Wedding Bands Northern Ireland Photos and Video
Wedding Bands in Northern Ireland I’ve photographed and filmed who have hit the high notes, got the guests up dancing, having fun and rocking. Photos and screen grabs from videos. Keep in mind, this isn't a best-of list or anything like that. A bit later in the evening, Kim and Charlie’s Lough Erne first dance started with the live band Atmosphere Band playing some classy music, with the bridal party and families joining in afterwards, which was great to see. If you are looking for a photographer for your wedding, contact me. Many great bands could be included in the top 10 in the Northern Ireland list, so it would be impossible to go through them all on this blog.
A traditional band is great to video as they get the guests up dancing and playing traditional music, which everyone knows. I would say if you are not sure what style or type of band to book, then book traditional.
Atmosphere - 3-piece band, Kesh
Atmosphere Band was booked for the couple’s video in Lusty Beg Island, and they were fantastic from start to finish. The band is a three-piece, so it's not a massive band, but any more than three band members gets a bit too big. They are located in Dungannon but travel all over NI. I filmed this band during the dancing, and I had two microphones recording sound on either side of them just to make sure I got plenty of audio.
They had a great backdrop, so when I took a video of the group, you could partially see their names. I could have enjoyed filming just the band all evening, but I had to get some footage of the guests! They played a great mix of music and hope to film again.
From their website …the perfect dress, the perfect flowers, the perfect day with your nearest and dearest. So why should the night be any different? The greatest day of your life deserves the best entertainment, so sit down and have a look through our website because your search has come to an end.
Looking for Photos or Video?
I’ve photographed many weddings and love the music. A good band will put on a good show that the guests get up and dance to, therefore making for great photos of the band and, more importantly, your guests having a great time. Let’s chat about your reception photos with the band in full swing and everyone up dancing. What a way to end your day, with your guests up dancing. Have you booked your videographer? Contact me for any enquiries.
Mothers Little Helpers - 5 piece band, Downpatrick
Mothers Little Helpers was hired for the couple’s wedding video in The Mill, Ballydugan, in Downpatrick. The band didn’t disappoint as I started filming the first dance with the bridal party and other guests joining in afterwards, which was great to film. I filmed during their rehearsals, wearing their ordinary clothes, as I filmed a little footage before the guests arrived, which I might use when editing the highlights. The bride and groom were called, with guests watching, and the band commenced playing. Again, I had one microphone recording sound on either side of the band also recording sound on my video camera.
From Mother’s Little Helper’s Facebook page … is a four-piece live band specialising in weddings, parties and corporate functions. The band name and business are owned and run by Shane and Brian Forsythe. The band has been entertaining audiences all over Ireland for many years and continues to grow in talent, repertoire and popularity…
Infinity The Band - 3-piece band, Newry
Infinity The Band, also known as Infinity, is an upbeat Irish band that I photographed at Canal Court. The group started with Rory Madden on keyboards. Inspired by The Boogiemen, Rory created Infinity, and it didn’t take long before the band achieved a top spot as Northern Ireland’s premier live 3-piece. In addition to Northern Ireland, they also play in Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Sligo, Louth, Leitrim, Meath, and Roscommon.
I photographed the band playing with various coloured lighting gels and some smoke that they had set up. This gives the photos of the band something extra, an added depth! It’s great when I’m photographing a full band as opposed to one individual!
Justin McGurk and The Boogie Men - 2-piece band, Cookstown
Some bands only have two musicians in them, so I assume they have backing tracks to accompany them. I filmed Justin McGurk and The Boogie Men in Cookstown, as they are two-piece live bands working all over the country and further afield. The lead is Justin himself, a seasoned performer and frontman. Justin has recorded many albums, and his music has been described as blending old with a new twist. They certainly had the guests up and dancing all night long at Katherine and Damian’s big day in the Glenavon Hotel, as I filmed their video there. Very impressive indeed. Two video cameras are filming from two different angles, and plenty of audio recorders are recording sound.
Below is the band playing some of their music, included. Some of the best band videos I've filmed are featured below. Some of these are small snippets.
The band played here in Kesh, which is close to Enniskillen.
Other notables are Klass, Bitz n Pieces, Smooth Band, The Reckoners and Peach. Also, The Untouchables is a five-piece performing all over NI, and they have packages to suit all occasions, from small to large. I don't know if they have a reduced number of band members and then more members, so visit their website for more info. Here’s some text from my blog post…
It was a great night’s craic as they also had a photo booth, Startrax Disco and one of the best, The Untouchables. I was only there for a bit longer at Nicola and Phillip’s big day in Crowne Plaza when the band started, but what can I say, wow! Had everyone up on the dance floor. From The Untouchables website… Planning yours? Are you in charge of your company’s big event? Or maybe you want to bring the best band in Ireland and the UK. If so, then The Untouchables will ‘make it a night to remember!…
These are band packages in that perhaps a member of the band is also a DJ, so they can stay, and the rest of the group goes. More information is coming soon.
Top 10 Bands to Rock Your Wedding
So, to summarise, a list of the top 10 bands in Northern Ireland, in no particular order, is
Atmosphere
Klass
Bitz n Pieces
The band is a three-piece made up of Barry Devlin as the lead, also playing guitar and saxophone, Gerard Devlin on guitar and bass and lastly Niall on keyboard and banjo. Barry and Gerard are father and son and have been performing for over 18 years.
Smooth
The Reckoners
Peach
The Nooks band
The Just Adam band
The Collective
The Professionals
Fusion Band
They are an exciting traditional band. They perform a varied range of music for the evening reception, from Rihanna to Dolly Parton, catering to both young and older guests. The usual decades you’d expect aimed at this age group are the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and up to the present.
FAQs
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and a band guide are listed below.
Is a band worth it? It is 100% without a doubt worth having a band at your event for various reasons. One of which is that there is great interaction between a live band and your guests. This can’t be replicated anywhere close by simply playing music through a laptop, CD or digitally. There is no comparison. If you can’t afford a five-piece, that’s fine. What about a two-piece band?
What makes a modern band? There are a couple of things that make a modern band. They need to be contemporary and modern (of course), playing up-to-date music, possibly throwing in some old hits, too. Maybe less of the piano organ type sound, which NI and ROI seem to like, although this is more for the older types rather than the younger people. The younger generation wants modern, not old-fashioned.
How many pieces are good in a band? It depends on how many guests you have at your event and how many pieces of music are good; it just really depends. For a smaller crowd, a two-piece may be ideal and would be cheaper and for a larger number of guests, a five-piece may be better.
DJs
A DJ in Northern Ireland who has worked their magic. Sorry if I’ve left you out! In no particular order, I have been DJ’ing. I was shooting either photos or videos. This isn't a best-of list or anything like that, and you can find out more by visiting their websites. I’m sure most of these guys play as a DJ in Belfast. And check out their DJ packages in Northern Ireland. Let’s look at some DJs you should think about booking for your big day.
Music Matters
Music Matters DJ was booked as the couple’s DJ in Lisburn, and I must say he did a great job at Helen and Scott’s big day in Riverdale Barn. Visit the DJ’s website for more info. Casual photos of the guests were next at their tables before this DJ in Northern Ireland, Music Matters, played their first dance at the Riverdale Barn, and soon afterwards, parents and some family members also joined in for the dancing. I always take a wide photo, taking in as much of the dancefloor as possible, then take medium-type photos of the two dancing. If I need to, I tap one of them on the shoulder to look at the camera.
From the Music Matters DJ website …at Music Matters, we know that not all parties are the same. Unfortunately, the assumption that they are is a mistake that many of our competitors tend to make. What works for one crowd may not work for another, and contrary to what the other guys may tell you, there is no ‘magic playlist’ that will get all your guests on the dance floor…
Phone or text: 07783 636174
DJ Terry Perry
The DJ in Bangor was DJ Terry Perry, who got the bride, groom and guests up dancing until the wee hours of the morning. DJ Terry Perry started a little earlier than usual. If you have the budget for both, I’d consider booking a DJ a little earlier, as the right DJ will keep your guests rocking until closing time.
Terry Perry played music from his large CD collection (very retro indeed!!) at Andrea and Thomas’s The Marine Court Hotel as they hit the dance floor for a fab first dance. I got some bride and groom photos in a couple of locations, including the bar. The DJ, Terry Perry, started the music at Andrea and Dean’s big day in The Stables Groomsport and Andrea and her dad took to the dance floor. From DJ Northern Ireland, DJ Terry Perry’s website …with an experienced DJ. We offer music for all occasions - engagements, Christmas parties, birthday parties, Halloween, formals, children's parties and christenings… I wish you a happy future together, and thanks for inviting me to your day; it was a pleasure.
Phone or text: 07933 217598
DJ David Black
DJ David Black was the DJ for this great couple’s evening reception in The Belfray Country Inn in Derry (Londonderry). The DJ was there earlier than usual. The DJ started with the usual bride and groom first dance, which I took a few photos of before asking the bridal party to join them. More photos were taken.
…as DJ David Black stepped up the music. All the best with your future; it was a pleasure working at yours…
From their website: A party to remember with professional DJ & compère David Black. 25 years of experience, industry-leading sound and lighting and of course, the very best party tracks make DJ David Black the right choice for your big day.
Phone or text: 079 7997 7775
Booking a DJ
Things to consider when booking a DJ in Northern Ireland and some questions to ask. I want you to know that finding this out beforehand makes it easier to manage later on. Does the DJ have any experience? This is linked to expertise, so see below for more info. There are lots of DJS with expertise and lots without, which do you prefer?
What style of music does the DJ play, or does he have a playlist? Most DJS will work without one on your setlist, and this needs to be worked out. More experienced DJS are most likely more expensive than less experienced DJS, but there is a reason for that: their experience. Experience and price are interlinked.
A DJ that caters more for local events can still, in theory, be booked for yours, which will cost a lot less. Unfortunately, most things seem to cost more once you say it’s for a wedding. Some DJS will charge for travel, some won’t. A DJ may not travel from one country to another; ask them first before booking. Usually, DJS play from about 10 pm - 1 am, but you could book a DJ from 8 pm - 1 am, as it is a personal preference on what you want and can afford.
Others to consider
Other DJs to consider, apart from all the above, are
Mark Brown, DJ who serves Belfast and NI
Darren McGarry DJ
Gaz, who is the resident DJ at Orange Tree House
DJ Magiggs
Wedding Entertainment
Entertainment in Northern Ireland can vary depending on what kind of atmosphere you want to create, i.e. fun, laid back, quirky, or something a bit different. Some ideas could be…
Waiters
Waiters are still a great form of entertainment that can often surprise your guests and also get everyone up dancing and enjoying themselves.
Swing, ie as in Frank Sinatra-type
A slightly older crowd might enjoy a swing, and there is no one better than Frank!
Music, ie saxophone, harp
A bit less likely to get the guests up dancing, but still quite enjoyable, is a saxophonist
Fish and chip van
Hypnotist
There are a few hypnotists available, and this helps fill in time and entertains, too.
Caricature
Irish dancers
If your guests are mostly Irish, they might enjoy Irish dancers
Magician
Children’s magic show
One for the kids
Cocktail making
Casino
This could be a lot of fun