A: It’s pretty simple. The next stage of the booking process will be your completion of the ‘Final Details’ document. This document covers everything that we need to know and you need to know about what’s happening music-wise on your wedding day. This document is sent via email on the 1st of the month prior to the one that you are actually getting married in. So for example, if your date falls on the 15th August, we’ll promptly send you the document on the 1st July. We kindly ask you to return the completed form no later than 14 days before your wedding date.

A: There’s absolutely no need to do that- we’ll organise all the finer details from first dances to requests and all those bits and bobs. We send out our “final details” document (as mentioned above) a month before the date – so that ensures every single aspect is 100% down and ready to run smoothly.

Still confused? Just pop us an email and we’ll be right back to you.

A: That all depends on what act you’d like to book and what kind of ceremony you go for.

A: We’re quick when we need to be – all it takes is 45 minutes to achieve total sound perfection. Our performance time is again dependent on what act you’d like, but we’ve something to suit all varieties of ceremonies.

A: This is a question we get asked a lot. As seasoned professionals, we’re used to playing to venues and crowds of every imaginable shape and size. We consider the specifics of your civil ceremony and tailor our performance to fit accordingly.

A: Totally understand the concerns- but no need to worry whatsoever. Our bands have played at a ton of small venues from restaurants to boutique halls to small ballrooms- they’ve even played at a function with a room the size of a sitting room, so they completely adjust the sound of the set as per the size and volume of the room. They are experts in judging how a crowd are receiving the music and whether it is setting the right tone and atmosphere for the evening.

Note**: It’s actually very simple to adjust the sound on the night, so if you would both like to adjust it, it’s basically akin to a simple dial on the radio. You guys can feel completely in control.

A: Of course. Part-payment can certainly be made in advance. This can be done by cash, bank transfer or cheque. With bank transfer, we would need to give you the individual account details/amounts, so you can transfer the funds.

A: Unfortunately not. We don’t accept PayPal for settling the final balance as there is a fee of 3.5% applied by PayPal on larger payments (the deposit classifies as a smaller payment, hence the lack of fee). This would need to be added to your final balance, making is more expensive for you, so we avoid this method.

A: We’ve three options for payment – so whatever is handiest for you. It’s important to note that each of the musicians look after their own tax and VAT affairs so payment as a whole (one full-band payment) is not possible.

1. Cash:   The most popular option for payment is by cash. This is preferable for us too – as it means that the financials are taken care of instantly and we allow the musicians to sort it out amongst themselves. You can pay either before or after the set on the actual night- we don’t mind.
2. Cheques:  Payment can also be organised by cheque. As each of the musicians looks after their own tax and VAT affairs, we would need to give you the individual payment details for each person. Cheques must be received by registered post to Niamh Brennan, Aoibheann House, Piercetown, Dunboyne, Co Meath at least 10 days in advance of the wedding date.Note**: Please don’t send cheques within 10 working days of your wedding as they cannot be accepted at that stage.
3. Bank Transfer Payment:   We would kindly request that you transfer payment at least 10 Days in advance of the wedding date. Some bank accounts take longer to process the payments and our musicians each bank with different companies. By giving us a couple of extra days, we can confirm receipt of the payment with each musician and then send you a written receipt by email in advance of the big day. If you let us know when the transfers have been completed, we can ask the musicians to confirm receipt of such.

Note**: Please do not complete transfers within 10 working days of your wedding as they cannot be accepted at that stage.

A: The evening band and DJ payment can given to the band in one envelope, there’s no need to separate the amounts – as they will do so themselves.

Church musicians should be paid directly before the church ceremony begins.

Afternoon entertainment payment should be settled directly with the musicians or the artist after the performance takes place.

A: Not a problem. From time to time, wedding venues will require a copy of a wedding supplier’s insurance details. Rest-assured – your band are fully insured and should your venue require a copy of our policy, it would be our utmost pleasure to forward on these details.

A: It’s not at all necessary to organise a set meal for the musicians, however they’re always appreciative of a little coffee or finger food during the interval, should it be floating in their direction.

A: Not one teeny thing. The band will bring all of their own sound equipment and lights. They do of course require at least 2 or 3 plugs either side of the performance area in the venue, because without electricity, it would be a very silent show!

A: If there is limited parking at your venue or if it is located in the city centre then that’s an affirmative yes – all musicians/artists will require designated parking spaces. The parking should be as close to the performance area as possible so that loading and unloading can be quick and efficiently executed.

A: With our extensive experience of crowd response to songs, we are experts at judging what songs will set the tone for the day and we pride ourselves on gauging the tastes of a crowd. This expertise has been garnered from the vast number of civil ceremonies our acts play each year, so is utterly honed to perfection. We normally suggest that, if you like, you can provide us with a handful of songs that you would like played (and any ones that you really don’t want!) from the set list and we will correspond with the band on it. Trust us, we get it right every time.

A: That’s fantastic to hear. We want your civil ceremony to be all about you, so given our acts have enough notice to learn a new song, they’d be absolutely delighted to do so and help make your day even more special and tailored to you.

A: Fret not as none of our bands have ever missed a performance they were booked for due to a natural occurrence/impediment. However, as part of your booking with the musicians, there is a Force Majeure clause where no party shall be liable for any failure to perform its obligations where such failure is as a result of Acts of Nature (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster), war, terrorist activities, death, illness or other incapacity certified by a properly qualified medical practitioner, epidemic, accident, civil commotion, order of Government or Local Authority having jurisdiction in the matter or changes in law.

A: We’ve been on the scene for over 10 years and still, this hasn’t happened. However, we prefer to make precautionary plans to counter anything that could happen and in the unlikely event of the booked Artist not being able to fulfil the booking, the company agrees to replace the original Artist with an Artist of the same ability and calibre of the Artist in question, subject to the couple’s approval.

A: Absolutely! In the unlikely event of illness, accident or emergency, the line-up of some of the musicians may be subject to change, but we’re super picky with whom we work with. We can guarantee that each band member/artist has a deputy of the highest calibre and equal proficiency. In the unlikely event that a band member is unable to perform on the night, their substitute will fill in. Of course, as our musicians are seasoned professionals – the set list, sound and arrangement would remain unaffected.

A: Of course we can. We understand that planning a wedding can be super costly, so we tailor our packages to suit you and provide you with a range of options. That means less stress for you and more keeping to your budget.

Remember*: If you book more than one act with us or on MusicAngel, we can definitely make the price an even sweeter deal. Talk to us for more.

A: After everything you’ve read so far, we’re insulted you would even ask that question. Our experience and expertise has been garnered from over a decade in the wedding music business over at MusicAngel. We have a team who are dedicated and fully contactable right up until the big day and all of our acts are handpicked and tailored to fit you, your budget and the style of your civil ceremony. We love what we do because it makes people happy, but also because we’re good at what we do. Exceptionally so.

We don’t like to brag, but we talk the talk and walk it. We’re so confident about that we offer you a fully refundable deposit up to six months before the big date.

We know nothing will scare you off. If that’s not confidence, then show us what is.

A: Slow down you. We handpick all of our acts here at Civil Ceremonies with MusicAngel, so you’ll have to prove your case first. Get in touch with us at letschat@civilceremony.ie to discuss and who knows – your dreams might just come true.

A: You tell us. If there’s something else you’d like to know that we haven’t yet covered, pop us an email right here.