Everything You Need to Know About Booking a Wedding Band (Without the Stress)
Everything You Need to Know About Booking a Wedding Band (Without the Stress)
Planning your big day? You’ve probably got a million things on your mind – from flowers to favours – but if you’ve booked one of our show-stopping bands, artists or Singing Waiters, you can tick “incredible entertainment” off your list with confidence.
To make life easier, here are some of the most common questions we get asked – along with straight-talking, helpful answers to put your mind at ease.
⏰ What time does the band arrive?
Our performers typically arrive 90 minutes to 2 hours before their first performance. This gives them time to set up, sound check, and liaise with the venue staff to make sure everything runs smoothly. Arrival and setup times will be confirmed in your booking details.
🔧 How long does it take to set up?
Generally, setup and soundcheck take around 60–90 minutes, depending on the venue and band size. If your venue has access restrictions or sound limitations, it’s always worth letting us know in advance so we can factor in any extra time needed.
🎤 How long does the band play for?
Most bands offer two 45-minute or 60-minute sets as standard, but this can vary depending on the act. Longer or custom sets can often be arranged too – just chat with us in advance and we’ll sort it.
🎧 What happens when the band isn’t playing?
To keep the party vibe going, we include a playlist service in between live sets. This can be background music or full-on dancefloor-fillers – whichever suits your night best. If you want a pro DJ set as well, that’s easily arranged for an additional fee.
💃 Will the band play our first dance?
Absolutely – and it’s one of our favourite parts of the evening! Most of our acts are happy to learn your first dance song if it’s not already in their repertoire. Just give us a few weeks’ notice so they’ve got time to rehearse and make it perfect.
🎶 Can we choose the band’s songs?
Each band has a polished, road-tested setlist – but yes, you can usually request specific songs from their repertoire, and highlight any you’d rather avoid. Some acts can take one or two special requests outside of their list if there’s time to prepare – just ask us early!
🔇 Our venue has a sound limiter – can the band still play?
Sound limiters aren’t ideal, but we work with them all the time. Just let us know the limiter level and type (your venue can confirm this), and we’ll match you with a band used to working within those parameters. Acoustic and electric drum setups, silent backlines, and volume-friendly tech are all part of the toolkit!
🍽 Should we provide the band with food?
Yes please! Musicians are often on the road for long hours, and a hot meal or decent buffet helps keep them performing at their best. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy – just something hearty and easy to eat between sets.
👀 Will the performers be who I’ve seen on the website?
Where possible, yes – the core members you’ve seen will be the ones performing at your event. However, all acts reserve the right to use professional deputies of the same calibre if a regular member is unavailable due to illness or other commitments. Everyone on our roster is fully vetted, trained, and gig-ready – you’re in safe hands.
❌ What happens if the band cancels?
It’s rare, but if an artist cancels due to illness or an emergency, we’ll move quickly to find a suitable replacement and keep your event running smoothly. If no replacement is found and the cancellation wasn’t due to a Force Majeure event (like a sudden illness or extreme weather), you’ll be refunded in line with our terms and conditions.
We always recommend wedding insurance too – not just for entertainment, but for venues, weather, and all the other things we can’t control!
📝 Final Tip: Read the Fine Print – or Just Ask Us
We’ve kept our Terms & Conditions clear and fair so you know exactly where you stand, without the jargon. But if there’s anything you’re not sure about, just ask. We’re here to help every step of the way.
From surprise Singing Waiters to high-energy bands, Live Weddings brings unforgettable music, polished professionalism, and more than a little magic to your big day. If you want to talk setlists, timings or ideas – drop us a message. We love the planning as much as the performing!