
  • Through The Years
  • Beautiful In My Eyes
  • Can You Feel The love Tonight
  • I'll Be There
  • Sunrise, Sunset
  • Sea Of Love
  • A Song For Mama
  • Times Of Your Life
  • Anytime You Need A Friend
  • Hero
  • Lady in Red