An in-depth look into the cost of hiring wedding musicians and the different factors affecting the end price.
If you and your partner have recently gotten engaged and now find yourselves drowning in ‘wedmin’, you’ll fully understand the difficulties of costing up your special day.
With this in mind, we’ve outlined what you can expect to pay for each musician and musical act, from violinists and harpists to singer-guitarists and evening bands.
Click the following link for more tips on How to Book a Band For Your Event.
What affects the price of hiring a musician?
Wedding suppliers often offer a ‘from price’ for their products and services, which can make planning a little trickier.
However, this ambiguity surrounding cost is there for good reason, as a multitude of factors will ultimately affect the end price.
Below are a few essential questions you’ll more than likely be asked when enquiring about hiring a musician:
- What season/date will your wedding take place?
- Where is the location of your wedding venue?
- How long will you require their services?
- How experienced would you like them to be?
- How many guests will be attending?
What is the average cost of a musician?
The Musicians Union recommends musicians performing at functions should start at £196, but these fees vary depending on experience and even the type of instrument played.
Looking through our database and what our clients paid last year (2023), the average cost for a solo musician was £375, a duo £595, a trio £720 and a quartet £945. The average price paid for a wedding band came to £1350.
It’s worth pointing out that the above is not an accurate representation across the board; for example, saxophonists charge a higher price than most violinists due to their surge in popularity over the past few years.
Let’s explore the costs associated with each unique musical act even further. Below is a brief description of each act, the types of service offered, and an average price.
Solo Singer
A solo singer will perform alongside professional backing tracks and sometimes a capella, for example, during a church ceremony (as long as the acoustics are excellent!).
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £350 for a solo singer who is local or near your venue location.
The service for this cost will either be for a ceremony or a drinks reception. For a ceremony performance, most musicians will include the following:
- 15-30 minutes as guests arrive
- bridal entrance song
- the signing of the register
- bride & groom exit song
For the drinks reception or wedding breakfast, most musicians will offer to play two 45- or two 60-minute sets with a small break for the above price.
Singer-Guitarist
A guitarist and singer in one – easily one of the most popular solo musicians booked for a wedding.
Also, most soloists work with other musicians, so there’s sometimes an opportunity to upgrade to a duo, trio, or quartet. However, some acts also use loop pedals or a stomp box for a richer sound, so an additional musician is not always necessary.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £410 for a singer-guitarist who is local or near your venue location.
You can expect them to offer services similar to a solo singer’s.
Acoustic Duo
An acoustic duo typically refers to a singer and a guitarist but can be many combinations not limited to the following:
- 2 x Singer-guitarist
- Singer-guitarist & singer-pianist
- Singer-guitarist & percussionist
- Singer-pianist & percussionist
- Singer-percussionist & guitarist
- Singer-guitarist & singer-bassist
- Singer-pianist & guitarist
The list goes on! You can explore all of our talented acoustic duos right here.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £550 for an acoustic duo who are local or near your venue location.
You can expect them to offer services similar to a solo singer’s. Some acoustic duos perform with backing tracks or have a more lively/upbeat feel to their sets, so expect them to offer services for evening receptions.
Wedding Bands
The musical centrepiece for any wedding is an evening band. A great wedding band can turn a fun evening into an unforgettable night!
The range of fees varies widely from a 3-piece up to a 20-piece luxury showband. The standard service an evening wedding band provides is as follows:
- 2 x 60 or 3 x 40 minute live sets
- Playlists or a DJ service between and after sets up until midnight
- All AV equipment, i.e. PA system, lighting, etc.
- Learning a first dance request
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £1350 for a wedding band who are local or near your venue location.
The most popular lineup booked for a wedding band is a 4-piece.
DJ
Hiring a DJ might seem a bit naff to some, but DJs are on a popularity surge again!
You can still hire the local village DJ with their gold chain and vocal mic drenched in reverb as they chastise your guests – but it doesn’t have to be like that; look at our fabulously cool DJs here.
Most DJs are fully self-contained with a booth, PA, and lights. They’ll typically provide music throughout the evening, most commonly from around 7/8 p.m. until midnight (or later if your guests can stand the heat!).
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £550 for a DJ who is local or near your venue location.
Also, be aware that some DJs provide only some of the gear, and you may find yourself sourcing sound equipment for them.
Saxophonist
Arguably the most sought-after solo musician this year, the solo saxophonist has become the it-person to have at a wedding party.
Usually, a solo saxophonist performs during the drinks reception or wedding breakfast, providing light background music for guests to enjoy (similar to our other soloists).
However, booking a saxophonist to accompany your DJ in the evening has become all everyone wants – a slice of Ibiza house club magic! The interaction with guests on the dance floor and the live musical element has made this combination the most popular to date.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £490 for a saxophonist who is local or near your venue location.
Sets of 2 x 45 minutes or 3 x 30 minutes are standard for the daytime or evening portions of the wedding day.
Pianist
A solo piano player is the perfect accompaniment for a wedding ceremony, during the drinks reception, and the wedding breakfast.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £300 for a pianist who is local or near your venue location.
A pianist will typically cover options similar to those of our other soloists. Please refer to the ceremony options in detail here.
If allowed, piano players can perform on a grand or upright piano at the venue. We advise you to have the venue tune this before their performance. If your venue does not have a piano, some of our pianists can offer a grand piano shell to simulate the look of a real piano.
Guitarist
A solo guitar player can easily perform outside, un-amplified or with amplification, making them very versatile.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £350 for a guitarist who is local or near your venue location.
The type of guitarists available ranges from classical & flamenco to the modern day. Solo guitarists are often percussive in their performances and can provide different textures and timbres to each song performed.
Most guitarists offer similar services to other solo musicians, as previously mentioned.
Harpist
A solo harp player can be an excellent addition to the wedding day, but there are a few key points to consider before hiring.
A harpist will need clear access to the venue to load in, as dragging this encumbering instrument across gravel or soggy grass won’t be practical. They’ll also require a hard, flat surface to set up their instrument.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £450 for a harpist who is local or near your venue location.
Harpists often perform during the ceremony, drinks reception, and wedding breakfast; packages that include some or all of the above are available.
String Quartet
A string quartet consists of a cello, two violins and a viola, all performing unique arrangements specifically written for each instrument.
Due to the popular Netflix series Bridgerton, arrangements for popular songs are now available for string quartets to perform as heard and seen on the hit show.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £795 for a string quartet who are local or near your venue location.
A string quartet will provide bespoke wedding services ranging from the ceremony to complete day packages.
Violinist
Solo violin players have evolved over the years alongside saxophonists. You’ll now find electric violinists accompanying wedding DJs with flashing LED violins and engaging audiences on the dancefloor.
As you can imagine, their popularity has also increased, with clients booking these two musicians sometimes 2 years before their date.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £425 for a violinist who is local or near your venue location.
Covering most of what the other soloists do in the daytime, their evening performances often consist of 3 x 30 or 3 x 40-minute sets alongside backing music or your chosen DJ.
Cellist
A solo cello player can offer an exquisite performance during a wedding, especially if booked to perform in a room with fantastic acoustics, like a church.
The deep notes a cello produces travel much further than its counterparts, the violin and viola, making for a soul-stirring performance.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £370 for a violinist who is local or near your venue location.
A ceremony is the most popular service booked for a cellist, though they will happily entertain during drinks or at the breakfast.
Bagpiper
A solo piper is so distinct in its sound and timbre that the first opening note of any song immediately transports you to the highlands of Scotland.
Regarded as the Queen’s favourite instrument, this seemingly unusual woodwind instrument is the ultimate statement piece for a wedding and a true honour to witness the professionals who wield it.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £245 for a bagpiper who is local or near your venue location.
The bagpiper traditionally performs at the start and end of the service. For the complete package, it is recommended that a 20-30-minute performance be held during the drinks reception.
Choirs & Vocal Groups
A choir or vocal group can provide powerful performances, especially if singing a capella in a church or similar setting with excellent acoustics.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £200 per musician for a choir or vocal group that are local or near your venue location.
Singers are typically hired to cover a church service, but it’s not unusual for them to stay on and perform a few songs afterwards.
Steel Pannist
A solo steel pannist is the authentic sound of the Caribbean and the perfect gateway sound for tropical vibes.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £380 for a steel pannist who is local or near your venue location.
Steelpan players will perform alongside professional backing tracks, playing the song’s melody. With this in mind, they may require access to an electrical point if they don’t have a battery-powered amplifier.
Sitarist
A solo sitar player conjures India’s mystical and spiritual sounds when performing on this unique instrument.
The sitar was popularised by the famous sitarist Ravi Shankar, who inspired Western artists such as the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £335 for a sitarist who is local or near your venue location.
A sitarist can provide several services depending on the type of wedding, whether Hindu, Sikh or Muslim.
Singing Waiters
A singing waiter provides an unexpected element to the day’s proceedings. Ideally, they wish to catch everyone off guard, allowing for a memorable moment to be shared with everyone in attendance.
On average, you’ll be looking to pay £475 for a singing watier who is local or near your venue location.
Singing waiters typically perform 20 – 45 minutes during the wedding breakfast, sometimes longer, extending their performance into the evening reception.