We’ve got pretty eclectic music tastes. I love emo stuff and he’s more into country! How do we make sure our wedding playlist flows without feeling all over the place?

The first thing I’d actually recommend in this case is look at an agency such as us, Entertainment Nation and give our advisers a shout. They know bands in depth and that seemingly standard function band may have previously been a pop-punk originals band and would love nothing more than to roll back the years and play some Jimmy Eat World and Good Charlotte for you!

Once you’ve found an act, you don’t need to worry about flow. Bands and DJs are experts in weaving together a set list that works to keep everyone dancing the night away. It’s more about the energy in the room than the genre of the songs. Most bands are more than happy to learn a special song for you free of charge, which you could have played as your first dance, or as a way of getting your favourite song played live on your big day!

We love heavier music, but our family really are not into it. We really want our wedding to feel like ‘us’ and our taste in music is what brought us together so not including it would feel weird. Do you have any tips for sneaking in our favourite songs without freaking everyone out?

That’s a great question, and there are lots of cool ways to incorporate heavier songs into your big day without making them overwhelming for your guests! Instrumental versions of songs work brilliantly when played by a string quartet, pianist or even a harpist! Many classical musicians have heavy metal and hard rock songs included in their repertoire and they sound awesome when they play them! Doing it this way means you can walk down the aisle to Nine Inch Nails, and sip champagne to Guns and Roses and AC/DC. Your nan probably won’t even realise she’s listening to Metallica – but you and your partner will! It’s a great way to incorporate a nod to your music tastes without overpowering your guests.

When it comes to dancing the night away, check out some of our rock and indie bands. Many of them have heavy metal sets that they’ll be more than happy to include for you (they’re proper rockers at heart!) If you think this might be a bit much for your guests, you can always look for a band with a more diverse repertoire and ask them to play just a few of your favourites. Don’t be afraid to ask!

We want something a bit different for our entertainment… maybe a drag show or a circus act. Where would we even start to look for something like that and how do we pull that off at a wedding? Do we need musical performers too? We’re really not that into dancing…

I love the idea of the circus show or drag act! Entertainment agencies are a good bet (we would say that), but you can also go down the route of asking for recommendations on social media or from friends. Whatever you do, make sure you check videos and reviews so you know your act is experienced and can do what they say they can!

Depending on the scale and type of act you hire, there may be some logistics involved. If you’ve got your heart set on aerialists or fire performers, for example, you’ll need to plenty of space and public liability insurance in place (the act should hold this and your venue will probably insist upon it). A drag act will need a secure, private area to get ready.  Discuss your plans with your act and venue before you go ahead and book them, and everything should run smoothly.

As for music, you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to, it’s your day after all!  If you’re thinking about having live music but aren’t really into dancing, there are still plenty of options. Having been in bands myself, I do strongly believe that live music really does lift the atmosphere and enhance the party so much more than background music ever will!

But are some different ways to approach it if you don’t want the usual set up or dancing. How about a roaming band to create uplifting vibes and interact with your guests who do want to have a boogie? No dance floor required! A live saxophonist, jazz band or acoustic duo are good options to help keep everyone engaged and entertained while they mingle – with zero pressure to hit the dance floor.

About the Author

Drummer. Founder. Father of six. Tom Farnell started out behind the kit with Wildcard, one of the UK’s top wedding bands, before launching Entertainment Nation to help couples discover their dream entertainment.