If you're browsing these pages as a newly engaged couple, then everyone at Lastminutemusicians.com would like to begin by offering our congratulations, and good luck with the planning!

We realise this can be an extremely difficult time – there are so many things that need organising and whether you have help or not, it can all seem a bit overwhelming.

That being said, one notable exception should be when it comes time to plan your wedding entertainment. This should be an exciting opportunity to show off your creativity, and put in place an evening that no one will forget!

As such, we've created a central homepage for our wedding entertainment with tips on everything from the practicalities of booking a band, to suggestions for a truly romantic first dance in order to make it as easy as possible to book the entertainment you desire.

Wedding music planning guide

There are a lot of important things to think about when you're planning your wedding entertainment – some you probably wouldn't have even considered. So before the big day, here are a few useful tips and links to information to ensure your special day goes off without a hitch!

1. Space & practicalities

It's important to remember that most 4/5 piece wedding bands will be traveling with a lot of very heavy equipment, so make sure the venue is aware and have a plan in place for getting the band in and out of the performance space at the right time.

With a full PA and lighting systems to set up, even a small band can require a lot more room and time than you might imagine. It's always best to liaise with the band and venue in advance, get dimensions for any staging and find out the space requirements for your chosen act.

If you're tight on room, opting for a solo singer or acoustic duo can be a more practical solution to live music. Easy access to a reasonable amount of power sockets is also a must!

2. Sound restrictions

– When looking at potential venues, it's always wise to mention that you are planning to have live music. One of the most important things to find out is whether they have any noise restrictions, and how they are enforced. Some older hotels will have restrictions in place to ensure an undisturbed night's sleep for other guests, while inner city venues may have close neighbours to consider.

While staff could monitor the volume level, it could also be governed by a Sound Limiter. A limiter is designed to cut off the mains power if the level of noise reaches a certain threshold.

To avoid suddenly plunging your wedding into awkward silent darkness, read Last Minute Musicians advice for bands, venues & clients and always keep the band informed of any volume restrictions.

3. Midweek vs weekend

– While you'll find that both bands and venues are prepared to offer discounts for bookings during the week, its worth remembering that this might not always be worth it in the long run. Many guests will have to leave early and watch how much they drink because of work commitments and driving - this can affect the atmosphere.

4. Kids

– At the risk of upsetting parents, it can be tough to get people up and dancing with lots of little darlings running amock on the dance floor. Parents may also have to leave early. Consider coming up with a compromise if you're looking for a really rocking party to continue into the early hours.

5. Equipment

– Most bands on the Last Minute Musicians directory will be completely self contained, but it's worth working out exactly what is already going to be in place and try and head off any technical problems before they arise. The venue manager will generally be able to supply you with a Technical Rider/Specification for the venue, but many musicians will prefer to use their own equipment.

Most bands will be able to provide lighting as well, but there are plenty of companies that are able to supply extra.

Classic choices for weddings

Picking out the sort of acts you want to put on your shortlist can be a lengthy process – there are so many good bands out there! As such, we've plotted out a draft timeline of your wedding day and highlighted the key points where live music may make a nice addition to proceedings (as well as pointing out some classic live music solutions!).

Vintage, Unique & Festival Theme Weddings

If the above sounds great, but you prefer something with more of a personal touch, then you may well end up going for a themed wedding and there is no reason not to reflect your theme in your choice of live music!

If you're looking for a Gatsby-esq vintage black tie event, a vocal harmony trio may be just the thing you need to make your evening look and sound authentic. At the other end of the scale, if you're looking to ditch the high heels and smart shoes in favour of the wellies and a full on Glastonbury style event, then think about hiring a folk band for the full foot stompin' grass-roots festival experience.

Check out our recommended festival style wedding bands.

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Jewish Weddings

The Last Minute Musicians' Directory features a whole variety of Jewish entertainment acts that are sure to put on the traditional show that you've always wanted!

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Extra Services & Further Reading

As stated previously, most professional wedding bands will be self-contained, providing everything they will need for the performance. If you are looking to supplement with extra lights or staging, there are various companies ready to help, but make sure you do this in consultation with the band.

Remember, live music is not the only wedding entertainment to be found on the Last Minute Musicians directory - DJ's, Magicians, Caricaturists and much more can all be found in the DJ's & Other category.

If you're looking for more help and advice with planning wedding music, you can read our collection of articles (which specialise in subjects like Choosing Wedding Music and Wedding DJ's).

How the directory works

LastMinuteMusicians.com is one of the UK's most popular sites for sourcing live entertainment. More than just a directory – it's the most convenient way to find the perfect entertainment for your event.

You can browse an act's profiles, read reviews, listen to audio, watch videos and choose from an ever-increasing roster of high quality musicians, bands, entertainers and related companies.

The option to search by price allows you to find an act that meets your budget, whereas by searching by area you can find an act that's local. Many acts are also prepared to travel internationally.

If you have any questions about the Directory feel free to contact us and if you want help planning your event, consider getting in touch via the Last Minute Musicians Entertainment Agency.