How much does it cost to hire a wedding band?
Planning a wedding is incredibly exciting – but it also involves keeping track of your budget. From flowers and dresses to party favours, and the all-important drinks, wedding expenses can soon add up.
So when it comes to finding your perfect wedding entertainment, how much money should you put aside?
Whether you’re recently engaged or have your date and venue booked, here’s all you need to know about wedding band to hire costs.
Should I hire a live band for my wedding?
Not everyone decides to have live music for their wedding. It all depends on your preferences – you may wish to have a low-key event with a playlist of your favourite songs. However, on-stage wedding entertainment can make for a truly memorable celebration.
Another option is to hire a wedding DJ. Both wedding bands and DJs can interact with your guests in a unique way that builds a fantastic atmosphere.
And for the ultimate party, a wedding band and DJ combination is guaranteed to get everyone dancing. With Jonny Ross Music, you can add a DJ to your wedding band package for £250.
How much does a wedding band cost?
As with any service, wedding band hire varies in price depending on the location and the band’s experience.
As a ballpark figure, you can usually expect to pay between £750 and £5000 for a wedding band. Ultimately, the more you spend, the more experienced an act you get.
Other factors that can affect the cost of a live wedding band include:
The number of performers
Essentially, the more band members there are, the higher the cost.
The cost per performer fluctuates in line with the cost of living. At the time of writing, you can expect to pay around £300 per band member.
Approximate costs
Solo performer £520
Duo- £750 plus
4-5 Piece Band- £1300 -£1800
A larger collective with strings, a brass section or multiple singers can cost upwards of £1800.
If you’re having a chilled, intimate wedding, you might want to go for a solo performer or acoustic duo. They’ll create a fantastic atmosphere that won’t be too loud or overwhelming for small groups of people.
On the other hand, larger events can benefit from full bands to fill the space and get everybody up on the dance floor.
Your wedding date
Is your wedding booked for a peak time? Due to increased demand, some bands may charge a higher rate for weekend or summer weddings.
Sound and lighting equipment
Wedding bands will bring along all the instruments, PA systems, and lighting equipment they need to perform to their best. The cost of insurance on this equipment may affect the price the band charges — included in their package quote.
Performance duration
How long would you like your band to perform for? Often, wedding bands perform two 45-minute sets. However, you may be able to discuss the option of three shorter sets or two 1-hour sets. Don’t want to cut the fun short? Sometimes paying a little extra is worth it so your guests can dance to their hearts’ content!
Many of our acts provide evening-only and longer full-day packages so you can get the most suitable performance time for your event.
Bespoke songs
Most wedding bands have a broad repertoire of songs that you can select from. Many will also learn your first dance song for you at no extra cost.
However, if you have other specific songs in mind that aren’t on the band’s set list, they may charge extra to cover the costs associated with learning them from scratch.
Travel
You might be looking specifically for wedding bands local to you. But if you have your heart set on a particular act based further afield, they may charge for extra travel costs.
At Jonny Ross Music, their wedding, function, and party bands are mostly based in Leeds. They love performing at celebrations all over the country — and even internationally. However, if your wedding is outside of West Yorkshire, they ask for 60p per mile to cover costs.
Hire a wedding band with Jonny Ross Music
Whether you’re planning a small celebration with a handful of loved ones or a big bash with lots of guests, hiring a live wedding band will create a fantastic event you’ll remember for a lifetime.
While prices vary depending on your wedding location, the number of band performers, and several other factors, it can be beneficial to book your wedding entertainment through a reputable agency that can assist if there are any issues.
Jonny Ross Music’s talented acts will provide the atmosphere you’re looking for and they offer clear pricing packages to make planning your wedding as stress-free as possible. Browse their wedding bands, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about their performers, travel, or pricing.
