Wedding Entertainment Melbourne
THE BEST LIVE MUSICIANS, BANDS, SOLO ARTISTS & DJS
Welcome and congrats on your upcoming nuptials! If you’ve arrived here looking for some of the finest wedding music Melbourne has to offer and to ensure that you have a stellar musical act locked in for your big day (and night) – you’ve come to the right place!
Hey Jack has years of experience in Melbourne wedding entertainment, bringing you an exceptionally talented group of Melbourne wedding musicians who put professionalism, incredible tunes, and good vibes first. We’re proud to say ALL of our wedding musicians and DJ’s know how to bring that extra ‘WOW’ factor to any event so your entertainment will help make every amazing moment of the day a little bit extra spesh and even more memorable. Read on to find your (second) perfect match!
BANGIN’ live music FOR YOUR BIG DAY
Nothing can beat live music for your wedding entertainment. Why? Unlike pre-recorded music, live music is a much more personalised experience for everyone, as the musicians can ‘read the room’ and stop and start songs at the perfect moment for pause or impact.
The live music provided by a soloist, acoustic duo, or Melbourne wedding band also creates atmosphere and ambience because of the unique and super engaging performance element. To make it easier to choose between a solo, duo or trio act, we have a few tips for you to help simplify the decision process.
Our acoustic soloists are perfect for intimate weddings or weddings that might have space restrictions, duos offer the best of both worlds, catering to weddings of all sizes and offering instrumental support, whilst trios are basically a wedding band that bring huge energy and excitement! And for a truly elegant atmosphere, consider a string quartet for your wedding!
Remember, you’re the captain of this wedding ship and you have the option to customise as much or little as you like. Want to create your own Melbourne wedding band? We can add extra vocalists, violin, keys, guitar or something jazzy like sax or energic like drums! Just ask us how!
CREATE AN UNFORGETTABLE RECEPTION WITH MAGICAL wedding entertainmentÂ
Your wedding reception is the moment you and your guests can all let loose on the dance floor, so nailing the right tunes and vibes is pretty important! A wedding live band will put their own distinct, unique flavour into a song, giving you the opportunity to hear the songs you know and love with a fresh twist.
Would you believe Melbourne wedding bands also pair really well with wedding DJ’s? It’s true, promise! The live vocalist and instruments in your band play over the songs the DJ spins to complement the music and elevate your entertainment to the next level. Having said that, DJ’s still work great as a solo option, especially if you don’t have the space for a band or you want to hear pre-recorded songs exactly as you remember them. Plus, don’t forget you can customise your Melbourne wedding band for bespoke entertainment. This can mean even more fun and interactivity for your guests. They’ll love seeing the sax or trumpet player weave in and out of the crowd hitting big notes.
Or if you’re after something to spice things up, go big or go home by adding bongos! The beat of drums is always a crowd favourite with upbeat, entrancing foot taps from even the most dance shy guests. Whatever you choose, there’s no doubt your reception will feel like a party you never want to end.
YOUR WEDDING, YOUR WAY – FUN & simple FROM START TO FINISH
We know you already have a lot on your plate planning a wedding (and that’s before you even eat your wedding cake), so we’re all about keeping your Melbourne wedding music process simple and fun! First things first! You can reach out to the Hey Jack team at any point along the way if you ever have questions or need advice. For example, in the beginning, you might need a hand selecting the kind of band, so we’ll direct you to their other live performances to help you decide.
Once you like a band, we can also organise an in-person meeting or if possible, you can see them play live at a public venue around Melbourne. You’ll also have a dedicated HJ Event Manager to collaborate with – they are super experienced in providing Melbourne wedding music and help guide all couples through every step. You can see the setlist, request changes, and also ask your Melbourne wedding musicians to learn up to three songs that are special for you and your partner to be played at any time throughout the day (aisle, first dance, and reception entrance are popular choices, for example).
Let’s fast-forward to your actual wedding day! Your act will be there on time, always, and make sure everything is set up and ready to go so you can focus on what’s really important – having the time of your life!
OUR WEDDING MUSICIANS HAVE YOUR CEREMONY covered
Pending the music package you decide upon, your Melbourne wedding music entertainment can begin before you even set foot at the venue. Your chosen act will set the tone for the day as guests await your big arrival, surrounding guests with sweet romantic melodies. The soft, soulful notes will continue as you glide down the aisle. Some of our favourite combinations are vocals accompanied by cello, or acoustic guitar and if you have the room, piano keys are equally incredible. However, it’s hard to go wrong here with a live wedding musician in Melbourne at your ceremony.
From here, musicians play throughout the canapé hour. This is a great opportunity for the excitement of the reception to build among your guests as they enjoy nibbles and no doubt a cheeky wine (or two).
ANSWERS TO ALL YOUR BURNING ENTERTAINMENT questions
You may have attended a lot of weddings, but it’s never quite the same as planning your own! It’s also not the same as an annual birthday party so it’s okay if you have a few curly questions – we love the curly questions! In fact, we’d be surprised if you didn’t have anything to ask us. To help make things as crystal clear as the glassware at your wedding, we’ve included our most asked questions below.
Can my musician/band or DJ take requests on the day?
Absolutely! You will receive your music portal to add song requests, music genres & the overall details of your day. You can include as many songs as you like if they’re listed on the musician/band’s set list and any songs for the DJ. We recommend only giving us some of your favourites, and our performers will read the room and use their professional ability to judge the crowd and play the best songs on the day. We don’t require every song to be played, which is why you book professional musicians and DJs! Songs outside of the artists’ setlist are an additional fee.
How long is the aisle song during my ceremony?
Our musicians will have a chit-chat with your celebrant before the ceremony, indicating how they are setting the pace and a cue for them to start playing. Having live music for your ceremony will be one of the best wedding decisions you’ll make, as live acts are responsive to changes like pausing or playing a song a little faster or slower. This is important since everyone has a different walking pace down the aisle.
We have multiple locations for ceremony and reception – how much does it cost to relocate?
Zero, zilch, nada, nothing…you get the idea! We don’t believe in relocation fees or hidden costs – what you see is what you get! Regardless of the package you book, every hour we’re present at your wedding is included in our coverage of entertainment. So, if your coverage is 7 hours, then this will include our travel time in between. If you need to be covered longer due to a relocation, you can always customise your package and add on as much time as you need – just ask us and we’ll take care of the rest.
What if our ceremony doesn’t have power?
Yikes! Just kidding – this isn’t an issue. We come prepared; it’s your big day, after all. We can provide your soloist, duo, or trio with their battery-powered sound system for an additional cost of $100 + GST.
I want to secure the performers/entertainment for my date BUT I don’t know my timings yet!
No problem, we can work around you! If you’d like to lock in your wedding band, so no one else snaps them up in the meantime, you can pay your deposit. We’ll block the date out (since bands generally don’t play more than one wedding per day), and that way, you’ve secured the act of your choice. We can work on your confirmed times & details closer to the date – easy peasy!
What happens to the music if the musician/s need a (toilet) break?
Each experienced Hey Jack musician knows how to keep their breaks short and sweet. Breaks are timed, so you have live music for all the crucial moments throughout the day; you’ll never be without live music for your reception entrance, cutting the cake, your first dance, etc. Your performers will also cue pre-corded songs to play during any breaks that fit your overall song selection. We can put together a playlist for these breaks, or if you prefer, you can send us your Spotify playlist.
Can I change a few things in my package, is it flexible?
We like to ensure our packages are as flexible as possible so we can help you achieve your #weddinggoals. Our packages are examples of the most popular timelines couples love, but everything can be tailored, and we love to personalise wherever possible. For example, if you’d like your entertainers to play longer, want them to wear a particular colour (all black attire, white or neutrals for a beachy wedding, etc.), or feel like adding an instrument or two (or three…) – you can. Let’s create a bespoke, perfect package together!
What sort of space do my musicians and/or DJ require?
This will vary a little pending the type of performers you book. For example, if you opt for a 3- or 4-piece band, they will require roughly 3m x 3m of space, including the speakers. A soloist, DJ, 2 piece requires approx. 2m x 2m, but to be on the safe side, please check with us before the day. We like to boast a compact set-up, but specific instruments have different specs!
Do I need to provide meals for the performers on the day?
Musical fuel (dinner) for the musicians/DJ would be fab and required if the artist or DJ is playing for more than 3 hours.
Does my quote include everything in terms of sound and entertainment? Do I need to organise anything else?
You bring the guests, and we’ll bring the musical atmosphere and good vibes! It’s your big day, and we know you have a lot of things to do, so the answer to this is nothing at all! We bring all equipment, the sound system and if you’d like we can even bring some basic lighting for your reception. Please check the above notes regarding battery speaker and/or song requests, as these are at an additional fee.
Can I meet my wedding musicians or DJ/MC before my wedding?
We don’t recommend it – and here’s why! You have booked an agency with experienced Entertainment Managers, curating wedding entertainment daily. We love taking on all coordination and meetings on the performers’ behalf to ensure no details are missed. Our performers are paid to perform and sometimes don’t enjoy the planning side of things – hence they work for us, and everything becomes seamless for all parties. Your Entertainment Manager will be in touch 3 weeks before your date to kick off all the planning, and you can rest assured that we send a detailed brief and run sheet to all our performers – nothing is missed!
Can we see our preferred wedding musicians play live before booking?
We weren’t kidding when we said our Hey Jack wedding entertainers are some of Melbourne’s best, so they tend to work exclusively in the wedding & corporate scene. Unfortunately, finding a gig open to the public can be challenging as most of our artists don’t perform at public gigs often. We recommend going off the videos & audio on our website as these are all recorded live, and it truly represents what you get on the day!
How much does live wedding entertainment cost?
We pride ourselves on exceptional entertainment at palatable prices. Our live wedding musicians start at $1,090 + GST for a soloist covering the ceremony & canapé hour.
Other than music, what kind of entertainment add-ons do you offer?
We have options such as lighting upgrades, extra sound and audio equipment for larger events, MC and smoke machine/effects. Please let us know what your visions are, and we’ll try our best to achieve them!
Do you offer live music for my wedding ceremony only?
We sure do! There is a minimum charge of 2 hours for our solo and duo acts, which generally covers pre-ceremony (30 minutes), ceremony (30 minutes) and canapé hour (1 hour). Our artists block out the whole day for your wedding, hence the minimum coverage. The only exception is with our strings musicians, who can accomadate a minimum 1-hour slot.
How do I choose a wedding musician or wedding band?
We have spent a lot of time creating an intuitive and easy-to-use website with our couples in mind. All of our musicians have individual profiles where you can view their videos, setlists & photos in your own time, giving you a good understanding of their vibe and style. It comes down to the availability of your favourite performers, so let us know who you love, and we’ll start the process of boking them tentatively.
Which locations in Melbourne and Victoria do you travel?
Our Hey Jack artists know (almost) no bounds when delivering a soulful performance. They have played at weddings spanning the Dandenong Ranges, Geelong and Bellarine, the Yarra Valley, Albury and Wodonga, Lakes Entrance and Gippsland, the Mornington Peninsula and, of course, central Melbourne. You could say we get around in our pursuit of making wedding music magic happen! If you don’t see your location on that list, reach out and ask us. We can also have our performers travel interstate, with flights, accommodation and expenses paid for.
Will an acoustic soloist or acoustic duo be suitable for a dancefloor?
Our live music acts offer unique setlists for all vibes of a reception. We recommend chatting to your booking manager if you’re hoping to have them extend into dancefloor time as some of our musicians are unsuitable. Hey Jack has a range of solo and duo acts that are perfect for a party so we can guide you through this. On the other hand, if you’re looking for upbeat, more Aussie classics/80s/90s dancefloor tunes or Bohemian Rhapsody sing-along vibes, this is better suited to our wedding DJ’s and live wedding bands. If you don’t want to forgo live music, our hybrid DJ-Band option, which you can read more about below!
I want the best of both worlds – live music and a DJ?
On our package page, you can view our all-day packages, including acoustic + DJ, which cover the best of both worlds! BUT – what is really cool are our DJ bands (DJ/Sax/Vocals/Percussion) who come together for the dancefloor. Best reserved for receptions rather than ceremonies, this option is an eclectic combination of the best parts of an engaging wedding DJ, mixed with the energy, interactivity, and fun of a wedding band. Your live vocalist, instrumentalists, and DJ play seamlessly together to elevate your entertainment to another level and get your guests in the mood to cut some shapes on the dancefloor! The best part is you can customise this even more by choosing the instruments you’d like included – sax, drums, trumpet, electric cello, electric guitar and electric violin and more!
What info do my partner and I need to give you for our entertainment?
We’ll set up a super easy-to-operate (even your nan could do it) personalised online music portal for you. This will allow you to curate your setlist and make song requests, including the specific moments you want them played. We also require a run sheet for the day when it’s finalised where you can upload to the portal – this is all we need from you! Other than that, you’ve got us to do as much of the ‘heavy lifting for you as possible!