Often when discussing a function they have attended, the music is the first thing that guests mention. Don’t spend a fortune on a venue, catering, flowers and so on, and then stint on the music. Whatever other calamity occurs, good music will help to carry the event. There is an incredible selection of talented musicians and disc jockeys in South Africa, who offer their services for any occasion. For the ceremony we recommend a string quartet or harpist (or harpist and flute), and a nice touch is to have them entertain your guests at the start of your reception, whilst you are having your photos taken. Wedding guests are generally a mixed crowd as regards both age and musical tastes, but the wise choice of a DJ who is experienced in weddings will ensure that they are all soon on the floor and having fun. For many though, the ultimate choice is to employ the services of an experienced dance band.

When, prior to your wedding, you discuss your choice of music with the musicians, it is also a good idea to talk about the timing of the first dance, cake-cutting, throwing of the bouquet and garter, and so on. Should you have a special request for your first dance together as a married couple, check with the band or disc jockey at the time of hiring them whether they know the piece of music concerned.

What to ask the musicians:

• For how many hours will they play and are they prepared to go on for longer if required?
• What will their overtime rate (usually after midnight) be?
• How many and how long will their breaks be and will they play recorded music during these breaks?
• Do they have a list or examples of the type of music they will play?
• What will they wear?
• Are they familiar with the venue you are planning to use?
• How many electrical points do they need?
• Do they require a table or any other equipment?

• Accordion
• African Drummer
• Bagpipes
• *Cello
• *Flute
• Guitar
• Harp
• Harpsichord
• Keyboard
• Mandolin
• *Penny Whistle
• Piano
• *Saxophone
• *Violin
 

• Accordion and clarinet
• Accordion and saxophone
• Accordion and violin
• Flute and guitar
• Guitar and cello
• Guitar and violin
• Harp and flute
• Harp and violin
• Penny Whistle and guitar
• Piano and violin
• Saxophone and guitar
• Saxophone and keyboard
• Violin and cello
 

• Baroque trio
• Clarinet, guitar, cello
• Flute, violin, cello/clarinet/guitar
• "Magic flute" (flute, violin, double bass)
• Marimba, saxophone/guitar, bass
• String trio
 

• Brass quartet
• Flute quartet (flute, violin, viola, clarinet)
• Marimba, saxophone, guitar, singer
• Marimba, trumpet, bass, singer
• Saxophone, keyboard, bass, percussion
• String Quartet
 

• Keyboard solo
• Keyboard and double bass
• Keyboard and saxophone
• Keyboard, double bass, percussion
• Keyboard, double bass, percussion, guitar/saxophone
• Keyboard, double bass, percussion, guitar/saxophone/African singer
 

• Abaqondisi Brothers (African a capella male choir)
• Gumboot Dancers
• Illanga le Africa (4 marimba players with home made marimbas + 1 guitar)
• Luhlaza Choir (20 African singers)
• Mananyani Zulu Dancers (5 dancers + 3 drummers)
• Primrose Male Malay Choir
• Red Dazzlers (a capella male group)
• Traditional Song Spinners (Cape Minstrels)
• Women Unite (7 African women that sing, dance and play marimbas)
 

• Adrenalin (6 piece): an extremely versatile band
• Big bands, eg Razzmatazz, Jonny Cooper Band, JaZZaTTac
• Calypso band (5 piece): perfect for a beach party
• Dixieland Bands Guy: a professional musician who has been around for a decade
• Late Final (7 piece): the “original” rock-‘n-roll band!
• Malay “metal” bands (5-8 piece)
• Military style bands for outside performances, eg during lunch
• Misty Blue (5-8 piece): one of Cape Town’s leading functions bands with 15 years of experience- can also appear with an African singer
• Pickled Wullie: Scottish/Irish Band
• Simcha Klezmerband (6 piece): the ultimate band for Jewish music, including clarinet, accordion, violin and double bass
• Spectrum (7 piece): the ultimate in class and style
• The Drifters (4 piece)
• The Newz (2 piece): male guitarist using backing tracks and female vocalist who can do Tina Turner impersonation
• The Sound Imagination Band (5 piece): this vibey band includes a female singer and a saxophonist who also plays the penny whistle
• The Young Flamenco's (3, 4 or 6 piece): Latin-American, Spanish and Gypsy King music
 

• Disco’s
• Fire eater
• Juggler/ unicyclist
• Karaoke
• Magician
• Master of Ceremony