FAQs

Payment and the booking process

How does the booking process work?
Once you have filled in an enquiry form or called us asking for a quote, we will get back to you as soon as the act(s) have confirmed their availability. We will then email you with an all-inclusive quote.

How much deposit is required?
The deposit amount will vary depending on the fee of the act you are booking. For soloists, string quartets and duos it is usually around £75. For band bookings the deposit will be between £100 and £200.

When will I have to pay the final amount? 
We will invoice you for the remaining balance which is due 30 days before the event. You can also pay the artist in cash on the day for smaller fees.

Will I be charged VAT on top of the quote I received?
We are not currently VAT registered so there is no VAT to pay. Some of our more expensive acts such as electric string quartets are VAT registered, so you will be charged but this will be shown in your original quote.

Can I talk directly to the act once I have booked?
Yes of course – once contracts are signed and deposit is received we always put you in direct contact with the acts you have booked.

What happens if the act is ill on the day or unable to attend?
In the unlikely event of illness or a car breakdown every possible step is taken to find an alternative musician – as an agency with hundreds of acts we are in an excellent position to find a replacement for you at short notice, but would not do this without contacting you and discussing the options with you.
In all the years of providing literally thousands of musicians for weddings and events we have only had 5 emergency situations and were able to provide an alternative act for 4 of these at very, very short notice!

Equipment & Public Liability Insurance

Will the musicians provide their own amplification? 
All guitarists will use and supply their own amplification and so will pianists if they are bringing their own digital piano – this is standard practice.
Harpists and string quartets do not generally amplify but some can provide this if it is a large event. If there are over 120 guests then this should be discussed. All bands will provide their own PA system and most will also supply their own lighting.

What do I need to do if my venue has asked me to provide a PAT test certificate and Public Liability Insurance for the musicians?
Many venues now insist on having these certificates – all professional musicians should have this in place and we are very happy to liaise directly with your venue and provide these to them.

What else do I need to consider?

How much space with the act need?
A solo musician will need enough space to comfortably sit without being too close to your guests - don't put a saxophone player right next to the table with your elderly relatives! A string quartet will need approximately 2m x 3m and bands will need considerably more space depending on the size of the group. 
If your event is at a hotel or venue, ask them where the best place is to put your acts and make sure you tell them you have booked live entertainment. 

How long will the performer play for?
Most bands offer 2 x 45 or 2 x 60 minute sets as a standard practice but some can offer a 3rd set if agreed in advance. Most “daytime” musicians will offer 2-3 hour bookings with breaks but not all acts will be willing to play for a wedding ceremony, drinks reception and meal as this amounts to around 4.5 hours.

Will I need to offer a meal to the performers?
If the musicians are at the venue for several hours over a mealtime we will ask you to provide them with a hot meal.

What else do I need to provide?
Bands and acts with dancers will require a changing room – please don’t send them to the public toilets! Generally all our acts are self-contained so will just need electricity for any equipment they are using and a chair with no arms if they are a seated performer.

How long will the act need to set up?
Most bands will need between 1 and a half hours to 2 hours to be fully installed - please consider this if you are having your meal in the same room as the evening function as this means the band may have to be set-up several hours before they are due to perform which may incur an early arrival fee.
Soloists, duos and classical musicians do not need very long to set-up but we ask all our acts to be set-up and ready to play 30 minutes before they are due to start.

What will happen in the breaks?
All bands will be happy to play an ipod (which you can supply) through their PA during the breaks. Some bands also offer a DJ service as part of the package.