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Other Wedding Entertainment in York

Ceremony, drinks reception and daytime entertainment in York

From ceremony rooms at country houses around York and Selby to drinks receptions on the lawn near Tadcaster and wedding breakfasts in barns and marquees across York, the hours before the evening band starts are where the right entertainment makes the biggest difference. A singer for the aisle, a string quartet over the canapés or a magician working the tables keeps the day moving and gives guests something to talk about between the photos.

Other wedding entertainment covers the specialist and smaller acts that most weddings add around the main band: solo singers, acoustic duos, harpists, pianists, classical guitarists, string quartets and ensembles, close-up magicians and roaming musicians. Each one is booked for a particular part of the day, and many can learn a special song for the ceremony or the signing of the register.

Hireaband has been booking live entertainment for weddings since 1999. Every act listed here travels to York as standard, brings the equipment it needs, and sets up and clears away around the timings of your day — use the instant quote button on this page to check pricing and availability for your date.

The essentials:

  • Typical cost: £300 to £1,500, depending on the act, how long they play and the date
  • Always included: travel costs and any amplification the act needs, in every quote
  • From solo musicians for the ceremony to quartets, ensembles and roaming acts for the drinks reception
  • Most couples book several months ahead, sooner for a summer Saturday
  • Every booking carries a 14-day change-of-mind refund

Think about where the act will be and what guests will be doing. A harpist, pianist or string quartet suits a ceremony room or a church, where the music needs to carry without amplification. A drinks reception outdoors or in a busy courtyard is better served by an acoustic duo, a roaming band or a solo singer with a small PA, and a close-up magician can move between groups wherever they gather. Tell us the venue and the running order and we can suggest what has worked there before.

Most bookings fall between £300 and £1,500. A solo musician for the ceremony alone sits at the lower end; a string quartet or an act covering the ceremony, drinks and wedding breakfast sits towards the upper end, with the date and time of year making up the rest of the difference. Travel and any equipment the act needs are included in the quote you receive, so the figure you're given is the figure you pay.

Every act's page carries video and audio of that exact performer or ensemble, so you can hear how they sound in a real room rather than relying on a generic demo, alongside their repertoire list. Underneath are written reviews from couples who have already booked them. Between the videos, the repertoire and the feedback, you can form a clear picture of the day well before you commit.

Use the instant quote button on this page and enter your date and venue to see pricing and availability straight away. Once you've chosen an act, we handle the contract, the deposit and the arrangements, and stay in touch through to the day itself. Every booking comes with a 14-day change-of-mind refund, and an emergency contact line is available on the day if anything needs sorting quickly.

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Changing Melody

Changing Melody cover everything from contemporary pop and rock to jazz, 60s and beyond, you'll find their tasteful selection of music appeals to guests of every age group.

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From £350

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

WestZone

An Outstanding Tribute to Ireland's Finest Exports- Boyzone and Westlife!

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Arthur's Hill Ceilidh Band

A energetic, fresh band - changing the way you see ceilidh.

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Smooth Sound Duo

Male Acoustic Duo | Versatile Repertoire

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From £650

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Dale Ellis

Fabulous Live Wedding Entertainment For Under £500 - Absolutely!

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Jack & Tee

Versatile Duo | Male & Female Vocals | Guitar, Drums, Violin

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From £915

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras
Working with a budget?

Working with a budget?

We work with acts from £250 - £5,000+! We can certainly help you find the perfect entertainment that fits your style and budget - get in touch to get started.

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The Wanderers

Mumford Folk Meets Pop & Rock. Available Static or Roaming.

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From £2,160

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Tommy & Sons

Three or Four Piece Folk Style Covers Band | Roaming or Static Options Available.

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From £2,020

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Guitarist Marcus

Singer / Guitarist | Afternoon or Evening Performance

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From £355

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Jessie MaKee

Solo Singer / Guitarist | Background or Main Event Entertainment

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From £570

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Gentlemen of the Road

A vintage 20's - 40's style swing band that will blow your socks off with their unique arrangements of modern tracks

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From £1,985

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Bully & The Banjo

Upbeat Duo | Folk, Country, Pop | Mumford Style

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From £995

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Hope Street

Three fantastic musicians who will put the very coolest of slants on your wedding or function! Hire a wedding band today.

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From £1,575

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras
Working with a budget?

Working with a budget?

We work with acts from £250 - £5,000+! We can certainly help you find the perfect entertainment that fits your style and budget - get in touch to get started.

Get in Touch

Badass Brass

A Funky New Orleans Style Brass Band Playing Modern Covers & Classics.

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From £1,700

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Simon Shaw

Solo Singer-Guitarist | Hugely Talented and Versatile | Available in Midlands And North

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From £395

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Piers Benjamin - Pianist & Singer

Ideal For Background Music Or Full Performance. Beautiful Vocals & The Finest Piano Playing.

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From £845

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

Central Park

Four Piece Roaming Band | Wedding or Corporate Events | Perfect Addition To Any Event

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From £1,550

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

XY Duo

Beautiful, intimate, stripped back acoustic versions of your favourite songs | Perfect Daytime Entertainment

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From £1,045

Price is based on standard fee without any travel or extras

FAQs

Everything around the main evening band: ceremony and drinks reception musicians such as solo singers, harpists, pianists, guitarists and string quartets, plus acoustic duos, roaming musicians and close-up magicians.

Many can, given enough notice — mention it when you enquire and the act will confirm whether they can add it to their repertoire for your day.

Harpists, pianists, guitarists and string quartets usually play acoustically in a ceremony room or church; singers and duos bring a small, discreet PA for larger rooms or outdoor spaces.

Yes — booking the same musician or ensemble for the ceremony, drinks and wedding breakfast is common, and usually works out better value than separate bookings.

Typically £300 to £1,500, depending on the act, how long they perform and the date — travel is always included in the quote.

Most couples book several months ahead, sooner for a summer Saturday when the most popular acts go quickly.

Reviews

(5)

“Love Detroit Vintage Duo! Was so happy to find them for my wedding a couple of years ago, Paul was great to deal with and everybody commented on how good they were for weeks after. They sound authentic and always look like they are enjoying themselves whilst playing. Recently booked them again when I was helping my Dad organise a big 50th birthday and they were great!”

(5)

“Exceptionally talented pair. Had the pleasure of listening to them on the P&O Britannia and they helped us have a fantastic time, we were truly entertained. The vocals are beautifully on point and create a perfect atmosphere. Best of all is their choice of repertoire, so much variety and perfect to relax to; I even found myself singing along on several occasions! Thanks for some great music.”

(5)

“Thank you for a wonderful performance. Jack and Tee were excellent, got everyone up dancing, the music was good enough to satisfy my very fussy musical family and that's saying something. All the guests thought they were great and gave them excellent reviews. We highly recommend them and will not hesitate to call them for another family function. Flexible, current and worth every penny. (10 / 10)”

(5)

“Dear Hireaband, We would like to thank you very much for providing the Smooth Jazz Duo to play at our wedding ceremony and champagne reception, at Turnberry on 10th Sept. They were absolutely brilliant, and their music was perfect for both the ceremony and drinks reception after. Our guests loved their music, and they definitely added to the occasion. We can't thank you and the boys enough.”

(5)

“Smooth Jazz Duo played at our wedding recently and they were absolutely fantastic. They were background music to our drinks reception which took place outside. You could hear them throughout the walled garden and they were a touch of class. Many guests commented on how great they were. All on was happy for us to send them some requests and this added to our wonderful experience!”

(5)

“You guys are the full package! We'd been looking everywhere for a band that could deliver exactly what we wanted for our special day, and the last thing we wanted to do was hire the piper and the band and the ceilidh band separately - you guys did all three and nailed it! Jordan's piping created the perfect atmosphere for the ceremony, and the ceilidh got everyone on their feet. Thanks for everything!”

Local Venues in York

Middlethorpe Hall

Middlethorpe Hall

A William III country house just outside York's walls, with a cosy Drawing Room and its own grounds.

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Bedern Hall

Bedern Hall

A 14th-century hall tucked just off York's Shambles, with timber beams and a genuinely historic setting for a city wedding.

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The Hospitium

The Hospitium

A timber-framed medieval hall in York's Museum Gardens, by the river and a few minutes' walk from the Minster.

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The Grand, York

The Grand, York

A Georgian five-star hotel by York station, built as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway.

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Hotel du Vin York

Hotel du Vin York

A Grade II listed mansion house turned boutique hotel in York, with private dining rooms and a courtyard.

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Grays Court

Grays Court

A boutique hotel built into York's medieval city walls, with a walled garden and a genuinely ancient Jacobean Great Chamber.

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Barmby Field Barns

Barmby Field Barns

Restored barns near York accommodating up to 120 guests, with three-day hire so there's no rush on the day.

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Villa Farm

Villa Farm

A rustic barn venue on the edge of York, built for a relaxed countryside wedding close to the city.

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Merchant Adventurers Hall

Merchant Adventurers Hall

A Grade I listed medieval guildhall in the middle of York, one of the best-preserved of its kind in the country.

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