Oomphf funk band playing at a wedding at Houchins in Essex.

Live Music: Choosing a Wedding Band

Music is where this all started for me, photographing local bands as a hobby. It’s a great way to learn how to use a camera, low light, fast moving action, no flash allowed… you have to know your way around the camera instinctively, there’s no time to think.
It prepared me very well for weddings. I still photograph gigs and the occasional music festival if I have a gap between weddings. My work can be found out there in a few places – from album artwork to biographies.

So you can imagine one part of a wedding day for me that I enjoy to photograph is the evening reception… when the wedding band play on (which is why I stay way past the first dance).

And I’m not easily impressed, so when I recommend a band they have genuinely earned it! So of course I have a few opinions on how to choose a wedding band.

Man playing the bass in the band Monstaball at a wedding in a marquee.
Will Daly on drums in Winston and the Lads looking at the camera at a wedding near South Woodham Ferrers.
Eddie & The Murphys wedding band playing at an Essex venue.

I am fond of bands who bring their own style into the covers they perform.
After 12 years of photographing weddings in Essex and all around the UK and abroad, I have noticed, without fail, that the best wedding and event bands are the ones who always play together. Who know each other well.
So that is the one thing I personally would look out for if choosing a band.

If possible go see the band play live, most I know of will put on a showcase event at a local venue.
Winston & The Lads often play at the Chelmsford venue The Bassment for example.
And if you cannot make to a gig, thank goodness for the internet! I think the many videos online give a good enough idea of what to expect from a band.

The band Noughty Nineties performing at Suffolk wedding reception at Alpheton. View from the back.
Indie rock covers band Alive playing at a wedding. Jonny Coote on keytar. An Essex wedding at home in a barn.
Man on knees playing guitar in band Noughty Nineties performing at Suffolk wedding

Recommended Suppliers

If you head over to my pricing page you can find my list of wedding suppliers I have enjoyed working with over the years.
There is quite a selection of very talented bands to inspire you.

Pricing
Eddie & The Murphys wedding band playing at Houchins venue in Essex. The lights are yellow and blue, the singer is wearing a hat and playing the keyboard.