WEDDING MUSIC MADE EASY
THE ONLY CHECKLIST YOU NEED FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY
STAY ORGANIZED WITH AN EASY-TO-FOLLOW CHECKLIST FOR YOUR MUSIC PLAN
Planning your wedding day is exciting, but let’s face it – there’s a lot to think about! One area you definitely don’t want to overlook is your music. The right soundtrack can make your big day even more unforgettable, from the first notes of your ceremony to the last beat on the dancefloor.
To make sure you’ve got all of the insight you need to make expert decisions, we’ve created the ultimate Wedding Day Music Checklist – designed to help you plan every musical moment seamlessly.
BEFORE YOU START:
WHEN AND WHERE DO YOU WANT MUSIC, AND WHAT DO YOU WANT?
One of the most exciting things about planning music for a wedding is that there are lots of opportunities to personalise your day with music you love that injects your unique character into different parts of your day. From the pre-ceremony music as your guests arrive, to the entrance, exit, and register-signing pieces, you’ve got a lot to consider just for the ceremony, let alone the rest of the day!
Moving on from the ceremony you may also consider your music for the drinks reception, during the wedding breakfast, and perhaps most critically, in the evening when the party typically begins. You may want something else for the following day if you’re having a post-wedding lunch, or even the day before if you’re in a foreign location and making a longer celebration of it. For the rest of this article though, we will address the music for the wedding day itself, but you can apply these same principles if your celebration spans several days.
The weather, time of year and your type of venue will play a role in how likely people are going to be outside throughout your day – and for how long that will be the case – so it’s worth bearing this in mind with your timings and how any music providers you select can adapt, since it would be a shame to have a band playing while everyone is taking in some sun! Fortunately there are lots of ways around this and other issues.
Deciding whether you want live music, or original recordings played by a DJ is an important factor, and one that will have big implications for your budgets. It will be more cost-effective to have a single group of musicians performing throughout the day, however you may like to vary the sounds from the ceremony to the evening which will incur an increased cost because you’re probably going to have to pay two providers a day rate each, rather than a single provider a day rate with an additional supplement.
Each part of your day can have individual themes or moods, or you may like to have a consistent thread through each of them depending on your vision for the day. How you see this coming together will influence your choice of song and music provider.
Let’s take you through each of the day’s components below and give you some additional pointers to ask your venue, registrar and any musicians you’re considering.
1. Ceremony Music
The ceremony is one of the most emotional parts of the day, and music plays a key role. It is often the second most-booked live music addition to the wedding day (after the evening entertainment) and is often combined with the same performer during drinks receptions too, making it excellent value for money.
Here’s what to plan:
- Prelude Music: Background music as guests arrive and take their seats. Choose soft, welcoming tunes to set a calming mood.
- Processional Song: The song for walking down the aisle. Popular choices include acoustic versions of A Thousand Years or Canon in D.
- Interlude Music: Optional music for moments like lighting a unity candle, during the signing of legal documents or during readings.
- Recessional Song: Celebrate your first steps as a married couple as you leave the ceremony with an upbeat tune like Signed, Sealed, Delivered.
Things to check:
☑︎ Are you planning to have live music or a playlist for the ceremony?
☑︎ If opting for a playlist, does the venue have a speaker and someone designated to play the correct tracks as required? If not, which member of your wedding party will be responsible for this, and will they be on site early enough to make sure everything functions as necessary? What connections does the speaker have, and can the venue provide an appropriate cable if required? Or does the system need to be sourced separately?
☑︎ Does your ceremony location have ample access to power, or is this something your performer/s will have to sort themselves (often with a battery-powered amplifier if outside)?
☑︎ Are there any venue amplification restrictions if your musician/s are performing outside?
☑︎ Have you asked your musician/s for their Public Liability Insurance, Risk Assessments and PAT certification (which is a useful illustration of how professional they are, but most venues will require this anyway)?
☑︎ How much space do your performer/s require?
☑︎ Where do you want the performers to set up?
☑︎ Does your venue (if secular) have any restrictions on lyrical content of your ceremony songs (typically no religious content)?
☑︎ Have you provided your musician/playlist operator with your song selections (and specific versions), the order of their performance and when they need to play them (specific trigger phrases or activity are useful for this)?
☑︎ Exchange contact details of the venue and your music providers so they can facilitate efficient setup and performance on the day.
☑︎ Confirm the ceremony time, guest arrival (typically 30mins before the ceremony), and setup time for your music providers (often typical 60mins before guest arrival).
☑︎ Confirm song timings/lengths with your musicians so each piece fits perfectly into the ceremony.
☑︎ Be aware that aisle walks can be quite short, so consider how you might time your walk to arrive at a particular moment (e.g. the end of the first chorus), since it’s unusual to have the whole song played for this.
☑︎ Be aware that the exit music can also be quite short, so consider how you might direct the musicians to omit any long introductions so they get to the main body of the song more quickly. Also note that the exit can be quite quick, with guests making lots of noise and following close behind you, so anticipate the song to be curtailed unless the reception location is very nearby.
☑︎ If your ceremony is outside, what are the contingencies for inclement weather?
2. Drinks Reception Music
The drinks reception follows your ceremony and is your guests’ first chance to relax and properly mingle. Light, live background music is ideal here, and it’s fairly common for reception performers to play for the ceremony as well which gives you potential for better value for money.
Static performances are fairly typical, but it’s becoming more commonplace to have musicians ‘roam’ and wander amongst your guests, providing an additional layer of entertainment as well as the music. In conjunction with the ceremony music, this is the second most-popular time to have live music during your day, and really serves to entertain your guests and level-up your hosting.
Recommendations include:
- A solo guitarist or acoustic duo playing chilled-out covers.
- A jazz trio for a classy vibe.
- A string quartet for something sophisticated.
- A roaming ukulele band for something fun and less traditional.
- Pre-recorded playlists of instrumental or soft pop hits.
Tip: Provide a list of your favourite artists or genres to help your musicians match your style.
Things to check:
☑︎ Can your musicians combine performing during the reception with the ceremony? Can they provide music for the whole day, and what preferential rates can they offer you?
☑︎ If you’re having live music for the reception, consider how you want it to develop from the ceremony, and how it differs from the evening party.
☑︎ Do you want a roaming or static performance? Where do you want the musician/s to perform?
☑︎ What provision does the venue have in terms of electricity supply, and are there any amplification restrictions?
☑︎ Are there any particular songs you want played, or any that you want avoided?
☑︎ Photographs typically happen soon after the ceremony, so be aware that it may be preferable to have the music start after these are complete to avoid clashing with the requests for different groups to join for the next shot.
☑︎ Is there a song you’d like the musician or playlist to finish on, as your guests move through to the wedding breakfast?
3. Wedding Breakfast Music
Music during the wedding breakfast should be soft enough for conversation but still engaging. It’s often the least common of the options booked due to the clamour of food service, guests chatting and general noise surrounding this part of the day. It’s also worth being aware that amplifying sound evenly across large areas of guests in this nature is very tricky, so to get value you’ll really want to see if your providers can set up speakers along the length of the room in order to make sure the sound is balanced throughout. This is why playlists work especially well here, since venues will typically have small ambient speakers to evenly cover the whole space, and better than a typical band or musician.
Consider:
- A custom playlist featuring your favourite love songs.
- Services like Spotify have lots of ready-made playlists for these purposes that can provide inspiration or a quick solution.
- Your band playing stripped-back acoustic sets.
Tip: Confirm whether your live band can perform a mix of sets throughout the day – many offer this as part of their packages!
Things to check:
☑︎ Assess with your venue if there is sufficient space for your musician, and where they’ll be located.
☑︎ Do you need your musician to provide a microphone for your speeches, or does the venue have the capacity to provide this?
☑︎ Is your musician able to reasonably provide even sound coverage across the whole room.
☑︎ When are you planning to have your speeches, and how long are they going to be? This will dictate when your musician will stop playing etc, but if things overrun consider their logistics if they are performing for the evening as well (as they may need to start setting up for the evening).
4. Evening Reception Music
The most popular choice for wedding entertainment is the evening, where the party really starts! Your evening reception will have the biggest impact on the energy of your guests, so plan carefully:
- First Dance Song: A meaningful track to kick off the party. Whether it’s a romantic classic like Unchained Melody or a fun mashup, work with your band to make it special.
- Parent Dances (Optional): If you’re including father-daughter or mother-son dances, choose tracks that resonate with your family.
- Party Playlist: Share your favourite upbeat tracks with your band. Think crowd-pleasers like Mr. Brightside or Uptown Funk.
- Last Dance Song: End on a high with a singalong classic like Don’t Stop Believin’.
Tip: Provide your band with a “must-play” and “do-not-play” list in advance to ensure the perfect vibe. Also, check out our ‘Helpful Wedding Music Guide’ for more detail on song selection.
Things to check:
☑︎ Does your venue/wedding package include a dedicated DJ who can perform at your event?
☑︎ Ask your band about their ability to DJ between their sets, and what this consists of? Some bands will just leave a generic playlist to play, whereas others will actively curate a list of songs you provide them to make sure the evening ends on a high with songs you love.
☑︎ How much space does your band need? Where is best for them to set up in the venue?
☑︎ What is access like for your musicians? Are there any stairs or lifts? Where is the nearest door for them to load into?
☑︎ Can you confirm parking arrangements for your musicians?
☑︎ Is there a sound limiter in the venue, and do they have to plug into specific sockets?
☑︎ What is the cut-off time for live music?
☑︎ What is the schedule for the evening (including cake cutting, fireworks, evening food service, first dance) and what time do you want music to start?
☑︎ Are the DJ/musicians able to start setting up during your wedding breakfast?
☑︎ Are they performing in the same room or a different room?
☑︎ Are you expecting evening guests to arrive after the wedding breakfast (this will inform the band performance times in order to allow guests to catch up and integrate into the evening).
☑︎ Does the venue stipulate what time the venue needs to be vacated?
☑︎ What time are carriages?
☑︎ Has your DJ/band provided the venue with their Public Liability, Risk Assessments and PAT certification?
☑︎ Have you provided the performers with direction in terms of what you’d like them to avoid, and what to focus on?
☑︎ Have you discussed your first dance – do you have choreography for it, and have you coordinated how the music needs to sound for it to work? Or do you want the band to encourage your friends and family to join you on the dance floor as soon as possible?
☑︎ What set times does your band suggest? (We think later is generally better since your guests are more likely to get on the dance floor).
☑︎ What does your band suggest in the event the weather is so nice everyone is outside? How can they accommodate this and give you value for money and a memorable experience?
☑︎ It is typical that a DJ/band will need a hot meal at some point in the evening – what time will this be (make sure there are no clashes with band sets) and have they provided you any dietary requirements?
5. Extras to Consider
There’s always the chance to maximise the music of your big day – don’t forget these additional musical opportunities:
- Wedding Breakfast Entrance Song: A special track for when you enter the reception as a married couple.
- Cake Cutting Song: Fun and light-hearted music, like Sugar by Maroon 5.
- Bouquet Toss Song: A lively track, such as Single Ladies by Beyoncé, for this playful moment.
Tip: Work with your band to seamlessly incorporate these moments into the flow of the evening.
6. Sound Logistics
Even the best music plans can hit a snag if logistics aren’t considered. Make sure to:
- Confirm your venue’s sound restrictions (e.g., decibel limits or curfews).
- Ensure your band has access to power outlets and enough space to set up.
- Discuss equipment needs – professional bands often bring their own sound systems, but it’s good to check.
- Parking for the band, access to the venue, any stairs or lifts, or restrictions that may hinder set up.
Tip: Hire a band experienced in wedding performances. We’re pros at working with venues to handle these details.
Why a Live Band Makes All the Difference
With a live band, every note of your wedding day can be tailored to your style, and you get to relax knowing that you have a professional team that is looking out for your interests, determined to give you a musical experience you will remember for the rest of your life.
We bring energy, emotion, and the ability to adapt on the spot – creating an atmosphere no playlist can match. Whether you want acoustic elegance or a high-energy dance party, we can make it happen with our dynamism and expert ability.
Your wedding day is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, and your music should reflect that. Use this checklist to stay organised, and don’t hesitate to reach out to us for expert advice and exceptional live performances!
Featured bands:
Music Music Music
https://musicmusicmusic.co.uk/
Ukes of Hazzard
https://www.ukesofhazzardband.co.uk/
Mumfudden Suns
https://mumfuddensuns.co.uk/
George Zebra
https://georgezebra.co.uk/
