Wedding Guide for Live Music and Wedding Band Planning
Jump to: How it works · FAQ · Enquiry
Good wedding music does more than fill one slot in the running order; it carries the whole day: something emotional for the ceremony, a stylish backdrop at the agape (the Austrian post-ceremony drinks) or the drinks reception, subtle music over dinner, a well-prepared first dance and, later on, live music that fills the floor. What comes out of it is a set of musical choices that suits the couple, their guests and the way the day runs. The same holds for destination weddings, with guests travelling in to Vienna, Lower Austria or Burgenland.
This guide is written for couples, for the wedding party and for planners who want a clearer view of live music for a wedding. It concentrates on lineup, running order, volume, technical setup, how the pricing comes together and the details worth knowing before you send an enquiry.
If you would rather see straight away how The Jetset Society plays at a wedding, the compact service page is Wedding Band. This guide goes further into the planning itself, so that the decisions ahead of a booking rest on firmer ground.
Where some of your guests do not speak German, it is worth settling the announcements and the running order early. Both can be handled in English.
Wedding music planning at a glance
- A wedding band should suit the shape of the day, the room, guest numbers and the mood you are after.
- The Jetset Society plays in flexible lineups of 4 to 11 musicians; smaller setups from 3 musicians suit jazz, lounge and dinner settings.
- Songs are only part of it: musical arc, volume, technical setup, timing and good coordination with the venue or wedding planner count just as much.
Quick guidance in 60 seconds
1. Which parts of the day need music?
Is this about the party alone, or about the whole day? Ceremony, agape, drinks reception, dinner, first dance and the later party each call for a different musical role.
2. Which lineup?
Smaller lineups look elegant and take up little room. Larger ones, with several vocalists and horns, bring more stage presence and more drive to the dance floor.
3. Which conditions?
Venue, room size, power, setup time, curfew, volume limits and whatever equipment is already in the house shape the planning as much as the repertoire you have in mind.
How live music typically works at a wedding
Ceremony
Timing counts for a great deal at the ceremony. Entrance, ring exchange, signing and exit all want clear musical cues. The lineup here can be deliberately smaller and more intimate.
Agape, cocktail hour & dinner
Through the reception and dinner, music works best when it sets a tone and still leaves room for conversation. Jazz, lounge and soul sit naturally at this point in the day.
First dance & party
The first dance is the hinge into the evening. After it the energy can climb, with pop, soul, disco, rock, Austropop, oldies and modern classics to open up the dance floor.
How do we find the right live band for our wedding?
Musical phases, not a song list
A band worth considering treats ceremony, agape, drinks reception, dinner, first dance and party as separate musical phases, each with a mood of its own. Ask how those phases are built and how the transitions between them are planned.
Genuinely played live
Ask whether everything really is played and sung live. The Jetset Society plays and sings 100% live – with no backing tracks. Every lineup from 4 to 11 musicians is on stage with real voices and real instruments, and the instrumental jazz and lounge formations from 3 musicians play live throughout as well. On request, the band also plays your first-dance song from the original recording through its own PA.
A lineup that suits the room
Band size should follow from the room, guest numbers and the running order. The Jetset Society plays in lineups of 4 to 11 musicians, with smaller setups from 3 musicians for jazz, lounge and dinner settings. The Lineups page gives an overview.
Technical planning from the start
Power, stage area, setup time, volume and curfew belong in the conversation early. Ask who provides sound and lighting, and how the band works with your venue; the checklist for that is on Live band, venue & technical setup.
Song requests and the first dance
Ask how song requests are agreed, and whether the first dance should be played live or run from the recording through the band’s PA – both are on offer. The repertoire runs to more than 800 songs, and every title on the repertoire list can be played live in any lineup from 4 to 11 musicians. The titles that matter most are discussed in advance, and a song that is not on the repertoire list can be learned specially for you, with the extra preparation shown in your quote – more on that under Planning the first dance with a live band.
Enquire early
A lead time of 6 to 12 months gives you real choice – once date, region and venue are settled, an enquiry is worth sending.
The conversation itself tells you most. A band that asks about your running order, your room, your guests and the moments that matter to you, rather than simply sending back a song list, is a good sign. Describe the day you have in mind, then see how specific the reply is.
Which lineup fits your wedding?
Ceremony, agape & dinner
For the ceremony we recommend 2 to 4 musicians (anything from a duo to a quartet), for the agape and the drinks reception 4 to 6 and for dinner 3 to 5; an instrumental jazz trio is also possible. These lineups feel elegant, personal and flexible without taking over the room.
Flexible & versatile
Lineups of 5 to 7 musicians suit many weddings, pairing elegance with party potential. They often work well across reception, dinner and the evening programme.
Larger lineups
Larger lineups with several vocalists and horns make a strong visual impression. They come into their own when the party and a commanding stage presence matter most.
What each lineup is made up of and how much space it requires is set out on the Lineups page, and the lineup we recommend for each occasion is in the table “Guidance by event type” on the same page. For a first impression of how the various lineups come across, the Live impressions are worth a look.
Booking timeline and lead time
Enquire in good time
Popular dates between May and September, Saturdays above all, are often taken early. It pays to enquire as soon as date, region, venue and guest numbers are roughly clear.
Short notice can still work
A short-notice enquiry is still worth making once the running order and venue are settled. The more precise the details, the sooner we can say which lineup realistically fits.
Music for the ceremony, the agape, the drinks reception and dinner
Ceremony, agape, drinks reception and dinner each ask something different of the music. The ceremony is about emotion, the reception about atmosphere, and dinner about elegant live music that leaves conversation intact.
A detailed planning guide covering song requests, lineup, volume, technical setup, a second sound system and transitions is on ceremony, agape, drinks reception and dinner music.
Planning the first dance
The first dance can be played live with any title on the repertoire list, in any lineup from 4 to 11 musicians; most couples have the song played from the recording through our PA instead. Either way, what matters is the song title, the version you want, tempo, length and whether the dance should run straight on into the party.
If a song is not on the repertoire list, we are glad to learn it specially for you and arrange it for your booked lineup; the extra preparation is shown in your quote. It helps to name the important song requests early, so there is unhurried time for the arrangement. A detailed checklist is available on Planning the first dance with a live band.
Live band, DJ or additional playlist?
A live band creates something visible, emotional and immediate. Musicians read the room, respond to the guests, build energy and can frame the key moments musically.
Many couples also look for a cover band for their wedding, but what they usually mean is a professional live band that plays well-known songs with style and in a way people can dance to. What matters is whether the band does more than play songs – whether it thinks through the running order, lineup, volume and overall effect across the whole wedding day.
If music is wanted after the live set, a DJ or a playlist can be planned for the very late hours. The Jetset Society concentrates on genuine live music: flexible live lineups, its own arrangements, harmony vocals and a professional musical arc. A fuller decision guide is available on the Live band or DJ? page.
Technical setup, volume and venue
Sound & lighting
The Jetset Society brings its own sound and lighting up to a certain room size. Power, setup time and sensible positioning all matter.
Volume
Ceremony, reception, dinner and party each call for a different volume. Professional planning holds musical impact and easy conversation in balance.
Venue
Stage space, acoustics, access, load-in routes and curfew are best clarified early. A detailed checklist is available on the Live band, venue & technical setup page, and the venues and event partners page is also a helpful place to get your bearings.
How much does a wedding band cost?
What a wedding band costs depends on lineup, performance time, technical setup, venue, travel, setup time, day of the week, season and running order. Music for a small ceremony is costed quite differently from a full evening with reception, dinner, first dance and party.
That is why The Jetset Society quotes individually. The Pricing page sets out the typical factors. For a firm estimate, the best starting point is an enquiry with date, venue, guest numbers and the running order you have in mind. Detailed guide prices, worked examples and answers to the usual cost questions are collected on What does a wedding band cost?
Music timeline: rules of thumb for the evening
Reception and dinner
After the ceremony, the agape and the drinks reception carry the mood. Dinner often begins between 5 and 7 pm, with subtle dinner music behind it.
First dance as the turning point
After dinner, the first dance opens the floor and marks the start of the party.
Party start and guest performances
The party often gets going around 9:30 pm. Guest performances land best when they are kept short and placed early, which keeps the evening moving.
A wedding day with live music: sample timeline
- 2:30 pm – Ceremony: duo or trio, subtle and emotional · conversation level
- 3:30 pm – Agape & drinks reception: jazz, lounge and bossa nova · conversation level
- 6:00 pm – Dinner: conversation-friendly dinner music · conversation level
- 9:00 pm – First dance: performed live · medium volume
- 9:30 pm – Party time: the booked lineup takes over the dance floor · dancing level
- 12:30 am – Wind-down: a final live set or a fitting way to keep the music going · dancing level, easing off towards the end
Every wedding is different – the timeline above is a proven framework that we adapt to your day together.
Six typical mistakes when planning the music
Enquiring too late
Peak-season dates in particular are often gone well in advance.
Unclear schedule
Without a rough timeline, the right lineup is hard to judge.
Forgetting technical details
Power, space, setup time and volume limits are best settled beforehand.
Sending song requests too late
Important titles often need preparation and agreement.
Choosing the band size by budget alone
Room size, guest numbers and the impact you want weigh just as heavily as cost.
Not involving the venue
Coordinating with the venue or wedding planner helps the setup run smoothly.
Regional planning: Vienna, Lower Austria and Burgenland
For weddings in Vienna, access, setup times, volume rules and the venue’s own procedures carry particular weight.
In Lower Austria, venue size, outdoor areas, travel and flexible timing often play a large part.
In Burgenland, wineries, hotels, halls and outdoor areas are frequently part of the planning.
Questions before booking a wedding band
Before you confirm a booking, it is worth asking specifically about the lineup and how it is put together, sound and lighting, setup, soundcheck, song requests, extensions, a replacement if a musician falls ill and a clear written agreement.
Checklist for a good enquiry
Basic details
Date, venue, guest numbers, an on-site contact, the parts of the day you would like covered and an approximate schedule.
Musical preferences
Ceremony, agape, drinks reception, dinner, first dance, party, special songs, the atmosphere you are after and your preferred lineup.
Technical setup & room
Indoor or outdoor, stage area, power, load-in routes, volume rules, curfew and any sound or lighting equipment already in the house.
Priorities
What matters most to you: an elegant atmosphere, a full dance floor, a smaller lineup, greater stage presence, a budget range or live music across the whole day?
Further reading for your wedding planning
The compact service page for weddings.
All lineups from 4 to 11 musicians at a glance – including the smaller jazz, lounge and dinner setups.
Genres, styles and musical options.
Videos and impressions from different lineups.
The key factors behind a tailored quote.
More answers about live music, technical setup and planning.
Guidance based on guest numbers, room, schedule and the impact you want – for live band lineups of 4 to 11 musicians.
Guidance for live band, DJ, playlist or a combination.
From enquiry, quote and booking to technical setup and soundcheck.
Checklist for power, stage, volume, load-in, soundcheck and multiple performance areas.
Plan song version, tempo, length, choreography and the transition into the party.
Checklist for quotes, equipment, timing, song requests and booking conditions.
Ceremony, agape, drinks reception & dinner
Plan event phases, volume, lineup and transitions throughout the wedding day.
By Thomas Gindl – bandleader of The Jetset Society
Frequently asked questions about wedding music
When should you book a wedding band?
Popular dates between May and September are often taken early. An early enquiry lets you plan with certainty. That said, a short-notice enquiry can still be worthwhile if the date, venue and schedule are already clear.
Does a wedding band also play the first dance live?
Yes. Any title on the repertoire list – a waltz, for instance – can be played live in any lineup from 4 to 11 musicians. Most couples have the song played from the recording instead, and we handle that ourselves. It runs through our own PA, cued cleanly into the running order. If your song is not on the list, we are happy to learn it specially for you, and that extra preparation is reflected in your quote. Either way, it helps to agree song version, tempo, length and the transition into the rest of the evening early. Details are available on Planning the first dance with a live band.
How many musicians does a wedding need?
For weddings we recommend 5 to 7 musicians – the most popular choice – ideally with horns. The Jetset Society plays in flexible lineups of 4 to 11 musicians; smaller setups from 3 musicians suit jazz, lounge and dinner settings. Which size suits your wedding also depends on the number of guests, available space, budget, schedule and the atmosphere you want. For the ceremony we recommend 2 to 4 musicians (anything from a duo to a quartet), for the agape or the drinks reception 4 to 6 and for dinner 3 to 5. Larger lineups come into their own when you want a full dance floor later in the evening.
Which lineup is suitable for ceremony, reception, dinner and party?
For the ceremony we recommend 2 to 4 musicians (anything from a duo to a quartet), for the agape and the drinks reception 4 to 6 and for dinner 3 to 5: calmer setups that keep conversation flowing, and an instrumental jazz trio is also possible. For the first dance and the party in the evening, our wedding recommendation of 5 to 7 musicians applies; any dance-driven lineup from 4 to 11 musicians is possible. Larger lineups with several vocalists and horns are especially powerful for the party later in the evening. Many couples combine the two: a smaller setup during the day and the fuller lineup from, say, the first dance onwards.
Live band, DJ or playlist – which is best for a wedding?
A live band creates a visible, emotional and immediate atmosphere; which works best depends on the character you want the wedding to have. Musicians read the room, respond to the guests, build energy and can frame the key moments musically. The Jetset Society concentrates on genuine live music: flexible live lineups, its own arrangements, harmony vocals and a professional musical arc. For very late hours, an additional DJ or a playlist can be planned if music is needed after the live set.
What determines the cost of a wedding band with 6 to 8 musicians including sound and lighting?
For a wedding band of 6, 7 or 8 musicians, the cost depends on lineup size, performance time, sound and lighting requirements, venue, schedule, travel and setup time. That is why The Jetset Society prepares every quote individually. A price guide by lineup size – for each number of musicians – is on the pricing page.
What information helps with a quote for a wedding?
Helpful details include the date, venue, number of guests, an on-site contact, the parts of the day you would like covered, an approximate schedule, preferred lineup, technical setup, special song requests and notes on the event flow. On the technical side it helps to know whether the wedding is indoors or outdoors, plus the stage area, power, load-in routes, volume rules, curfew and any sound or lighting equipment already in the house. It also helps to know what matters most to you: an elegant atmosphere, a full dance floor, a smaller lineup, greater stage presence, a budget range or live music across the whole day. The more precise your information, the better The Jetset Society can tailor the quote.
Can a wedding band also bring technical equipment?
Yes. The Jetset Society owns its sound and lighting system and brings it along up to a certain room size; if you specifically ask for the venue’s system, the band will use that instead. Where a room is larger than our own system covers, we agree the approach in advance. Either the venue’s own system is used, or a sound company is brought in – we or the organisers take care of choosing and booking them. It is worth agreeing room size, power supply, setup time, band position and schedule in advance.
Does live music also make sense for smaller weddings?
Yes. Smaller lineups can create a high-quality, personal and stylish atmosphere without feeling intrusive. For the ceremony, the agape, the drinks reception (Sektempfang) or dinner, a smaller lineup can be a very good fit.
Can the performance be extended on the night?
Yes – subject to availability and for an additional fee, we can play on. The rate per extra hour is already in the quote, so the decision can be made quickly on the night. Whether the extra time works out depends on the running order, what the venue allows and whether the musicians can stay, so it is worth raising early.