Let’s face it; there are very few things that sound more pleasing to the human ear than a proficiently strummed acoustic guitar. Over the years some of the best weddings I’ve been hired to play were as an acoustic guitarist, either performing during the drinks reception or at another point in the day.
It’s no secret that wedding bands are undeniably one of the most exciting and super cool ways to entertain your evening guests, but what about the rest of your big day? There are some great professional acoustic acts out there at the moment who specialise in daytime acoustic entertainment, either as instrumental background music or with vocals (solo artists, acoustic duos and the like) with many wedding bands also offering acoustic music as an add-on to their standard evening party set.
Photo courtesy of Rachel Lambert Photography
My name is Dan Morgan and I've been performing as a guitarist and vocalist across Wales and England since 2000. I'm here to give you my top reasons why you should book acoustic guitar music for your big day!
Reason #1 - You want to keep your wedding nice and chilled/create some festival vibes
Many couples picture their wedding as a tranquil event where guests can relax and unwind. Since the pandemic especially, many people have come to really appreciate the simple things in life, envisaging their wedding day full of shiny happy people coming together – friends and family who may not have seen each other for some time – forgoing the excess of a big extravagant event in favour of a less-is-more approach.
A quick glance on Instagram reveals a growing trend towards indie/DIY/festival vibe weddings, with many couples throwing convention out of the window and doing whatever the heck makes them happy on their big day. Summer lawn games, street food, and of course acoustic music!
With the right choice of songs, the sound of an acoustic guitar floating through the air instantly creates a feeling of charm and belonging, setting the mood for your wedding exactly as you imagined it - like a romantic movie soundtrack. Awwww.
Many brides and grooms I’ve spoken to over the years begin the conversation by telling me how it has always been a dream of theirs to walk down the aisle to a particular acoustic song. That might even be why you clicked on this article!
Just type in “wedding ceremony playlist” on any music streaming service and I bet you at least 1 in 5 of those songs is an acoustic guitar ballad. What better way to make your ceremony that extra bit special than to actually hire someone to perform that song live! There are some incredible “acoustic versions” floating around the web by musicians from all across the globe, so why not do a quick search for your first dance or ceremony song on YouTube - you can use the words “acoustic version” or “acoustic cover” to see if the perfect version already exists.
It has been scientifically proven that music is one of the best triggers for invoking a past memory - so why not attach some of these core memories to your special day? I guarantee you’ll be forever reminded of your wedding whenever one of these songs comes on the radio!
Reason #2 - You want music played live during your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast
OK, so you could just stick a Spotify playlist on. And yes, I’m sure your choice of songs will really impress everyone. Well done. Now let me convince you otherwise…
I can hand-on-heart say that every couple who ever hired me to play acoustic guitar at their ceremony or drinks reception has 100% agreed it was the best thing they could have done. It adds a real atmosphere to any event, creates a focal point or distraction when the room is being turned around and appeals to guests of all ages. Plus if you’ve hired another entertainer such as a magician or caricaturist, it won’t interfere with their activities.
Photo courtesy of Lewis Fackrell Photography
Older guests will instantly be transported back to their youth as soon as they hear those timeless classics - songs that lend themselves so well to an acoustic guitar; youngsters will be enthralled to hear their favourite songs stripped back to their original form - pure music with zero trickery.
A unique talking point for your unique day!
Reason #3 - A full band is out of your budget but you still love the idea of having live music on your big day
Sadly we’re not all made of money. For most couples, wedding entertainment is nowhere near the first item on the agenda to sort out - by the time you’ve paid your deposits for your venue, wedding dress, photographer, videographer, flowers, suit hire, car hire, hair, make-up and wedding cake, chances are your wallet may now be feeling a lot lighter.
An acoustic act is a great option for couples on a budget and acoustic duos and trios are a superb alternative to a full band if you want live music at your wedding party.
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.
Gigging with Morgan & Melville Acoustic Duo, I’ve lost count of how many times we've had to suddenly switch from playing a relaxing chill-out set to belting out banger after banger to a room full of people singing along or a packed dance floor!
A modern trick employed by some acoustic artists is to supplement their live performance with backing tracks, essentially becoming something in-between a wedding singer and a fully live act. It's not something I've ever done personally, but it's such a great idea for a solo act as it can really increase the excitement of their performance if done well.
Either way, you will find acoustic acts are generally a little easier on your budget and are a great way of creating a buzz that only live musicians can achieve.
Reason #4 - You want live music outdoors at your wedding
Can you think of a better way of bestowing a majestic movie-like quality upon 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!
You could simply play your favourite songs over a speaker, and that’s fine... or you could go totally the other way and book a full electric band for your daytime entertainment... but this might be slightly overpowering, not to mention a little impractical.
Acoustic music lies in that sweet spot between unobtrusiveness and toe-tapping fun fun fun. You can chat to your uncles and aunties whilst nibbling on canapés or have a cheeky little post-ceremony boogie, it’s really up to you (I’ve even seen couples dancing along in their ceremony - you better believe it!)
As long as there is access to a power supply close by (yes even acoustic artists are likely to want to amplify their voices and instruments through a speaker if they’re outside!) then an acoustic act is a great option for outdoor wedding events. The turnaround is usually pretty quick as it’s a smaller setup and can be followed by a quick set down if you need them gone or moved to another part of the venue.
Whether performed instrumentally on a nylon-string guitar or accompanied by a vocalist singing all the sweet notes, one thing’s for sure, this is a luxury addition you will definitely want for the outdoor parts of your special day.
Reason #5 - Venue limitations that rule out a full band
There are two main restrictions that your wedding venue may have that could rule out booking a full wedding band. If you’ve booked your wedding venue already then brace yourself, this could be a difficult read…
Sound limiters: The bane of a wedding musician's existence
As a wedding musician these really are one of the worst things ever invented! Especially as they are usually positioned in totally the wrong place.
Sound limiters monitor the volume of a band and usually cut off power to the musicians if the decibel level exceeds a certain amount. They are usually fitted at venues where neighbours close by have complained about the noise but sometimes they are installed because a venue is situated in an area where noise pollution could be detrimental to the local wildlife.
Sound monitors are usually (rather weirdly) installed right next to where the band is performing rather than at the location where the noise may be a problem. Oh God, I can feel myself getting angry just writing about this so I’m going to have to stop now, okay?
If you want more information about sound limiters (and are now worried that your venue might have one) there are many good blogs already out there on this topic, such as this one on the Seventh Second website: 8 ESSENTIAL Facts About Sound Limiters at Wedding Venues.
Safe to say, if you want live music at your wedding but your venue has a strict limit on sound, an acoustic act - be it a soloist, a duo or a full acoustic band - could be just the ticket!
Did I mention that a baby crying can sometimes set off a sound limiter? Hmph! Okay, I promise I’ll stop talking about them now.
Space: The final frontier!
Not all venues have the luxury of a big hall or huge stage to accommodate a group of musicians. If it’s imperative that you have live music at your wedding, but you find yourself a little short of space, a smaller acoustic outfit is the perfect solution.
Not only that, but a full band could be a bit overwhelming for some guests if you’re all squeezed into a tiny room - I highly doubt your elderly relatives are going to share the same love for mosh pits as your younger guests.
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 flip-flop time.
And finally...
Make sure you scope out entertainers that have a proven track record. After all, weddings come with a whole set of other rules and etiquette that some less experienced musicians may not be familiar with (more about this in a future blog).
A quick scout on Instagram and YouTube will reveal the style and character of any acoustic act so make sure you have a good watch and listen beforehand to see if they resonate with you both. And, very importantly, try to establish a dialogue to find out what they’re all about. If they do public gigs, festivals or wedding fayres, find out where they’re playing next and go along for a watch!
Right, that’s enough from me. I’m off to play my acoustic guitar. Good luck!
Daniel Morgan is a professional guitarist with over a decade’s experience providing
wedding entertainment and is one half of Morgan & Melville Acoustic Duo.