The cost of tying the knot will play a key role in your big day. Quality live performances are a must – but how much should they cost?  Artist Bookings has years of experience in the music industry and we provide premium performances at a reasonable and affordable price.  The musicians represented by our agency are the best.  Known for their professionalism, reliability, punctuality and musicality.   Because we know weddings so well, we’ve answered your most pressing questions.  Read on to find out more.

“What should I budget for live music?”

Live music cost varies from state to state and are dependent on the quality you require.  

If you’re seeking to hire wedding bands in Melbourne, the average cost will start at around $2,500 -$3,500 for a 4-piece band.   For your wedding ceremony music budget between $350 for a solo musician and $1500 for a String Quartet.  Harpists start at $750.

Sydney Wedding and party bands are much more expensive.  Sydney is one of the most expense places to live in Australia and that is often reflected in price.  Budget for around $3500 - $4000 for a 4-piece band.  For your Sydney wedding ceremony music budget between $440 for a solo musician and $1700 for a String Quartet.  Harpists start at $850.

“But Easy Weddings says the average price of entertainment is $1700 – why are the prices different?” 

Easy Weddings and other online wedding cost analysis groups lump DJ’s and live musicians in the same category.  DJ’s are your cheapest entertainment option at around $1000 a wedding.  DJ’s drive the average costs down and distort the real market cost of hiring a live band.  We love a good DJ and we have some of the best in the business.  But not all weddings are suited to DJ’s.  Read our Band or DJ blog here.

“What do I get for my money?”

Artist Bookings performers are dedicated to providing the best entertainment on the night, and will stay within a reasonable timeframe.  Some bands however, may have strict start and finish times. Usually, this is from 6:00-11:00 or so, and you may incur additional fees if they’re asked to stay longer.

With Bands you get four sets (over a five-hour booking), including all equipment required to play the show.  The equipment brought by our musicians to your venue is their own, and is of the best quality.  In order to maintain that quality, some bands factor in fees for lighting or when you want to use their microphone.

You also get to request three songs of your choice from their repertoire so you can pick the music you want for your entrance, wedding dance, cake cutting etc. Some bands will learn new music at no additional cost and others charge so it’s good to clarify this at the time of booking.

For wedding ceremony musicians, you can choose your music for the classical genre including Pachelbel’s Canon in D and many of the ensembles and artists play contemporary music as well so let us know at the time of boking what you want played.  We can even offer assistance with choices to help set the right mood

Industry leading guarantees.  Artist Bookings is the only agency offering inclusive and comprehensive 100% covid reschedule/replace/refund* guarantees to ensure you have the peace of mind knowing you’ve booked reputable and reliable talent. 

“Any other Costs?”

A small deposit is customary at the time of booking.  In our case it’s 20%, with the rest to be paid up at least 21 days prior to the booking date. 

Meals - You should also budget for an industry-standard meal and refreshment for acts longer than three hours

Travel - If the band or musicians you choose are local, it’s unlikely that they’ll require additional payment for travel. For venues that are further away, though, that may be the case. Travel costs apply for gigs outside the 50km radius of the city.  Usually, $75 for gigs 75 kms from the CBD, $100 for gigs 100km’s from the CBD etc.  Parking and unloading should also be supplied for performers so they can bump their equipment in and out.

Seasons matter - Summer months and the holiday season are always busy, and as a result, functions booked at that time of the year incur a premium fee. If your budget is less accommodating, consider planning your special occasion mid-week or in the off-season, and you may be able to secure a discounted deal

Our musicians know exactly how to create the right atmosphere for the night, working together to produce a flawless performance. Seasoned artists, like the ones represented by ARTSIT BOOKINGS, play perfectly at this level, and range from three piece to six-piece bands.  Be wary of calculating value for money based upon the members in the group. This is not always a good indicator of the quality you’ll receive for the cost. Instead, ask us about what each act offers to clarify what you’ll receive for the payment you make.

Beautiful memories are priceless

While cost is always a factor for weddings, finding the right musicians for the event is an invaluable investment. The memories they create are priceless, and stay with you forever.

Artist Bookings is here to connect you with the very best talent, working with you and your budget to make the perfect match. From there, all that’s left to do celebrate your wedding in style.

Email: leanne@artist-bookings.com or phone 0428 785 000 for more information.