So, you’re planning your wedding day — you’ve got a rough schedule in mind, you know when the ceremony starts, and you’re picturing guests sipping champagne in the sunshine afterward…
But where does live music actually fit in?
More importantly — where does JAM Duo fit in?
We’re Jules (piano) and Anne-Marie (cello), and we’ve performed at hundreds of weddings all over the UK. One of the most common questions we get from couples is:
“How long do you play for, and when?”
This post will walk you through exactly how we work on the day — with real-world examples and the 4 most popular options we offer.
First Things First: When Do We Arrive?
We typically arrive one hour before the start time of your booking, which for most couples means one hour before your ceremony begins.
This gives us plenty of time to:
- Set up our Nord Stage Piano, Yamaha Electric Cello, and portable power supply
- Do a full sound check for the space
- Coordinate with your venue or planner
- Be ready and playing as guests arrive
We bring everything we need and don’t require mains power — so whether you’re getting married in a stately home, a woodland glade, or your parents’ back garden, we’re good to go.
🕰️ How We Fit Into Your Wedding Day
We offer 4 standard packages, designed to suit most wedding day timelines. Let’s break them down:
Option 1: Ceremony Only
Perfect for: Couples who want beautiful, live music for their most important moment.
What’s included:
- 15-20 minutes of music as guests arrive
- Processional (walking down the aisle)
- 1–2 pieces during the signing of the register
- Recessional (your exit as a married couple)
We tailor every note — if you have specific songs in mind, we’ll play them. If you’re unsure, we’ll help you build the perfect set.
Typical duration: ~1.5 hour total on-site (playing time ~45 mins)
Option 2: Ceremony + Drinks Reception
Perfect for: Couples who want live music to carry the mood into their celebration.
Everything in Option 1, plus:
- A 60–90 minute live set during your drinks reception (indoors or outdoors)
- A relaxed mix of upbeat instrumentals, acoustic covers, and romantic favourites
We move seamlessly from ceremony to reception space — no long breaks, no disruption. It takes us just minutes to reposition and start playing again.
Typical duration: ~2.5 hours on-site
Option 3: Ceremony + Drinks + Wedding Breakfast
Perfect for: Couples who want a stylish, live soundtrack through the entire afternoon.
Everything in Option 2, plus:
- Ambient live music during your wedding breakfast
- A mix of softer background pieces to enhance the atmosphere without overpowering conversation
It’s an elegant way to keep the energy flowing and give guests something special to enjoy as they dine and chat.
Typical duration: ~4 hours on-site
Option 4: Ceremony + Drinks + Meal + First Dance
Perfect for: Couples who want to end the daytime with a special, personal moment.
Everything in Option 3, plus:
- A live performance of your first dance, arranged especially for you (instrumental or with a singer if you bring one)
It’s a beautiful way to bridge the day into the evening — intimate, unexpected, and unforgettable.
Typical duration: ~5+ hours on-site
Need Something Different? We’re Flexible.
We’re happy to customise timings and packages based on your plans. For example, we’ve performed:
- Just the wedding breakfast for smaller, midweek weddings
- At wedding rehearsal meals the evening before
- For cocktail hours between the wedding breakfast and the first dance
- At city ceremonies followed by a reception in another location
If your timeline doesn’t fit neatly into one of our standard options, no problem — just let us know what you’re planning and we’ll make it work.
How We Transition During the Day
This is something couples are often surprised by — we can move quickly and quietly between locations. No second setup. No long delays.
It typically takes us just a few minutes to:
- Move from your ceremony to drinks location
- Reset in the reception space
- Adjust volume or tone for a different vibe
We keep the music flowing — and your guests won’t even notice the logistics happening behind the scenes.
What We Bring (So You Don’t Have to Worry)
We bring:
- A Nord Stage Piano and Yamaha Electric Cello
- Our own portable power pack — so no need for mains sockets
- A Yamaha PA system for clear, balanced sound
- Our own setup and breakdown gear
- And over 18,000 arrangements to draw from
All you need to bring is the party (and your song ideas, if you have them).
Final Thoughts: Music That Moves With You
Whether you just want a few powerful songs for your ceremony or a live soundtrack for the entire afternoon, we fit in — physically, musically, and emotionally.
Because we’re a duo, we don’t need a huge footprint or hours of setup. We’re mobile, elegant, and in tune with the flow of your day.
📩 Let’s talk about your date and what might work best
🎧 Hear a few examples of what we can do
📖 Explore more of our wedding blogs here
