Daytime Entertainment Done Right: Ceremony, Drinks Reception and Wedding Breakfast

It's easy to put all your entertainment planning into the evening and assume the daytime will take care of itself. But the hours between your guests arriving for your ceremony and your evening reception are just as much a part of the day — and the right music during them can shape the whole mood, long before your evening band takes to the stage. We collate together some wedding daytime entertainment ideas below. 

Setting the tone for your ceremony

• A solo guitarist or pianist (with or without vocals). A single musician gives you a warm, intimate sound for guests arriving and the moment you walk down the aisle, without needing much space or setup. Think about whether you want vocals or not – beautiful pieces with irrelevant or inappropriate lyrics can easily be played by a single musician, while suitable, romantic lyrics may be a key feature you’re looking for and therefore well-suited to being sung.
• A harpist. A beautifully distinctive choice for a ceremony, offering a gentle, elegant sound that suits both indoor and outdoor settings. A little more niche with fewer choice wise than the other acts, so if you’re looking for this, get in there early to avoid disappointment!
• A string ensemble. Brings a touch of classical elegance to your ceremony, with the option to arrange your chosen entrance and signing-of-the-register songs specifically for strings.

Keeping the atmosphere going through drinks reception

The drinks reception/cocktail hour is where guests mingle, relax and start to enjoy themselves properly for the first time — and live music does a lot of quiet work here. A string ensemble, acoustic guitarist/duo or small jazz-style group can play in the background as canapés and drinks are served, giving the space a sense of occasion without ever competing with conversation. As the physical space generally opens up at this point (often being located outside - weather pending), people often choose to introduce a vocal aspect to it if they've had instrumental music in the ceremony, featuring lounge type covers of well-known songs. It's also a lovely opportunity to showcase a different sound to your ceremony and evening entertainment, so the day feels like it's building rather than repeating itself.

Lots of our wedding bands offer small acoustic ensembles as add-ons to their evening performances - a great compromise if you don't quite have the budget to cover multiple separate acts for your day. Check out their "booking options" under the "further info" tab on a band's page for what each one offers and then consult the further information that we send you on enquiry for a quote for the bolt-ons.

Background music for your wedding breakfast

During the meal itself, the right music sits quietly in the background rather than demanding attention — if you’re after live music for this, think a solo pianist, acoustic guitarist or soft string arrangement rather than anything too upbeat or vocal centred. It's a small detail, but it fills any lulls in conversation and makes the room feel considered rather than silent, right up until your evening entertainment takes over and the night properly begins.

Whatever part of the day you're planning for, we can help you find the right act to fit the moment — from your ceremony through to your evening band. Get in touch at hello@hireaband.co.uk or call 03330 112 221 and tell us about your day.