Hire Wedding ceremony musicians Near You in the UK

Wedding Ceremony Musicians for hire Near You

Hire a wedding ceremony musician Near You for your event today. 360 of the most professional acts to choose from.

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Wedding ceremony musiciansinUKforany price, sort bybest match
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Hire Joey Bradick Singing guitarist with Encore
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£250 - £350
Singing guitaristLondon

100+ 5* reviews! Full time musician, specialising in Acoustic Guitar & Singing . Upbeat covers or background music -nothing is too much!

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Hire Phil Short Singing guitarist with Encore
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£275 - £400
Singing guitaristCoulsdon

Phil is a fantastic singer/guitarist from London, performing a wonderful, eclectic mix of stripped-back acoustic rock & pop songs.

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Hire Leon Marshall Singing guitarist with Encore
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£300 - £600
Singing guitaristHarrogate

Leon Marshall is a solo acoustic singer songwriter, with a wide repertoire and a deep soulful vocal he successfully captivates any audience.

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Hire Ross McWhirter Acoustic Singing guitarist with Encore
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£375 - £625
Singing guitaristYork

🏆2022 Encore Award Most Booked Singing Guitarist 🏆2021 Encore Award Most Booked Singing Guitarist

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Hire THOM Music Singing guitarist with Encore
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£375 - £625
Singing guitaristLondon

THOM is an exciting acoustic singer/guitarist with a broad and surprising repertoire - perfect for your wedding/hootenanny/shindig/soiree.

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Hire Tony Hurst The Piper for All Occasions  Bagpiper with Encore
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£225 - £275
BagpiperWiltshire

Traditional Highland Piper for all Occasions. with over 20 years experience, Full Public Liability Insurance to 10 M and a Member of the MU

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Hire Marcus Pike Singing guitarist with Encore
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£150 - £300
Singing guitaristLondon

Experienced and versatile solo singer and acoustic guitarist, who can't wait to make your special day perfect!

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Hire Jukebox James Singing guitarist with Encore
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Singing guitaristSwindon

Solo electric & acoustic pop covers with live vocals & guitar along with custom made backing tracks

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Hire The Element String Quartet, Trio & Duo String quartet with Encore
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£350 - £1000
String quartetBedford

Top rated Quartet,Trio and Duo. Professionally trained at UK's top music conservatoires. Nothing less than 5 star reviews!

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Hire Rachael Brentwood Harpist with Encore
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£295 - £390
HarpistManchester

Magnificent music and a beautiful atmosphere from a first-class professional harpist. Pop, classical, bollywood, Disney, jazz, folk & more ♥

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Hire Gary Thomson Bagpiper with Encore
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£160 - £200
BagpiperGlasgow

Pipe Major with many years of experience offering a friendly, professional service for any event.

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Hire Gold Gospel choir with Encore
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£500 - £1875
Gospel choirLondon

Singer, songwriter, acoustic, band, soulful, female, wedding, funeral, functions, corporate events, churches, choir, restaurant, bars,events

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Hire  Dolce Strings String quartet with Encore
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£740 - £1300
String quartetManchester

Dolce Strings is a Manchester & London - based duo/ trio / quartet and provides music for Weddings, Functions and Corporate Events.

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Hire Ross McCrindle Bagpiper with Encore
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£187.50 - £312.50
BagpiperEdinburgh

Ross is an award winning Edinburgh piper of 35 years. Former Senior Pipe Major of the British Army and lone piper at the Edinburgh Tattoo.

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Hire Tomos Xerri Harpist with Encore
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From£200
HarpistLondon

Tomos is a professional, highly experienced, and flexible harpist available for weddings, recitals, and orchestral gigs, covering the UK.

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Hire Martin Sean McConnell Singing guitarist with Encore
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£350 - £500
Singing guitaristBristol

A guitarist and singer with a large repertoire of songs and a long list of happy clients. Upbeat or relaxed, create the atmosphere you want.

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Hire Stretto Ensembles String quartet with Encore
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£480 - £800
String quartetLondon

The Stretto Ensembles are sought-after musicians, available for a wide range of personal and corporate events in London and further afield.

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Hire Dabs Singing guitarist with Encore
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£180 - £400
Singing guitaristCardiff

World, Jazz, Pop, Soul, Reggae, Latin, Calypso and the rest. I’m Dabs, Singer, songwriter, guitarist, DJ & frontman of the New Town Kings.

Latest reviews of our Wedding Ceremony Musicians

Stretto Ensembles
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"10/10 went above and beyond to learn new songs for our wedding! Absolutely gorgeous Thankyou so much everyone loved the music! "

Keri hired Stretto Ensembles for a Wedding

Verified Review, 8 October 2024
Emily Owen - Heavenly Harp
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star

"Em was fantastic at our wedding! I was so sad I didn't get the chance to tha k her personally. The music was so elegant on the harp and our guests loves her and her harp! I would highly highly recommend her and if we want a harp again I will not be hesitating to reach out to Em"

Rebecca hired Emily Owen - Heavenly Harp for a Wedding

Verified Review, 7 October 2024
The Sandringham Piper
Full starFull starFull starFull starFull star

"Pete was very professional and friendly to deal with. Communication prior to the performance was excellent and he did all I requested. Pete arrived at the agreed time and we had a lovely chat. Performance was very moving and everyone loved it. This had been a short notice booking for a funeral. Would not hesitate to book again, thanks so much Pete!"

Lisa hired The Sandringham Piper for a Funeral / Memorial service

Verified Review, 7 October 2024

FAQs about hiring Wedding Ceremony Musicians in the UK

Take the stress out of hiring musicians with Encore

Do you play music during wedding ceremony?

While music isn't strictly mandatory for a wedding ceremony, it's become a deeply ingrained tradition. Its absence might feel oddly quiet and leave some key emotional moments unaccompanied. Live music in ceremonies is used mainly to guide the flow of the wedding. For example, processional music announces the bride’s arrival, recessional music celebrates the union, and interludes provide smooth transitions between readings or vows.

When do you need music in a wedding ceremony?

While the specific timing can vary depending on the length of your ceremony, however as a rule of thumb: Prelude: Around 15-20 minutes before the ceremony starts, soft, calming music begins playing as guests arrive and take their seats. Processional: Music starts right as the first member of the wedding party enters, and continues as the bride walks down the aisle. This typically lasts 2-4 minutes depending on the length of the aisle and song chosen. Readings/Interludes: Short instrumental pieces or calm ambient music can be played between readings or announcements (usually 1-2 minutes each). Vows: Some couples choose to have music playing softly in the background while exchanging vows, while others prefer silence for this intimate moment. Unity Ceremony/Ring Exchange: If you're having a special ceremony like lighting a unity candle or exchanging rings, you might choose a short, meaningful piece of music to accompany this moment (around 1 minute). Recessional: As the newly married couple exits the ceremony, the music shifts to a more upbeat and celebratory tone. The recessional music typically lasts 1-2 minutes, depending on the chosen song. Of course, whichever music you choose is at your discretion as a couple but if you’d like more advice tailored to your vision, please get in touch with one of our experts today.

What is recessional music for wedding ceremony?

The recessional music is the songs that play as you take your first steps as a newly married couple. It marks the joyful end to your ceremony and sets the tone for the drinks reception. Take a look at your blog for inspiration and guides on how to choose the right recessional song for your big day.

How much do wedding ceremony musicians cost?

The average cost of a wedding ceremony musician depends entirely on the type of musician you choose, as well as, other factors such as time of year (peak wedding season being the most expensive), experience of the musician and location of your wedding venue (local musicians almost always the least expensive due to lower travel costs). However, below is a rough guide of prices of some popular musicians for wedding ceremonies: String quartet - £840 Acoustic duos - £650 Organist - £400 Harpist - £350 Singing guitarist - £300 Violinist - £300

Should I have music at wedding ceremony?

Whether you’d like wedding ceremony music is up to you, however, nothing beats the atmosphere live music can create, and your ceremony does set the tone for the rest of your wedding. Live music is great for adding a layer of emotion and intensity to key moments such as the bride walking down the aisle, that pre-recorded music can’t. Another key thing to remember is that with live music, it reduces the chances of technical difficulties as live musicians are seasoned professionals who know how to manage sound levels effectively and maximise the acoustics of a venue. You don’t want to risk pitchy sounds or uneven noise levels during the most important moments of your life.

What music to play before wedding ceremony?

Usually, couples choose to play music before the ceremony as the guests are arriving to create an ambience and set the tone for the rest of the day. Ultimately the choice is up to you, but ideally, you want background music that creates a nice atmosphere but doesn’t overpower conversations as your guests mingle.

How to play music at outdoor wedding ceremony?

There are a lot of great live music options for an outdoor wedding ceremony. String instruments such as violins, cello, and viola are great for outdoor weddings as they have a sharp, directional sound that can cut through background noise in open spaces. Likewise, jazz bands suit outdoor ceremonies as they often feature horns and woodwinds which also project well outdoors. Other ​​outdoor wedding ceremony musicians you may want to consider are harpists, singing guitarists, acoustic duos, and steel drum bands. If you’d like a more interactive experience, consider a roaming band who wander around the venue or dancefloor and perform amongst your guests. Due to their nature of performance, roaming bands are ideal for outdoor wedding ceremonies because they don't need amplification and their sound fills any outdoor space no matter how large.

Hiring a Wedding Ceremony Musician Near You

Useful information

Popular genres:
Pop, Classical, Jazz
Average response time:
7 hours
Busiest times:
June, July, August

How much does it cost to hire a Wedding Ceremony Musician in the UK?

The typical price for a Wedding Ceremony Musician is:
£Budget£270
££Pro£390
£££High-end£510+

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1How long would you need musicians for?
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Bear in mind: musicians typically play for 45 mins with a 15 min break per hour.

How much do wedding ceremony musicians cost? 


The average cost to hire musicians for a wedding ceremony depends entirely on the type of musician you choose, as well as, other factors such as time of year (peak wedding season being the most expensive), experience of the musician, and location of your wedding venue (local musicians almost always the least expensive due to lower travel costs).


However, below is a rough guide of prices of some popular wedding entertainment options (based on a 2-hour performance):




What wedding ceremony musician would be right for my big day? 


Small Wedding Ceremony (Less than 50 guests)


For a small wedding, you want a wedding ceremony musician that doesn’t take too much space and projects sound well without the need for added amplification. As such, you’ll find that soloists tend to work best but duos can also work well. See below some of the best examples. 


Harpists


The harp is an elegant, beautiful instrument with a dreamy, ethereal sound that can fill any space without amplification. The harp also has a naturally lower volume which can be a bonus if your wedding venue has sound restrictions or if you desire a softer sound. 


Cellists


Despite being a less frequent choice, cellists are surprisingly versatile with wide repertoires including both modern pop covers and traditional classics. Regardless of the genre, cellists produce a rich, warm sound and are capable of playing a wide range of styles. Similarly, the cello requires about the same space as a harp, ideal for smaller venues and is a visually appealing instrument that is associated with elegant events. 


Acoustic Duos


If you want to vocals to add more depth to the performance, consider the raw, authentic sound of an acoustic duo. Acoustic duos are ideal for smaller weddings as they require minimal space, are portable, and can provide stripped-back, romantic covers of your favourite songs. 



Medium Wedding Ceremony (51-150 guests)


For a medium-sized wedding ceremony, you want musicians can fill the space without the need for excessive amplification. See below some of Encore’s top recommendations. 


Violinist


The violin has a warm, expressive sound that can pierce through any space. Violinists are also one of the most cost-effective wedding ceremony musician options and they require less space. 


String Quartet


A classic choice for ceremonies and ideal for couples who want a traditional, formal feel to their wedding. String quartets offer a full, nuanced sound with intricate harmonies and melodies, creating a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere.


Acoustic Bands


Acoustic bands are a perfect choice for couples who still want a beautiful sound but with a more laid-back feel. Acoustic bands are also the most flexible option on this list as their range of instruments means they can easily adapt different themes and styles, creating a fun and engaging atmosphere. 



Larger Wedding Ceremony (Over 150 guests) 


The perfect musicians for a larger wedding ceremony are those vibrant, full sounds that can fill a large space. Below are some of our top recommendations.


Jazz Bands


For couples looking for something a bit different, consider a jazz band for your ceremony. Our jazz bands offer a wide repertoire, from classic swing tunes to modern interpretations of popular music. They are also highly flexible and can adapt to different ceremony moments, playing soft background music during processional and recessional and adding energy for upbeat exits.


Brass Band


A brass band typically consists of instruments like trumpets, trombones, and French horns, which can produce a powerful sound that's perfect for larger weddings. Brass instruments are also uplifting and celebratory, making them well-suited for such a joyful occasion.


Gospel Choirs


Go all out with the harmonious sounds of a choir. Whether performing classical hymns or contemporary arrangements, a choir can elevate the atmosphere and add an emotional depth to your ceremony.


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A guide to hiring Wedding Ceremony Musicians

Take the hassle out of hiring Wedding Ceremony Musicians with Encore Musicians

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