If you’re looking for unforgettable outdoor wedding entertainment, you’re in the right place!
Planning your big day means exploring a world of wedding entertainment inspiration and ideas — some of which you may not have even considered yet. Whether you’ve chosen a stunning outdoor venue, dreamed of walking down the aisle to live acoustic music, or pictured yourself relaxing under the sun with folky festival vibes, the right entertainment can bring your vision to life!
This guide has everything you need to plan the perfect entertainment for your outdoor wedding. From the most popular bands to common pitfalls to avoid, we cover it all. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch — our friendly team is here to help!
Things to Consider for Your Outdoor Wedding Reception
Permission
Before booking a live act, make sure you have the necessary permissions for live entertainment. Many UK venues offer designated outdoor spaces for ceremonies, drinks receptions and marquee receptions. However, some locations may have restrictions due to noise regulations, space limitations, or licensing laws (we’ll cover that shortly).
If your wedding isn’t taking place on your own property or at a licensed venue, you’ll need the landowner’s permission to host live entertainment. Additionally, if the landowner doesn’t have the required license for live music, this is something you’ll need to discuss with them to ensure compliance with local regulations.
Time Of Year
Hosting outdoor entertainment can create an exciting and immersive experience for your guests — but only if they’re comfortable outside! One key factor to consider is the time of year you’re getting married. If your big day falls during the colder, gloomier months, you’ll need to think about how to keep your guests warm and cozy.
Planning ahead is essential, but it’s certainly doable! Consider providing heaters, overhead covers, blankets, or even a cozy firepit. It’s also a great idea to let guests know in advance so they can dress appropriately — coats and warm accessories can make all the difference. Sounds inviting, doesn’t it?
The same applies to summer weddings. If you’re tying the knot during the peak of the season, with sunshine in full force (fingers crossed!), ensure your guests are able to stay cool. Provide shaded areas, fans and plenty of sunscreen to keep everyone comfortable to enjoy the celebration.
Weather
We’ve already touched on the weather, but being British, we can’t resist talking about it a little more!
While none of us can control the forecast, we can be prepared for it. Outdoor wedding spaces can be equipped with gazebos and stylish shelters to keep both guests and entertainers comfortable — whether that means staying dry on a drizzly day or cool in the summer sun.
The good news? Many wedding bands love performing outdoors — just as long as they have a dry spot to play!
Sound Restrictions
Depending on the location of your wedding, your venue may have sound restrictions. For larger venues with vast surrounding grounds, rules may be different compared to a venue in the middle of the city or urban residential area. Restrictions may include a live music curfew or a volume or decibel limit.
Even if your venue has noise constraints, it doesn’t mean you can’t have outdoor entertainment. It just means that certain act types will be more suitable for your wedding than others – like an acoustic act! Read our blog about how to plan your wedding if you have a sound limiter in place for more information.
Your Guests
It’s always important to think about the audience for your chosen entertainment – your guests. Entertainers such as acoustic soloists or duos, string quartets or jazz ensembles, set a relaxed atmosphere and keep conversations bubbling as your friends and family drink a glass of champagne during your drinks reception.
If you’re after an energetic entertainer to get involved with your guests, you may decide on a magician or roaming band to focus your guests’ attention whilst you’re getting your photos taken. Your theme and size of your celebration are additional considerations when choosing your act.
Outdoor Entertainment Requirements
Power Supply
Booking a band or performer that requires amplification means you need power. If you’re using a venue’s outside space then they may already have suitable areas where a power supply is easily accessible. If there’s no plug socket, some acts can provide battery-powered equipment if notified in advance, so be sure to ask.
The good news is, there are plenty of acoustic acts who can put on a memorable performance without any power – some may even roam amongst your guests! Check out our recommendations below or have a browse through our acoustic wedding bands.
Performance Area
Similar to the above, you’ll need to make sure your musicians are set up somewhere where they can be seen and heard so everyone can enjoy them as much as possible!
Your venue may have a designated area for live performance or you may need to pick the ideal spot for them to set up. Make sure everyone has a good view of the show and that everyone will be able to hear the music well – remember that sound travels differently outdoors!
Your act will require a flat and dry surface to ensure their personal safety and the protection of their equipment. This is also true for inside marquees. Once they have safe flooring and a power supply (if required) they are nearly set to perform!
Shelter
To deliver their best performance, your band or musicians need reliable overhead cover to shield them and their equipment from the elements. Whether it’s a gazebo, marquee or a well-rigged tarp, ensuring adequate protection from the scorching sun or relentless rain (or both) will keep them comfortable and focussed — so they can put on a show your guests won’t forget.
Public Liability Insurance
Your venue will likely require your act to hold Public Liability Insurance (PLI for short). Luckily, all of our acts hold PLI with up to £1m cover, with certificates available on request. It’s good to know that all their equipment is also PAT tested for everyone’s safety!
Outdoor Wedding Entertainment Ideas
So you’ve got the logistics down, now it’s to the fun part…picking your entertainment!
Outdoor wedding entertainers come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Whether you’re looking for the perfect act to treat you and your guests to upbeat pop hits, smooth jazz numbers, classical masterpieces or feel-good classics, there are so many options available that will make live music the highlight of your day. And you don’t have to limit yourself to music either! Here are our recommendations for acts that work well at weddings under the open sky:
- Acoustic Folk Bands
- Acoustic Duos
- Singing Guitarists
- Singers
- String Quartets
- Jazz Ensembles
- Saxophonists
- Close-Up Magicians
Outdoor Entertainment Inspiration
We’ve picked a few of our favourite outdoor entertainment specialists below. Of course, there are hundreds more great acts to look at, so make sure you have a browse or give our team a shout for tailored recommendations.
Ember Nights
This exciting 5-piece band are experts in wedding celebrations and feel-good fun! The Ember Nights musicians are all vastly experienced and passionate about their craft. Their harmonies and signature sound is not one to be missed when they deliver foot-stomping renditions of folk-pop hits from the likes of Mumford and Sons and George Ezra, plus modern party hits. Their repertoire spans even further with songs from throughout the decades, including soul and Motown favourites and chart-topping classic pop anthems.
Whether you want them to perform indoors or outside, these boys are ready and waiting to make your wedding day unforgettable. They even offer roaming sets for the ultimate immersive musical experience!
Brass Pack
Turn up the party with a lively brass band like Brass Pack. With infectious rhythms and beats that you just can’t resist dancing to, Brass Pack deliver a New Orleans festival-style atmosphere to your afternoon or evening.
Brass Pack range from a 5-9 piece brass band, with trumpets, trombone, sousaphone and drums to crank up the fun and energy as you celebrate the start of married life. You’ve never heard your favourite pop, soul and indie songs quite like this!
Shelby Street
Unique and uplifting music from Shelby Street could be the final element to make your day unforgettable. As a 4-piece roaming band, Shelby Street interact with your guests and add an intimate feel to your wedding day entertainment, free from the restraints of wires and plugs.
This quartet features two incredibly charming vocalists with acoustic guitars, saxophone and percussion to create authentic and dreamy stripped-back covers of modern hits, throwback classics, signature soul tunes and rock n roll numbers.
Completely acoustic and suitable for any setting, Shelby Street are a top pick for your alfresco celebrations.
Juniper Jazz
Juniper Jazz are a sensational and youthful 3-piece who’ve perfected their performance of staple jazz and swing tracks to inject a classy and sophisticated atmosphere to your big day.
Juniper Jazz’s talent shines through their sets as they not only deliver jazz pieces, but also well-known pop, soul and funk classics with a jazzy twist. Set the tone for your wedding celebrations with a glorious backdrop of the smooth sounds of this sublime trio!
Under The Sun
Give your big day a wonderfully rustic flair with Under The Sun. This dynamic 4-piece offer the perfect mix of tunes for your big day. Whether you’re searching for the perfect folk-style band to give your big day a relaxing folky-flair or a dynamic rock and pop ensemble to inspire crazy dance moves to your favourite indie, pop and rock classics, you’ve found them in Under The Sun! You can even book the whole band to perform outside during the day. Immensely talented, and with bags of energy, this in-demand band will get everyone moving inside and out!
Cosmic Atlas
Cosmic Atlas prove that dynamic outdoor wedding entertainment can come in small but perfectly-formed packages! With just two performers, they deliver an irresistible repertoire of contemporary chart toppers, soul favourites and party classics, with the floor-filling magnetism of a full band. Able to perform both indoors and out, they are the ideal choice for your outdoor wedding!
Expert Advice from our Friendly Team
If you’d like to speak to one of our dedicated team of expert advisers about finding your dream outdoor wedding entertainment, please get in touch! We can’t wait to help you!
