5 reasons you should book ACOUSTIC MUSIC for your wedding
- Daniel Morgan
- 3 hours ago
- 8 min read
Let’s face it; there are very few things more pleasing to the human ear than the beautiful strum of an acoustic guitar. Over the years some of the best weddings I’ve been hired to play were as an acoustic guitarist, performing during the ceremony, drinks reception and other parts of the day.
Booking any kind of live music for your wedding is undeniably one of the most exciting and super cool ways to entertain your guests, and there are some amazing musicians out there who specialise in acoustic entertainment, either as instrumental background music or with vocal accompaniment. Many function bands also offer daytime acoustic music as an add-on to their standard evening party packages.
My name is Dan Morgan and I've been performing as a guitarist and vocalist across Wales and England since the year 2000. I'm here to give you 5 reasons why you should book acoustic guitar music for your big day! Let's go!
Reason #1 - It creates the perfect atmosphere
Couples frequently tell me they want to balance the more serious wedding formalities with something nice and light to set the tone for the day. And with the right choice of songs, the sound of an acoustic guitar floating through the air will instantly create a feeling of charm and belonging, setting the mood for your wedding exactly as you imagined it... like a romantic movie soundtrack. Awwww.
Type in “wedding ceremony playlist” on any music streaming service and I guarantee you nearly every other song is an acoustic guitar ballad.
Perhaps it's your dream to walk down the aisle to a specific acoustic song? Maybe that's why you clicked on this article in the first place! What better way to make your ceremony that extra bit special than to hire someone to perform your songs live! It will literally be the only time those specific versions are ever performed in the entire history of the universe, and all especially for you!
There are some incredible acoustic covers floating around the web by musicians from all across the globe, so why not do a quick search on YouTube to see if the perfect version already exists. Many wedding musicians already have their own special versions ready to go so be sure to chat with whoever you book about the music you have in your head!
Music has a unique power to bring back memories and emotions like nothing else. So why not make your special day even more meaningful by creating new memories that will be brought back every time you hear one of your songs!
Reason #2 - You prefer live music to a playlist
OK, so you could just stick a Spotify playlist on (when I first started in the wedding industry, couples were still burning CDs!) but allow me to convince you otherwise…
Hand-on-heart, every couple who ever hired me to play acoustic guitar at their wedding has told me it was absolutely the best thing they did. Live music adds a real atmosphere to any event and it can also be a welcomed distraction, preventing a mid-wedding lull and giving guests something to enjoy whilst you transition from one part of the day to the next, e.g. whilst the room is being turned around for the evening party.
Plus, if you’ve hired other entertainment such as a photo booth or caricaturist, it won’t interfere with their activities. Personally, I love working alongside magicians; I turn into a giggling child!
So many songs lend themselves perfectly to the acoustic guitar; youngsters will be enthralled to hear their favourite songs stripped back to their original form; older guests will be instantly transported back to their youth hearing those timeless classics. It is music at its most pure.
Look at the reviews for any of the wedding musicians featured in this blog and you'll notice the same phrase comes up again and again: "They made our day".
Reason #3 - Acoustic music is so versatile!
Most of the amazing acoustic acts I know can tailor their performance on the fly, 'feeling' their way through your wedding day using a sort of sixth sense to make sure everything is perfect, weaving themselves in and out of the proceedings as much or as little as needed.
Guests arriving to take their seats? Romantic, gentle and calm music. Everyone chilling at their tables with a drink? Here come the cocktail vibes. Things getting a bit livelier? Time for some bangers. Uncle Frank up on the table with his tie around his head? Ok, I'm fetching a staff member...
Only kidding. I'm giving it some extra welly and will be encouraging this behaviour until someone tells me otherwise!
Acoustic music doesn’t have to be tranquil background music. A good acoustic act will be able to ramp it up and get everyone stomping their feet and dancing when the occasion suits. You never know what to expect when you show up for an acoustic gig!
Believe me when I say, the acoustic guitar is an extremely versatile instrument. In the hands of an expert, it can be gorgeous, gentle and emotional or it can be fun, loud and exciting!
Many acoustic guitar players are accompanied by other musicians such as percussionists, violinists, saxophonists or keyboard/piano players, creating a fantastic stripped-down acoustic band. If you have the budget and space, these can be a superb addition to your day. Sometimes these musicians are a core group and other times they are added as extra members. Be sure to check with your entertainment what options they can offer.
A modern trick employed by some acoustic artists is to supplement their performance with backing tracks, drum loops or vocal harmonising effects, with many acts bridging the gap between being wedding singers and fully live acts. A lot of solo acts use this as a way to increase the excitement of their performance by adding 'something extra' and, if done well, it still retains all the organic feeling of a truly acoustic act.
Whatever the lineup, acoustic acts are a great way of creating a truly special type of buzz that only live musicians can achieve!
Your unique day deserves a unique talking point!
Reason #4 - You want live music outdoors
Can you think of a better way to add a majestic movie-like quality to your outdoor wedding ceremony or drinks reception than by incorporating an acoustic guitar into the proceedings? Have a think, I’ll wait here for you...
Actually let me save you the time because it’s a trick question!
An acoustic act is a great option for outdoor wedding events. Something magical happens when you perform this sort of music out in the great wide open, as the guitar chords mix seamlessly with the sounds of birds chirping and the tress rustling! Honestly, it is just the best!
It's usually pretty easy to set down and move to another part of the venue after each set as well. Just remember, even acoustic musicians are likely to require access to power in order to amplify their instrument and vocals and be heard at a decent volume. This is why really really long extension cords were invented I think.
If electricity is not available, or you want an even more 'unplugged' vibe, then you could go for a roaming band, an extremely popular wedding entertainment option for outdoor spaces. These musicians will walk around with their instruments and perform music amongst the guests, often taking requests and having a lot of fun while they're at it!
Acoustic music lies in that sweet spot between unobtrusiveness and toe-tapping fun fun fun. You can chat to your aunties and uncles whilst nibbling on canapés or have a cheeky post-ceremony boogie, it’s really up to you. I’ve seen quite a few couples dancing and rocking out in their ceremony - you better believe it!
Reason #5 - Venue limitations rule out a full band
There are two main restrictions that your wedding venue might have in place. In both instances, acoustic music might be the perfect solution if you still want live music!
Sound limiters
Sound limiters measure the environmental noise in a venue and usually provide some sort of warning if the sound level goes above a set limit. They are usually fitted at venues where neighbours nearby might complain about people having too much fun on their wedding day, but they are occasionally installed to comply with some sort of license or to protect local wildlife. I'm not going to lie; most musicians hate these devices as they prevent us from being able to give our best performance (not to mention, some of them cut the power off mid-performance, which can potentially damage our equipment and ruin the atmosphere) but over the years they are something we have had to try and accept and find ways to live with.
The idea behind sound limiters makes sense (most people don't want to go deaf), but unfortunately they make it impossible for some wedding musicians to be able to perform in these venues as they are unable to do their thing within these strict limitations.
In my experience, there are lots of ways to stay within these limits, even for drummers. If live music is a top priority for your wedding day, always check with your venue if they have any sound limits and find out what type of music is and isn't suitable. The chances are they will be able to recommend some trusted acoustic musicians and bands based on previous weddings.
Safe to say, if you want live music at your wedding but your venue has a strict limit on sound, an acoustic act (soloist, duo or acoustic band) could be just the ticket!
Space: The final frontier!
Not all venues have the luxury of a big party room or massive stage area to accommodate a large group of musicians. If live music is an absolute must for your wedding but you find yourself a little short of space, a smaller acoustic outfit is the perfect solution.
If parts of your wedding are taking place in a small room then a full band might be a bit overwhelming for your guests. It might even be physically impossible to fit lost of musicians into the available space. Solos and duos are especially great for these scenarios!
Acoustic music will not only sound more appropriate in a smaller room but will probably be much easier for everyone to enjoy. You’ll be able to talk and catch up whilst also enjoying superb live music. And when the feeling is right, it’s time to strut your stuff!
And finally...
Weddings come with a whole set of formalities and etiquette, so be sure to find out what level of experience your musicians have and whether this suits your plans and expectations. Be particularly fussy if you are booking a musician for your wedding ceremony.
If your musician does public gigs, festivals or wedding fayres, go and check them out! Alternatively, ask them to send you some videos and do some research on social media. It's important to find an act that resonates with and matches your vibe! From romantic singers to alternative acts, there is something out there for everybody!
Right, that’s enough from me. I’m off to play my acoustic guitar. Good luck with your wedding planning. Hopefully now you can tick 'acoustic entertainment' off your To-Do list!
Daniel Morgan is a multi award-winning musician based in South Wales, UK with 26 years experience as a live vocalist/guitarist and 15 years working in the wedding and events entertainment industry, with over 1000 professional gigs under his belt.
Check him out at:
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