Get in touch
We'd love to hear your ideas - you can call our band manager Mike on 07855 488 462, drop us an email, or book a free online consultation. Let's go for a coffee and starting planning your wedding so that it stands out from the crowd.
Jazz ~ Swing ~ Soul ~ Pop ~ Classical
Sensational live musicians for your special day
Photo: Tim Stephenson Photography
Down for the Count are an award-winning collective of experienced, professional musicians. We offer live band hire for all wedding receptions - from small intimate affairs to huge celebrations.
We're best known for our sensational party band The Get Downs which is one of the most popular and versatile bands in the UK.
We also combine in different configurations to offer live music for the rest of your wedding day - setting the perfect atmosphere with personalised wedding ceremony music, stylish dinner music or raucous drinks reception music.
Here's our musical director and band manager Mike Paul-Smith introducing Down for the Count and our sensational live bands for hire. To discuss your event in greater detail with Mike, call 07855 488 462 or book a free online consultation now.
Book a free online wedding consultation with Mike
As featured in:
Photo: Richard Davenport
Down for the Count's musicians can stay with you all day, providing live music for each stage of the festivities. One thing that sets us apart from other wedding bands is that we never use click tracks or backing tracks. With Down for the Count, every note you hear is performed live - giving our performance unrivalled spontaneity and energy.
We also pride ourselves on fantastic customer service - we are always at the end of the phone to talk to you about your ideas and answer any questions you may have.
There are many ways you can combine our different bands to make a unique music package - and all of our line-ups are also available individually.
Below is one idea - there are loads of other options so explore our different line-ups and get in touch with your ideas.
2pm |
The CeremonyClassical music from Down for the Count Strings or contemporary music from The Soul Essentials |
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2.30pm |
The Drinks ReceptionInteractive entertainment from our walkabout acts The Vintage Strollers or Get Brassy or 1920s-inspired music from The Lady Gatsby Jazz Band |
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5pm |
Dinner MusicSophisticated background jazz music from The Jazz Essentials or our Cocktail Pianist |
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8pm |
The PartyYour first dance (if you're having one) followed by vintage party vibes from The Get Downs or modern classics from Capital Sounds Showband and then party into the early hours with our Auto DJ |
Ailsa & Will love music, and they wanted live music for each part of their day - from the wedding ceremony through to the drinks reception and evening party.
Find out how we transformed their wedding with a totally bespoke live music package.
We'd love to hear your ideas - you can call our band manager Mike on 07855 488 462, drop us an email, or book a free online consultation. Let's go for a coffee and starting planning your wedding so that it stands out from the crowd.
We've been performing at weddings for over 16 years, and we've learnt lots about what works well and what doesn't.
We've put together a series of advice articles - covering everything from what to ask your wedding venue before booking, to how to plan your day so that everyone ends it on the dancefloor.
Photo: Sarah Legge Photography
The centrepiece of your music package! Dance the night away with your guests to the sounds of one of our award-winning live party bands.
If you’re looking for spectacular, show-stopping entertainment, our luxury band Capital Sounds Showband is the band for you – a stunning ensemble that your guests will remember for years. With a great repertoire list of soul, pop, Motown and disco music this is the band for a great party!
If you’re looking for a versatile band with music to please all generations, choose The Get Downs – quite simply one of the most popular wedding bands in the UK. With a huge repertoire list of swing, jive, soul and pop music this band is sure to keep your dance floor full all night.
Photo: Marcus Charter
Our wedding ceremony musicians work closely with you to choose the perfect music for your service, whether it's religious or non-religious.
We love to hear your requests, and with enough notice can perform virtually any song - making your ceremony totally unique.
Down for the Count Strings are a superb ensemble who can transform from a classical string quartet performing traditional music, to a quirky group performing pop, Jewish and Asian music and film/TV music.
The string group is available as a duo, trio or quartet and can also provide background music during dinner or your drinks reception.
Give your wedding ceremony a special atmosphere with a wedding pianist, who has a huge range of classical and contemporary music for the entrance of the bride, the signing of the register, and the exit of the bride and groom.
Depending on your song choices, the ceremony pianist could be joined by a wedding singer, cellist or trumpeter to make the performance even more personal.
"Down for the Count put together a dream day of music. They were flexible and fun and gave great advice. Really great value for money."
Amy & Joe
Wedding Reception, Hampton Court House
Photo: Sarah Legge Photography
After the wedding ceremony, add a touch of class with live music to entertain your guests during the drinks reception. Here are two of the most popular drinks reception options - see the other bands we have available here!
Looking for something quirky that works well outdoors? Choose The Vintage Strollers, a roaming swing and pop band who require no electricity or amplification.
The vocal-led trio, quartet or quintet perform acoustically and will entertain your guests with lively music to leave everyone in good spirits.
For a decadent 1920s Great Gatsby feel, choose the Lady Gatsby Jazz Band - who perform classic jazz music known and loved by all ages.
The band perform a mix of 1920s music and vintage covers of modern pop songs - great if you have a vintage-themed wedding, or are looking for something different. This band requires electricity close to the performance space.
"Mike and the band were absolutely fantastic, and totally accommodating to our wacky requests - like processional music down a field!
The music was exceptional - they're experts at reading the 'mood' of the room and got everyone up on their feet dancing. So many of the guests came up to us afterwards to tell us how good they were. I couldn't recommend the band more highly!"
Liz & Sam
Wedding Reception, Dorset
Over dinner, why not book our subtle yet sophisticated background musicians - with options including vocal-led and instrumental bands.
Our instrumental jazz band The Jazz Essentials perform well-known jazz standards, creating a sophisticated atmosphere either for your dinner or drinks reception.
Our vocal-led duo The Soul Essentials plays a mix of relaxed soul, Motown and pop music perfect over dinner or for late-night entertainment.
Photo: Tim Stephenson Photography
If you’re having a first dance, your jazz band or party band can play it live for you. We’ve got loads of advice on how to go about choosing your song – click here to find out more.
Interested in learning some new moves for your first dance? We work with some amazingly talented dance teachers and choreographers who can help you look great on the dance floor - get in touch for more information.
All these songs are in our repertoire list and ready to perform for your first dance. If your favourite isn't here, just get in touch - most songs are possible with enough notice.
L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole)
At Last (Etta James)
Let There Be Love (Nat King Cole)
My Baby Just Cares For Me (Nina Simone)
It Had to Be You (Harry Connick Jr.)
Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel)
All of Me (John Legend)
Make You Feel My Love (Adele)
Cheek to Cheek (Ella Fitzgerald)
The Way You Look Tonight (Frank Sinatra)
If you're looking to add something special to your wedding day, hire The Vintage Swing Collective - a collaboration with top London dance troupe The Hotfoot Strutters.
The dancers start by taking your guests for a quick, fun, 30-minute vintage dance lesson. Then they will stay and entertain you when the band take to the stage - getting people on the dance floor in loads of fun and interactive ways, and even giving a performance with the live band.
Your wedding music package doesn't end there - after the party band has finished, you can round off the evening with our Auto DJ service.
You can build your own playlists at home and plug your laptop or phone into our top quality PA system. If you book a party band, this service is free of charge between 7pm and midnight - and it can be extended for an extra charge.
Photo: Daniel West
Small extras that make a big difference.
Do you have a videographer at your wedding? If so, why not talk to us about professionally recording the band's performance to make the soundtrack for your wedding video - it's cheaper than you might think and makes your wedding video incredibly personal.
If you're looking for extra production such as uplighters, dance floor lighting or grand piano hire, speak to us to see if we can help.
Even if we're not able to provide exactly what you need, there's a good chance we'll know someone who can - check out our list of recommended wedding suppliers for starters!
"We are thrilled that we chose Down for the Count as our wedding band. A fantastic group of musicians who made our day so much more special. Mike (band manager) was extremely helpful throughout, guiding us through the various options - from the band's outfits to music choices.
We booked the band for the whole day, including jazz sets during the reception, ceremony music, first dance, and two hours of dancing! They were absolutely amazing and their performance (music, sound, etc) was just perfect!”
Konstantin & Ainur
Wedding Reception, The Reform Club, London
With a wedding music package from Down for the Count, the possibilities are endless - and our band leader Mike Paul-Smith has over 16 years experience providing live music for wedding receptions.
We're always at the end of the phone to talk through your plans in detail so get in touch today and find out how we can make your wedding day unforgettable.
Send us a quick enquiry using the form below, email us, call us on 07855 488462, or book a free online consultation with our band leader to discuss your plans in detail.