How Much Does a Musician for a Wedding Cost?

Live musicians undoubtedly bring a sense of enchantment to any wedding. They can create an unforgettable atmosphere that keeps guests entertained and engaged all night long. Music sets the perfect tone for each moment, from the romantic notes of a string quartet during the ceremony to the high-energy beats of a live band at the wedding reception.

That said, live music can be a big investment. Wedding bands typically cost $5,000 plus tip, while DJs average $1,000. Sting quartets can range from $500 to $3,000, whereas soloists, duos, and trios can cost between $1,500 and $3,500. These prices vary due to several factors, such as the musician’s experience, how many musicians are in the group, their location, and the duration of their performance. Because of this, some choose to hire DJs instead, as they are a bit more affordable.

Having over ten years of experience, LIV Entertainment has worked with hundreds of couples to bring their dream wedding to life. Whether you need a skilled wedding DJ or a wedding band for hire, our competitive prices are designed to offer high quality services without hurting your wallet. Contact us and we’ll get you get your started right away!

In this post, we will break down the different types of musicians and the estimated cost of hiring each one so that you can make the best choice for your best day.

Types of Musicians for Weddings and Their Costs

There are a lot of options to choose from when choosing the perfect wedding music for your wedding day. Remember, every musician comes with their own unique set of benefits. This means that whatever you decide to go with will greatly impact the feel of your wedding, as well as the cost of your wedding.

Solo Performers for Wedding Day

If you want to add a personal and intimate touch to your wedding, consider hiring a solo performer. Popular solo performers include violinists, guitarists, pianists, and vocalists. Whether you hire a violin player or vocalist, it’s certain that they will make your wedding ceremony an elegant one.

The usual price range for hiring a soloist is $150 – $500 per hour, depending on factors like their level of experience and the location of your wedding. We’d advise couples working with a limited budget to opt for a solo performer because they’re a more cost-effective option compared to full bands. However, you’d be limited to just one instrument, which may not be suitable for events hosted in large venues.

Wedding Musicians: Duos, Trios, and Quartets

Couples who want the minimalism of solo performances but still enjoy the rich sound of a full band will benefit from hiring duos, trios, or string quartets for their ceremony music. These smaller groups could be a mix of string duos or trios, jazz trios, or a combination of both, like a string quartet. Your estimated cost should come to around $400 – $1,200 per hour, depending on the instruments used and the group’s reputation.

The most significant advantage of hiring a duo or trio is that you get to enjoy the elegance and sound of a full band at a lower price. Plus, they can easily adapt their performances to suit the different sessions of your ceremony. Despite their elegance, duos and trios cannot match the energy of a full band, making them less ideal for high-energy events.

Wedding Live Bands

Playing live music at your wedding can transform your event into an unforgettable and immersive experience for everyone. Live bands do this by setting the mood, enhancing key moments, and keeping your guests engaged throughout the event. These bands come in all types, from jazz bands to cover bands and full orchestral bands.

On average, you would spend $5,000+ on a wedding band. This estimate can vary greatly based on the band’s reputation, their level of experience, and even your location.

Wedding bands are experts at creating interactive sessions for your guests. Their performances are better suited for large crowds, and they have no issue tailoring their setlist to the taste of the audience. Bands are also more likely to perform to create special musical moments by either performing original songs or “banger” requests.

Despite these benefits, they remain a more expensive entertainment option compared to single performers, duos, and wedding DJs. This is because they have a bigger ensemble that requires more space.

Wedding DJ

Wedding DJs are another budget-friendly option for couples who want to enjoy a fun and lively reception on a limited budget. In addition to their affordability, they also have a more diverse setlist because they have access to a digital music library. This makes it easier for them to transition between different genres of music, ensuring the energy stays high throughout the event. Plus, most DJs provide their own equipment for their performances, which can help you save money on rentals.

Depending on the DJ’s level of experience and whether you requested any additional services you’d most likely spend $1500-$20000 or more on your wedding DJ cost.

What Impacts the Cost of Musicians for Weddings?

1. Experience and Reputation: Experienced musicians charge more because of their reputation. Unlike newcomers, they have an established demand for their services, which reflects their proven track record of delivering high-quality performances. New performers tend to charge less in a bid to build their portfolio.

2. Event Location: If you’re planning a destination wedding, note that DJs and live bands charge an extra fee for their travel fare when they’ve been hired to play outside of their usual performance areas.

3. Duration of Performance: The longer the performance, the higher the cost. Most musicians charge based on the length of the reception, cocktail hour, and ceremony.

4. Customization and Special Requests: Musicians always charge extra for special requests, such as creating personalized music or learning new material.

5. Equipment Needs: Some event centers provide the equipment needed for hosting an occasion. However, if your venue does not do this, your musicians will have to bring their own, which will add to your overall cost.

Regional Variations in the Cost of Wedding Musicians

Your wedding entertainment cost largely depends on your location. Even in the US, things like your location can have a big effect on your final fee.

New York City, NY

Musicians in New York City usually charge higher fees because the city has a lot of premium venues. Whether you’re looking for a jazz band in NYC or a solo performer, you should expect to pay premium prices for their services. This cost reflects the city’s luxurious layout and its preference for live entertainment.

Los Angeles, CA

Like New York, Los Angeles is also known for its vibrant scenery. Couples who want to have a glamorous celebration can’t resist LA’s attraction, and this drives up the cost of musicians in the area. Live jazz bands in Los Angeles and other performers are highly sought after so you can expect them to charge a higher fee compared to musicians in less glamorous locations.

Miami, FL

Looking for a hub to celebrate your beachside wedding? Miami has you covered. The city is littered with high-end wedding venues, which is reflected in the services of Miami jazz bands and other performers.

Las Vegas, NV

Another popular wedding destination is Las Vegas. The city offers a wide range of options for wedding musicians, and the prices of various musicians will vary greatly. Another determining factor for your cost is your venue. A chapel wedding will be more affordable than planning a grand hotel event.

Seattle, WA

The Pacific Northwest wedding market is famous for its affluent clientele. Seattle musicians often cater to high-end celebrations, especially weddings in scenic venues, which is reflected in their prices.

Musician for Wedding Cost | Wedding Band vs DJ

Live bands and DJs are the most popular musicians hired for all sorts of events, from birthday parties to anniversaries and even weddings. Both options have unique strengths and weaknesses, which you should evaluate before making a final decision.

The choice between a wedding band or DJ should be based on the type of vibe you want at your wedding as well as your budget. DJs are better for lively weddings where you want to keep your guests glued to the dance floor; plus, they are less expensive than live bands, with prices starting from as low as $1500.

DJs don’t need as many performers or equipment as bands, which helps keep costs low. Another advantage of DJs over live bands is that they have a wider repertoire and can instantly adapt to the crowd’s requests. Nevertheless, the overall cost can build up quickly if you request additional services like emceeing, fog machines, and extended hours.

Wedding bands are better for couples who want a traditional wedding and also want to add a touch of sophistication to their ceremony. However, they tend to cost more than DJs because they have a higher number of musicians and live instruments. Experienced bands may start at $5000, though it is still possible to secure a decent band for less than this. 

Bands will charge you more for travel, set up, and any special requests, such as learning a new song. Despite all this, their unmatched ability to create an immersive experience for your guests makes them a worthwhile investment.

How to Budget for Wedding Music?

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan for your big day:

• Set Your Overall Budget: Fix a portion of your wedding budget for music. A good estimate is around 7%-10% of your overall budget.

• Decide on Music Type: It doesn’t matter what type of musician you eventually pick, just make sure you’ve considered factors like your budget and preference first.

• Prioritize Key Moments: Allocate more funds for music during the ceremony and first dance.

• Research Pricing: Comparing rates from different musicians can help you secure the best deal. Don’t be shy to ask for details, such as what’s included in the rates you’ve received.

• Account for Extra Fees: Include costs for travel, equipment, overtime, or special requests.

• Look for Packages: Some musicians offer wedding packages, for example, ceremony and reception music.

• Book Early: You can get better rates and avoid price hikes by booking your musicians early.

Need Live Musicians for a Truly Unforgettable Wedding?

Whether it’s a DJ energizing your wedding reception or a soloist bringing a touch of elegance to the ceremony, there’s no denying that music sets the tone for a celebration. A professional musician will always know the best way to create a tracklist that aligns with your vision for your wedding.

LIV Entertainment prides itself on matching couples with talented professionals who not only play music but also create unforgettable memories. Contact us today to find the perfect musician for your wedding ceremony and make your big day truly one to remember!