There are a few key ingredients that make a wedding feel truly special — and live music is definitely one of them. From the moment your guests arrive to the last song of cocktail hour, live music sets the tone in a way a Spotify playlist simply can’t.

As a wedding singer based in Auckland, I’ve performed at over a hundred weddings around New Zealand. While every celebration is different, there’s one thing I hear time and time again: couples are stoked they invested in live music.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the role live music plays on your wedding day — when it matters most, how to make the most of it, what songs couples often choose, and how to help everything flow seamlessly.

If you’re looking for a wedding singer and resonate with my sound, I’d love to be part of your big day.

Is a wedding singer worth the investment?

I get it — why pay for live music when you could plug in a playlist?

The difference is in the experience. Live music brings something no playlist ever could: it’s personal, emotive, and most importantly, adaptable.

A great wedding singer doesn’t just perform — they read the room. They will adjust their tone, volume, and energy to match the space and the moment. If things are running late or a vibe shift is needed, live music can adapt in real time.

Here’s why couples often choose live music:

• It creates atmosphere – Gentle acoustic covers can calm nerves, lift spirits, and make a space feel more welcoming.
• It makes key moments memorable – Walking down the aisle to a live version of your song just hits differently.
• It feels more connected – Guests tend to engage more with something that’s happening live, in the moment.
  

Key moments for live music

Not sure when to include live music? These are the most popular times couples have me perform:

• Guest arrival – Light background music as guests take their seats
• Ceremony – Three key moments: the aisle walk, signing of the register, and exit
• Canapés / cocktail hour – A relaxed acoustic set while you’re having photos taken
  

A sample timeline for your wedding music

Here’s an example of how my live sets might look across your day:

3:30pm – Guest Arrival
Acoustic set while guests mingle and find seats

4:00pm – Ceremony
Aisle, signing, and exit songs performed live

4:30pm – Cocktails & Canapés
Acoustic covers as guests eat, drink and be merry

How to make the most of your wedding music

Live music has the power to elevate key moments, and a bit of thoughtful planning helps it shine, while ensuring you get bang for oyur buck. Here are a few tips I’ve picked up from performing at hundreds of weddings around Aotearoa:

1. Time your sets with the flow of the day

If your family photo list is quite extensive and your photographer plans to use the mic to call people up, this might be a good time for your wedding singer to take a break. During periods of stop-start announcements, a playlist can be more practical, giving your singer time to reset and return ready to set the tone again.

2. Use live music to ease transitions

Having your singer perform a few songs as guests arrive and take their seats helps create a warm, welcoming atmosphere — and subtly signals that the ceremony is about to begin.

3. Keep the energy going after the ceremony

Live music is a great way to bridge the gap between the ceremony and the cocktail hour. If you’re able to host the ceremony and cocktail hour in the same area, your singer can seamlessly transition from one section of the day to the other without needing to stop and move their gear. It’s a small detail, but it helps avoid awkward silences and keeps the mood flowing.

4. Choose songs that mean something to you

It’s your day — so if the classics aren’t your thing, feel free to shake it up. Whether it’s a shared favourite, a nostalgic throwback, or a song with a lyric that hits just right, personal music choices always land best.

5. Share your timeline

Once you’ve locked in your key moments, share your run sheet with your singer. This helps with planning around arrival, soundcheck, set up and pack down — and ensures everything runs smoothly on the day.

6. Trust your wedding singer

A great wedding singer knows how to adapt to their environment — whether that means softening things during a quiet pause or lifting the mood as guests start to mingle.

One of the most important (and underrated) parts of a live wedding performance is timing. A good singer will know how to perfectly pace and wrap up each moment — fading out the aisle song just as the bride reaches the end of the aisle, drawing out the final note as the signing of the register wraps up, and cranking the exit song the moment you’re officially married.

You don’t need to be overly precise with timings or worry about giving exact cues. A professional wedding singer will be watching, listening, and adapting in real time, enhancing each moment, without you having to give it a second thought.

Most requested songs

These are a few of the songs couples often ask me to perform. If you have a special request, I’m always happy to learn it.

For Walking Down the Aisle

• “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley
• “Sea of Love” – Cat Power
• “A Thousand Years” – Christina Perri

For Signing the Register

• “Better Together” – Jack Johnson
• “Lover” – Taylor Swift
• “Make You Feel My Love” – Adele / Bob Dylan

For the Exit

• “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – Queen
• “Next to Me” – Emile Sande
• “Marry You” – Bruno Mars

I’m a singer-songwriter based in Auckland with a background in original music and live performance. Over the years, I’ve performed at all kinds of weddings, from intimate backyard ceremonies to large-scale celebrations. I love working with couples to contribute to their day in a meaningful way.

If you’re planning your wedding and thinking about live music, I’d love to hear your ideas. Let’s chat!