What does live music really cost in Italy?
A transparent wedding cost breakdown with Fix the Music
Photo: Ginger Beard Weddings
Music sets the tone for your wedding, but it is so much more than just picking songs you love. From the welcome event all the way through to the ceremony entrance and the after party, the right music creates atmosphere, hints to guests what energy to bring and makes the day feel truly yours. There are so many options and so many ways to split a music budget so we caught up with Fix the Music, a trusted platform for booking all your wedding music to breakdown everything you need to know and how much you should expect to pay.
Budget-savvy
€2,500 - €3,500
What?
Ceremony: Solo guitarist from €400 or violinist from €500
Aperitivo: Acoustic roaming duo from €900
Evening: DJ plus sax from €1,200
Mid-range
€4,500 - €7,000
What?
Ceremony: String quartet from €1,000
Aperitivo: Jazz band from €1,500
Dinner + Dancing: 5-piece band from €2,500
After-party: DJ add-on from €500
Luxe
From €12,000
What?
Pre-ceremony welcome: Classical ensemble from €1,500
Aperitivo: 8-piece roaming showband from €3,000
Evening: 10-piece evening showband from €6,000, with horns and vocalists
After-party: DJ with sax/percussion add-on from €1,000
Don’t forget the SIAE performance licence, from €256. From more information on SIAE tax find here.
Cost-efficient ways to get incredible music
One of the smartest ways to save is booking a single act that can handle your ceremony, aperitivo and evening party. Choosing local musicians near your venue also helps avoid travel and accommodation costs. Roaming musicians are perfect for the drinks reception too; no need for a full PA system early on. You can also save by picking a Thursday or Sunday wedding date and wrapping up by midnight.
Create a full show-stopping experience
To wow your guests, think about building a musical journey through the day: strings for the ceremony, roaming performers during dinner, then a full showband for the evening. Adding horns and backing vocalists can make a huge impact. Interactive touches like roaming solos at tables or a saxophonist jumping in on the dance floor keep the energy high. For a surprise moment, consider a second line-style mini parade from the ceremony to the drinks. Lighting and staging upgrades like moving heads and cold spark effects bring real theatre. And to end on a high, go for a DJ with live percussion and sax at the after-party.
Tricks of the trade
Lock in your timings first so musicians quote for exact set lengths, not vague windows. This will help you properly compare pricing quotes.
Ask bands to provide a DJ add-on so you avoid a second supplier and extra setup fees and logistics to coordinate.
Keep all music in one area if possible, so you don’t pay for two sound systems.
Splitting the evening can result in a drop of energy - consider how you will create an atmosphere to keep the party going in the second music location if you do move.
Confirm a wet-weather plan that works with the band and PA. Confirm this is suitable for all involved, so you do not have last minute stresses or lose time or have the volume / quality affected
Check with your venue about outdoor music curfews
Whether there is somewhere inside to move the party
Any additional fees
And plan how you’ll move the party to keep the vibes going
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PLANNING | REAL WEDDING | BUSINESS | SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT | INSPIRATION | WANDERLUST
