The UK's biggest live-music booking category
Hire Wedding Bands
Wedding bands for the reception, the first dance and the dancefloor - hear the band, agree the night in the chat and sign one contract.
Updated 21 October 2026
Where to Book Wedding Bands
A wedding band plays the evening reception: the first dance, then two or three dance sets that run to the end of the night. Most are 4 to 6 piece function line-ups - vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, often with sax or brass - and many add an acoustic set for the drinks reception or a DJ playlist between sets. For the ceremony itself see string quartets, for a quieter drinks reception see jazz bands.
Booking Playbook
Weddings · Receptions · Engagement parties · Vow renewals. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
| When to BookSummer Saturdays go first - many couples book 12 to 18 months ahead for a peak date, and 6 to 12 months is common for spring, autumn and weekdays. See how far ahead to book for lead times by event type. |
| What Format WorksTypical shape: 2 x 60 minute or 3 x 45 minute evening sets, the first dance as a learned song, and a playlist in the breaks. Confirm the load-in time, the stage space, the power the band needs, whether it brings its own PA and lights, and the finish time the venue allows. |
| Mistakes to Avoid1. Not hearing the band first. Listen to live recordings on the band profile, not only a studio demo. 2. No set plan. Agree the first dance, the set times and the finish in writing. 3. Forgetting the venue rules. Some venues have sound limiters or an early finish - tell the band before you book. 4. No meal or break plan. Bands play long days - agree a meal and where they wait. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking comes with a contract you both sign. |
Pick Your Line-up
What each size of wedding band is, and which part of the day it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
| Acoustic duo or trioVocals with acoustic guitar or piano, sometimes with a cajon or bass. Suits: The drinks reception and the wedding breakfast, smaller venues and a lower budget. |
| 4-piece bandA lead singer with guitar, bass and drums - the classic wedding band, covering the first dance and two dance sets. Suits: Most receptions of up to about 150 guests. |
| 5 to 6 pieceA 4-piece plus keys and a second singer, or sax and brass. Suits: Bigger rooms and a fuller soul and Motown sound. |
| Band plus DJThe band plays the sets and a DJ or a playlist runs the breaks and the end of the night. Suits: A dancefloor that never stops between sets. |
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and wedding and function bands of every size can apply.
Wedding Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
| Drinks receptionAn acoustic set of 45 to 60 minutes while guests mingle. Agree: Where the duo sets up and whether it moves rooms before the evening. |
| First danceThe couple’s song, learned or arranged by the band, then straight into the first set. Agree: The song and the arrangement, weeks ahead. |
| Evening receptionTwo or three dance sets with a playlist in the breaks. Agree: Set times, the finish and any sound limiter. |
| Summer and winter weddingsPeak summer Saturdays book out first, winter dates are easier to get. Agree: The date early - see the summer wedding guide. |
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,629 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Pub / barFull band · Solo £162–£330 · Duo £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| WeddingFull band · Solo £271–£500 · Duo £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| CorporateFull band · Solo £278–£469 · Duo £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private partyFull band · Solo £250–£542 · Duo £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min)Full band · Solo TBC · Duo TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Classic first dance songs
| At Last — Etta James |
| Make You Feel My Love — Adele |
| Thinking Out Loud — Ed Sheeran |
| All of Me — John Legend |
| Can't Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley |
| Perfect — Ed Sheeran |
| A Thousand Years — Christina Perri |
| The Way You Look Tonight — Frank Sinatra |
Modern first dance
| Yellow — Coldplay |
| Lover — Taylor Swift |
| Tenerife Sea — Ed Sheeran |
| 10,000 Hours — Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber |
Reception party-set anchors
| Don't Stop Me Now — Queen |
| Mr Brightside — The Killers |
| Sweet Caroline — Neil Diamond |
| Dancing Queen — ABBA |
| I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston |
| Don't Stop Believin' — Journey |
| Valerie — Amy Winehouse |
| Uptown Funk — Bruno Mars |
Ceremony / drinks reception
| Canon in D — Pachelbel |
| Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles |
| Better Together — Jack Johnson |
| Marry You — Bruno Mars |
| A Sky Full of Stars — Coldplay |
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Wedding Bands Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Country house wedding venues
| Cliveden House — Berkshire premium |
| Hedsor House — Buckinghamshire flagship |
| Eastnor Castle — Herefordshire heritage |
| Hever Castle — Kent heritage |
| Babington House — Somerset boutique |
Hotel ballroom weddings
| The Savoy — London prestige |
| Claridge's — London premium |
| The Lowry Manchester — Northern flagship |
| The Principal Edinburgh — Scottish premium |
Barn / rustic / outdoor
| Cripps Barn (Cotswolds) — high-volume barn circuit |
| Stone Barn (Cheltenham) — barn premium |
| Owen House (Cheshire) — North West barn |
| Cain Manor (Surrey) — Surrey barn |
Scottish venues (ceilidh + function combo)
| Glenapp Castle — Ayrshire premium |
| Boturich Castle — Loch Lomond |
| Mar Hall — Glasgow-adjacent |
Cherry blossom / spring photography
| Kew Gardens — botanical premium |
| Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh — Scottish botanical |
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
| 01 | FindFind acts or post your gigBrowse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network. |
| 02 | ShortlistReview applicationsArtists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing. |
| 03 | BookingBook and pay securelyOnce the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete. |
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a wedding? See live music for a wedding.
11 — Questions9 answersFrequently asked questions
Browse ActsUK-wide
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The Booking PlaybookFree
When to book, what works, what to avoid. The practical version — timing, formats and mistakes to avoid.
When to book (and when prices spike)
What lineup and format works
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Mistakes that cost real money
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Ready to Book your wedding band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups.
Hire Wedding Bands
Wedding bands for the reception, the first dance and the dancefloor - hear the band, agree the night in the chat and sign one contract.
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Where to Book Wedding Bands
GIGXCHANGE is where you book wedding bands direct in the UK. 42 wedding and function bands are on the platform, booked for weddings, receptions, engagement parties and vow renewals. Listen to each act on their profile, message them before you commit, and every booking comes with a contract you both sign. GigXchange takes 0% of the artist's booking fee, and the booking fee is 5% on top only when you pay through GigXchange – 0% when you settle privately.
A wedding band plays the evening reception: the first dance, then two or three dance sets that run to the end of the night. Most are 4 to 6 piece function line-ups - vocals, guitar, bass, drums and keys, often with sax or brass - and many add an acoustic set for the drinks reception or a DJ playlist between sets. For the ceremony itself see string quartets, for a quieter drinks reception see jazz bands.
Meet the Acts
Real member profiles you can listen to, message and book direct. Each card shows the act's line-up, where they are based and how to start a conversation.
Browse Wedding and Function Bands
All 42 wedding and function bands on GigXchange. Filter by line-up and region, then open a profile to listen and message. Every profile has a message button, and most carry music to play and a fee range.
Pick Your Line-up
What each size of wedding band is, and which part of the day it suits. Fees for each line-up are in the live table below, so you can match the size of the act to your budget and your room.
- Acoustic duo or trioVocals with acoustic guitar or piano, sometimes with a cajon or bass.Suits: The drinks reception and the wedding breakfast, smaller venues and a lower budget.
- 4-piece bandA lead singer with guitar, bass and drums - the classic wedding band, covering the first dance and two dance sets.Suits: Most receptions of up to about 150 guests.
- 5 to 6 pieceA 4-piece plus keys and a second singer, or sax and brass.Suits: Bigger rooms and a fuller soul and Motown sound.
- Band plus DJThe band plays the sets and a DJ or a playlist runs the breaks and the end of the night.Suits: A dancefloor that never stops between sets.
Not sure which to pick?
Tell the act the room, the guest numbers and what the music is for - drinks, dinner or dancing - and they will suggest a line-up. Post your date free on GIGXCHANGE and wedding and function bands of every size can apply.
Wedding Bands by Occasion
A set plan for each kind of booking, and what to agree with the act before the day. Use it as the checklist for your first call with the act.
- Drinks receptionAn acoustic set of 45 to 60 minutes while guests mingle.Agree: Where the duo sets up and whether it moves rooms before the evening.
- First danceThe couple’s song, learned or arranged by the band, then straight into the first set.Agree: The song and the arrangement, weeks ahead.
- Evening receptionTwo or three dance sets with a playlist in the breaks.Agree: Set times, the finish and any sound limiter.
- Summer and winter weddingsPeak summer Saturdays book out first, winter dates are easier to get.Agree: The date early - see the summer wedding guide.
Put it in writing
Whatever the occasion, agree the times, the sets and the fee in the chat - every booking on GIGXCHANGE comes with a contract you both sign.
Booking Playbook
Weddings · Receptions · Engagement parties · Vow renewals. Here’s the practical version, not the marketing one. Each card covers one decision: when to book, what format works and the mistakes that cost bookers money.
When to Book
Summer Saturdays go first - many couples book 12 to 18 months ahead for a peak date, and 6 to 12 months is common for spring, autumn and weekdays. See how far ahead to book for lead times by event type.
What Format Works
Typical shape: 2 x 60 minute or 3 x 45 minute evening sets, the first dance as a learned song, and a playlist in the breaks. Confirm the load-in time, the stage space, the power the band needs, whether it brings its own PA and lights, and the finish time the venue allows.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Not hearing the band first. Listen to live recordings on the band profile, not only a studio demo. 2. No set plan. Agree the first dance, the set times and the finish in writing. 3. Forgetting the venue rules. Some venues have sound limiters or an early finish - tell the band before you book. 4. No meal or break plan. Bands play long days - agree a meal and where they wait. 5. No contract. Every GigXchange booking comes with a contract you both sign.
What Do UK Gigs Actually Pay?
Real UK fee ranges from 4,629 recorded fees in the GX Index
| Solo | Duo | Full Band | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pub / bar | £162–£330 | £250–£500 | £275–£1,003 |
| Wedding | £271–£500 | £463–£810 | £812–£2,206 |
| Corporate | £278–£469 | £446–£1,275 | £669–£1,708 |
| Private party | £250–£542 | £250–£500 | £583–£1,353 |
| Festival (30–45 min) | TBC | TBC | £200–£1,783 |
Repertoire & Format
What this performer type actually delivers — by category, with real examples. Use it to check the act covers the moments that matter to you before you ask for a quote.
Classic first dance songs
- At LastEtta James
- Make You Feel My LoveAdele
- Thinking Out LoudEd Sheeran
- All of MeJohn Legend
- Can't Help Falling in LoveElvis Presley
- PerfectEd Sheeran
- A Thousand YearsChristina Perri
- The Way You Look TonightFrank Sinatra
Modern first dance
- YellowColdplay
- LoverTaylor Swift
- Tenerife SeaEd Sheeran
- 10,000 HoursDan + Shay & Justin Bieber
Reception party-set anchors
- Don't Stop Me NowQueen
- Mr BrightsideThe Killers
- Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond
- Dancing QueenABBA
- I Wanna Dance with SomebodyWhitney Houston
- Don't Stop Believin'Journey
- ValerieAmy Winehouse
- Uptown FunkBruno Mars
Ceremony / drinks reception
- Canon in DPachelbel
- Here Comes the SunThe Beatles
- Better TogetherJack Johnson
- Marry YouBruno Mars
- A Sky Full of StarsColdplay
Requests, first dances and setlists
Most acts will learn a request or two if you ask early - a first dance, a family favourite or a walk-on song. Ask in the chat on GIGXCHANGE before you book, so the act confirms it in writing, and listen to the tracks and setlists many acts publish on their profile first.
Where Wedding Bands Get Booked
UK venues, events, and occasions where this format consistently works, and what each kind of room tends to put on. Use it to see where your kind of booking fits.
Country house wedding venues
- Cliveden HouseBerkshire premium
- Hedsor HouseBuckinghamshire flagship
- Eastnor CastleHerefordshire heritage
- Hever CastleKent heritage
- Babington HouseSomerset boutique
Hotel ballroom weddings
- The SavoyLondon prestige
- Claridge'sLondon premium
- The Lowry ManchesterNorthern flagship
- The Principal EdinburghScottish premium
Barn / rustic / outdoor
- Cripps Barn (Cotswolds)high-volume barn circuit
- Stone Barn (Cheltenham)barn premium
- Owen House (Cheshire)North West barn
- Cain Manor (Surrey)Surrey barn
Scottish venues (ceilidh + function combo)
- Glenapp CastleAyrshire premium
- Boturich CastleLoch Lomond
- Mar HallGlasgow-adjacent
Cherry blossom / spring photography
- Kew Gardensbotanical premium
- Royal Botanic Gardens EdinburghScottish botanical
Booking for one of these rooms?
Every room is different. Tell the act the venue, the room size, the power and the load-in time, and agree the finish - then put it all in the contract you both sign on GIGXCHANGE.
How to Book on GIGXCHANGE
Three steps, about five minutes from signup to your first booking: post the date and budget, compare the acts who reply or invite one you like, then confirm with a contract and a held deposit.
Find acts or post your gig
Browse acts by sound, line-up and area, or post your date free - date, venue, genre, budget and set length - and acts apply. The listing is live immediately, visible to every artist in the GigXchange network.
Review applications
Artists apply with profile, tracks, reviews and availability all visible. Start a direct chat with shortlisted acts to confirm details before committing.
Book and pay securely
Once the fee's signed off, a digital contract is auto-generated for both parties. Funds are held securely via Stripe until the gig is complete.
Booking for a private party rather than a venue? Start with GigXchange for organisers. Planning a wedding? See live music for a wedding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Book your wedding band?
Post a gig for free, no card on file. Membership is free, and we are keeping it free permanently for the first 250 sign-ups. Acts reply in the app, and you choose who to book.