Choosing Your Wedding Music
Music is one of the most powerful elements of your wedding day and choosing your wedding music is an important decision. It’s the soundtrack to your most emotional moments, sets the tone for the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, and helps kick off the evening celebrations in style.
As with all aspects of weddings, you can go the DIY route—or you can hire a professional musician. If you’re considering live music, here are some helpful tips to guide you.
Choosing Your Daytime Music
There’s a wide range of options for daytime wedding music: singers, string quartets, harpists, guitarists, and pianists (like me!). Most musicians offer flexible packages and can tailor their performance to different parts of the day. If you’re booking music for more than one section—say, the ceremony and drinks reception—it’s often more cost-effective to hire one musician who can cover both.
Versatility is key. A good musician will adapt their style to suit each moment: romantic and reflective for the ceremony entrance, joyful and upbeat for the exit, and a mix of familiar tunes during the reception and meal. I often include a few singalong favourites in my sets—there’s nothing like seeing guests light up when they hear a song they love.
Practical Considerations
It’s worth asking about the musician’s equipment. Sound quality matters, but so does appearance—does the setup look elegant and fit your venue? Wedding shows are a great opportunity to see this in person. I always bring two setups when performing at multiple points in the day, so there’s no need to move gear around or disrupt the flow.
Ceremony Music Tips
When it comes to choosing your wedding music, don’t feel restricted by online repertoires. If a song isn’t listed, ask anyway—many musicians, myself included, are happy to learn new pieces. I’ve learnt over 40 new songs this year alone!
Entrance music doesn’t have to be slow. I’ve created bespoke versions of everything from classical pieces to chart hits. Some couples opt for a “mash-up”—starting with something traditional like Canon in D for the bridal party, then seamlessly transitioning into a personal favourite for the bride’s entrance. I love working with couples to create these moments and often send samples in advance to make sure the style feels just right.
What to Look For
When choosing a musician, look beyond musical ability. Read reviews and look for someone who communicates well, is reliable, and gets on with guests, venues, and suppliers. These are the things couples often mention in their feedback—and they make a big difference on the day.
Final Tip
Good musicians get booked early—often 12 to 18 months in advance—so if you’ve found someone you love, don’t wait!
Closing Thoughts
I hope this gives you some food for thought. Live music adds something truly special to a wedding day, and with the right musician, it can be one of the most memorable parts of the celebration.