At Encore, we understand that every couple wants their wedding day to be special and unique. That’s why we offer a diverse selection of live wedding bands for hire, ensuring that you can find the perfect wedding band to make your special day even more special.
Our diverse lineup of bands will keep your guests dancing all night long, whether you’re looking for a romantic acoustic duo for your ceremony, a lively brass band to liven up your drinks reception, or a fun ska band to keep everyone entertained throughout the evening. See below our collection of top unique bands for weddings.
Acoustic Wedding Band
Acoustic wedding bands are perfect if you want a relaxed and dreamy vibe for your special day. The softer volume of acoustic instruments creates a more intimate and personal atmosphere, allowing for peaceful background music that doesn’t interrupt conversation.
The unplugged nature also lends itself beautifully to outdoor ceremonies and smaller venues, enhancing the natural beauty of the surroundings. Additionally, the vocals of acoustic bands are clearer and more prominent, highlighting the emotional impact of your special songs.
Acoustic bands are also surprisingly versatile, covering a wide range of genres and eras. From contemporary pop to classic folk, jazz standards to indie hits, they can tailor their setlist to match your musical preferences and are perfect for bohemian-themed weddings and backyard ceremonies.
Encore’s top picks:
Based in the Southeast, this 4-piece acoustic band performs folky acoustic sets from favourites such as The Lumineers, Taylor Swift, and George Ezra with female and male lead vocals, perfect for a cosy, intimate vibe.
Daisy Chute Band are true professionals and have played sold-out venues like the Royal Albert Hall and Cadogan Hall and huge festivals around the UK and US, such as Glastonbury and Latitude.
With an acoustic live lounge vibe, the John Adams Band is perfect for smaller, more intimate weddings.
Brass Wedding Bands
Big and bold wedding brass bands are a great choice if you want to make an impression. The powerful sound of trumpets, trombones, tubas, and (sometimes) saxophones creates an infectious energy that gets people moving and keeps the party going. Wedding brass bands are especially ideal for vintage-themed weddings or larger weddings as their sound travels well.
Though known for their larger-than-life sound, brass bands can also perform softer, more intimate pieces for the ceremony or cocktail hour. This versatility allows them to cater to different sections of your wedding seamlessly.
Encore’s top picks:
Unlike anything you will have heard before, Big Smoke Brass challenges stereotypes of wedding brass bands by performing powerful, high-energy renditions of modern pop songs. They typically perform as 4 trumpets, a sousaphone and drums but can adapt their lineup to suit you and your wedding venue’s needs.
With over a decade of experience, No Limit Street has provided top-tier entertainment with credits including appearances with Take That, supporting Diplo in London and Mark Ronson in Berlin.
Dizzy Brasscals’ members are all world-class musicians in their own right and have toured/recorded with artists including Craig David, Lily Allen, and Paloma Faith, as well as, having performed at major UK festivals including Glastonbury, Creamfields, Wireless and Bestival.
Folk Wedding Band
Folk music has more range than most people are aware of. You can start with slow, romantic tunes such as Mumford & Sons “I Will Wait” and Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” and then end the night with lively gigs that will get everyone up on their feet. Folk wedding bands also often encourage audience participation through singalongs which is a fun way to get your guests involved.
Like acoustic bands, our folk music wedding bands are perfect for those looking for a cosier feel and a particularly suited to outdoor, barn or rustic-themed weddings,
Encore’s top picks:
Filkin’s Drift, experienced artists in their own right, mix traditional and contemporary elements, blending fiddle and guitar with close vocal harmonies.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Dragonsfly is a lively Celtic and world folk dance band that is celebrating its 20th year this year. Along with folk tunes and songs from Armenia, Macedonia, Israel, India, and many other nations, their extensive and diverse set list also includes French and Breton music.
Corwin Zekley, a fiddler and composer, and Grace Fellows, a pianist and songwriter, can play both traditional Celtic music and modern pop songs. Corwin & Grace have performed countless weddings and ceilidhs and have a versatile sound that ranges from lively and dramatic to romantic and soft.
Soul & Motown Wedding Bands
A true crowd-pleaser, you can’t go wrong with the infectious rhythms of a soul wedding band performing feel-good classics by The Temptations, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder. Our soul and Motown bands guarantee to provide energetic performances with powerful vocals that will keep your dancefloor full.
The beauty of soul & Motown also lies in the versatility of the genre. Our bands can seamlessly transition between soulful, romantic ballads to upbeat dance tunes, making them perfect for wedding ceremonies all the way through to the reception.
Encore’s top picks:
StepNSoul doesn’t just provide beautiful harmonies but also intricate choreography and an unrivalled stage presence. Formed in 2012, this soul wedding band combines soul music with pop, R&B, reggae, rock and blues, meaning there’s something for all your guests to enjoy.
Soul in the Belfry are a 5 piece pop, soul wedding band with Soul, R&B, Funk and Disco classics with a sublime selection of modern Pop songs. Whether you’re looking for a soulful rendition of a timeless favourite or a fresh take on a current chart-topper, this band delivers a truly unforgettable musical experience.
Soul75 is an exceptional soul wedding band. Fronted by Richard Staines, a professional bass player who has played hundreds of shows since establishing himself on the UK live music scene, and the other members have performed with Stevie Wonder, will.i.am, Burna Boy, and Peter Gabriel.
Mariachi Wedding Bands
Whether you have Mexican heritage or simply love the vibrant energy of their music, Mariachi bands know how to get the party started! Known for their colourful uniforms, lively rhythms, and passionate vocals, mariachi bands know how to get even the shyest dancers on their feet.
While most people associate mariachi music with upbeat rancheras, our mariachi bands have broader repertoires that include boleros, country music, and popular hits. Mariachi bands are also ideal for outdoor weddings due to the acoustic nature of their music or for couples who want a festive atmosphere.
Encore’s top picks:
Mariachi Los Soneros is a group of gifted and adaptable musicians that plays real folk and pop music that captures the spirit of their native Mexico.
Although Los Soneros specialises in traditional Mexican music, they can play anything from foot-stamping Mexican rancheras to soft, romantic boleros. So, whether you’re looking for a full-blooded Mexican fiesta or some calm, emotional romance, they’ll set the tone and make your event unforgettable!
With Los Mariachi Bros you get some of the most charismatic musicians who perform with high energy and enthusiasm. This mariachi wedding band performs traditional Mariachi songs, as well as, Reggeaton hits to the latest Pop tunes in Mariachi Style.
With 24 years of experience in London, Mariachi Loco provides some of the best traditional Mexican folk music around. With their professionalism and dedication to their craft, the band’s priorities are always to keep you and your audience entertained.
Alternative Rock Wedding Bands
If you’re looking for a bit of edge, consider an alternative wedding band to shake things up. Imagine high-energy covers of your favourite indie anthems, electrifying guitar solos, and enough power to keep the party going all night long.
At Encore, we have a range of alt-rock wedding bands who can perform everything from Nirvana to Oasis to Green Day. Perfect for couples who want a modern and unconventional wedding.
Encore’s top picks:
Combining elements of folk, grunge and shoegaze and with influences such as Wolf Alice and The Joy Formidable, Coming Up Roses is one of our top alternative wedding bands for hire.
They have become known as one of the most exciting live bands in the area since their formation in 2018 thanks to their catchy melodies, upbeat songs, and engaging audience interaction. Coming Up Roses has also performed at festivals and international showcases such as Fred Perry Subculture, Canadian Music Week, and Music Matters Live.
This alternative wedding band will have all of your guests up and dancing, playing everything from hit songs from the Killers and Arctic Monkeys to current singles from James Bay, George Ezra, and The 1975.
Discovered are one of the best alternative wedding bands in the UK. This female-fronted four-piece band has 11 years of experience and has performed at over 500 weddings over their 11-year tenure.
Country Wedding Bands
Country music is a great choice to complement your special day as it often tells stories of love, family, and tradition. For your ceremony or first dance, slower ballads and traditional country music songs can add a touch of romance and sentimentality.
At Encore, we have country music wedding bands that offer acoustic sets or duos for ceremonies, creating a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Additionally, country music bands are often more affordable compared to other types of bands such as showbands or orchestras, making them a budget-friendly option.
Encore’s top picks:
An established country music wedding band with experienced professional musicians and a full repertoire of country-style favourites and barn dance hoe-downs.
A vibrant and entertaining 5-piece performing classic and contemporary upbeat country music featuring artists such as Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Darius Rucker, and Eagles.
Country Bound offers energetic country songs that are sure to get everyone moving. With a few classics tossed in for good measure, the playlist consists mostly of contemporary country music. Country Bound covers some modern pop songs in a country style, so there’s something for everyone.
The band, which comes in three to six-piece lineups, is known for its amazing harmonies and backup vocals, which add that extra something special to their sound.
Ceilidh Wedding Bands
Unlike traditional wedding bands, Ceilidh wedding bands offer a unique and interactive experience that your guests won’t find anywhere else. Their high-energy music and traditional dances will leave a lasting impression and make your wedding stand out from the crowd and ideal for couples who want a rustic-themed wedding or outdoor reception.
Ceilidh dances are designed for everyone to participate, regardless of age or dancing experience. The band usually explains the steps beforehand, and the simple, repetitive patterns are easy to pick up.
Encore’s top picks:
Triple Scotch is a Scottish ceilidh band that is widely regarded as one of the best in the UK, and is available to play at special events. With over 15 years of experience, Triple Scotch has performed at numerous high-end events all over the UK and Europe, delivering unforgettable and energetic ceilidh experiences.
Triple Scotch has played for top companies, political parties, universities, major charity fundraisers, and weddings. The band is well-equipped to entertain seasoned dancers, first-time ceilidh-ers, and everyone in between. Therefore, whatever your previous experience with ceilidh is, Triple Scotch is the perfect choice for your event.
With over 30 years of combined experience, The Jacobites are a fantastic ceilidh wedding band based in Edinburgh that offers professional ceilidhs for weddings, festivals and events.
Wraggle Taggle Ceilidh Band is one of the most well-liked, adaptable and professional traditional Ceilidh bands. With years of expertise playing traditional music at corporate occasions, festivals, weddings, clubs, schools, and acoustic settings, they can be hired as a duet, trio, or six-piece, amplified or acoustic, with or without a caller.
Oompah Wedding Bands
Oompah bands offer a unique and engaging experience compared to typical wedding bands. Their vibrant costumes, energetic stage presence, and audience interaction contribute to a lively and memorable celebration. Some wedding oompah bands even offer interactive games or contests, further engaging your guests and adding a playful element to the celebration.
While known for traditional oompah music, many bands offer diverse repertoires including popular hits, classic dance tunes, and even contemporary pop songs played in their signature brass style. This allows you to personalise the setlist to cater to your desired atmosphere and ensure there’s something for everyone to enjoy
Encore’s top picks:
With a modern twist, Deutsch Blasmusik is a classic Oompah band! Their speciality lies in combining offbeat pop songs with traditional German music in a funny and delightful way.
This accomplished oompah band covers polkas, waltzes, Beyoncé, and Barbie Girl songs! They engage the audience with activities and songs such as a yodelling competition, a traditional Munich dance performed at the tables, and numerous drinking games (if desired!).
The Jager Maestros are a traditional German Oompah band with a modern twist. This band, which features nine of the best brass players in the nation and an incredible stand-up comedian as the frontman, takes audience members on an exciting journey that includes games and Oktoberfest drinking songs as well as modern classics performed in an Oompah fashion.
Final thoughts
Inspired? Check out our live bands for weddings hub for the UK’s largest and most diverse collection of wedding bands for hire.