The Ultimate Guide to Booking Musical Entertainment for Your Wedding

Expert advice from the team at Anglo Entertainment

Choosing the right musical entertainment is one of the biggest mood-setters of your entire wedding day. Music shapes the atmosphere, defines the energy in each moment, and helps create the memories your guests will talk about for years.

At Anglo Entertainment, we spend a huge part of our year helping couples find the perfect soundtrack for their day—from acoustic aisle moments to high-energy party bands. Below is our complete guide to help you book your dream wedding entertainment with confidence.

1. Start by Deciding the Vibe

Before exploring specific acts, think about the feel you want:

• Intimate acoustic romance

• Vintage soul/Motown

• Indie, rock or festival style

• Funky party anthems

• Throwback 80s or 90s

• A clean, modern DJ set

• Or a mix across the day

This makes it far easier for both you and your entertainment provider to match you with the right act.

2. Think of Your Wedding in Musical “Chapters”

Weddings flow through several distinct moods, so your music should evolve naturally:

• Ceremony – emotional, personal, often acoustic

• Drinks Reception – relaxed ambience

• Wedding Breakfast – tasteful, low-key background music

• Evening Reception – full production and dancefloor-ready

One band or performer can often cover several sections, something we coordinate regularly at Anglo, but the planning should be intentional.

3. Check Venue Restrictions Early

A great band can work around almost anything if they know in advance. Common things to check:

• Sound limiter settings

• Stage space

• Power availability

• Access times

• Curfews

• Whether live drums are permitted

• Outdoor performance rules

We routinely liaise with venues on behalf of our couples—this avoids surprises and ensures smooth planning.

4. Understand Your Budget (and What You’re Paying For)

Wedding entertainment varies depending on:

• Number of performers

• Distance to your venue

• Equipment and lighting

• Setup/pack-down time

• Special song requests

• Daytime add-ons

Professional acts bring polished musicianship, reliable equipment, rehearsed arrangements and years of experience. You’re not just booking music—you’re booking expertise.

5. Review Promo Videos Carefully

Promo videos are the best way to decide whether an act is your style. When watching:

• Does the energy match what you want?

• Is the performance tight and consistent?

• Are vocals strong?

• Does the video feel polished and professional?

• Does the act look like a wedding-appropriate fit?

At Anglo, we ensure all our promo content is high-quality and true to how the act will look and sound on your day—no surprises.

6. Confirm Lineup and Setup Requirements

Before you book, make sure you know:

• Exact band size

• Instruments

• Space they need

• Power requirements

• Whether they supply PA and lighting

• How long setup takes (usually 60–90 minutes)

We include all of this clearly in our booking process to eliminate any guesswork.

7. Sort Out Set Lengths, DJ Options and Break Music

Most bands offer:

• 2 × 45-minute sets, or

• 2 × 60-minute sets

Between sets, most provide curated playlists—or you can upgrade to a DJ service. Anglo’s acts keep the transitions seamless so the dancefloor never dips in energy.

8. Finalise Your Music Preferences Early

This is where many couples light up—choosing their key moments:

• Your must-have songs

• Your first dance

• Aisle and exit songs

• Favourite genres

• 
  

But equally important is your Do Not Play List.This is often where your strongest feelings lie:

• Songs that feel overplayed

• Songs tied to memories you’d rather avoid

• Songs that don’t fit the mood

• Songs you simply cannot stand

A good band or DJ will honour this completely—at Anglo we treat the Do Not Play list as non-negotiable.

9. Clarify What’s Included

Always confirm what your fee covers:

• Travel

• PA system

• Lighting

• Performance times

• DJ service

• Learned requests

• Setup and pack-down

• Insurance

We keep Anglo quotes crystal clear so couples know exactly what they’re getting with no hidden extras.

10. Understand Logistics and Timelines

Performance setup often takes 60–90 minutes, so we work this around:

• Venue turnaround

• Photography

• Speeches

• Evening guest arrival

Smooth planning avoids any awkward pauses in the day.

11. Prioritise Good Communication

This is one of the biggest signs of professionalism. Your entertainment supplier should:

• Respond promptly

• Be organised

• Offer guidance

• Ask useful questions

• Collaborate easily with your venue

• Make everything feel easy

This is something we pride ourselves on—clear, friendly communication from the first message to the final song.

12. Book Early—Really Early

Peak dates fill up quickly, especially for the most popular bands. Many couples secure their entertainment 12–18+ months in advance, particularly for summer Saturdays.

If you see a band you like, secure them quickly—waiting rarely helps.

Final Thoughts

Your wedding entertainment is more than music—it’s the atmosphere, the energy and the emotional heartbeat of your celebration. With the right preparation (and the right team behind you), choosing your perfect musicians can be one of the most fun parts of the entire planning process.

If you’re still exploring what will work best for your day, the Anglo Entertainment team would love to help you find the perfect match. Our roster includes everything from elegant acoustic acts to high-impact party bands, indie favourites, throwback specialists and DJ/live hybrids.