Wedding cake toppers add beautiful or fun decoration to your wedding cake, and there are endless options, meaning you do not have to stick to anything traditional or most popular. You could buy a topper or put something together yourself. A customised or homemade wedding cake topper can add a personal touch. The best cake topper for your wedding depends also on the theme and setting of the event.

Floral
Flowers play an important decorative role at weddings, from the bridal bouquet to altar and reception hall decor. You can also use flowers as your wedding cake topper. Select flowers that match or compliment other flowers used in the wedding. The topper flowers may match flowers used to decorate your wedding-cake table. You could use silk flowers or real ones, or a combination of both. Alternatively, get custom-made edible flowers for your wedding cake topper from a wedding cake shop or ask the bakery that’s making your wedding cake to create an edible topper. These are made out of sugar and last longer than real flowers.

Traditional
Traditionally, wedding cake toppers are marriage-themed. Traditional wedding cake toppers may include doves, a bride and groom, wedding bells or ribbons. You can find these traditional toppers in wedding cake shops, in bridal accessory stores or online.

Vintage
If you appreciate antique or vintage pieces, ask your parents or grandparents if you can use the cake toppers they used at their weddings. These will add a retro flair to your wedding cake, as well as a sentimental touch. If none of your family members has a vintage-looking cake topper, you can find one online or do your own shopping at vintage or antique stores to find something retro you like.

Personalised
The best wedding cake toppers can be the ones that have the most meaning or sentiment behind them. Buy or design a personalised topper that represents a shared passion between you and your spouse-to-be. It could be a hobby or interest, such as sailing or nature. Another way to personalise your wedding cake topper is to use your initials as a couple as a topper. Select a font and colour that match the theme or atmosphere of the wedding. Letters can be found in bridal shops, and edible ones can be found at wedding cake shops. Alternatively, create the initials yourself using a piece of foam and cutting out the letters with a knife and gluing patterned or coloured paper onto them. You could also use glue to cover the letters with flower petals, sequins or glitter, depending on the decor and theme of your wedding.

A multi-tiered wedding cake beautifully decorated is an important part of any bride’s dream wedding, but the price tag can give you nightmares. Use these tips to take a bite out of the bill. Your cheap wedding cake will still look and taste fabulous.

If your heart is set on a three tiered cake that feeds 100, order it with plain white frosting, no decorations, and then decorate at the reception with fresh flowers. Or you can wrap a length of lace around each layer, like you would a ribbon. Of course remove the lace before cutting. Your wedding cake will be cheap but gorgeous.

Stick with basic flavors and fillings, exotic flavourings add to the cost of the cake.

Rather than one huge multi-tiered cake, use a modest tiered cake and then several (as many as you need for your guests) sheet cakes. Serving will go faster this way as well. No one will know your wedding cake was cheap.

Don’t order a wedding cake at all. Order a sheet cake with white frosting to serve guests and a smaller two tiered cake to cut for photos.

Depending on how many servings you need, order a full sheet cake (100 servings), a half sheet cake (50 servings) and a quarter sheet cake (25 servings), all iced in white. Place the half sheet on the full sheet cake and then the quarter sheet on top. Use ready-to-use frosting that comes in a can with a nozzle to touch up any mistakes and fill in the gap between the layers. You don’t have to remove the cardboard between the layers, it will help steady the cake when it’s time to cut. Don’t go any higher than three layers, if you do you run the risk of the bottom layer being squashed by the weight of the upper layers.

Use cupcakes. Order as many as you need in white paper wrapping, and white frosting. Use a tiered serving dish to arrange the cupcakes. Or you can buy two or three inexpensive white plastic serving platters. Line the platters with white paper lace doilies. Place the first platter on the table. Place three inverted wine glasses at noon, 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock on the platter. Fill in around the glasses with cupcakes. Place the second platter on the overturned wine glasses. In the centre of the second platter, place three more inverted wine glasses. Fill the second platter with cupcakes. Place the final platter on the overturned wine glasses and fill with cupcakes.

Use a two tiered cake for the bride and groom to cut at the reception. Order a sheet cake for however many guests will be attending. On a separate table offer guests various toppings for their slice of cake. You can offer fresh strawberries, chocolate syrup, raspberries, sprinkles and whipped cream. Consider offering several flavors of ice cream. It’s fun and festive.

Have a friend, or several friends bake the cake using various sizes of heart shaped pans. Each can be iced in shades of pale pink, pale lilac, cream, and white. The cakes are placed on a table covered with a lace cloth. Rose petals in pinks, cream, and lilac – or whatever colours suit your colour scheme are scattered between the cakes.

None of your guests will realise how cheap your wedding cake is, they’ll just be impressed by how beautiful it was.

Modern wedding cakes come in a vast array of shapes, sizes and flavours. The wedding cake is an ancient tradition, that has always been one of the most important aspects of the wedding ceremony. Looking to history, we learn that the wedding cake originated in Roman and Greek culture – but, it wasn’t always the same sweet, beautifully decorated offering that we’re accustomed to today. In ancient times the “cake” was more akin to what we would recognise as a hearty grain bread. It was believed that the ingredients – specifically wheat – symbolised life, fertility, and abundance; all things a pair of newlyweds, even today, hope to experience. In the ancient ceremony, the groom would break the wedding cake over the brides head, whereas today the couple cuts their cake together, and then serve each other a bite to symbolise their new life together as a wedded couple.

In Medieval times, the rustic bread was replaced with rolls and buns that were stacked and arranged together, with the customary belief being that if the couple could kiss over the stack without disturbing it they would be blessed with prosperity and children. In the seventeenth century, a baker in France used a frosting of sugar to help the arrangement hold its form, and this was the first glimpse of our modern, traditional wedding cake.

The tradition of enjoying a piece of wedding cake together on the first anniversary is a historical one, as well. While today the top tier of wedding cake is saved and frozen to be eaten on the anniversary, in the eighteenth century the wedding cake was a dense and rich fruit cake that would be preserved by soaking in some variety of alcohol and then consumed on the anniversary. It was believed that if the wedding cake began to crumble before the occasion of the first anniversary, that the marriage would stand in danger of crumbling, too.

The bride’s cake is the most common type of wedding cake, as opposed to groom’s cake, which is usually more simple, and acts as a supplement for the more elaborate brides cake. Most bride cakes chosen by the bride are tall-tiered cakes with flowers and fruits. Most groom cakes are fruit cakes which traditionally were brought home by single female wedding guests, so they would “dream of their future husbands”.

Most brides cakes were decorated by the bride as a reflection of her decorating style. It could, for instance, have custom- made figurines on the top tier, a set of sugar flowers or fruits in season. For flower designs usually a bride can opt to lay it on the top of the cake or have it cascade around the tiers for a more ornate look. It can have the romantic appeal with one unifying motif. Choosing and decorating your wedding cake may be easy but you should consider adding brandy if you wish to preserve your cake according to the tradition. You can opt to shop for spices, fruits and flowers ahead of the time; or have a florist coordinate with you. For many soon-to-be-wedded couples it might also be easier to borrow or hire a cake stand if you would like a multiple-tiered cake.

Buy wedding cakes two months in advance; this is to assure you that you will get exactly what you have ordered. There are expensive cakes but if you are low on the budget there are ways to reduce the price of fancy wedding cakes. Check out the local bakeshops and consult with two or three bakers to get information on the prices and styles of wedding cakes. You can get a great deal for a wedding cake by asking for pictures of the recently designed cakes (those created by their current cake decorators) and getting a free taste. Do not forget that the taste of the cake matters just as well as its fancy design.

Lastly, when selecting your wedding cake, your own preferences matter but you can always be open to suggestions offered by an expert baker.

The traditional white, vanilla-flavoured wedding cake has long been surpassed by exotic new flavors inspired by modern cuisine. Butter cream fillings or mixes in different flavors can be tucked away under traditional white frosting. Alternatively, a deliciously flavoured and coloured frosting can cover a traditional vanilla cake. The choice is yours and it is limitless.

A traditional pure white cake exterior can hide layers of delicious butter cream flavours underneath. Some of the most decadent new flavours are: blood-orange, key lime and raspberry for a summer cake; pistachio and apricot for something more elegant; or raspberry and chocolate flavors for a semi-traditional filling. Also tempting is a simple chocolate cake filled with caramel, vanilla and chocolate butter creams.

A themed wedding benefits from a themed cake. Delicious frosting in different colours and consistencies play a big role: butter cream, gum paste or marzipan (both of which work well for creating tiny decorations), meringue, rolled fondant or a hard royal icing. Marzipan naturally tastes like almond and the other types are great in flavours such as lemon poppy, dark chocolate or spiced carrot.

Pick unusual flavours such as chocolate kumquat or devil’s food. A red devil’s food cake with chocolate icing and red flower decorations looks stunning. A truffle wedding cake is ideal for chocolate lovers and a chocolate chestnut flavoured cake is perfect if you are getting married in autumn. Other flavour suggestions include mocha, chocolate and fruit, chocolate sampler, and white chocolate with raspberries.

If you happen to have planned your wedding for the winter holidays, a holiday flavoured cake is a delicious seasonal idea. Pumpkin ginger, candy cane, gingerbread or eggnog are all luscious ideas. Candy cane involves peppermint butter cream sprinkled with chocolate and pieces of peppermint candy canes. Gingerbread looks delicious if decorated with little gingerbread men or in the shape of a gingerbread house.

Traditionally the bride and groom are first on the dance floor as they start the first dance of the night. The best man & chief bridesmaid and parents of the bride & groom then join them on the dance floor halfway through the first dance.

There are no rules as to what your first dance should be. Most couples choose a song that is special to them in some way – whether it reminds them of when they first met or has just always been ‘their song’. Whilst the traditional first dance is slow and romantic, couples are increasingly adding a bit of fun to their wedding by learning a new dance routine or choosing a fun and lively song for their first dance.

The bride and her father traditionally dance to the second song of the night. Whilst this is not as common as the first dance, it’s a nice way of spending time with your dad. Most dads find it hard seeing their daughter all grown up before ‘giving her away’. Dancing to a well meaning song that reflects your relationship with each other will mean the world to them.

A lot of couples are happy to dance slowly round in circles whilst they share a tender moment in front of 100 cameras. If you want to try something different, why not learn a dance routine to your choice of song – a professionally choreographed first dance routine always adds a bit of wow to any wedding. Dance lessons are also a great way of spending time with each other and having a bit of fun.

First dance lessons cost an average £200-£250 for 5 hours of lessons (the suggested time required to learn a routine). Most instructors will be able to teach you to dance in the comfort of your own home but you’ll be expected to practise in between lessons.

If you really feel adventurous, why not try something totally unexpected that will make your guests laugh and guarantee they remember your first dance for many years to come. If you need some inspiration check out some of the first dance wedding videos on the internet.

Compiling your wedding guest list is one of the toughest tasks of wedding planning. The task of compiling the wedding guest list is often shared between the bride & groom and their parents.

Wedding budgets and venue capacity often put a cap on the number of guests you can invite – resulting in difficult decisions if you have a large family and lots of friends. The decision gets even harder for couples getting married later on in life as friends, siblings and cousins start their own families – increasing the number of people to choose from.

Traditionally, as the bride’s parents paid for the wedding, they had the most say as to who was invited. Weddings were essentially a family gathering with a few close friends. Nowadays, the task of compiling the wedding guest list is often shared between the bride & groom and their parents. Finding a middle ground is essential if you want to avoid family disputes!

If you can’t decide who to invite or don’t know where to start, try the following steps for creating your guest list:

Start writing your guest list at least 6 months before the wedding. (This might be earlier if you need an idea of capacity when deciding your budget and wedding venue.)

Divide the list into three 1) must have 2) like to have and 3) nice to have.

The above steps should be done separately by the bride & groom and their parents. Compare the different lists and mark guests as definite where you are all in agreement. You can then work out how many guests you can invite from the other two categories. If you want to involve as many people as you can, why not invite guests from the ‘nice to have’ list to the evening reception instead. Once you have a definitive guest list – tell your friends and family when you are getting married so that they can save the date. Create a standby list – so you know who to invite if some guests are unable to attend or need to cancel on the day due to illness.

If you’re having trouble deciding who to invite, you might want to consider the following options:

Invite some people to the evening reception – Most venues can accommodate extra guests for the evening so you’ll still be able to invite everyone, but at a fraction of the cost.
Have a child free wedding – If lots of your friends and family have children, you could see your guest list increase significantly unless you adopt a child-free policy.
Only invite immediate family – If you have a large extended family, you might prefer to invite aunts and uncles only.
nofreetime tips
Give both sides of the family equal opportunity to attend, even if one side is much bigger.
Who you invite should not be influenced by who is paying for the wedding. Both sets of parents should be allowed to invite close friends.
Don’t worry about offending those you can’t invite – most people appreciate how much it costs to pay for a wedding so they will understand.
If you can’t invite the extended family – arrange a family day for after the wedding. That way you get to see all the family and can show them all the photos.
If you’re having a child free wedding – make sure this is made clear on the invite. Take a look at our child free wedding wording for help with wording your child-free requests.
If you can’t decide who to invite – change the format of your wedding. Have a small formal wedding breakfast for close friends and family and invite everyone else for the evening. Alternatively, have an informal buffet in the afternoon and invite everyone.

Wedding guests should be invited by the hosts of the wedding. Traditionally, this was the parents of the bride but nowadays, weddings might be hosted by the bride and groom, both sets of parents or by the bride and groom with their parents. The hosts are usually responsible for sending out the invitations and keeping track of replies and dietary requests, unless the task is assigned to someone else.

Wedding invitations should be sent out three months before the wedding with an RSVP date approximately one month later. This will allow time for you to follow up on late replies, invite guests from your standby list (should other guests not be able to attend) and confirm numbers with the venue. Most venues and caterers require confirmed numbers one month before the wedding. Invitations should be worded so that guests know who is inviting them. For wedding invitation examples and ideas, see wedding invitation wording. Wedding invitation etiquette suggests that children over 16 should receive a separate invite, but one invitation per family is sufficient if you want to save on invitation costs.

• Prioritise and draw up a shortlist as to what’s important to you. If you can be flexible about your choice of wedding venue, you’re more likely to find a better deal.
• Search for wedding venues online.
• Draw up a shortlist of potential wedding venues, check availability, then make an appointment to visit. Popular wedding venues will be busy at weekends, especially during peak wedding season.
• Have a few dates in mind just in case your first venue choice is not available. If the venue owner is keen to fill the space, you might be able to negotiate a discount on your wedding venue.
• Visit different wedding venues and spend time looking around. Have a look at portfolios of other people’s weddings.
  Speak to the staff that will be on duty on the day – do you feel comfortable with them?
• If you want to bring your own beverages and there is a corkage fee – try to negotiate a lower rate. There’s no harm trying – especially if you have a large number of guests.
• Weddings can be expensive so it’s easy to just ‘accept’ the cost quoted. If you don’t think it’s worth paying what you’re being quoted, try to negotiate or walk away.
• Before you pay a deposit and sign a contract, read through the contract carefully. Look out for any hidden extras or restrictions and anything that contradicts what the wedding venue has already told you. If in doubt – ask.

Choosing your wedding venue is the most important decision you will make when planning your wedding especially if your ceremony and reception are to be in the same venue. Wedding venues vary considerably in terms of type, size, quality and price. Your budget will determine how much you can spend on your wedding venue – but a number of factors will affect what you will get for your money. Before you start looking at wedding venues, consider the following:

Type of ceremony

If you’re having a civil ceremony, you’ll need to find a wedding venue that is licensed for civil weddings. There are more than 4,000 approved wedding venues to choose from in the UK and unless you marry in a registry office, you can have both the ceremony and reception in the same wedding venue. If you have a church wedding, you’ll need to find a wedding venue nearby for your reception but you’ll have a wider choice of wedding venues because they won’t need a civil licence.

Location

Traditionally the bride got married near to her family home. Whilst this is still an option, couples are increasingly looking further afield for that perfect or unusual wedding venue.. If you have friends and family all over the place, location may not be a restricting factor. Think about your guests when considering the location of a wedding venue. Will your guests have far to travel? Will they be able to drive home at the end of the night or will they have to stay in a hotel? In which case, is there sufficient accommodation to suit every budget?

When to get married

It will take a lot longer to find a wedding venue if you have a specific date in mind. You’ll have more wedding venues to choose from and might be able to save money if you can be flexible as to when you get married, such as:

Time of year – May to September (summer) and December (Christmas) are the peak months for getting married. Wedding venues are considerably cheaper during the other months of the year.

Time frame – if you think you can arrange your wedding quickly, lots of venues offer late availability packages. These deals will usually be for dates available in the next few months. At the other end of the spectrum you might get a good deal for booking 2-3 years in advance.

Day of the week – Saturday is the most popular and most expensive day followed closely by Friday and Sunday. Wedding venue hire is often cheaper mid week. The only issue is whether guests will be able to take the time off work to attend.

Number of guests

You might not have drawn up your final guest list, but you’ll need a rough idea of guest numbers so you can search for wedding venues with the appropriate capacity. Try and split your guests into two lists – definite and nice to invite. That way, if you fall in love with a smaller wedding venue, you’ll be able to quickly establish whether it is big enough for your list of definite guests. Some wedding venues have a minimum number of guests so may charge an additional supplement if your guest list is below the minimum.

Style or theme

Castles, stately homes and large hotels are perfect for a grand and formal affair. The type of wedding venue you choose will depend on the style of wedding you envisage for your big day. Large or luxury wedding venues include castles, stately homes and large hotels. Informal or small wedding venues include barns, small country houses, restaurants and smaller hotels. Unique or unusual wedding venues include museums, zoos or other tourist attractions.

Exclusivity

Some wedding venues such as hotels, stately homes and country houses are large enough to accommodate more than one wedding in a day. You may have to pay extra to guarantee exclusive use if you don’t want to ‘bump into another bride’ or have other hotel guests wondering around on your wedding. Alternatively, find a wedding venue that only has space for one wedding a day.

Food & drink

When comparing the cost of wedding venue hire you should consider the cost of food and drink. Some wedding venues appear to be considerably cheaper for the room hire. On closer inspection, you may find that they insist on the use of in-house caterers and purchase of their wine and champagne. Depending on the number of guests, this could work out more expensive. Try to do some rough calculations so you can compare the cost of wedding venues like-for-like.

Check that a live band or musician is feasible at your venue. You should check the following:

• Does the venue allow live bands or musicians?
• Is there a sound limiter at the venue? If so, what is the limit?
• Is there sufficient space for the band and dance floor?
• Are there sufficient power sockets? Most bands will require at least 3-4 standard sockets although you should confirm when you have chosen a band
• Ease of access. Most bands will have heavy or large equipment. Accessibility might be an issue if they need to walk up narrow stairs or can’t park near the venue.
• Given your wedding timetable, when could the band set up and perform their sound check.

Search for a live band.

Whilst the internet provides endless choice, recommendation should be your first point of call. Some bands manage themselves, and other acts will be managed by an agency who will arrange all the details. To make sure you find the perfect live act for your wedding, you should ask the following questions:

• How long have they been playing together as a band?
• How many weddings have they done before?
• Have they played at this venue before?
• What kind of music do they play?
• How much do they charge?
• What are the payment terms? How much do they require as a deposit?
• How many breaks will they have and for how long? Do they suggest you do anything in the gap?
• How do they flex their music to adapt to changes in the mood of the wedding throughout the day? A good musician will understand the different moods required throughout the day and will be knowledgeable about this.
• Is it possible to hear a sample of their music?
• When are they next playing live near you? Would it be possible to come along and listen?
• Do they play requests? Most musicians will accommodate requests but usually require these in advance.
• If you’re having a DJ – can you provide them with a song request list as well as a ‘Do not play’ list?
• If the music starts late because the day is behind schedule, will you be charged an over-run fee by the band even if they only play their agreed performance time? A good band will be flexible to your needs and understand that most weddings to not run to schedule.
• Do they have public liability insurance?
• Is their electrical equipment PAT tested? Most venues will want to see a copy of the PAT certificate.
• How much space do they require?
• How many power sockets do they need?
• Do they require a separate dressing room?
• What food and drink will they require on the day? Try to avoid bands that place excessive demands. It is however reasonable to provide an unlimited supply of soft drinks, some snacks and perhaps a hot meal.
• Can you see a copy of the contract?

Once you’ve asked the right questions and have decided on your choice of act – don’t delay in booking. A good act will book up quickly. Once you’ve booked the band you’ll need to ensure that everything is prepared as follows:

• Check that food and drink has been arranged for the band
• Check there is somewhere for them to change and prepare
• Provide them with any song requests – especially your first dance
• Provide them with details of the estimated start time and any scheduled intervals
• Ensure the venue has contact details for the band
• Ensure the band has contact details for the venue

No Freetime Tips

• Start writing a list of songs you want played either during the day or the evening – you can add to this as and when you think of a song or hear one you like.
• Provide the venue with any CD’s you want to play in advance of the big day. Make sure they check that the CD’s work to prevent any last minute problems on the day.
• If you’re booking a live band, try and go and visit them in advance to see them in action at another event.
• If you’re having a live band in the evening, ask whether some of the members would be willing to do a live set during the drinks reception. This should save you a bit of money in terms of travel and other associated costs.
• Think about whether you have any talented friends who might be able to perform at your wedding. They might not be professional – but if they have a great voice or can play a musical instrument – you might be able to get some live music for a fraction of the price charged by the professionals.

During your wedding day, there will be a number of times when you might wish to have some form of music to enhance the atmosphere. Music plays a key part in the majority of weddings so you’ll have to think about what kind of music you want for the following points in you day:

*The Prelude – as guests arrive and as they are seated. Typically you will need to have between 15-20 minutes of soft background music.
*Ceremony – this includes the entrance of the Bride (The Processional), signing of the register and walking back down the aisle (The Recessional). If it’s a church wedding then hymns will also be sung.

*Drinks Reception (also known as The Postlude) – background music is usually played during the photos and as your guests have drinks and canapes (usually 1 ½ hrs).
*Wedding Breakfast – some couples choose to have background music during the meal until coffee is served.
*First dance – usually at the start of the evening’s entertainment. See First Dance for more advice.
*Evening entertainment – the bit your guests are most looking forward to.

There are so many choices in terms of what kind of music you have on your wedding day. To help you with your choice, we’ve summarised the different types of music below.

String quartets are the most common choice of live background music at weddings as they provide the perfect accompaniment to the ceremony and wedding reception. They are also very versatile. Alternatively you could opt for a string duo or trio.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £400 – £850

Harps are magical sounding instruments that will enchant your guests and enhance your fairytale day. The harp is a popular choice as it allows guests to talk without being disturbed or pre-occupied by the music. A good harpist should be able to play a mix of classical and modern tunes depending on your choice. Alternatively why not have a harp & flute duo.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £200 – £500

Flutes are a perfect choice if you want beautiful music that will mesmerize your guests. Both magical and enchanting, they also sound great when accompanied by a harp or guitar.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £250 – £450

An Organist is a good choice if you’re having a church ceremony and the church has an organ. If you want a Pianist and your venue doesn’t have one, don’t let this put you off – many pianists will use a portable digital piano.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £150 – £350

Classical guitarists can enhance the romance of the day as they play a range of easy listening music -classical, Spanish, modern arrangements or a mix.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £200 – £350

Saxophones (solo or duo with a singer or a jazz quartet) are the ultimate in sophistication if you’re looking for that touch of class.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £200 – £350

Bag pipes are an obvious choice if you’re Scottish – but can be played at any wedding. Their unique sound will add a sense of grandeur to your wedding.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £150 – £350

Steel bands are a perfect choice if you’re looking for something a bit different from the traditional forms of entertainment and want to add a fun & lively atmosphere for your drinks reception. They also don’t require a PA system for most events.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £450 – £650

Discos are the still the most popular choice of evening entertainment at weddings. They tend to be the cheapest option and provide the greatest flexibility. DJs can play a mix of dance, pop, music from the decades as well as the cheesy wedding classics – something to suit everyone.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £250 – £550

Barn dance or Celidh (pronounced kay-lee) are the perfect choice if your guests are a mix of different ages. No previous experience is required as guests’ dance and exchange partners along to lively and cheerful music. They are guaranteed to get the majority of your guests dancing very quickly.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £750 – £1,000

Live bands are the ultimate in wedding entertainment. The right band will interact with your guests and get the party started and keep it going all night. There are so many types of live band to choose from including: Tribute, Pop/Rock, Jazz, Blues, Swing, 70′s Funk and Salsa.
Typical cost for 2 hours – £700 – £2,000 +

Different types of music will be better suited to certain parts of your wedding day depending on the mood or atmosphere you want to create. To help you with your choice of wedding music, we’ve put together some suggestions for the type of music you could have at different points in the day. These are only suggestions and you should ensure you know what type of music an act plays before booking to ensure you create the right atmosphere.

*Pre-ceremony – String quartet, harp, flute (or harp & flute), organist, classical guitar, bag pipes & recorded CD.
*Ceremony – String quartet, harp, flute, (or harp & flute), organist, classical guitar, solo singer, bag pipes (The *Processional and Recessional) & recorded CD.
*Drinks Reception – saxophone (solo or with singer), piano & violin, bag pipes, steel band, string quartet, classical guitar, harp & flute.
*Wedding Breakfast -recorded CD, string quartet, harp & flute or classical guitar.
*Evening entertainment – DJ, barn dance/Celidh or live band.