Live music at Houchins wedding venue in Essex (CO6 1RT), featuring the funk band Oomphf performing during the wedding reception. Ideal for couples planning a wedding 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. 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.

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.
Afrik Bawantu playing at a wedding reception at Never For Ever in Kentish Town. djembe drummer,

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.