Wedding musicians: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What wedding musicians is

Wedding musicians provide live music for a ceremony, cocktail hour or reception, from a soloist to a group. Couples book them when they want music that is planned around their timeline and suits each part of the day.

Signs you need it

  • You want live music for one or more parts of the wedding day
  • You want the music to match the timeline of the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception
  • You have a particular instrument or style in mind for the ceremony or the cocktail hour
  • You want a small group or a soloist rather than a full band
  • You want the music to feel personal and to match the wedding's theme
  • You want the musicians to know the processional, the first dance and the key moments

What the pro does

  • Asks for the couple's timeline, processional, first dance and must-play songs
  • Builds a set of music for each part of the day, with clear start and stop points
  • Arrives early to set up instruments, stands and any sound equipment
  • Plays the ceremony and cocktail music at the times agreed with the planner
  • Plays reception music at the volume the room needs, with breaks where agreed
  • Packs up after the last set and clears the space

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of musicians and the instruments they play
  • Length of coverage, including ceremony, cocktail hour and reception
  • Whether the musicians need a sound system or can play unamplified
  • Whether the group plays the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, which changes the setup
  • Special arrangements for the processional, first dance or a custom song
  • Whether the musicians play both the ceremony and the reception
  • Whether the musicians need a separate coordinator or planner contact

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of musicians and what each one plays
  • Coverage times for ceremony, cocktail hour and reception, with break times
  • Repertoire for each part of the day, including the processional and first dance
  • Equipment the musicians bring and what the venue must provide
  • Setup and teardown times
  • What happens if a musician cannot attend

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How many musicians will come, and will the same people attend the date?
  • Can you play the processional and first dance we chose, and do you need the recording?
  • Can I see a video of musicians playing at a wedding like ours?
  • Do you bring your own sound, or does the venue need to provide it?
  • How do you work with the planner on the timeline?
  • What is your plan if one musician is ill on the day?
  • Do you carry liability insurance that covers the musicians and their instruments?

Red flags

  • The video shows a different group than the one they plan to send
  • They cannot tell you what they play for the ceremony and the cocktail hour
  • They do not ask about the timeline or the moments that need music
  • They say they can learn any song with no time limit
  • They will not confirm the setup needs or the lineup in writing

What you can do yourself

You can list the songs for the processional, first dance and each moment of the day. You can also check the ceremony and reception spaces for power, space and a spot for the musicians. Hire the musicians for the performance, the arrangements and the timing, since keeping music in step with the day takes preparation and experience.

Licenses and permits

No state license is usually required for wedding musicians, so ask for proof of liability insurance and wedding references instead. Venues often handle public performance licensing for recorded music, so confirm with the venue who covers it and check local noise rules with your state or local licensing agency.

Wedding musicians questions

Do wedding musicians need a license?

Usually not a state license. Ask for insurance and wedding references, and check with the venue about music licensing and noise limits.

Can the musicians play both the ceremony and the reception?

Many can. Ask whether the price covers both and whether the musicians have separate sets for each part of the day.

Should I send sheet music or recordings?

Send recordings of the processional and first dance, and any sheet music you have. Ask the musicians whether they need a key or tempo note to prepare.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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