How to Hire a Wedding Saxophonist
Live music is integral for bringing the party – and what better way to delight your guests and deliver the most unforgettable reception than by hiring a wedding saxophonist?
Whether you want classic jazz tunes, contemporary chart hits or some ambient music for a low-key drinks reception, our guide to hiring a saxophonist for a wedding covers everything you need to know.
From costs and packages to questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line – plus all the key moments a wedding saxophonist will perform on your day – we’re here to talk you through the basics.
All you need to do is decide who to book. Ready? Let’s go!
Disclaimer: Venue and supplier availability, pricing, and offerings are subject to change. Always confirm details directly with the venue or supplier before booking
Bridebook-Approved Wedding Saxophonists in the UK
If you’re ready to explore suppliers, here are some Bridebook-approved wedding saxophonists across the UK to get you started…
Dom Plays Sax – Bedfordshire
Bringing energy, mesmerising music and pure vibes, there’s a reason Dom has garnered plenty of five-star reviews. Whether you want ambience for your ceremony or ‘wow’ moments at the after-party, Dom’s 15 years’ experience has something for every kind of wedding style and couple.
Best for: couples who want a saxophonist who will interact with their guests.
Catherine Rannus – South Yorkshire
For couples in Yorkshire, musician Catherine Rannus is based in Barnsley, but has performed at wedding across the UK for more than 20 years. As well as playing the saxophone, Catherine can be booked to sing, and play piano or flute, either as a soloist or as part of a trio.
Best for: couples considering other musical elements and live performers, such as a singer.
Dave Colebourn Saxes – Bristol
Solo musician Dave Colebourn is perfect for couples seeking a wedding saxophonist in the south west of England. Whether you want funk and 70s disco, soul and Motown hits, Latin or salsa, there’s something in his repertoire for every musical taste and vibe. He’ll even learn your ceremony music free of charge.
Best for: custom packages and a wide range of musical genres.
Emily Sax – Dorset
From pop and jazz to chilled house and Ibiza bangers, there’s nothing Emily Sax can’t perform, whether she’s providing background music to welcome your guests to the ceremony or blasting out high-energy hits on the dancefloor. She’ll even bring a wireless microphone for the after-party!
Best for: couples with specific song requests – Emily will include up to five in her packages to ensure your favourites aren’t missed.
Maximum Music Events – Manchester
With everything from saxophonists to percussionists, DJs, bands and live dance crews on their books, Maximum Music Events in Manchester is the one to book for a fully immersive entertainment experience. It’s easy to see why the established team has garnered tons of five-star reviews from Bridebook couples.
Best for: large-scale events; sax and DJ wedding packages.
When Does a Wedding Saxophonist Perform?
Know for sure that you want to hire a saxophone player at your wedding but unsure of when you should slot them into your on-the-day timeline? Here are the key areas you might want to include some live music:
- Ceremony: Many couples choose to have some form of live music at the ceremony but much of whether a saxophonist is possible will depend on the acoustics and will have to be agreed with the venue and your officiant in advance. All being well, however, a saxophonist can be a really romantic addition – have them play during the processional, recessional, and during the signing of the register.
- Drinks reception: The most common time a wedding saxophonist will play is during the drinks reception when guests and the couple are circulating, and the atmosphere is relaxed yet social. Think acoustic tunes – some light jazz, recognisable pop and easy listening classics.
- Wedding breakfast: Imagine your guests tucking into their meal, the buzz of intimate chatter spreading across the venue and some ambient sax music playing in the background. Choose lounge-style music over high-energy numbers for an atmospheric setting that won’t compete with all the conversation.
- Evening reception: Looking for the ultimate playlist to carry you and your guests into the night? Live sax and DJ packages – where a saxophonist plays live improvisations amongst the crowd on the dancefloor over a DJ set – are becoming increasingly popular and a great way to really get the party started.
What Styles Can a Wedding Saxophonist Play?
- Jazz: From the classics to modern day, acoustic jazz is probably the first genre that springs to mind when hiring a saxophonist for your wedding. It’s perfect for all areas of the day though, particularly the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, tends to suit most venues and doesn’t require a PA system.
- Contemporary chart music: Tracks that your guests will recognise and be able to tap, dance and sing along to are often one of the most requested music styles for the drinks reception and evening party. Think Ed Sheeran, Beyoncé, Bruno Mars, Pharrell Williams and other chart-toppers.
- Lounge and ambient music: Ideal for when you want something low-key that doesn’t command attention – such as at the wedding breakfast – this genre is more about creating atmosphere than a performance.
- Sax and DJ set: Bringing a house, disco or soul DJ set to life with the live addition of a wedding saxophonist is a great way to deliver an unforgettable party atmosphere.
Your wedding saxophonist will know hundreds of songs by heart, so no matter what your wedding vibe or musical tastes, they’ll be able to provide the most fitting live soundtrack to your day. However, it’s always worth asking if they are willing to learn something specific – such as your first dance song – as most usually are.
What is a Sax & DJ Wedding Package?
While a good wedding DJ will have your guests dancing long into the night, for some couples, the addition of live music can amp up the celebrations for a party like no other.
Cue the DJ and sax wedding package, where a saxophonist will perform live alongside your DJ in bursts, improvising over the DJ’s set. The result is something that feels energetic and more distinctive than a standard DJ set – but without the cost and logistics of a full live band.
A wedding sax and DJ set works especially well at large-scale weddings and couples will typically pay anything from £600 to £1,200 for this.
Usually the DJ and sax player will be a pre-existing duo that frequently work together – perhaps they’re part of an entertainment group, for example – but if you’re booking two separate acts, keep in mind that they would need to meet in advance for a run-through.
How Much Does a Wedding Saxophonist Cost?
How much your wedding saxophonist will cost depends on a number of factors, which we’ve outlined below. The typical UK range sits between £300 and £700 for a two-to-three-hour solo booking, while sax and DJ packages will cost somewhere between £600 and £1,200.
Bridebook, the UK’s #1 wedding planning platform used by over 2.8 million couples, recommends getting at least three quotes before committing.
You’ll need to consider:
- Their experience and profile: Established performers with a strong wedding showreel will get booked up months – often up to a year – in advance and will naturally have a price point that reflects this popularity and experience.
- The format: A solo saxophonist booked for just a drinks reception, for example, will sit at the lower end of the price range, while a complete sax and DJ package, which requires more equipment and preparation, will cost more.
- PA and equipment requirements: Some musicians will have their own, others require the venue to supply a PA system, which could add to the overall cost.
- Location and travel costs: Are they local to your wedding venue? If not, they may need to add travel fees – and in some cases accommodation costs – to the booking. Where you are hosting your wedding may also have an impact. For example, a wedding saxophonist in London may cost more than a musician based up north.
What to Ask a Wedding Saxophonist Before You Book
10 key questions to put to your wedding saxophonist before you sign that dotted line…
- Can we see your full repertoire list?
- Can you accommodate requests, or learn a specific song for our ceremony or first dance?
- Is there a way we can see you perform live?
- Do you need a PA system, or can you play acoustically?
- Do you have any other power or space requirements to set up?
- Will you need breaks during the set, and do you have backing tracks to cover those gaps?
- What is your contingency plan if you are ill or unable to perform on the day?
- Do you charge separately for travel, and do you have any parking requirements at the venue?
- Would you like us to provide meals or refreshments?
- [For a sax-and-DJ-package] Have you worked with the DJ before, or will you need a pre-wedding run-through?
Booking a Wedding Saxophonist: FAQ
How much does a saxophonist cost for a wedding?
In the UK, a saxophonist for a wedding typically costs somewhere between £300 and £700 for a 2-3 hour solo booking. Sax-and-DJ packages, where a saxophonist performs alongside a DJ set at the evening reception, will cost between £600 and £1,200.
Anything from the location of your venue to the number of hours you want your saxophonist to play will impact the price.
When is the best time to have a saxophonist for a wedding?
You can have a wedding saxophonist play at any point during the day, but the most common is to have them perform during the drinks reception, when guests are mingling, and the atmosphere is relaxed and social.
You might also want to consider them for your ceremony (if permitted), the evening reception or as background music to your wedding breakfast.
What songs do wedding saxophonists play?
A wedding saxophonist will typically perform a variety of genres, depending on the couple’s musical tastes and the vibe of the wedding. Jazz and classical are popular, as are contemporary chart hits that guests are more likely to recognise.
Popular saxophonist wedding songs include covers of Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Beyoncé.
Can a saxophonist play at a wedding ceremony?
It is possible for a saxophonist to play at a wedding ceremony, either as part of the processional, recessional, to welcome guests as they take their seats or as background music while the couple sign the register.
However, some venues don’t permit live music during the ceremony – and not all spaces will carry the sound well – so always check before you book.
Find a wedding saxophonist near you
Browse wedding saxophonists and live music acts on Bridebook across London, Manchester, Yorkshire, Surrey, Cornwall, Devon and more, compare profiles, and enquire directly.
Why Trust Bridebook
Bridebook is the world’s #1 wedding planning platform, used by over 2.8 million couples. Our content is informed by real data from the Bridebook UK Wedding Report, which draws on responses from thousands of couples planning their weddings each year. Where expert input is included, contributors are named and their credentials verified. We update our articles regularly to ensure prices, statistics, and advice reflect current market conditions.
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