Wedding Packages

Live music tailored for your Bay of Islands wedding

If you’re planning a wedding in the beautiful Bay of Islands, I’d love to help bring your day to life with live music. From emotional ceremony moments to a packed dance floor later on, I offer flexible options to suit each part of your celebration.

Whether you’re after a relaxed solo acoustic set, a high-energy band to get everyone dancing, or something in between, we can craft a music experience that fits your vibe perfectly.

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Wedding Music Options

Ceremony

Walk down the aisle to a live version of your special song. I’ll perform acoustic renditions before, during, and after the ceremony to create a warm and memorable atmosphere. A popular choice for couples getting married in the Bay of Islands.

Canapés / Cocktail Hour

Keep things light and fun as guests mingle. Choose between mellow acoustic tunes or a slightly more upbeat one-man band setup — ideal for outdoor venues and coastal weddings in the Bay of Islands region.

Dinner

Enhance your dining experience with soft background music. My acoustic sets provide the perfect backdrop, allowing conversation to flow while adding a touch of elegance to your meal. Another great option is laid-back instrumental jams by the band at a lower volume.

Reception Dance Floor

When it’s time to celebrate, I recommend bringing in my party band for an upbeat, energetic live show that gets everyone on their feet. It’s the perfect fit if you’re after a live wedding band experience in the Bay of Islands. For a budget-friendly option, my solo setup with loops and backing tracks offers a lively alternative.

Wedding Music Packages

To make planning easier, here are some popular combinations couples often book:

The Acoustic Package

Ceremony +

Canapés

Perfect for intimate weddings or laid-back vibes. Includes live acoustic music for both parts of the day.

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The Full-Day Experience

Ceremony +

Canapés +

Reception (Band)

Start mellow and build the energy throughout the day — from acoustic ceremony to cocktail hour, finishing with a full band and a packed dance floor.

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The Classic Reception

Canapés +

Reception (Band)

Skip the ceremony coverage and focus on creating an amazing atmosphere for your guests once they arrive — relaxed canapés music followed by a full party set from the band.

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Custom Packages

Need something a little different? I’m happy to mix and match options to suit your day and venue. Get in touch and we’ll build something that works for you.

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Close-up of elegant wedding rings on a silk pillow with a pink ribbon and a heart decoration, symbolizing love.

Song List

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Where are you based?

I’m based in Paihia and play gigs mostly around the Bay of Islands but not exclusively.

How far are you willing to travel?

I don’t have a particular limit on this. I charge a mileage fee for locations 30km+ away and an accommodation fee for locations 100km+ away (or ask that accommodation be provided).

What styles of music do you play?

This varies depending on whether I’m performing solo acoustic, one-man band, or with the party band:
• Solo Acoustic—laid-back Folk, Pop, Rock, and Singer-Songwriter classics. Think Ed Sheeran, The Beatles, Paper Kites, and Oasis.
• One-man band—cruisy Blues, light Rock, modern Pop, and a few nostalgic throwbacks. Think John Mayer, Fleetwood Mac, Harry Styles, and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
• Party band—high-energy singalongs, Rock ‘n Roll hits, and crowd-pleasing dance tunes. Think Elvis Presley, Dua Lipa, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and The Killers.

Do you provide your own sound equipment?

Yes—I bring all the gear needed for most indoor venues with nearby power outlets.
If your event has specific needs—like a battery-powered speaker for a remote ceremony, a larger system for a big outdoor space, or even just an extra-long extension cord—just let me know in advance. I can usually make it work, but additional equipment may incur a small extra charge if I need to hire anything in.

Can you perform solo, or do you offer band options too?

I have three options available: 1) solo acoustic; 2) one-man band; or 3) party band. Please see the live music options on my website for more details about each.

How long do you usually perform for?

The standard set is 3 hours, which works well for most receptions, restaurant gigs, and private parties.
That said, I’m flexible—I can perform anywhere from 1 to 5 hours, depending on your event. Pricing will be adjusted based on the duration.

Do you have public performances where I can come see you live?

Absolutely! Just navigate to Gigs page or the Home page to view all my upcoming gigs—most of them are in Bay Of Islands and are free to attend.

Can I request specific songs?

Myself and/or the band can learn one special-request song (meaning a song that’s not in our repertoire) for your event at no cost. Beyond that, I/we charge $30-$60 per additional special-request song.
Be sure to check out my repertoires listed on each page of my Live Music Options (each music setting has a slightly different repertoire).

Where can I see your repertoire?

My repertoires are listed on each page of my Live Music Options. Each music option/setting has a slightly different repertoire—e.g. my solo acoustic set will have laid-back atmospheric songs whereas the party band will have upbeat songs to dance and sing along to—so it’s best to check each live music option that you’re interested in.

Can you perform our first dance song live?

Yes! In fact—in my experience—first dance songs sound best when they’re performed live with a band and as the opening of the dance floor. You can also make a special request for a song if it’s not in my repertoire (please see the answer to “Can I request specific songs” for more on this).

Can you perform my walk-down-the-aisle song live?

Yes! A live-performed song makes for a very special moment as the bride approaches the altar. You can also make a special request for a song if it’s not in my repertoire (please see the answer to “Can I request specific songs” for more on this).

Booking and availability

How much do you charge?

You probably saw this coming—it depends!
My rates typically range from $350 to $3,000, depending on a few key factors:
• Whether you’re booking me solo, as a one-man band, or with the full party band (3-piece, 4-piece, or 5-piece)
• The type and length of your event
• Travel distance and any special equipment needs
The best way to get an accurate quote is to get in touch with a few event details—I’ll get back to you with options that suit your needs and budget.

Please note: I charge a 50% non-refundable deposit in order to secure any booking.

How busy is your schedule?

It changes from season to season, with my summertime being fully booked around 2-3 months in advance. It’s also common for certain dates to be booked up to 18 months in advance, so it’s best to check my public calendar, which you can do here.

How can I check your availability?

Before you contact me, please first click here to view my public calendar. It has all my confirmed upcoming bookings and is kept up to date.

Do you perform at weddings?

Most definitely. I do weddings, private parties, corporate events, festivals, restaurants, wineries, and anything in between.

Do you perform at private parties?

Absolutely! I do private parties, weddings, corporate events, festivals, restaurants, wineries, and anything in-between.

I’d like to book you – what’s the next step?

Excellent! Drop me an email to confirm my availability and get a quote for your event. You can also navigate to my Contact page for more ways of getting in touch. After that, I’ll send you an invoice with a 50% non-refundable deposit to secure the booking.

Get In Touch

Please reach out using any of the below contact methods to enquire about your event:

ericthomaslivemusic@gmail.com

022 522 1875