Wedding music and entertainment in Cornwall

Cornwall has a strong live-music tradition, from village brass and silver bands to ceilidh bands and singer-songwriters. A little local music, during drinks on the lawn or as you leave the church, roots the day in the place.

Live music

Brass and silver bands are part of village life in Cornwall, and many will play at weddings and events. Ask early, because their diaries fill with carnivals and regattas in summer. Acoustic duos suit drinks receptions; ceilidh bands are a reliable way to get every generation dancing; and a band plus DJ covers the whole evening.

Noise and finish times

Hotels and licensed venues have their own curfews. At a private-land wedding, think about the neighbours. Sound carries a long way across water and open fields on a still night. Agree a finish time with the landowner, tell nearby households in advance, and ask the band or DJ whether they use a sound limiter.

Fireworks and sky lanterns

In England, fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, apart from a few nights such as Bonfire Night and New Year's Eve. Use a professional display company with insurance, and get the landowner's permission. On the coast it is sensible to tell the coastguard beforehand, because rockets can be mistaken for distress flares. Avoid sky lanterns: they are a fire risk to thatch, crops and livestock, and many venues and landowners ban them.

Questions to ask

What power and space do you need, and can you play outdoors if the weather allows?
Do you have public liability insurance and PAT-tested equipment? Many venues insist on both.
What are your set lengths and breaks, and do you play music between sets?
Can you work with a sound limiter or a strict finish time?