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Jul 05
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How much is a wedding band?

How much is a wedding band?

By Blog

How much is 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 costs.

How much is a wedding band?

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 ball-park 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, our wedding, function, and party bands are mostly based in Leeds. We love performing at celebrations all over the country — and even internationally. However, if your wedding is outside of West Yorkshire, we 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.

Our talented acts will provide the atmosphere you’re looking for and we offer clear pricing packages to make planning your wedding as stress-free as possible. Browse our wedding bands, and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about our performers, travel, or pricing.

Check prices for a wedding band
Jul 05
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10 upbeat first dance wedding song ideas

10 upbeat first dance wedding songs

By Blog

10 upbeat first dance wedding songs

This article will give you 10 upbeat first dance wedding songs that you may not have yet considered!

Wedding planning can often be overwhelming due to the number of decisions you have to make before the big day. Picking a first dance is one of these many big decisions, and it is essential to get it right. You want the song to reflect you as a couple, be different from the standard tunes such as “Thinking out loud” and “All of me”, and be romantic. As close to 2 weeks before their wedding, some of our customers still haven’t chosen a first dance. They come to us for ideas in the hope we can suggest something different. I always advise picking something upbeat and having fun with the song.

What are the best first dance songs you have performed live?

The best first dances I have performed have been upbeat songs people can dance along to. When choosing a first dance, couples always look at slow romantic songs. Whilst that’s a lovely idea, don’t be afraid to consider having more upbeat music to set the party’s tone. Traditions are slowly fading, and couples are approaching everything with an open mind. Starting the evening with a lively first dance song will set a tone for the evening and lead to a better party.

Jonny Ross Band

Image courtesy of Hamish Irvine

What first dance wedding songs can you recommend?

With that in mind, we have put together a list of 10 upbeat first dance songs that are lively, fun, and all your guests will love! One of them is The Sugarhill Gang- “Apache (Jump On It)”, which we picked for the first dance song at our wedding. We chose it, as it’s a bit of fun and music everyone knows the dance too! (If you don’t know the dance then click here)

Another song I have chosen is Jess Glynne- “Right Here”. One of our very talented DJs, Kyle had this as his first dance; they started with the acoustic version, then he remixed it into the dance version and invited everyone to the dancefloor. It was amazing! I love this idea for new couples! You can have a little dance together for the acoustic section while the photographer gets the snaps in, then get the guests on the dance floor when it kicks in to the original dance version. This idea also works very well with a Saxophone!

All our bands will be happy to perform any of the songs listed. So why not pick an upbeat first dance wedding song and ask your band to cover it live!

10 upbeat first dance wedding song ideas

A great shot from our first dance! All our family got involved and everyone stayed on the dance-floor from that point onwards.

Image courtesy of Marie Lloyd Photography

Jun 23
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The wedding trend of the year: sax and DJ combos

By Blog

As any betrothed couple knows, weddings take a lot of planning. And one concern for many is how to choose wedding entertainment. You might have looked at traditional wedding bands or considered hiring a DJ.

But if you fancy giving your big day an extra special edge, why not go for a saxophone and DJ set?

Why hire a saxophone player and DJ for your event?

The combination of a saxophone and DJ set results in a dynamic show filled with energetic melodies. The bringing together of a DJ and live instruments is a surefire way to get guests on the dancefloor.

Sax and djA mix of genres

The saxophone’s unique sound compliments a whole array of genres – from Motown and funk to Ska and classical. If you have an eclectic music taste, a DJ can seamlessly blend your favourite tracks. Meanwhile, a live sax provides an extra touch of vibrancy.

Book a saxophonist for your event

Book a saxophonist for your event

A bespoke set

Sax and DJ sets are ideal for playing covers of upbeat pop and rock but they can also create a chilled ambience, ideal for a sophisticated afternoon soundtrack. You can choose the vibe you want.

When you book with Jonny Ross Music, you can tailor the performance to suit the atmosphere you’re after. You can even add percussion players!

Hours of entertainment

Whether you’re organising a small wedding or something grand, a saxophone and DJ set will create a fantastic atmosphere all evening, so you don’t need to worry about entertainment.

Wedding DJs usually play for the whole evening, with a saxophone player accompanying them for three 30-minute slots.

It’s fun, interactive, and a little bit different

With a saxophone and DJ combo, you get the benefit of a recorded music set, complete with lights and visuals, plus the joy of live music. Often, saxophonists will ad-lib, hopping in to create one-of-a-kind accompaniments for the DJ’s tracks.

Sax and DJ packages from Jonny Ross Music

Flexible, original, and memorable, a sax and DJ package is a great addition to any wedding or celebration. Get in touch to discuss your wedding entertainment.

Apr 28
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5 Wedding Bands you Need to Know About

5 Wedding Bands you Need to Know About

By Blog

With wedding and events officially back on the scene for 2022, we couldn’t be more excited to share our latest repertoire of bands for hire with you. These guys offer everything you need to get the party started – even for those guests who usually avoid the dance-floor. Playing old school classics to the newbies on the block, we have a selection of live wedding bands that we just know you’re going to love. Without further ado, here are the 5 function bands you need to know about folks…

5 Wedding Bands you Need to Know About

Big Shout Band

Let’s kick things off with Big Shout Band, a 7-piece band that are dedicated to performing those classic 00s pop songs that never seem to get old. We’re talking Daft Punk, TLC, Jessie J and more – the perfect opportunity to relive the soundtrack of your teens with your favourite people. And if that’s not enough to tempt you onto your feet, Big Shout Band are loaded with one of the most talented horn sections in the North of England. Graduates from Leeds Conservaratoire, this wedding band have been house mates, band members and best friends for years – and it shows. They’re cool, cohesive and their energy is downright contagious.

BigShout band

Rolling Keys

Hold up people… we need to talk about Rolling Keys! The ultimate wedding entertainment for your celebration, this five-piece band are renowned for performing a huge variety of mega hits and floor fillers. They come with a tonne of experience and plenty of enthusiasm, having performed at west end shows, arenas, high-end studio recording sessions and more. With female-led vocals and a tight-knit rhythm section, you’ll be spoilt with everything from 50s to current tunes, as well as all your favourite classic hits. Long story short; Rolling Keys will make you wish the party would never end.

Rolling Keys

Marc & Abi

Marc & Abi need to be on your radar. Available as a band and duo, this act will certainly stop you in your tracks, offering energetic wedding band music that you and your guests will adore. Their diverse repertoire has been played across the globe, including Bora Bora, Bali and Fiji. They’re quirky, fun and provide just the right amount of sass courtesy of their fusion of female and male vocals.

Dae La Roux

Let us introduce you to Dae La Roux, an epic five-piece band that perform anything and everything you could ever want to hear, from Motown, Rock ‘n’ Roll, Indie and Pop. Their vocals are powerful, their enthusiasm is infectious and their rhythm is irresistible. Promising plenty of crowd-pleasing tunes from any era, they’re guaranteed to create an electric atmosphere for the duration of your celebration. What’s not to love?

5 Wedding Bands you Need to Know About

Northern House Band

Say hello to Northern House Band, a sleek Motown-meets-Soul act featuring some of Leeds’ finest upcoming musicians. You can hire them as a duo, trio or five-piece – the choice is yours! Their authentic array of female and male vocals come with a set of classics, including Marvin Gaye, Amy Winehouse, Queen and more. Whether you’re having a smaller celebration or an extravagant event, the Northern House Band will adapt to any setting to make sure you have an unforgettable performance.

5 Wedding Bands you Need to Know About

We hope you’ve enjoyed checking out the latest wedding bands here at Jonny Ross Music. Don’t forget to drop our team a message if you’re still on the hunt for a band to hire for your wedding or event – we’d love to help out. In the meantime, make sure you’re following us on the ‘gram for daily music updates! 

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