The three music slots of a wedding day
- Ceremony — usually 20–30 minutes. Solo guitarist, harpist, string quartet, or a small choir.
- Drinks and dinner — 2–3 hours of background. Acoustic duo, jazz trio, lounge pianist.
- Evening party — the main event. 4–6 piece function band, DJ, or band-plus-DJ combo.
Band vs DJ vs both
Bands bring energy and spectacle but cost more and need bigger stages. DJs are flexible, take requests on the fly, and fill quieter moments. The most popular combo: band for two 60-minute sets, DJ in between and to close.
Booking timeline
- 12 months out — shortlist and hold dates
- 9 months out — sign contracts, pay deposits
- 3 months out — confirm set times with venue
- 6 weeks out — send first dance, must-plays and do-not-plays
- 2 weeks out — confirm load-in, sound, dress code
- Day of — designate one contact (not the couple) for the act
Briefing the act
Beyond first dance and parents' dance, give the act 5–10 must-plays and a short do-not-play list. Most pros will build the rest of the set from the dance floor.
"The reason a wedding band feels magical isn't the set list — it's that they read the room and pivot. Trust them."
Venue traps to avoid
- Noise curfews — many venues cut amplified music at 11pm or midnight
- Sound limiters — automatic cut-offs at a set decibel; brief the band early
- Power supply — check the band's tech rider against the venue's spec
- Load-in access — narrow doors and long carries kill setup time
Nice extras couples remember
- Saxophonist or percussionist sitting in with the DJ
- Surprise singer waiter set during dinner
- Acoustic version of the first dance, then the full-band version
- A 10pm sparkler entrance with a re-introduction
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