Live music for your wedding – Everything you need to know

Nothing sets the mood quite like live music at a wedding. A skilled orchestra or band can sense the energy in the room and tailor their choice of songs so that both you and your guests dance the night away. Here’s a guide for those of you who want to book musicians for your big day

Why choose live music for your wedding?

Live music adds a personal touch that a Spotify playlist can never match. Whether it’s a romantic ballad during the ceremony or a lively soul band at the reception, the experience will be unique.

How do you find the right band for live music?

A recommendation from a friend or acquaintance who’s recently got married can carry a lot of weight, but otherwise the internet is your best friend. Look specifically for bands with experience of weddings, as they’re used to reading a mixed audience of all ages.

Three tips when looking for musicians:

• Listen to demos: Always ask to hear a sample or watch a video from a previous gig.
• Check references: Read reviews from other couples to ensure the band are professional and arrive on time.
• Book well in advance: The most popular live wedding bands are often booked up a year in advance.

Frequently asked questions about booking bands and orchestras

When should you book?

For summer weddings, you should book at least six months in advance, but many popular bands are booked up to a year in advance.

What is the most common music package?

Dance music after dinner, including the bridal waltz and requested songs, for around three hours. You can then add
: – Music for the pre-dinner drinks; a duo or trio with piano, bass and drums is sufficient for this.
– Music for the ceremony according to your wishes.

How much does live music for a wedding cost?

A band with 4–5 musicians costs from 14,000 kronor upwards.

What sort of music do bridal couples tend to request?
Within our genre – cocktail jazz and soul – it’s usually a mix of swing, bossa nova and soul.

Regarding the wedding waltz, do you have any examples?

Traditional waltz: Often Taube, for example ‘Rosa på Bal’.
Jazzier waltz: Monica Zetterlund’s ‘Att angöra en brygga’ or the Disney classic from Snow White, ‘Someday My Prince Will Come’.
Popular waltz: Dean Martin’s ‘That’s Amore’.
Others choose an atmospheric ballad such as Frank Sinatra’s ‘My One and Only Love’.

Find a supplier here

Tips on background music

A skilled band can play anything as background music and make it sound great. Generally speaking, all jazz and bossa nova are superb both as background music and dance music – styles that really enhance the feeling of an exclusive wedding with live music.

Trust the band’s instincts

Many bridal couples spend hours creating the perfect playlist, but the fact is that experienced musicians often perform at their best when they’re allowed to be flexible. A professional wedding band usually puts together a basic set list on the evening itself, comprising about half the songs they plan to play. They figure out the rest by reading the dance floor and seeing what the guests actually get into.

It’s often an unnecessary hassle for you, as the bride and groom, to micromanage every minute of your wedding music. The band’s ability to focus on the genre that creates the best atmosphere is what sets a live band apart from a fixed set list. That said, you should of course ask the band well in advance if they can include some of your absolute favourite songs – this makes the evening personal whilst allowing the musicians to do what they do best: create magical, live wedding music.

Suggestions for some great wedding songs:

• That’s Amore
• I’ve Got You Under My Skin
• Aqua de Beber
• Night and Day
• Come Fly With Me
• Sunny
• Another Star

Not sure which style suits you best? Check out the latest trends for live music weddings and find inspiration for everything from jazz duos to big party bands on Pinterest