{"id":240010,"date":"2018-09-29T08:00:07","date_gmt":"2018-09-29T07:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whimsicalwonderlandweddings.com\/?p=240010"},"modified":"2025-12-04T12:45:54","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T12:45:54","slug":"save-money-wedding-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedissimo.com\/blog\/save-money-wedding-entertainment\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Save Money on Your Wedding Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"

We’re thrilled to have Alive Network share their expertise with us today on just how to save money on your wedding entertainment. Simple tips and tricks, plus food for thought, on not just getting a great deal but having incredible musicians perform live at your wedding celebration. Does it get any better?<\/p>\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/a><\/p>\n

So many newlyweds tell us how important entertainment was to their big day. Live music and entertainment can completely change the atmosphere of your wedding, so it\u2019s no wonder thousands of you are choosing your perfect ents for the biggest celebration of your lives. But whatever style you choose \u2013 from a 20-piece jazz orchestra to a solo singer-guitarist \u2013 it needn\u2019t cost the earth. Here\u2019s how you can save money on quality wedding entertainment:<\/p>\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n

Wedding Budgeting<\/h2>\n

Plan out your wedding budget from the start. As soon as you start planning your wedding, setting out a portion of your budget for wedding entertainment will mean you\u2019re more likely to get exactly what you want on your big day. And the bonus is that you\u2019ll have the best choice of artists by starting early.<\/p>\n

But how much should you be budgeting? As a guide, think \u00a3200 \u2013 \u00a3400 for solo artists, \u00a3300 \u2013 \u00a3550 for a DJ, and between \u00a31,000 and \u00a33,000 for a professional wedding band with four or more members.<\/p>\n

We hadn\u2019t budgeted [for our entertainment], but it would not<\/strong> have been the wedding that it was without them. I\u2019m really grateful that I took some time to explore that, because they absolutely took it to a different level.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sarah, Alive client and Your Real Wedding star<\/p>\n\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n

Wedding Venue Planning<\/h2>\n

To make sure you\u2019re spending your budget wisely, check whether your wedding venue and your artist are compatible. Space is a vital consideration, especially if you\u2019re booking a large jazz orchestra. If your venue has volume restrictions, choose a band who can adapt their performance to keep the party going within the limitations. Your entertainment coordinator will be able to make suggestions for artists that will work well within your space and budget.<\/p>\n

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Images by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n\n

Early Bird vs Last Minute Wedding Entertainment<\/h2>\n

FOMO? To make sure you get what you really want, we recommend you book your wedding entertainment as early as possible. The most popular live bands are often booked up to two years in advance, so if you have your heart set on them, snap them up while you can! Alternatively, if you can hold your nerve until the eleventh hour, you\u2019re flexible about the artist you have and are happy to go with a last-minute agency recommendation, you may be able to get a good deal on an artist or artists who are keen to fill their diary at late notice. That tip is not for the faint-hearted though, so be brave and save, or be early and relax!<\/p>\n

Hipster were a definite for the wedding. I\u2019d been to two other weddings where Hipster played, and I\u2019d loved them, so I knew they were the ones I would have if I ever got married. They were one of the first things that we booked. We wanted to get them booked up, so we didn\u2019t have to have someone else!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Gemma, Alive client and Your Real Wedding star<\/p>\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n

Booking Off Peak To Save Money<\/h2>\n

Spring and Summer weekends are peak wedding season in the UK, when high-demand bands, venues and suppliers are at their busiest. If you don\u2019t mind when you hold your nuptials (no one can guarantee our great British weather anyway!), you could take advantage of the off-peak wedding season, where you\u2019ll have the pick of wedding entertainment, with more choice and lower prices. Plus, your other suppliers are more likely to be offering deals then too \u2013 what\u2019s not to love! For summer-free savings, think Mondays to Thursdays in January, February, October and November.<\/p>\n

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Adding Value To Your Wedding Entertainment<\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re thinking of having live music for your different wedding moments, ask if your artist can help. Many wedding bands will provide daytime acoustic sets on top of their evening party sets, which can save you money when compared with booking separate live artists. Some bands also offer additional extras, like free DJ sets or will learn a special song for you, so you could have that obscure Tom Odell number for your spine-tingling first dance. After all, if you don\u2019t ask you don\u2019t get!<\/p>\n

Live Wires played a fabulous chilled out acoustic set during our reception drinks, then they played three sets later, and the dancefloor was full all night.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Polly and Steve, Alive client<\/p>\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n

Keeping it Local<\/h2>\n

Choosing an artist that\u2019s local to your venue will help to minimise travel costs. While many artists are happy to make the journey to entertain at your event, the best entertainment agencies offer the facility to search online based on their artists\u2019 distance to your location, which can help to hone down your search. This can also save you money on putting your band up for the night if they\u2019ve travelled a long way to your wedding.<\/p>\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n

Ensuring Quality<\/h2>\n

Saving money isn\u2019t all about the cash; it\u2019s about getting the best for your budget. An entertainment agency will stringently vet their artists, so they can confidently vouch for the quality of service and performance their artists will give you, plus your agency will be able to offer options that are available in your area, within your budget.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s your big day, so it\u2019s important you choose an artist that you\u2019ll love. Research is key in picking the right artist for you \u2013 watch their promo vids, consider whether their repertoire matches your music loves, and see what added extras they offer. Are they the kind of people you\u2019d like to have at your wedding? Checking out customer reviews will give you a really good feel for what they can bring to your wedding day too.<\/p>\n

The Nameless Three absolutely took our wedding day to the next level. I would recommend them to anyone. The guys are all so nice and genuine (and absolutely hilarious) \u2013 they are there because they love it to their core! The dancefloor was never empty from start to finish, even during the DJ set! Cannot thank them enough\u2026 worth every penny!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Tamsin, Alive client<\/p>\n

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Once you\u2019ve made your way through the money-saving maze, all that\u2019s left is for you to relax and enjoy all those magical moments on your wedding day.<\/p>\n

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Image by Andrew Billington Photography<\/p>\n

THIS IS A GUEST FEATURE WRITTEN BY \/\/ Alive Network<\/a> \/\/ Wedding Entertainment Agency<\/p>\n

We believe every bride and groom should have easy access to the very best artists in the UK, all under one roof, at affordable prices, supported by outstanding customer service from the lovely people in our events team. And don\u2019t forget, we\u2019re here if you need any help or advice! For musicians, entertainers and live wedding bands from Alive Network, contact a dedicated entertainment coordinator on 01782 740 839.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Further Reading<\/h4>\n