Hire Wedding Entertainment Near You

The Average Cost of Different Types of Wedding Entertainment

At Encore, we have one of the widest selections of wedding entertainment for hire in the UK. Take a look below to get a guide price of the most popular types of wedding entertainment. 

Photobooth 

Photobooths are popular for weddings as you can provide props and take more fun moments from the wedding alongside your more traditional wedding photos. 

Photobooths are more affordable with an average cost of around £250 per session. 

Harpist 

More uncommon than the other options in the list, the harp is an underrated instrument in the wedding world. Harpists can provide an ethereal sound that perfectly complements ceremonies and wedding dinners. 

For a harpist, you can expect to pay from £300 per hour. 

DJ 

DJs are the most versatile option for wedding entertainment as they have the widest repertoire of songs right at their fingertips.

For a professional wedding DJ, expect to pay anywhere from £350 per hour. 

Magician 

Magicians are family-friendly fun that will keep guests of all ages entertained. To hire a magician in the UK, expect to pay from £300 to £500. 

Acoustic Duo 

Acoustic Duos are perfect for smaller weddings as they can provide intimate performances and stripped-back versions of your favourite songs. Because they don't take up a lot of space, they are perfect for smaller weddings, and their soulful, authentic covers make for romantic ceremony music.

Acoustic duos cost around £400 per hour. 

Singing Waiters 

Singing waiters are becoming increasingly popular as wedding entertainment as they offer a unique twist on traditional singers and are perfect for cocktail hours, wedding receptions and wedding dinners. 

For a singing waiter, expect to pay from £500 per hour. 

String Quartet 

String quartets are a traditional choice of live music for weddings. They are romantic, elegant, and portable, meaning they can easily perform for different sections of a wedding, from the ceremony to the drinks reception. 

For a string quartet, expect to pay from £700 for an hour. 

Jazz Band 

Jazz bands are great for any section of a wedding day, being able to provide smooth background music for the ceremony and then louder, more energetic beats for the reception. Jazz bands are also ideal if you’re looking for a more vintage-themed feel for your special as they can play both modern hits and classic 1920s tunes. 

A jazz band with four members can cost upwards of £1,100 per hour. 

Live Painter 

A live painter can be a unique alternative to the traditional photo booth, with an artist painting moments of the big day as they happen in front of you and your guests. These artworks can become great souvenirs of the day and can even be passed on as heirlooms. 

To hire a live painter for your wedding, expect to pay £800 to upwards of £2,000 depending on the experience and reputation of the painter, duration of the painting, and size of the painting. 

Mariachi Band 

Nothing beats the infectious rhythms of Mariachi music. These crowd-pleasers are the life of every party and offer great wedding reception entertainment that will keep guests of all ages happy. 

For a mariachi band with four members, you can pay upwards of £1,150 per hour. 

Wedding Band 

Wedding bands are the most popular form of wedding entertainment and it's for good reason. Wedding bands are lively, and energetic and have a great stage presence that will get all your guests on their seats. 

Wedding bands cost anywhere from £1,200 per hour. 

Silent Disco 

Silent Discos are not only fun but they make sure guests of all tastes can enjoy their time on the dancefloor. 

For a silent disco, you can expect to pay anywhere from £10-25 per headset plus possible transmitter, delivery and set-up fees. 

Fire Performers 

Wow your guests with fire performers! Fire performers are a unique, fun wedding entertainment idea guaranteed to leave an impression on your guests. These performers can cost anywhere from £500 to over £2,000 depending on how many you want to perform and the type of fire performer i.e. fire eaters, fire dancers, etc. 

Fireworks 

Fireworks can be a stunning way to end your special day. Expect to pay anywhere from £750 to £1,200 for a full fireworks display. Be careful to check beforehand that the venue allows fireworks and you should not light the fireworks yourself unless you have extensive experience. 

Wedding Entertainment for Each Size of Wedding

What type of wedding entertainment you want for your big day will be down to your tastes as a couple, but also the size of your wedding. We’ve broken down some of the best wedding entertainers by size of wedding below. 

Micro Wedding (Less than 20 guests) 

With a micro wedding, you want wedding entertainment that won’t overwhelm the space and complement the intimate vibe of your special day.

Cellists 

A cellist is a less common type of wedding entertainment, but the cello's rich, warm sound projects well in smaller venues. 

Violinist 

The violin is perfect for micro weddings as the violin produces a warm and gentle sound that can be beautifully projected in smaller, more intimate spaces. 

Singing Guitarist 

Singing guitarists are a fantastic addition to a micro wedding due to their compact setup and the unplugged performances complement the intimate atmosphere of a micro wedding. 

Bagpiper 

With their distinct, unique sounds, bagpipers can be a great wedding entertainment option if you have Scottish roots or military background.

Small wedding (Less than 50 guests)

For a small wedding, consider entertainment options that don’t take up much space and can complement an intimate vibe. 

Singing Pianists

Singing pianists can provide emotional, expressive performances that heighten the romance of any big day whilst also not taking up too much space. 

Saxophonists 

Compared to larger bands, a solo saxophonist requires minimal space and setup, making them ideal for smaller weddings. Likewise, the saxophone’s ability to improvise can add a dynamic and spontaneous element to your ceremony or reception, keeping things fun and engaging.

Violinists

Violinists require minimal space making them perfect for intimate weddings and the violin’s warm sound can fill the space without being overpowering. 

DJs with Live Musicians

DJs with live musicians (typically saxophonists) are an increasingly popular choice of wedding entertainment due to the improvisational and engaging nature of their performances. They also don’t take up too much space and can adapt their sound for smaller settings, making them a great choice for smaller venues. 

Acoustic Duos

Acoustic duos are a great choice for smaller weddings, as they don’t require amplification meaning they have less equipment therefore taking up less space. Furthermore, the stripped-back sounds of an acoustic duo are well suited to the intimate, romantic vibe of a small wedding. 

Average wedding (51 - 150 guests) 

Wedding Bands

Wedding bands are the most popular choice for weddings due to their versatility and engaging performances. Wedding bands have huge repertories from modern hits to old-school ballads and our bands are seasoned professionals who have performed at numerous’ couples big days. 

Mariachi Bands

Mariachi music is known for its upbeat tempos, lively rhythms, and energetic performances, making Mariachi bands one of the most fun and energetic types of wedding entertainment you can find. 

String Quartets

String Quartets are a classic choice for weddings. They exude elegance and the rich sounds of the harmonising string instruments leave a lasting impression. 

Ceilidh Bands 

Ceilidh bands always bring the party up a notch! They’re a fun and unique form of wedding entertainment that will have even the shyest dancers on their feet. They’re also a great icebreaker for guests and it’s wedding entertainment guests of all ages can enjoy. 

Larger weddings (Over 150 guests) 

Roaming Bands

Roaming bands are perfect for larger weddings as they perform amongst guests meaning their sound can fill even the largest of spaces. Roaming bands are unique, engaging wedding entertainment that interact with your guests and turn your whole wedding venue into a stage. 

Soul & Motown Bands

Soul & Motown bands typically feature dynamic horn sections, strong vocals, and rhythm sections that pack a punch. This ensures their music fills a large space with energy and excitement, engaging guests even further away from the dance floor.

Jazz Bands

Jazz bands typically feature diverse instrumentation like horns, drums, piano, and saxophone, creating a full and textured sound that effortlessly fills a large space without being overwhelming.

Orchestras 

Go all out with the immersive sounds of an orchestra. An orchestra's diverse instrumentation with strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion creates a full and powerful sound that effortlessly fills a large space with grandeur and presence. This immersive soundscape sets the stage for a truly memorable celebration.