Top UK Wedding Bands

Category: Wedding blog

  • A few wedding jokes for you to enjoy

    A little light humour to give you a break from the planning of your wedding. These jokes have been taken from various sources on the internet. In no way do these jokes reflect our views on marriage :).

    wedding

    – Man is incomplete until he is married. Then he is really finished

    –Two cannibals just finished a huge meal and one turns to the other while rubbing his stomach with his fist and says,  “You know, I just ate my mother-in-law, and she still doesn’t agree with me!”

    – The bride said she wanted three children, while the young husband said two would be enough for him. They discussed this discrepancy for a few minutes until the husband thought he’d put an end to things by saying boldly, “After our second child, I’ll just have a vasectomy.” Without a moments hesitation, the bride retorted, “Well, I hope you’ll love the third one just as if it’s your own.”

    – Marriage is not a word. It’s a sentence….(a life sentence!).

    – A woman was telling her friend , “It was I who made my husband a millionaire.”  “And what was he before you married him?” asked the friend.  The woman replied, ” A multi-millionaire”.

    – Love is one long sweet dream, and marriage is the alarm clock

    In the first year of marriage, the man speaks and the woman listens. In the second year, the woman speaks and the man listens. In the third year, they both speak and the neighbours listen.

    – Married men should forget their mistakes. There is no need for two people, to remember the same thing.

  • Advice for all party bands

    Advice for all party bands

    Key advice for function bands to enhance their bookings

    It is quite simple really, but a lot of the obvious things that result in an increase in bookings are too often overlooked. Making it easy for any couple to book you is in both parties interest. That means, a single visit to your site may be all you need to get a booking. That does depend on the quality of your site, demo material and of course your response when you eventually get an enquiry. To make the most of each visit you get to your website please see our advice page for function bands. Here you will find a little more detail on how you can enhance your gig diary and end each performance with a happy couple delighted with your service.

  • A wedding band or a function band

    A wedding band or a function band

    Should I book a wedding band or a function band? More advice before making a booking

    It may seem a trivial question but for most people who are searching for bands for hire at their wedding, they may not know the difference, or even if there is one! Generally speaking there is no real difference. However, if you hire a band who advertise themselves as a dedicated ‘wedding band for hire’ then you are likely booking a covers band who are more experienced in the wedding market and therefore understand the needs and concerns of couples booking. These bands will likely have perfected their show to keep all your guests young and old happy and dancing through the night.

    That said, if you have found yourself a band who have marketed themselves specifically as a function band then don’t be put off as nearly all working bands will perform at any event. Make it clear what you expect to any of the function bands that you are making enquiries to as they may be happy to make small or even big changes to their set in order to get the booking. It is possible, that you may find that a dedicated function band has a more specific format to their show while a wedding band may have a larger set list dating back through all ages.

    Is there a price difference between a wedding band and a function band?

    Don’t think that in the case of a wedding band that you are being charged more because they specialise in weddings. The reality is, the all bands for hire consist of multiple members, they carry their own expensive and vulnerable equipment and they will be paying for transport and insurance just to carry out their job. This means that if you are expecting a quality live wedding band at less than £200 per person in the band then it’s probably too good to be true.

    The best wedding bands for hire

    So you are searching for the best live wedding band but live outside the capital? There are a plethora of bands for hire scattered all over the UK so you should not have a problem finding one in your area or within a reasonable travel distance for them. Most bands for hire will travel around 100 miles to a performance and sometimes even further.  If you are not too worried about the price, then expand your search to ‘wedding bands in London’ as the capital city is full of working bands available for performances right across the country.  Expect quotes to be higher but, if you really like a specific wedding band then you should be willing to pay for them.

    Where to go to hire a band

    If you don’t want to pay agent fees and you want to hire a trusted function bands then this website allows you to do such a thing. We list only who we feel are the very best wedding bands of the moment. Granted, bands to pay a fee to be listed here which maintains the running of the site but they are only accepted under very strict criteria. We check each submission, so you can be confident you are booking a class act.

    So which wedding band do I choose

    Look through the bands for hire on this site, make contact with only the ones you like the sound of. Please do not send blanket emails to lots of function bands to get the cheapest price. You are looking for a great band that you will enjoy so start with the demos you like

    When should you book a band for hire

    Right away! If you delay, then the band will likely be booked before too long.

  • Meeting with the priest before your wedding

    So you have decided to get married in a church and you visit your local priest to discuss the matter. You’ll likely want to ask him a number of questions and because many of us are a little shy or we tend to forget things ,we don’t manage to ask all the important questions. Here we have included a number of things you may want to print off and take with you as a reminder. It is just as important that the priest understands your wedding as you understand the churches policies. We hope you find these helpful and some of the questions you may not have even though of. In no particular order…

    Can we marry in the local church even if we are not Christian?

    What are our time constraints on the day? Will anyone else be marrying before or after us on that day?

    Can I marry someone of a different religion?

    Do we need to pay for a church wedding?

    Can our guests throw confetti? Although it happens in every movie in which a couple gets married you may be surprised to hear that priests often can’t stand confetti being thrown. Again, another couple may be getting married and either the priest may have to clean it up himself or pay someone else to do so. Others may also ask that you only have biodegradable confetti for environmental reasons.

    What music may we have? Is it entirely our choice? and also can we decide on the readings?

    This may not be your first marriage.  Check you can get married in that particular church.

    May we decorate the church with flowers and what are the restrictions?

    How many rehearsals do we require and how close to the big day must they be?

    Do we require identification? If so what do we need to bring?

    Can we write our own vows?  You may decide you do not want to obey your husband 🙂

    Will our marriage be recognised legally?

    Will we be able to take photos in the church and the grounds?

    Can we record the ceremony on video? Please do check if this is your intention as some priests may feel a little uncomfortable or have a policy regarding recording.

  • Christmas proposal for 2013 / 2014? Book your party band early

    Christmas proposal for 2013 / 2014? Book your party band early

    Happy new year particularly to those of you who were lucky enough to get engaged over the festive period. If you are planning a quick marriage in 2013 then make sure that booking your entertainment is one of the first things you get sorted. Take look at the list of function bands on this site and make direct contact with any of the acts you are interested in. The best function bands get booked up very quickly and often by the end of February you’ll be leaving it too late to get the best.

  • Wedding entertainment ideas

    Wedding entertainment ideas

    You may have already read our advice on booking a live band from the homepage menu. The page has been quite a success and we’ve been told several times of how useful this has been to those couples planning their live music. If you haven’t read it then please do so as it will certainly enlighten you with respect to entertainment musts on your wedding day.

    So given that we have already given you advice on the live band front and highlighted our recommendations then perhaps you may want to consider a few other great touches to add to your wedding day. Often they cost very little and can make a big difference.

    Wedding Fireworks

    Surprisingly very few people choose to have fireworks on their wedding day but for every couple that do, they end up giving the wedding an extra unexpected and generally welcomed spectacle. Fireworks, done well and safely are a wonderful addition to consider and should cost you upwards of £400 for a good display.

    Chinese lanterns after the wedding reception

    Every family attending can be offered Chinese lanterns to let off together to create a marvellous spectacle that lights up the night sky. As they travel ever further into the distance and gain height the effect is that of mesmerised guests that each try to follow their own lantern. Much cheaper than fireworks, and actually giving the guests something to take part in is quite magical. Lanterns can cost as little as £1.50 each. Do try to make sure that they are used responsibly and not set off in areas that may be at risk.

    Penny sweets for all your guests

    Many weddings leave out a selection of penny sweets that range from Granddads favourite old time liquorice based boiled sweets to flying saucers and cherry drops. Great for nostalgia and perfectly harmless fun for the kids. Dedicate a table to providing a nice display that people can pick on after  dinner. For under £100 you can’t go wrong.

    Hire a magician at your wedding

    Why not hire a quality magician to move between tables during coffees after the dinner. It’s the perfect time to give 30-40 minutes light entertainment while dinner settles. Guests will be grateful for the time out before you rock their socks off with a live band. A good Magician can cost as little as £250 for an hours entertainment and is well worth thinking about.

    Children’s wedding entertainer

    For the young children who may or may not be eating with you, you may consider having a separate games room where the young are entertained by a qualified and certified children’s entertainer. If there are many young ones attending, the for a the sake of a few hundred pounds you’ll likely never regret booking an entertainer for a few hours.

  • Your wedding schedule planned out to perfection

    You’ll do well by simply starting off with a list of all the things your hoping to get through on your wedding day. Begin with the ceremony through to the pre-dinner drinks, the reception and dinner, speeches and cutting of the cake before you hit the dance floor with your first dance.  Perhaps you are not planning for all these things and want something a little more simple. Maybe you’re going to plan every detail including your exit and farewell drive to your hotel room or honeymoon destination.

    Regardless of the complexity of your wedding your list of events is really important. Writing them down in order, starting with the final event is a good idea. You can then work backwards such that everything fits in time.  You are better off leaving reasonable gaps between the ceremony, reception and evening party rather than cramming everything in as early as possible. This means you wont have your guests waiting around for long periods getting tired and a little restless.

    With the hundreds of weddings I’ve been to you can bet your bottom dollar that things will run late. Usually this is a function of the best man (and other speeches) running on and on. Weddings that do stick exactly to the planned schedule are often rigid and the bride and groom are more conscious of timings than the fact they have just got married.

    The more flexible you are with timings on your big day rather than being rigid to your proposed and contracted timings, the better your wedding will be. Stay relaxed and enjoy your day.

  • What’s going to happen on my boyfriends stag do?

    Fear not. It is, for many girls however a real worry but the reality is that he is marrying you because he is in love with you and won’t be up to much naughtiness at all . Of course, boys will be boys and for the majority of the time stag parties consist of little more than a few lads getting together and slobbering over a few beers talking about all the good times they have had as well as the most recent football results. Regular passing of wind at 30 second intervals may also be highly expected.

    Let him have a little fun

    Because you trust him, he’ll never betray you so refrain from picking up the phone and badgering him this one night. Let him have this last bit of space before you get the shackles on his feet and ask him to hand over all his savings. Besides, you’ll only be interrupting a

    stag

    game of cards, match of the day, last orders at the bar or if you are really unlucky a cheeky last lap dance arranged by his best pal. Yes, it is a reality, men do often go for a lap dance on their stag night but it is entirely innocent. If you find it highly offensive then you’ll probably have agreed certain limits with him before the day anyway.

    Will he be tied up and stripped of his clothing?

    Possibly :). You can never rule anything out, but it is unlikely. Still there are some great stories of naked men (The Stag) walking into police stations looking for a little help before they get pulled up. Completely harmless if not a little embarrassing and a great laugh for all his mates.

    Stag parties abroad

    It really doesn’t matter if the party is in your home or if the party is in a far eastern country. Often such gatherings abroad are a good and fun way for the lads to spend a few nights together. The same applies with respect to trust. It will all be OK but you’ll have the right to feel a little anxious. After all, he is soon to be your husband. Popular destinations include Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Spain and Amsterdam. If he’s off to Ibiza to dance and drink the night away then perhaps you should make sure he’s got his insurances set up for you :).

    He won’t miss the wedding

    Because of the very different way our world works today, Stag parties are rarely the night before the wedding day. That means, regardless of an innocent gathering in front of the screen with his pals or being laid bare by his friends he’ll always be on best form for your wedding day.

  • Top tips when hiring a wedding band

    Top tips when hiring a wedding band

    When hiring we wedding band you probably have lots of questions you want to ask them. No questions are silly and so here are a few tips on what you may want to ask a prospective party band.

    1. –Do you have public liability insurance?

    2. –Can you play something for both the old and young?

    3. –Do you take requests?

    4. –How many musicians are in the band?

    5. –Can you provide references for recent performances?

    6. –How much does it cost to hire you?

    7. –If things run later than expected are there any additional costs?

    8. –Do you provide lighting?

    9. –How long to you play for?

    10. –Can you play our first dance?

    11. –How long do you require to set up?

    12. –What do you wear when you perform?

    13. –Do you require feeding and soft drinks?

    Well there are are few for you to consider asking and we are sure you can think of many more.

  • Trust your live function band to play the most suitable music

    Trust your live function band to play the most suitable music

    When running a successful function band you dread the moment the bride decides she is going to decide on your set list. If you are one of these brides do bare in mind that the musicians you have selected to perform at your wedding probably know better than your good self what a good party needs in terms of music. Whereas this is the only wedding you will likely ever organise, remember that the band you have got performing do this for a living. If you have selected a band from one of our listing pages then you’ll be sure to have a band who knows what they are doing. So, our best advice it to select a band based on the demos and the set list they have displayed on their site and trust that they will deliver exactly what is needed. Not every song will please everyone but you can be sure they will keep the dance floor alive.

  • Wedding Insurance and Entertainment

    One of the most memorable parts of any wedding is the entertainment, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re booking a wedding entertainer, such as a DJ or band, it’s useful to know that a good wedding insurance policy will cover you if they don’t turn up or if the company goes into liquidation.

    But how do you entertain a wide range of guests, from babies to grans? Follow these tips and everyone is sure to have a great time:

    Will there be any entertainment at the wedding ceremony?

    Think about whether you’ll want music as guests arrive, and more importantly when the bride walks down the aisle. A simple solution, especially if you’re on a small budget, is to play some of your favourite songs, particularly those that are special to you. If you’re having a church wedding, do some research into popular wedding hymns if a favourite doesn’t spring to mind. You could have live music, such as a string quartet or harpist, or invite a talented friend to sing.

    Do you want music while you dine?

    Background music can create a great atmosphere and help your wedding breakfast go with a swing. Make sure you have something for everyone, and don’t make it too loud so that it blocks out conversation. It might be a good idea to make a playlist yourselves, or ask guests to nominate a song they’d like to hear.

    What’s your first dance?

    This is one of the most fun parts of planning your wedding – choosing a song that’s special to the bride and groom. Bear in mind how you’ll feel when you have to get up and dance in front of all your friends and family. It’s tempting to go for something upbeat, but you have to be pretty confident about your dancing skills to pull this one off!

    Disco or band at your wedding?

    Although a band will give your wedding a good atmosphere and get the crowd dancing, it can be a costly option. Generally, the bigger the band, the more expensive it can be. If you know you have a lot of outgoing guests in the party, you could consider karaoke or an entertainer who’ll host a singalong as well as a disco. Do bear in mind your guests’ tastes and ask for a good mix of songs that will please both the younger and older ones.

    Whatever entertainment you choose, a good wedding insurance policy will give you peace of mind that the suppliers are covered in the event of cancellation, so you can relax and enjoy your evening.

    Company Profile:

    John Lewis Insurance offers a range of insurance services selected by the John Lewis Partnership. These include car, home, pet, life, travel, event and wedding insurance.

    For more information about John Lewis Wedding Insurance please visit the website here

    http://www.johnlewis-insurance.com/homepage/wedding-insurance.html

    John Lewis Insurance is a trading name of John Lewis plc. John Lewis plc is an appointed representative of AXA Insurance UK plc which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

    Terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. A full copy of the policy wording and the insurance complaints procedure are available on request.

  • A short guide for brides

    A short guide for brides

    Having seen hundreds of weddings here is a 10 step guide to ensure you enjoy your wedding day.

    1. Remember your wedding day is primarily about you and your new husband. Not your parents or in-laws.

    2. Your husband to be will be as nervous as you. Be patient with him and try to pre-delegate any tasks and running around on the day to the best man or another ‘responsible’ guest.

    3. Things nearly always run late on wedding days. Be calm and expect your schedule to largely fly out the window. If it does, stay calm and enjoy your day. It could be the best mans speech or just time timing of the wedding breakfast.

    4. It’s possible that many of your guests won’t know each other and with people often being a little shy, help with introductions when you can. This will in fact make your lesser known guests more comfortable.

    5. Dance the night away to the sounds of a great live band. Our homepage shows you a selection of the very best bands in the UK.

    6. Your partying may well come to an end at midnight as more and more venues become even stricter on shut down times. Encourage your guests to pre-order their transport away from the venue.

    7. Try to clear any outstanding balances due before the wedding day such that you won’t be chased for payments.  This will save you a headache in your first weeks of marriage.

    8. If you are hiring a photographer or other staff for a long period of time you would be well advised to offer them a meal. Although the day is about you and your husband, giving a little can go a long way.

    9. When booking a venue for your wedding remember that the space and building is not all you may be hiring. As important are the staff of the venue. Polite, clean, well dressed individuals wanting to work and make your day special should also be one of your biggest considerations.

    10. Drink, but be sensible. It’s a long day and you don’t want to be seen falling over your dress.