Oomphf funk band performing at a wedding at Houchins, an Essex wedding venue. Live music at weddings.

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.

Al Bert Johnson of Monstaball plays his Black ESP LTD guitar and points at the camera, during a wedding reception in Shrewsbury. Blue bunting decorates the Muddy Boots Marquee.
Will Daly on drums in Winston and the Lads looking at the camera at a wedding near South Woodham Ferrers. A reception held in a marquee from Sail and Peg.
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.

Jupiter Ray performing at the wedding venue The Lion House at The Lion Inn in Boreham near Chelmsford. The lighting is magenta. Laura Wyatt on vocals.
Cat Blay on stage with Noughty Nineties at Alpheton Hall Barns in Suffolk as the newly married couple dance together.
Indie rock covers band Alive playing at a wedding. Jonny Coote on keytar. An Essex wedding at home in a barn.
Afrik Bawantu playing at a wedding reception at Never For Ever in Kentish Town. djembe drummer,
Man on knees playing guitar in band Noughty Nineties performing at Suffolk wedding.

Recommended Suppliers

If you head over to my wedding planning guide 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.

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.