Wedding Band FAQ: What Couples Ask Before Booking Live Music
Planning live music for your wedding? Here are the top questions couples ask us—from choosing the right songs to how setup and timing works. Get honest, helpful answers from a professional wedding band in Newcastle & the Hunter Valley.
Booking live music for your wedding is exciting—but it can also feel a bit daunting if you haven’t done it before. We’ve played hundreds of weddings across Newcastle, the Hunter Valley, and beyond, and we’ve noticed the same questions come up time and time again.
Here’s a helpful guide with honest answers to the questions couples actually ask us before they book.
Can we choose the songs the band plays?
Absolutely—but with some limits. We’ll send through our full song list so you can mark any favourites or must-plays, and let us know if there are songs you'd rather avoid (the classic “please no Horses” request—we hear you).
We also encourage you to tell us about your vibe. We’ll then build a set list that keeps the night flowing and the dance floor full.
Do you play the first dance live?
Yes, if you want us to. We’ve performed everything from Ed Sheeran to Flight of the Conchords. Just let us know your choice ahead of time so we can arrange it properly. If you'd prefer to use the recorded version, we can cue it up and handle the transition live.
How many sets do you play, and how long is the music?
Typically, we perform 3 × 45-minute sets over the course of the reception. We can be flexible with timings depending on your run sheet—whether that’s spacing things out between dinner and speeches, or loading up the dance floor late into the night.
We also offer background music, soloists, and duo options for ceremonies and cocktail hours.
Can you do MC duties?
Yes! We’re happy to MC, introduce key moments, or coordinate with your venue and other suppliers. Just let us know in advance so we can prepare names, run sheet cues, and anything else we need.
What gear do you bring? Do we need to organise anything?
We bring everything needed for the live music—PA, instruments, lights, and even a spare mic for speeches. All we need is:
- A safe, undercover space to play (around 4 m × 3 m is ideal)
- Access to power
- Meal(s) for the band if we're staying the whole evening
Do you take requests on the night?
Yes—within reason. If it’s on our setlist and fits the vibe, we’ll gladly pivot. If someone requests something out of left field (hello, death metal uncle), we’ll use our discretion to keep the mood right.
How early do you arrive?
We usually bump in 1.5–2 hours before we’re scheduled to play to set up and soundcheck. If your ceremony and reception are in the same space, or you need us to set up early, just let us know—we’re used to adapting.
Can we have a say in the music during breaks?
Yes—we can put on a Spotify playlist, your own playlist, or something curated to match your style. Just send us a link or some artists you love.
Do you travel outside of Newcastle/Hunter?
Absolutely. We regularly play weddings in Mudgee, Central Coast, Southern Highlands, and even Sydney. Travel fees may apply, but we’ll give you a clear quote upfront.
What if something changes last minute?
We’ve seen it all—rain delays, power issues, missing groomsmen. We pride ourselves on being easygoing, flexible, and professional. Just keep us in the loop and we’ll roll with whatever the day throws at us.
Have a Question Not Covered Here?
We’re always happy to chat! Reach out via our contact page and we’ll answer anything—no pressure, no sales pitch, just straight-up advice from musicians who want your wedding to be unforgettable.
Things Couples Often Forget When Booking the Band
Planning a wedding? Don’t forget the music details! Here’s what couples often miss when booking a band — and how to avoid the stress.
When you’re planning a wedding, your head is swimming with details — florals, the dress, timelines, RSVPs. So it’s totally understandable that some key things can slip through the cracks when it comes to your wedding music.
Here are some of the most common things we see couples overlook — and how to get ahead of them.
1. Who’s Doing the MC Duties?
Don’t assume your venue or band automatically provides an MC.
A family member is ideal! They know you guys personally and already have a rapport with the guests. Make sure they have experience public speaking (teachers are always a safe bet!) and let them know in advance so they can plan key announcements: entrances, cake cutting, speeches, and more.
2. A Mic for Speeches
It’s easy to assume there’ll be a mic available — but not every venue supplies one, and not all bands bring extra mics unless requested.
If you’d like to use our mic for speeches, just give us a heads-up so we can factor it into the setup.
3. Where the Band Will Actually Set Up
We’ve squeezed into some pretty tight corners over the years. Ideally, we need about 4m x 3m to set up properly (but we’ll make do if space is limited).
It helps to check the floor plan with your stylist or venue so we’re not crammed in beside the fire exit or halfway in the garden. Don't forget room for the dance floor!
4. The Power Situation
Bands need power. It sounds obvious, but sometimes venues don’t have outdoor access or the nearest outlet is 20 metres away.
If you're having an outdoor wedding, double-check that there are multiple power points near the band area and or an adequate generator is supplied.
5. Setting the Right Mood Before the Band Starts
Live music is amazing — but it’s not always running 100% of the time.
Think about how you want the room to feel during dinner or pre-band mingling. Would you like us to play background playlists through our system? Want something upbeat or mellow? Let us know and we’ll sort it. You are welcome to provide your own curated playlists for us to put on our system if that suits you.
6. Timing: When the Band Arrives and Leaves
We’ll always arrive early enough to set up before guests enter — but if you’re planning a surprise, a room turnaround, or anything out of the ordinary, give us a heads-up.
Also, if your venue has a strict noise curfew, let us know so we can plan our set times accordingly.
7. What Happens if the Timeline Changes
Weddings often run behind (or occasionally ahead!). We’re flexible — but it helps if someone can be our point of contact on the night.
That way, we’re not tapping you on the shoulder during your first champagne.
8. Choosing “Must-Play” and “Do-Not-Play” Songs
We’ve got a huge repertoire, but we won’t know what you love (or hate) unless you tell us.
Let us know your must-plays and any hard no’s (like “Wonderwall” or “Horses” 😅) and we’ll build the night around your taste.
9. Letting the Venue Know We’re Coming
Some venues have restrictions around sound checks, bump-in times, or parking access. It makes everything smoother if the venue knows when to expect us — and where we can unload.
Final Thoughts
We want your night to feel seamless — like everything just “happened” to work perfectly.
And that all starts with a bit of planning. Tick off the things above, and you’ll set your band (and your party) up for success.
Need help sorting the details? Just reach out — we’re always happy to chat through the timeline with you.
10 Unforgettable Moments That Made Our Wedding Gigs Legendary
Backstreet Boys moves, lobster costumes, and an acoustic singalong during a blackout — here are ten wedding stories that remind us why we love what we do.
Stories from Aubrey
When you play as many weddings as we do around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, you start to collect a lifetime of wild, hilarious, and genuinely beautiful moments.
These are the ones that stick with us — the nights where something unexpected happened and the crowd turned magic.
1. The Backstreet Boys Dance-Off
It started as a last-minute request — “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back).”
What we didn’t know was that half the bridal party had a fully choreographed routine ready to go.
As soon as that opening riff hit, they launched straight into it — synchronised moves, cheering guests, and three generations screaming “Am I sexual?!” in perfect unison.
The energy was off the charts.
2. The Flight of the Conchords First Dance
One couple decided their first dance wasn’t going to be soppy — it was going to be funny.
They chose “The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)” by Flight of the Conchords, and performed a perfectly timed parody routine.
It had everyone — including the grandparents — crying with laughter.
It was so them. And that’s exactly why it worked.
3. A Song Written by the Groom’s Father
At one beautiful family-property wedding, we learned a song the groom’s dad had written for his sons.
It was called “Watching The Son Rise,” and it was raw, simple, and honest.
He got up and sang it with us — no ego, no nerves, just love.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, and we’ll never forget it.
4. The Secret Mumford & Sons Surprise
We teamed up with a groom in secret to learn “The Cave” by Mumford & Sons.
At the end of the night, he jumped up on stage and belted it out to his bride.
The crowd went absolutely nuts — a full sing-along, hands in the air, that perfect combination of chaos and heart.
5. The Rock Lobster Guest Appearance
We once kicked off “Rock Lobster” by The B-52’s, and right on cue, a guest burst through the door wearing a full lobster costume.
Completely unplanned.
The timing was so good we almost fell over laughing mid-song.
That dance floor didn’t recover for twenty minutes.
6. The Local Legend’s Wedding
We played a wedding for a well-known Newcastle musician — no name-dropping, but let’s just say we felt the pressure.
It turned out to be one of the loosest, most joyful nights ever.
Everyone sang, the sound was perfect, and by the end we were all just grinning at each other thinking, “Yep, this is why we do it.”
7. The Tambourine-Fueled Jet Cover
This couple handed out tambourines as party favours.
So when we ripped into “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet, the entire crowd had their own percussion section.
It was loud, chaotic, and absolutely glorious — the kind of moment you can’t plan for but wish you could bottle.
8. The Horse Who Crashed the Reception
At a Dungog wedding, a horse casually wandered into the reception area during setup.
No one flinched — apparently it was part of the family.
It trotted out right before the first dance. Perfect timing.
9. The Unplugged Power Outage Sing-along
The power cut out at the Peppers Creek Barrel Room, right near the end of the night.
Instead of panicking, we grabbed an acoustic guitar and kept going.
Guests circled around, phones out for light, everyone singing at the top of their lungs.
It turned into one of the most intimate and unforgettable sets we’ve ever played.
10. The One That’s Yet to Come
Every wedding has a story waiting to happen — and we can’t wait to see what the next one brings.
Maybe it’ll be your night that makes the list.
Looking for a band that brings heart, humour, and zero cheese?
How to Choose a Wedding Band That Actually Gets Your Crowd Dancing
How to choose a wedding band that keeps your dance floor full — insights from Aubrey, Newcastle & Hunter Valley’s modern wedding band.
When you’re picking a wedding band, you want more than just music. You want a group that reads the room and creates a dance floor vibe that’s absolutely unforgettable. And that’s exactly what we do. For us, every wedding is a chance to create a unique, one-of-a-kind moment.
Reading the Room and Mixing It Up
We once played in a marquee where a thunderstorm turned the whole evening into a party bubble. After a sunny afternoon and pizza, everyone got a little tipsy and then the rain came pouring down. We had everyone inside that marquee, and it turned into one of the best dance floors we’ve ever seen. That’s what we love: turning a moment into something magical.
One of the most important things we do is read the crowd. We watch whether they’re into Amy Winehouse or vibing with something more modern like Dua Lipa, and we’re not afraid to switch up the setlist mid-song. We might cut to the drums and get everyone singing along, or drop a slow groove just to give everyone a breather. It’s all about the flow of the night. And if the bride or groom has a special request, that’s the golden ticket—we’ll always find a way to make it happen.
From Canapés to Dance-Floor Anthems
We know the early part of the evening is different from the peak of the dance floor. During canapés or dinner, we might take a song like Dreams by Fleetwood Mac and give it a laid-back groove. For a different group, we’ll ramp it up into a full-on dance anthem. We love rearranging songs on the fly to suit each moment, and that’s part of what makes us unique.
A Personal Touch for Special Moments
When it comes to those intimate moments like the first dance, we make it personal. We get your special requests a month in advance so we can create a custom arrangement that’s just for you. Whether you want to keep the tempo like the original or have a certain moment where everyone joins in, we’ll make it happen. It’s about crafting a version of that song that no one else will ever hear—just for your wedding.
The Aubrey Philosophy
In the end, our mission is simple: we’re here to be relaxed but organized, to deliver polished and unique versions of songs in a genuine, authentic way. We’re not just playing covers; we’re having a conversation on stage and with the crowd, creating something no one else has heard before. And we absolutely love doing it.
Looking for a modern wedding band in Newcastle or the Hunter Valley?