Tips on how to hire wedding singers for your big day

 

Let’s face it your wedding is possibly going to be the best day of your life, but the weeks and months leading up to it can be some of the most stressful. Planning a wedding day is an extremely time-consuming job and has many features you need to consider. The one thing you do need to get right is to hire a wedding singer that is suitable for the type of music performance you want for your wedding reception and possibly your ceremony. The singer you choose to have sets the tone for the entire day and evening, so you should take the time to hire wedding singers that best fits your tastes. There are so many wedding singers to pick from, so it can become overwhelming. If you are struggling with your wedding music, take a look at this guide on what you need to know before hiring a singer for your wedding day.

Do you have a style in mind?

One of the decisions to consider when looking for your wedding singers is what type of musical genre you prefer. Why would you hire a jazz singer for your reception if you don't like jazz? Choose a genre that you both enjoy and also your family and friends will too so that it will elevate your celebrations. If you are having a church ceremony, consider an elegant harpist. When you know your musical style, then you can start moving on to finding and hiring a singer that will best suit your wedding celebration.

Decide on your budget and keep to it.

One of the worst feelings is when you find the perfect wedding singer or musician, but you cannot book them because they are too expensive or already booked. Before you start getting invested in a particular artist, make sure they are available on your wedding date and fall within your price range you have decided on. Those two should be the first questions you ask. Go into every discussion knowing your budget ahead of time and stick to it.

The price typically depends on the music genre, the number of singers, and how long you want them to perform. Create a price range that you are happy paying and find a wedding singer that falls within it. Then determine how long they will need to perform for whether it is just for the ceremony or the entire night? Other concerns also eat up your budgets, such as equipment hire, food, and parking for your artist. Consider getting a solo singer rather than a duo or trio to cut back on expenses. Save your time and energy by planning this step out before you start contacting any agency.

Search for a wedding singer

Now that you know your budget and musical style, the next step is to search for your wedding singers. The best way for this is to look for a dependable agency, and one that will have several styles and genres of singers, and musicians for you to see. They will have every type of genre covered, and you will be able to check out their showreels and read testimonials from previous couples. Not only that, there will be a repertoire of songs that the singer will perform, so you will have everything you need to decide in front of you. Also, booking through an agency you will have the insurance that if there is any problem they will have a back-up singer or musician just in case.

Discuss your needs

Once you find a wedding singer that fits your budget, style, and schedule, it is time to book their services. Decide what kind of performance you desire, as well as what they might need from you to achieve it. Do they have any special requirements? How much space do they require, and what kind of songs can they perform? You must ensure that they can play the songs you want to hear in the way you want to listen to them. These are essential questions to ask before you finally book.

You want to have everything laid out to avoid any misunderstandings on the day of your wedding. These conversations are the time to create contracts and pay a deposit to secure the artist. When you book through an agency, this will all be arranged for you. By learning about each artist’s requirement, you can select the ideal wedding singer from your initial list.

Make sure you book well In advance to avoid disappointment

Always book your wedding singers or musician well in advance; most couples book at least a year before your wedding date. Wedding singers are frequently in demand, so their calendars fill up quickly. Don't hesitate for too long when considering singers, or else they might get hired by someone else. Selecting someone months in advance will also help iron out all the details for your big day.

Check-in with your artist

While you should refrain from continually messaging an artist before your wedding, do check-in periodically when you have any questions that need answering. Once your booking is confirmed take time to make contact and introduce yourselves, and to discuss which songs in their collection you would like them to play and most importantly which song you would like for your first dance. A professional singer will know the importance of this so make sure you let them know as soon as possible so they have plenty of time to learn it in advance.

You must organize everything during this time to make your wedding day effortless and most importantly enjoyable, with no hiccups whatsoever.

Music will be the best part of any wedding celebration, so take the time to hire a singer that you will all enjoy listening to the most. Do plenty of research, develop a suitable budget, and plan to hire the best singer for your reception. Use a reputable agency like Music8 to help with your search, and thoroughly discuss expectations before hiring. Use these few tips to help you in your search for the perfect wedding singer or musician!

10 Wedding Band Music Styles to Choose From

 

You’ll make many big decisions for your wedding. You’ll have to choose a venue, theme, dress, etc. Along with those big decisions, is another equally important one– deciding on your wedding band hire or which wedding singers you choose to play at your celebration.

If you’re looking to hire a band for a wedding, there are many things to keep in mind. One of those is that the band that plays says a lot about you and your spouse. Society sees it as a reflection of your personality and your tastes.

You should also pick a band that can get your guests dancing at your wedding. So if you’re looking to hire a band or a singer for a wedding, you should book through a reputable agency like Music8.

Now, there are many kinds of live bands that you could hire. In deciding, it’s usually best to deliberate the theme and style of your wedding. Sometimes, couples with a large enough budget will combine a couple to provide variety for the entire day. Here are ten wedding band styles that you should consider for your wedding day.

•             Vintage and Jazz Bands

Vintage and Jazz bands are perfect for a wedding that is sophisticated but laid back at the same time. They can play easy listening music during your cocktail hour to entertain your guests. Then when it’s time for dancing after your wedding dinner, they can up the tempo of the music played.

A low-key vintage and jazz band will bring an effortlessly cool feel to your wedding atmosphere. As you hear them perform out the classics, you’ll be motivated to take a lovely trip down memory lane. They are also great for your vintage wedding, where they can enhance your celebration with a vintage soundtrack. 

•             Folk/Folk Rock Bands

If you’re looking to hire a band for a wedding, a folk-rock band could hold all the answers. Especially if your venue has a rustic feel. It’ll keep everything on the theme. Bands like these are festival favourites and if you’re having a festival styled wedding, you should consider them too.

Your guests will love the songs these bands perform, and even your grandma will tap in time to the beat. If they adopt the Mumford & Sons style, they’ll be a perfect backdrop to your amazing wedding too. 

•             Roaming Bands

Roaming bands are the best kind of band to get a wedding lively and fun. They are very interactive and move amongst guests from table to table. That’s where the “Roaming” came from. They are also known as strolling and wandering bands and you’ll love the experience. Rather than set up in one section of your wedding and perform from there all day, they’ll be right with your guests getting them to take part singing to the songs for a great day and evening’s entertainment.

•             Soul, Funk, and Motown Bands

Soul, Funk, and Motown bands are an impressive addition to any kind of wedding. They’ll take you on a journey through time to when pop music had amazing harmonies and great vocals. You’ll love the unforgettable classics that are played and how they’ll be able to get your guests on their feet and on the dancefloor.

They can switch from high romance to high energy with astounding versatility. Most of them are very talented vocalists. So, get ready to be carried away by a full brass section, soulful vocals, and funky bass lines. You won’t be able to tame your dancing feet.

•             Indie Bands

Indie bands are in a special class of their own for couples searching to hire a band for a wedding. They’ll bring a no-nonsense vibe while staying effortlessly cool as you and your guest are enthralled and dance along.

If you’re a bit of a pop-punk head, and a lover of the unique, this is just the band for you. Get ready to sing along to great anthems from the greats like Arctic Monkeys, Green Day, and Oasis. 

•             String Quartets

Known in broader terms as an instrumental ensemble, String Quartets are an elegant choice for the wedding. If you’re having a breakfast or brunch ceremony, they’ll be just the perfect fit. They can play before and after the ceremony, then during your cocktail hour.

A String Quartet can also regale your guests during your wedding breakfast. There’s a reason String Quartets are the most popular amongst other instrument ensembles. Your wedding would do just beautifully with them.

•             Acoustic Bands

Acoustic bands are the sounds of a summer wedding. Couples having their wedding in the summer and looking to hire a band for a wedding should look no further. An acoustic band is your answer. They are great for outdoor weddings in all weather and will bring the great charm to your event. They’ll also play amazing pleasant tunes as they rock a Mumford and Sons style with rustic charm.

With an acoustic band at your venue, you’ll see your guests beaming as your reception goes on and know that you’ve made the right choice. Some of them can give a roaming performance too. They’ll be able to interact with you and your guests leading to a more fun wedding entertainment experience.

•             Solo Artists

Picture you and your spouse slow dancing to amazing vocals sung specifically to you and for you at your first dance. That is the beauty a wedding singer brings to your wedding. They are the most versatile of wedding entertainment and are great for a couple looking to personalise their wedding.

•             Singing Waiters

Feel surprised and then excited as a waiter who has blended into the crowd performs out a surprising tune for your wedding entertainment. That’s what singing waiters do at your wedding, and they are a delight. They quickly become a favourite for couples and their guests as they sing familiar tunes and can get everyone to sing along happily. Even your grandma!

•             Mariachi Bands

Who wouldn’t love to have the street musicians of Mexico entertain guests at their wedding? This strolling band featuring a violin, trumpet, guitar, and an accordion player is often dressed to match in traditional suits and sombrero hats. A Mariachi band is perfect for a travel-themed wedding or multicultural wedding. You can even hire them to play covers of modern songs. Your guests would have a lot of fun and laughter with this one.

 These are just a few options you could consider for your wedding entertainment.

Need a Wedding Musician? These Instrumentalists Will Add Class to your Wedding

 

What’s Christmas time without carols? Or Summer without your favourite pop tunes? Who wants to go to Church, but not sing any hymns? Music really does matter. Not many can imagine walking down the aisle without the famous Wedding March playing it has been a firm favourite since 1842.

But music isn’t confined to walking down the aisle. Nor must it all be so traditional. From the moment you reach the wedding reception, your wedding musicians can set the tone of the night to come. They can beckon everyone from your aunties to your distant cousins to head on down to the dancefloor. They’ll get them serenading one another, or shaking their hips and shimmying to the early hours. It all depends on your choice.

Here are some of the options available?

Saxophonists

There’s nothing quite like the soulful saxophone—the broad and bellowing notes followed by subtle flickers from the brass. When you hear the sax, it’s unmistakable and it is never dated. The sax is a timeless instrument. It is adaptable to both modern genres through to old classics like swing or jazz. So, whatever your taste, saxophonists’ versatility can give your evening a personal touch.

Harpists

You enter the venue or the church. Flowers decorate the room in serene colours. The lighting is subtle, and the tables are set. But guiding you in is a grand and elegant harp. Think of the harp and you likely picture floaty music like a dream. But the harp has more strings to its bow than that. From fabulous classics to jazz and even pop, all your favourite songs can be played on the harp, as you’ve never heard them before.

Violinists

When you walk down the aisle, don’t settle for an organist playing dusty old pipes, when you can have an unforgettable violinist playing your chosen tune. As the bow hits the strings, the hairs on your guests’ neck will stand on end. The room will bustle as you walk towards your beloved to one of the most beautiful sounding instruments in existence. Later on, the violin can become a fiddle capable of playing jigs and folk tunes, pop, and more. This would be a great way to end the day?

Pianist

Probably the most popular of wedding musicians is the piano which is the king of instruments—the grandfather of all genres. The potential of a pianist is staggering. With a piano, you’re going to need to meet your pianist and plan your song choices. Most pianists are as versatile as their instruments. They’ll tailor their tunes to your requests. If you want to play a classic for everyone to sing along to, you can do that. Or else, choose a beautiful piece for everyone to gather around. Music brings us together. Hearing the fingers dance upon the keys, your guests will know they’re in for a treat.

Solo Acoustic Guitarist

The wedding acoustic guitarist is another very popular choice for a wedding musician, from classical to your favourite pop songs; you can hire different styles of guitarist for your reception.

Bagpiper

Bagpipes are a woodwind instrument and are an incredibly stirring and evocative instrument and will help make your wedding day all the more memorable.

String Quartets

A string quartet is a musical ensemble consisting of string players – 2 x violin players, a viola player, and a cellist. This is an excellent option for your wedding day; your loved ones will be captivated while they wait on the procedures to start. A string quartet not just carries out classical pieces however they will play more modern-day pop tunes also.

These are just a handful of musicians you could hire for your wedding!

A Short Guide to Why Your Wedding Needs A Band Or A Wedding Singer

 

Weddings are undeniably a great social celebration. As the day rolls into the evening the celebration starts to kick into gear, and the friends and families embrace the happy couple, however, the atmosphere, the mood of the whole night is absolutely nothing without live music. Music is to a wedding reception; what icing is to cake.

While lots of people select a DJ to play their favourite tunes, it can never ever compete with the power of live bands or wedding singers. And here's why!

It will develop a terrific atmosphere

A band or singer performing live will produce an atmosphere, unlike any other. That's why you really need to hire a band or a singer for your wedding. A live performer will create an electric atmosphere and anticipation while guests await the band or singer to begin. They will also have everyone on the dance floor joining in singing and dancing along to the music. A live band will respond to the crowd and the mood in the room. You won’t hear anyone rave about a recording of their favourite song but they will always remember the band singing their favourite song.

A wedding singer or band will provide an individual touch.

With a live wedding band, you're experiencing a one-off a special experience, unlike any other night-- isn't that why we like live music.

In addition, when you hire a band or singer you do not have to limit yourself to simply rock or pop. You can provide the night a genuinely individual touch, with a range of bands like a Ceilidh band, Mexican Mariachi bands, Soul and Funk, or even a tribute band; you can even hire a classical string quartet for example. You will also be able to discuss beforehand what type of mood you would like to create.

Your first dance song

A wedding singer or band will always learn your song for you for your first dance making it something very special. The couple takes the dance floor and leads the crowd in the first song, their song. As the music dies, their friends and family join them, and the party begins. But for that moment: it's them and the music. With a band, the romance runs high. The music feels real. It's not just a first dance; it's a serenade.

A night to remember

The band will banter with your guests and when you hire a wedding singer or a live band, you get something completely different, something unique for your special day.

Simply put; you can produce a night to remember your night!

When you hire a band or vocalist keep in mind to book through a reliable agency like Music8 and also to book early.

Wedding Music Tips for Your Wedding

So when your vows have been exchanged it’s time to head off to your reception and party like you’ve never partied before, after all, it is your wedding. If you are thinking of having live music playing at your reception, then there are plenty of live bands for hire out there plus the wedding  DJ’s and wedding singers. But first, please check with the venue where you’re going to have your reception, to see what type of live music they allow. Some venues may have restrictions when it comes to live music. One restriction would be a sound limiter in place. A sound limiter is an electrical device that measures the amount of volume in a room. If that volume reaches a certain level the sound limiter will cut the electric supply to the stage. This would ruin any live music you have in place.

The type of music that you choose to play at your wedding should be an expression of the overall theme of your wedding.

It’s very important to select the right music throughout the wedding, and right down to the reception. Music creates the atmosphere and it will set the mood for your wedding.

Hire a DJ

For the reception, the bride and groom have a choice of a DJ or live music in the form of a band or a singer. The best thing about a DJ is you can request to have all of your favourite tunes on his playlist. There are many top-quality DJs that are available to play for wedding receptions. You could always check out Music8 Agency. Once you’ve settled on a DJ, have a one-on-one with them to discuss the type of entertainment and mood you want to have during the reception.

A Formal Wedding

For more formal weddings, classical groups, pianists, and instrumentalists are more appropriate. A string quartet is a wonderful choice if you are getting married in a church. It would be a good idea to take into account your guests and choose something that would be suitable for everyone. They not only play classical music they will also perform more modern tunes which may be more suitable for your guests.

Wedding Singers

You could choose a solo singer for your wedding that would perform your special song for your first dance and bring a magical moment and one you will never forget. There are many different solo wedding singers to choose from including an acoustic guitarist that could perform in the afternoon with a more chilled set of music and in the evening with a more upbeat set including your favourite tunes to dance to. Popular choices are wedding singers that perform along to high-quality backing tracks and they will have a limitless amount of songs to perform too. You could go from a Rat Pack style singer to a surprise singing waiter, the choice is endless.

Hire a Live Band

If you want to have a fantastic and exciting time at the reception, then hiring a band is possibly the best way to go! The sheer energy of a live band would get everyone going.

Before hiring a band check out their live videos and song repertoire and make sure it suits your style of wedding. It’s best to hire a band that has had previous experience with wedding receptions and Music8 would be the perfect choice to find your ideal band. You always want to keep the music going and a professional band will always have music playing in-between their live sets.

Roaming bands

If you are having an outside wedding in a tipi for instance then you could consider choosing a roaming band. This type of band will mingle amongst your guests and will keep everyone entertained while having drinks.

Vintage Bands

Another choice could be a vintage style band, these come in many styles like a vintage jazz band for your wedding would open up a wealth of possibilities. Vintage bands cover anything from the Roaring 1920s to the 1960s and the scope of themes you can pick from in that range is some of the classiest and easiest to organise out there. You could go for Gatsby glam style to rock and roll.

In conclusion

There is a lot to think about when it comes to choosing your music style you would like at your wedding whether you choose a DJ or wedding singer or a live wedding band. Take your time and make sure you book early to avoid and disappointment.