12 of The Best wedding band & Musician Ideas. (updated for 2024)
When the wedding ceremony is over, the toasts have been made and the meals are long gone. It’s time to slide those tables to the side, open up the floor and get the party started!
I love this part, when the band are loading in and sheepishly trying to navigate their gear around oblivious wedding guests.. Having to stop ‘n chat with Gramps to be polite whilst carrying a 30kg Fender twin reverb will certainly test those biceps and might be too loud for some… But Nahhh, not for us unconventional lot though! We love the Rock ‘n’ Roll!
With that, I have listed below some of the best bands and wedding singers in the Biz, because you’re looking for something a little different for your Wedding entertainment, aren’t you! We don’t your want cheesy music or DJ’s here! Gone are the days of the ‘Wedding Singer’ vibes unless, I suppose it was done in the tongue in cheek Adam Sandler way…
Wedding Bands Near Me
You’ll generally find that you can look a little further afield when searching google to hire a band or musician, don’t just limit yourself to searching within your area! Most wedding bands are willing to travel to play at your party and are used to hopping into the back of a van to tear up and down the M1. It’s the life of a travelling musician, man!
I remember bumping into a 80’s style glam rock band at 3am, fully lycra’d up, in a service station just outside of London. A pleasant bunch who’d just dropped in for a Ginsters after a gig. They live for this stuff! Which is also something to remember when researching the cost of how much to hire a wedding band. A great band is often booked up way in advance too, so it’s good to get in there early, as soon as you know what you want!
There are plenty of agencies out there who represent wedding bands and wedding entertainment, such as Warble entertainment, Alive Network and Function Central. All of which have a pretty lengthy list of bands to suit a plethora of musical tastes, and you will find great musicians! Though if you are a bit of a music snob (like me) some can be a little cookie cutter and well…. Dare I say, safe = boring!
A little tipoff though, if you have found a band you love through one of these agencies, is to do a little more digging to get in touch directly, as you might find after the agency fees, the band are having to charge a bit extra to counter the agency percentage… The cost of convenience as they say!
ANYWAY, Onward to the list of some incredible musicians in their own right!
JFT (Just For Tonight)
JFT are just one of those bands that will blow you away, they’re super tight. Incredible players and yet still put their own little twists on popular songs, that will go down super well at a wedding. They’ve created set lists that just work so well. Whether it’s an acoustic setup in the courtyard while you’re sippin’ during cocktail hour or in full on party mode, these guys get it and pretty much can detect the vibe of what bangers to play. They’re just awesome, go and check them out and Thank me later on the dancefloor, yeah?!
Considering hiring this band for your Wedding? Head over to their site here to enquire!
https://www.jft-band.com/
2. White Men Can’t Funk
Take a bunch of obviously insanely talented musicians, they’re heavily tattooed, I have no doubt they grew up playing music on the heavier end of the scale.
And then think of all those 90’s guilty pleasure pop and RnB songs that you know are proper bangers.. We all have them in the back of our minds. (Shania Twain’s “From this Moment” is such a massive belter!) Which I like to think that this is where this awesome bunch were led.. Probably in the rehearsal room one day, messing around with tunes as we all did.. And the guitarist starts noodling a little riff, It’s a Backstreet Boys song! Everyone laughs initially but then, the need to groove kicks in and one by one, each band member follows suit and in no less than 30 seconds. Everyone is fully into this slightly heavier, groovy little pocket that just works so well!
Needless to say, I’m not sure if that’s exactly how this started but I like to imagine it was like that.
WMCF are such a solid band, that will have folks on the dancefloor all night, you can see their faces realising which song they’ve just kicked into and the look of just pure glee and amazement of how freakin’ awesome these guys are is great.
They show up on stage in their white basketball tops, tattoos out and caps on.. and they just kick in.. Tune after tune, they just keep hitting them and it works so well.
Book White Men Can’t Funk for your Wedding Entertainment Here:
https://www.wmcf-band.co.uk/
3. Old Time SailorS
Now, all you really need to do is just take one sneak peek at their video below and you’ll be hooked!
I was absolutely blown away by this whole concept! (I genuinely didn’t mean to put those sailor/pirate puns in) Like a travelling stage show of misfits, bandits and oddities you’d expect from the vaudeville times. A stage set and show that takes your wedding guests directly into a tavern, surrounded by a bunch of 18 drunken sailors who also happen to be incredible musicians. Playing boozy fuelled songs of old, Irish folk and Bluegrass numbers you cannot help but join in with. AND YOU WILL!
The flashmob mentality of the Old Time Sailor experience immerses the audience in with everyone receiving a copy of the Sunday Sailor newspaper, which cleverly conceals the lyrics to all of their songs! I managed to catch up with Captain Nicholas and asked what sort of craziness can one one expect at a show?
“Ahoy Luke,
well, it's always good to know we play fast, to dance at a quick step. It's definitely faster than what Ceilidh Bands do, for example. You will get tired during our show, if you follow our dancing, but you will have lots of fun!
During the show I may personally challenge someone in the audience to an arm wrestle! and, IF they win, they get some free merch!
So if you’re looking for something to completely surprise, shock, amaze and enthral your Wedding guests, then you should absolutely 100% take a look in to booking this unruly lot!
Check Out Videos and More here!!
For more info, to tet in touch and booking.. Looksy over here:
https://www.homeconcerts.com/artist/old-time-sailors
4. The Most Ugly Child
Staying sort of on topic with a Wedding band that fits the not so formal. For the alternative kinds that do not want to conform to the old hat traditions of weddings, and have a celebration that suits them!
If you’re looking for something that’s real gritty, and you love that country music. The Most Ugly Child are one of those bands that will have you and your mates dancing, laughing, crying, reaching for the bottle all at the same time. You’ll probably be frantically searching google for a Stetson after your wedding!
With the uprise of DIY and rustic barn weddings in the UK over the past few years, you’re definitely going to want a band that fits that bill, and this lovely lot should be on that list! You can check out a couple of those awesome barn venues over here on my Top East Midlands Wedding Venues blog.
I have the privilege of being best buds with Dan, we grew up together, played in bands together, he was even best man at my wedding, AND his band happened to my Wedding reception in Leicestershire.. (I owe him quite a bit!) Where, to my joy, I did get pulled up on stage to play and this happened (Yes, that’s me playing guitar AND downing a Jägerbomb!!) - Captured perfectly by the wonderful Lee Garland.
Image courtesy of Lee Garland.
Fancy taking a look into booking The Most Ugly Child for your Wedding day? Mosey on over here to enquire with them!
https://www.themostuglychild.com
5. The Distractions
Slicker than your average is their hashtag, and honestly, rightly so! Everything about this “Band” is slick. I use band in quotes because their unique tailored service is absolutely genius and you get so much more than just a band!
You get the opportunity to have a complete bespoke service made up for you that is so simple to navigate. Beginning with an awesome collective of experienced and talented musicians based all over the UK. From a 3/4 piece band to a full on show band. Carefully picked musicians are appointed according to the package you pick and their full day coverage will have you sorted from the Wedding Ceremony right through to those floor filling bangers at the evening reception!
They believe in a 100% Live experience so, no cheesy backing tracks here folks, just pure unadulterated live music from real people, playing real instruments. Their mashups are just something to behold too, and will leave your wedding guests with their jaws firmly on the floor! (Best get a mop over here, and don’t worry, they’re fully insured..) Just watch the video below to check how awesome these people are. I’m pretty jealous over here, can you tell?
You can grab some info, check out loads more of The Distractions videos and book this band for your wedding over here:
https://thedistractionsband.co.uk/
6. Michael Mulholland
Based in Yorkshire, Michael travels around the country in proper troubadour fashion as an acoustic solo musician. His ability to keep wedding guests in the palm of his hand as well as fully loaded on the dance floor is something to behold!
Armed with just his trusty Acoustic guitar, a harmonica, his voice and a huge repertoire of songs.
He will literally show up at your wedding all day too, (I thought it was only Wedding photographers that did that?!) If you’re wanting a tailored service that covers your Ceremony, drinks receptions & your evening Wedding reception, Michael has packages to give you all of it! Including a DJ set of floor fillers if you’re left needing more!
Michael and his acoustic versions of classics through to modern pop, folk & Indie will suit wedding venues big or small!
Enquire with your questions, requests and to book Michael for your Wedding, have a gander over here!
https://michaelmulhollandacoustic.com/
7. Connor Thomas
If you’re looking for some of the most perfect acoustic renditions of your favourite songs at your Wedding Ceremony, Connor is someone you need to be getting in touch with.
He’s genuinely one of the most talented musicians I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and he’s also super humble which very rarely goes hand in hand! His fingerstyle guitar instrumentals will fit right in for seeing your mates shuffle in to the wedding venue. You also have the option to add on a Vocalist to his wedding packages.
He has an extensive list of incredible music which will suit ceremonies as well as your wedding breakfast.
Connor is a musician based in Durham and travels all over the place playing Guitar for a living.
You can give Connor a shout over here if you’re looking to book your Wedding.
https://connorthomas.com/
8. The Often Herd
Another north east based bunch! Okay, they’re not strictly a wedding band but I just had to include these fine gentlemen on this list because I’m a big fan of the style of bluegrass music they play, and if you do too you’ll realise it’s hard to come by here in the UK. Ever heard of Bluegrass from the North East of England?! Me either until I came across this lot! Wow, again, if you want something a little different on your wedding day that will impress your guests and have everyone up and jiggin’
The Often Herd will make a unforgettable experience if you’re having a barn wedding or similar outdoor wedding! And if you want some seriously talented musicians at your wedding, not a cheesy cover band!
Well don’t just take my word for it, go and check them out for yourself!
https://www.theoftenherd.com
9. Ben Haynes
Ben is one of those kind souls you’d be grateful to just have around on your wedding day. In addition to that, it helps massively that he’s just an incredible musician.
He has a great range in his voice that’s uniquely him! Ben and I used to play in a band together, him on Drums and I was the Guitarist. Knowing he can turn his hand to just about any instrumentation or put his own twist on songs is a testament to how good he is!
Armed with just an acoustic guitar will bring his soulful presence to your wedding ceremony and drinks reception for the day. He’s not afraid to turn it up a notch and bring the party to the evening too playing live with just his acoustic and loops and some backing as well as providing an evening DJ set.
Give Ben a shout over here:
https://www.benhaynesentertainment.com/
10. Son Guarachando
Woah woah woah now, steady on! I know what you’re sayin’ You know you kinda want the destination wedding… The sun and the vibes but without having to travel across the world dragging the whole screaming entourage with you. I get you, and I’m going to slap down Son Guarachando on the table for you as a chunky piece of your wedding jigsaw puzzle.
Fronted by Cuban born Adriana Lord, a leading force on the Havana scene for well over a decade, cutting her teeth working with the likes of William Vivanco, Eliades Ochoa of Buena Vista Social Club. Her mesmerising performances enticing the crowd involved in a Cuban dance party!
Residing in London, this wedding band are the UK’s best source of Cuban Son, Salsa and Latin Music and will have you slamming Daiquiris like Hemingway in no time. Not even those drinks will see you forgetting a performance from this lot!
Thirsty for more? Go and check out more over here & get in touch with Son Guarachando:
https://www.facebook.com/songuarachandouk/
11. Jacky Naylor - On the Rocks Jazz Trio
Oh my word, when I stumbled across some of Jacky’s compositions and numerous works out there. I had to just include him in his various guises on this blog post. I can honestly picture this going down so well in The West Mill with all of it’s New York loft vibes. Jacky is an astounding Jazz Pianist and composer and I could reel off his list of accolades but honestly all you need to do is just have a listen to his work and you can understand why he’s so in demand as a young musician.
Throw two or more musicians that are on offer into the mix and you have one heck of a Jazz trio or Quartet at your wedding party.
For more info and details on booking some Jazz for your Wedding -
https://www.jackynaylor.com/
12. CHRISTINA & HARRY
Putting their own acoustic twist on popular classics, I love these guys. Especially with their ability to fit in to an entire Wedding day. Performing ceremony music as you walk down the aisle, keeping it smooth through the cocktail hour, refuelling and then setting up to kick in to a raucous reception party! and it’s just the two of them!!
Harry is effortlessly smooth as an acoustic guitarist, able to utilise looping into their sets when needed to pad out and make them sound much bigger than they are!
His playing compliments Christina’s vocals so well. and Incredible duo!
Get in touch with Christina & Harry Here:
https://www.christinaharryacoustic.co.uk/
How Much to Hire a Wedding Band?
It’s a question that I see a lot and obviously it comes down to the budget you have set yourselves. I get it, you’re completely new to this concept of a musician being a fully viable business and career choice! Especially as we are also completely new to becoming an expert in navigating, budgeting and purchasing vendors when we decided to get married!
In all seriousness, all of the above musicians are professionals at what they do and the years of craft, and hard work can come at a cost. Whether that’s either higher or lower than you’re expecting to pay. It’s something to consider, much like with your Wedding Photographer, Florist, venue Stylist etc…
This is your wedding day and you should always go with what is ultimately going to make you happy. Remember your day for how you want it to be remembered and go with your gut! When we really want something, we find a way to get it!
If you are struggling though to find out the going rates, all of the agencies I mentioned will have some price indications to give you a better idea of what to expect!
Your Wedding Photographer in Nottingham!
And on the final note, when you do book any of the above mentioned wedding entertainers. I 100% want to be at that wedding with you, partying and capturing all of the weird and wonderful moments happening. ESPECIALLY those Grandparents hitting the tiles and gyrating those hips!
For more info on booking your wedding photographer, I would love to give you a call sometime to talk through all of your hopes and expectations!
I can’t wait to share your big day with you!
