There's nothing more romantic than live music floating over the crowd as your wedding party glides down the aisle. Whether you opt for classic and dreamy, like Pachelbel's Canon in D, or personal and quirky, like the theme from 'Star Wars,' live music adds an essential element to your wedding ceremony. And live music isn't just for your pre-ceremony and ceremony; many couples choose to have live music like a string quartet or Spanish guitar during the cocktail hour and dinner, and then have a live band play for the reception party and dancing. Hiring a professional musician or band can take your wedding to another level.
You can choose your favorite type of music; solo musicians and bands specialize in pop, classical, standards, rock, R&B, big band, jazz or a combination of some or all of the above. Karaoke bands where the band performs popular hits and your guests can sing karaoke backed by live musicians are also available for weddings for a fun and interactive reception activity. The cost to hire a live band or solo artist varies depending on the specific day of the week and date, the distance the musicians must travel, their skill and experience, food and drink, gear, special requests, geographic location, and how in-demand the performers are. If you're ready to find a wedding musician, here are the average cost factors to consider.
Wedding musicians and wedding reception bands may charge a flat fee for playing weddings. They will provide you with a number based on how many musicians are in the musical group, the length of playing time, and the location of the wedding. For example, of Arlington, Virginia, charges $350 to perform with his harp at a large wedding and reception, while Paulk of Austell, Georgia, charges $100 per hour to play guitar at weddings. Other musicians may charge by the hour, with the hourly rate decreasing the more hours you book them. For example, Dale of Redondo Beach, California, typically charges $200 for the first hour, $250 for up to two hours, and $300 for three hours when playing guitar at weddings.
Generally speaking, the more musicians, the higher the cost. Each person in the musical group is an artist and earns a living by performing, and each needs to be paid for their work. Musical groups may have sliding scales that increase incrementally the more musicians you have, while others have a set fee per hour per musician. For example, Sweet Harmony of Plainfield, New Jersey, charges $250 for a soloist, $450 for a duo, $650 for a trio and $800 for a quartet for a ceremony service. This includes a 30-minute prelude, a 30-minute ceremony, and a short postlude. For clients of Sweet Harmony who also want music during a cocktail reception immediately following the reception (an additional 60 minutes of playing time), the cost increases to $400 for a soloist, $600 for a duo, $800 for a trio and $1,000 for a quartet. The types of instruments the musicians play can also affect cost, as added challenges in transportation and setup can increase costs to you. A solo guitarist, for example, may cost considerably less than a duo or trio of harpists. Sweet Harmony asks an additional $50 for an electric keyboard and an additional $100 for a harp.
Generally, the more skilled the musician or band, the higher the price. But that's not always true so a lower price doesn't mean your band won't be great. Talented musicians who are just starting out generally charge less as they are gathering reviews and clips. Customers can usually listen to musicians' music on their website, SoundCloud or Bandcamp to determine whether they are a good fit. Make sure you hear them perform before inviting them to play on your big day. Many highly skilled musicians and bands develop a repertoire and stage act specifically for weddings. These acts are generally in high demand, so the price is generally higher.
It's important to plan ahead if you'll need amplification, a mic for a vocalist, or access to electricity. A wedding planner will work out the details with the musicians; if you're planning your own event, start with a clearly written contract to prevent any mishaps. If your wedding is indoors, clear everything with your venue, including whether the band needs insurance and the latest time you can have live music playing. If you're getting married outside you may need to rent a generator to power your sound. Most bands and musicians provide their own sound gear as part of their price, but some charge separately for it, so be sure to double-check. Some musicians do not provide sound gear, in which case customers will need to rent equipment. Some wedding venues can provide sound and lighting gear as a separate rental or as part of the overall fee for the wedding.
Wedding bands and musicians generally request to be fed during the wedding reception, so account for this cost. This isn't necessarily true for musicians who come solely to perform during your ceremony, but is typically the case if you have someone playing through the cocktail hour and dinner, then into the night for the dance party. Confirm the number of musicians who will be present and include that in the final headcount you give your caterer so there's no shortage of food.
Prices for wedding entertainment fluctuate based on demand. More weddings are held at certain times of the year (chiefly summer), so demand for musicians and bands is at its highest. If you have a band or artist you love, book them early on especially if you're getting married in high season. Most musicians only book one wedding a day, so lock down your top choice before their calendar books up. Prices for Saturday performances are usually the highest because the majority of weddings take place on that day.
Members of the American Federation of Musicians union have defined minimum rates. While this may be more expensive than hiring non-union musicians, the experience may be more professional in terms of booking and logistics than for musicians who are not union members or who perform as a hobby rather than a profession.
Musicians are artists, and most love to work with you to dream up creative playlists that will make your ceremony and reception personal and unique. Most musicians and bands provide a list of the songs that they are already well-prepared to play. Customers who have a special request that isn't on the list may have to pay an additional fee to cover the musicians' time learning and practicing the new material. For example, Ocdamia Strings of Anaheim, California, charges $25 per song not in their repertoire.
It's standard practice to specify attire for your wedding, such as black tie, casual, formal, etc. Most wedding musicians who regularly perform wedding ceremonies will be prepared to accommodate your requests without additional charges.
Some musicians charge a travel fee to attend weddings that are relatively far from them. Wedding musicians may have an initial flat fee and then adjust that price based on travel expenses and the gear needed to perform the job. Typically musicians can give you a precise quote once they have learned the location of your wedding. For example, Ocdamia Strings travels free to weddings within Orange County and Los Angeles County, but charges $1 per mile in excess of 20 miles from Anaheim.
It's always a good idea to meet with the musician or band manager in person or over the phone to plan for your wedding and set expectations. This is the time to clarify any details of your contract before you sign and pay your deposit. Explain the key songs you'd like to hear and the theme and ambiance you want to create, and ask for guidance in accomplishing this goal. This consultation should be free.
Some musicians require a deposit upfront to secure services. This deposit may be non-refundable, either from the moment of payment or after a specific date before your actual wedding date. This deposit protects wedding musicians from losing the chance to book a paying job if you cancel at the last minute. For example, Ocdamia Strings requires a signed contract and a 25 percent deposit to book a specific date and time. The remaining balance is due the day of the wedding, before the performance.
Hire a tasteful solo musician or DJ to save over the cost of a full band. Have talented friends or local music students play. Schedule your wedding for a day other than a Saturday or at a time of year when demand is lowest.
Finding live music for your wedding can be a fun process. First, sit down with your soon-to-be spouse (and planner if you have one) and talk about the atmosphere you want to create for your wedding. Music sets the tone for the day; it lets guests know how to feel dreamy, excited, playful, etc. and also alerts them to noteworthy moments, like the wedding party making their entrance or the bride walking down the aisle. Once you two have determined what kind of atmosphere you want, start looking online and around you for the right musical group or soloist. Popular musical choices for the ceremony and dinner include cello, harps, string quartets, jazz trios, a pianist, acoustic guitar, or even ukulele. Narrow down your choices by considering your venue and what would be needed to execute your musical vision. For example, if you want a pianist to play the ceremony music, but the wedding will take place on the beach, you'll need to find a pianist who has a traveling keyboard. If you want 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' on ukulele while you walk down the aisle, but are concerned about the sound getting lost, you'll need to plan for an amplifier and microphone. If you know you want a local pop band to play the party portion of your reception, confirm whether your venue permits live music after hours, and whether they have a sound system already in place or the band needs to bring its own speakers. Once you've chosen the music you want and the elements you need to execute it, then you can find the right artist(s).
Narrow your search by listening to audio recordings and (even better) watching video performances by your potential wedding musicians. If you don't like how they sound, scratch them off your list. Look for musicians who are experienced playing at weddings. There's an art to a seamless wedding production, and a ceremony musician who has experience, especially playing the pre-ceremony and ceremony, will be able to work with the wedding coordinator and other vendors to present a flawless day for you and your guests. Read reviews from other clients and make sure the artist has a positive attitude, shows up on time, and is a wonderful musician. Verify their rates and confirm that you can reasonably afford them. You also want to make sure the musician or band is available on your wedding date. If they are, get a signed contract that outlines all the details of the day and put down a deposit.
Clearly written vendor contracts are the key to a successful wedding, and that includes the music, too. When you are hiring your wedding musician, don't just assume you're on the same page; discuss every detail in your consultation. Request a contract that includes wedding date; musician arrival time; name(s) of musicians who will be performing and the instruments they'll play; start and end time for playing; number of breaks the ceremony musicians will have and at what times; whether you will provide them with food; rate and payment method; deposit amount (if required); attire requests; special music requests; whether they will provide sound and other equipment; and more. A bit of preparation early on prevents major heartache later.