An article by English Wedding member Entertainment Nation; header photo by Liam Collard Photography
Rustic weddings are so beautiful. The country flowers, the neutral tones and the general coziness makes it such a stunning theme for the most special day of your life. With the naturalistic feel to a rustic wedding, which type of wedding entertainment will blend in seamlessly and not just sound incredible but actually complement your decor? An acoustic folk band of course!
At Entertainment Nation we love a great acoustic folk group. From the moment Mumford and Sons hit the charts, the demand for barn-shaking folk bands has risen and it’s showing no signs of stopping. And it’s no wonder – these talented bands put their own folky twist on everything from rock ‘n’ roll to modern chart toppers, turn up in their rustic attire and put on a foot-stomping show that’s popular with guests of all ages.
We’ve rounded up our favourite 15 acoustic-folk bands to showcase for you today. We hope you love their charismatic cheeky-chappy charm as much as we do!
1. Grayson
We love Grayson so much! The addition of a smooth saxophone really lifts their dynamic performance of a wide range of songs, including contemporary classics from the likes of Ed Sheeran all the way back to rock ‘n’ roll floor-fillers. Guests young and old will love their folky vibe and a full dance floor is pretty much guaranteed!
If you fancy mixing things up a bit in the evening, the boys also offer a DJ and sax Ibiza-style set for an incredible night of club-style fun.
During the day, Grayson offer either an acoustic solo performance for a live-lounge feel to your drinks reception or you can impress everyone by booking their roaming set, where the boys will wander around as they play, giving intimate performances to small groups of guests. Amazing!
2. Mountford
Mountford are a trio of talented musicians who add folky flair to everything from indie anthems to Motown classics and folk favourites to chart-topping pop tunes. The addition of a double bass adds a truly authentic feel to their performance.
These guys have been performing for years so know exactly how to turn up the feel-good factor on the dance floor. To enhance their sound further they offer the option to add an additional female singer and a live saxophonist – your guests won’t know what’s hit them!
The boys offer a manned DJ service as standard while they’re not on stage so feel free to make requests!
3. The Footmen
This highly-experienced 3-piece acoustic folk band are just the ticket if you’re looking for a charming trio to keep spirits high on the dance floor. They add their signature folky twist to soul and funk classics, contemporary chart hits, classic floor-fillers as well as rock ‘n’ roll and classic folk tunes, so there really is something for everyone to enjoy – there’ll be no downtime on the dance floor!
During the day, the guys offer a choice of acoustic performances – either a solo singer or the full trio, which will bring sunshine and cheer to your tipples on the terrace. You can even book the soloist to play during your wedding ceremony. He’s sure to elicit a few tears!
4. The Brightsons
The pitch-perfect harmonies The Brightsons deliver creates the the illusion of a much larger band. Both the guitarist and the bassist share the lead vocal duties and the whole trio perform with passion and style to bring your wedding reception to life. Their repertoire is huge and covers pop, soul, funk, indie, rock, folk and more so you’re guaranteed an exciting evening!
The Brightsons have an impressive back catalogue of experience with members having performed alongside the likes of Spandau Ballet, Jake Bugg, Rag N Bone Man, The Stranglers, Marc Almond and Toploader.
For a laid-back feel to your drinks reception why not book either their acoustic solo or trio sets? There’s nothing like a spot of live music to make this section of your day even more memorable.
5. Hatchland
If you want to create a dance floor frenzy, hiring Hatchland is the way forward! This energetic and uplifting trio will bring all the fervour and excitement you might expect from a larger band. Their irresistible harmonies and charming personalities help make this impeccable group absolutely ideal for your rustic wedding.
A selection of daytime acoustic options are available and Hatchland also offer a late finish if you can’t get enough of their stunning performance.
6. Foxland
Foxland are a fresh and lively 4-piece acoustic folk band who take creating your dream entertainment very seriously. They use carefully-selected setlists to ensure the music you hear is perfect for you and will play it all with a stunning display of dazzling charm and energy.
Their winning combination of dual vocalists, guitar, bass, drums and spectacular sax solos always goes down a treat and that sax can also be booked for Ibiza-infused sets for your evening wedding entertainment.
7. Railroad Kin
Railroad Kin are one of our most popular acoustic folk bands and it’s easy to see why. This sensational 6-piece band deliver a dynamic and interactive performance of songs in every genre you can think of, all infused with that essential folky feel.
With delectable harmonies, guitar, bass, keys, spectacular sax and drums, this incredible band looks as impressive as they sound. If you’d like a chilled-out summery set for during the day, you can hire any number of the band to create the exact sound and vibe you’re after!
8. The Wildermen
Hugely experienced and with the ability to raise the roof with their vibrant show, the Wildermen will quickly become an electrifying centrepiece to your wedding reception. With an exciting repertoire jam-packed with tried-and-tested classics, folk favourites and modern dance floor fillers, your guests won’t want to leave the dance floor. You can even add a sax if you like!
During the day the Wildermen offer a sophisticated jazz or live-lounge set so you can choose which mood you’d like to create while your guests mingle away.
9.The Timberfolk
We love a small band that create a full-bodied sound and that’s exactly what the Timberfolk do! Their superb lead singer is complemented perfectly by sublime harmonies from the backing singers as the band treat your guests to passionate performances of much-loved folk, pop, rock, soul, funk and RnB tunes.
For the more relaxed parts of the day, The Timberfolk offer a selection of acoustic sets – either a soloist, duo or trio and the band offer early start and late finish times too.
10. The Lightmen
The Lightmen are an extremely popular acoustic folk trio thanks to their impeccable performance, irresistible charisma and all-round talent. If you love rock and indie classics mixed in with Motown, folk, rock ‘n’ roll and the odd chart topper for good measure, you’ll love their uplifting repertoire!
Lounge sets and a stunning ceremony performance are also available, meaning you can make it easy for yourself and get live music for your entire wedding day in one simple booking.
11. County Kings
Inject a little northern charm into your big day by hiring County Kings, who’ll have your guests stampeding to the dance floor as soon as they whip out their instruments! Combining irresistible sax and mouth organ solos with guitar, bass and drums, they effortlessly create an exhilarating vibe your guests will adore. Playing chart hits and timeless classics with a folky twist, they know how to keep your guests dancing until the early hours.
With a roaming band service and solo acoustic guitar and piano sets available for the more mellow parts of your day, County Kings offer everything you need if you want totally unforgettable wedding entertainment.
12. Folk Fables
This folk-infused 4-piece combine smooth 3-piece harmonies, stunning sax solos, guitar, bass and drums to produce an awesome sound that will take your reception to the next level! With an inspiring repertoire of massive chart hits, rock ‘n’ roll timeless classics, popular folk tunes and absolute bangers you can’t go wrong when you hire this first-rate band.
13. The Marksmen
The Marksmen are a cheery 4-piece who want nothing more than to provide you with your dream wedding entertainment. The lead singer’s distinctive voice combines beautifully with the backing singers and gives each of their songs a stand-out spin. Their repertoire is overflowing with everything from The Temptations to U2 and Eric Clapton to Bob Marley, meaning that your dance floor will be filled from start to finish! These guys are super popular so get your booking in early.
14. Uke and The Leles
Uke and The Lele’s are a unique act who play charming arrangements of rock ‘n’ roll, vintage swing and modern tunes, all with a ukulele instead of a guitar for a fun and unusual feel!
Their charismatic showmanship, combined with their warm demeanour and genuine talent will make them a huge hit with guests of all ages. They really are a one-of-a-kind band so don’t miss out on your opportunity to secure them for your wedding!
15. The Peaky Blinders
The ever-popular Peaky Blinders are a sensational 4-piece acoustic band with bucketloads of charm and a cool and quirky vibe that is always popular with wedding guests. Their incredibly likeable personalities shine through in their enthusiastic performance making them an instant hit.
Their eclectic repertoire will encourage everyone from your little nephew to great aunt Ethel onto the dance floor, as they wind their way through songs by the likes of The Beatles, George Ezra, The Killers, Blink 182 and more. You can add sax to the line up or book a DJ sax set for a club vibe in the evening.
Want To Hire An Acoustic Folk Band?
Well, you’ve definitely come to the right place! This is just a small selection of the incredible folk-style wedding bands we have to offer at Entertainment Nation. Head over to our website to discover your dream act and make a quick enquiry on the profiles of the bands you love the most.
https://www.entertainment-nation.co.uk
Our expert team of advisors are on hand all day every day and will get back to you quick as a flash with a fully-comprehensive quote. They can also help you make a decision if you’re unsure who to hire.
Good luck and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials from everyone here at the Entertainment Nation team!
Feature post by Entertainment Nation; header image by York Place Studios
You’re getting married – congratulations! You’re probably already knee-deep in wedding planning, checking out venues, tasting cakes and more. It can be a lot of fun, but with so many things to consider, it can also feel quite overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of our top tips for finding and booking fantastic wedding entertainment. Find out everything from budgeting to booking the best bands in our handy blog below.
Talk to Your Venue
Your venue is one of the first things you’ll book for your wedding. We always recommend talking to your wedding venue about live entertainment before your start your search.
Knowing your venue’s requirements for entertainment will keep you from booking unsuitable acts and can save you a lot of stress. Potential restrictions could be anything from band size to sound limiters to timings and more, but as long as you know in advance, you’ll still be able to find some excellent entertainment.
Decide and Stick to Your Budget
Before you start booking anything, you first need to budget for your big day. What’s the most you can spend on live music? Knowing your budget means you can search for bands more easily. The Entertainment Nation website allows you to look for acts based on how much you can spend, with our useful budget filter.
If you’re on a really strict budget, we advise booking live music during the off-peak season.
Running from November to April (with a burst of busy-ness for Christmas parties in December), the off-peak season offers more room for negotiation.
But don’t worry if you have your heart set on a summer wedding – by choosing a weekday wedding over a weekend you can still save a good amount on your live music.
Something else to consider if you have your heart set on an act who are above what you’ve budgeted – ask if they’d be willing to play with a reduced line-up. By trimming a 5-piece to a 3-piece, you’ll bring the price down and still get a great show.
Do Your Research
We can’t stress enough how important research is. A great place to start is Google. Find out everything you can about booking wedding entertainment (from blogs like this) and head to sites like Trustpilot to read authentic reviews.
At Entertainment Nation, all of our musicians have dedicated pages, where you can read reviews, watch videos, check out setlists and more. You can search based on your budget and the style of act you’re after too, making the process even easier.
If you’re still stuck after searching our site, you can reach out to our trusted team, who can help you find your perfect match.
Book Well in Advance
If you have your heart set on a certain band, make sure you book them well in advance. Wedding bands typically get booked up one to two years in advance, so if you want to avoid the heartache of missing out on your favourite band, book them as soon as you can.
If your first choice is booked, don’t worry – a good entertainment agency will be able to offer you a range of alternative acts similar in style. You might even find a band you love more than your initial favourite!
Alternatively, if you have nerves of steel, you can put off booking your wedding band till the very last minute. By doing this, you could potentially save a good chunk of money – it’s a big risk, but it can pay off!
Playing Times
Live music for your wedding doesn’t just mean the evening reception. You can have music as your guests arrive, during your drinks reception, dinner and more. Of course, having a number of acts can quickly add up. If you’re booking on a budget, it’s worth selecting a single amazing act (trust us, there are tons of them to choose from!).
Typically, bands will arrive from 5pm or later for set up, with a midnight finish time. The standard performance times are 2×60 minute sets or 3×40 minute sets. Asking your act to arrive early and play for longer, will result in you paying a higher fee. By sticking within the 5pm to midnight timeframe, you can keep costs down.
Tie in With Your Theme
Throwing a festival wedding? Barn wedding? Or keeping it traditional? Whatever your theme is, having live music that perfectly complements it can take your wedding from sensational to spectacular.
Imagine a string quartet playing Shawn Mendes’ “In My Blood” as you and your partner whirl around the dance floor – nothing could be more Bridgerton. Or a Mumford & Sons-inspired band belting out “Little Lion Man” as you and your guests dance among hay bales – nothing says barn wedding more! Whatever theme you’re aiming for, having live music that ties in well can make your big day even more memorable.
Consider Booking Extras
You’ve got the venue, food and live music for your wedding sorted, but have you thought about adding some extra entertainment? It’s always a great idea to hire some additional performers on your big day, especially if you’re throwing a festival-themed wedding or you know a lot of children will be attending.
Magicians, comedians, dancers and more, will really bring your event to life and keep your guests entertained for hours.
Book Through a Trusted Company
Finally, if you want to book fantastic live music for your wedding without spending hours searching the web, use a trusted company like Entertainment Nation.
We’re passionate about helping you discover the perfect act for your event. Whatever style you’re after and whatever your budget, we’ll provide live music that you and your guests will love (and talk about for years to come!).
Our friendly team are available seven days a week to answer any questions you have, give advice and offer expert recommendations.