Can one enquiry cover the ceremony, dinner and the dance?

Yes. That is the reason to use one company. Choose the parts of the day in Plan the night and we will propose entertainment for each.

Who plays during the cocktail hour?

An acoustic duo, a jazz trio or an electric violinist, while the photographs are taken and the room turns over.

Our wedding is in Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise. Can you help?

Yes. We are based in Calgary and book across Canada, and mountain weddings are a regular request. Tell us the venue and we will tell you what we can arrange there.

Can the musicians learn a song for our ceremony or first dance?

Usually, with notice. Send the song with your enquiry so the musicians can confirm it and prepare it.

Do you provide music for a rehearsal dinner or a brunch the morning after?

Yes. For the days around the wedding, one musician is often enough.

Wedding entertainment in Calgary

Shaw Entertainment books wedding entertainment in Calgary, Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and across Canada, from ceremony music to a full dance floor. One company arranges every part of the day, so you have one conversation to have.

A couple sharing their first dance while guests look on

Your wedding deserves a soundtrack that's as memorable as the celebration itself.

From ceremony music and cocktail-hour entertainment to dinner music and a packed dance floor, Shaw Entertainment can help create the perfect musical atmosphere for your big day.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958

What we would suggest

A starting point for this kind of event. These are suggestions, and your own plan is built around your programme.

Plan the night

What we would suggest

Wedding

Ceremony: Solo Musicians & Small Groups
A string duo for the processional and the signing.
Cocktail hour: Solo Musicians & Small Groups
An acoustic duo on the patio, or an electric violinist among the guests.
Dinner: Singers & Vocalists
A vocalist with piano.
Dance: Live Bands
A live band for the main sets, with your first dance played live.
DJs
A DJ between the band's sets and to finish the night.

Suggestions only. Every event is planned on its own.

Every part of the day

The ceremony: Music as guests are seated, for the walk down the aisle, the signing and the walk back up it. Strings or a solo pianist, or a singer with a guitar.
Cocktail hour: An acoustic duo, a jazz trio or an electric violinist while the photographs are taken and the room turns over.
Dinner: A dinner vocalist or a small group, at a level your guests can talk over. Music cues for the entrance and the toasts if you want them.
The dance: A live wedding band, a wedding DJ or both. Your first dance played live, then a floor that stays full.
The days around it: A rehearsal dinner or a brunch the morning after. One musician is often enough.

Entertainment that suits it

Planning notes

How far ahead: As early as you can. December and summer Saturdays are asked about first, so if your date is one of those, get in touch as soon as it is set.
What the venue needs to know: Whether the ceremony and the reception are in the same place, where musicians can set up at each, and when the music has to end.
Songs that matter: Processional, first dance, parent dances, the song that closes the night. Send them early so the musicians can confirm and prepare each one.

Should we book a wedding band or a DJ?

Either, or both. A band brings the energy of live players, and a DJ can play the exact recordings you love. Many couples book a band for the main sets and a DJ before, between and after them, so the music carries on while the players take a break. If the room or the plan only allows one, tell us how you want the dance floor to feel and we will suggest which.

What affects the cost of wedding entertainment?

Which parts of the day you want music for (the ceremony, the cocktail hour, dinner, the dance), the size of each act, how long they play, the date and the season, travel to the venue, and the sound each space needs. Tell us the day you have in mind and we will come back with a quote for it.

Shaw Entertainment comes from the team behind Barry Shaw Live and Unique Party Band. See the rooms and companies that team has played for.

Questions people ask

Can one enquiry cover the ceremony, dinner and the dance?: Yes. That is the reason to use one company. Choose the parts of the day in Plan the night and we will propose entertainment for each.
Who plays during the cocktail hour?: An acoustic duo, a jazz trio or an electric violinist, while the photographs are taken and the room turns over.
Our wedding is in Banff, Canmore or Lake Louise. Can you help?: Yes. We are based in Calgary and book across Canada, and mountain weddings are a regular request. Tell us the venue and we will tell you what we can arrange there.
Can the musicians learn a song for our ceremony or first dance?: Usually, with notice. Send the song with your enquiry so the musicians can confirm it and prepare it.
Do you provide music for a rehearsal dinner or a brunch the morning after?: Yes. For the days around the wedding, one musician is often enough.

Tell us about your night

Choose the occasion and what you are looking for. It takes a few minutes and gives us a proper brief to work from.

Plan the night (403) 861-5958