Father of the Bride Review: Why My Daughter Chose The Shakers for Her Own Wedding

On Saturday 19 September 2026, my daughter Rachel married Andrew at Sorn Castle in Ayrshire, and The Shakers played the evening reception. Rachel worked at Hireaband for seven years. She had access to every band on our roster, knew what couples said about each of them after their weddings, and could have chosen anyone. She chose The Shakers. Having now watched them from the father of the bride's seat, I can tell you she chose well.

Not my usual kind of blog

I've been running Hireaband since 1999, and when I write about a band here it's normally as an agent. This time is different. This time I was a nervous dad and the man paying the bills, so I watched The Shakers the way every one of our clients does. I wasn't thinking about reviews or bookings. I was thinking about whether my daughter would have the night she deserved.

It matters who made the choice, too. Someone who spends seven years listening to couples talk about their bands, good and bad, isn't guessing when she picks one for her own wedding. Rachel knew exactly what she was getting, and The Shakers delivered it.

Ready before we were

On a wedding day the father of the bride has about a hundred things on his mind, and the band shouldn't be one of them. The Shakers set up well in advance and were ready before we were. Their timings were spot on all night. Nobody had to chase them, check on them or wonder where they'd got to. That kind of quiet professionalism doesn't get talked about much, but anyone who has organised a wedding will know how much it's worth.

It helped that Sorn Castle wasn't new to them. The Shakers have played there before, so they knew the room, the load-in and how the evening flows in that space.

A full dance floor from the first dance to the last

The Shakers had the floor full from the first dance to the last. I don't say that lightly, because I've been at plenty of weddings where the floor thins out after the first hour. Not this one.

A big part of that was the range. They played everything from Olivia Dean to Chuck Berry and everything in between, including an Abba section that brought out some dance moves I'd rather not describe. Every generation in the room had something to get up for, and once they were up, the band gave them no reason to sit back down. They played with a huge amount of energy and enthusiasm all night.

Hermie, the legend on sax

If you read The Shakers' reviews, one name comes up again and again, even when the couples don't know it: their sax player, Hermie. At Rachel's wedding he was his usual legendary self. He led the guests in a conga and came down from the stage to play right in the middle of the dancers. It's the kind of moment people remember for years, and it's no surprise it features in so many of the band's reviews.

The bargain of the entire wedding

Anyone who has paid for a wedding knows the costs add up quickly. Having been the guy to stump up the money, I can say honestly that The Shakers were the bargain of the whole day. Nothing else we paid for did more to make the night feel like a celebration.

About The Shakers

The Shakers are a six-piece Glasgow-based wedding and function band with male and female lead vocals, keyboards, guitar, drums and live saxophone. Their set list runs to more than 160 songs, from Glenn Miller and Sinatra through to the current charts, and a live ceilidh set of up to 30 minutes is included as standard. They bring their own PA and lighting, provide a complimentary unmanned DJ service during breaks, and have more than 120 reviews on their Hireaband profile. They play weddings, corporate events and parties across Scotland.

Frequently asked questions

Did a Hireaband staff member really choose The Shakers for her own wedding?
Yes. My daughter Rachel, who worked at Hireaband for seven years, chose The Shakers from the full roster for her wedding to Andrew at Sorn Castle on 19 September 2026.

Does the sax player really come onto the dance floor?
He does. Hermie regularly leads congas and plays among the dancers. If you'd rather keep things more restrained, the band are happy to play it straight.

How do I check whether The Shakers are available for my date?
Visit The Shakers' profile on hireaband.co.uk for an instant quote, or call Gaye or Lisa on 0141 413 4060. Popular dates book up early, so it's worth checking as soon as you have your date.