Craig McGill FAQs

Check your date & price

Booking & Planning

Once a couple confirms their booking, the first thing I do is secure their date in my diary and make sure all the important details are in place. From there, I like to get to know the couple, their music tastes and the kind of atmosphere they’re hoping to create. I’m always happy to chat through song choices, special requests and any ideas they might have. My aim is to make everything as relaxed and stress-free as possible, so they can enjoy their big day knowing the music is taken care of!

As a solo performer, all communication is handled directly by myself, so couples know exactly who they’re dealing with from start to finish. I usually keep in touch through emails or messages, but I’m always happy to arrange a phone call if that’s easier. As the wedding gets closer, I’ll check in to finalise song choices, timings and any special requests. I like to keep things relaxed and straightforward, and couples are welcome to contact me at any point throughout the planning process.

I like to have everything confirmed well in advance so there’s no unnecessary stress on the wedding day. I’ll usually touch base with the couple or venue beforehand to double-check timings, setup arrangements and any last-minute changes. On the day itself, I’ll coordinate with the venue staff if needed, allowing the couple to relax and enjoy every moment without having to worry about me!

I’d say there’s absolutely nothing to worry about! I like to keep everything relaxed, friendly and as straightforward as possible from the moment you book. As a solo performer, my setup is simple, and I’ll take care of everything music-related so there’s no added stress for you. My job is to create a great atmosphere, entertain your guests and make sure you can relax and enjoy every minute of your special day!

Your Music & Personalisation

When a couple sends me their first dance choice, I’ll listen to the original and work out how best to adapt it to my acoustic guitar and vocal style while keeping the magic of the song. I’ll spend time learning and rehearsing it to make sure it’s just right for their special moment. Some songs naturally lend themselves to an acoustic arrangement, while others can be a little trickier, particularly if they’re heavily produced or upbeat, but I always enjoy the challenge! Ultimately, the best first dance song is one that means something special to the couple, regardless of the genre.

I’m always happy to learn new songs, especially if they hold a special meaning to the couple. I’ll have a listen and see how well the song would translate into my acoustic guitar and vocal style. Most songs can be adapted with a little creativity, but occasionally something just doesn’t work acoustically, and I’ll always be honest about that. If that’s the case, I’ll work with the couple to find an alternative that still captures what they’re looking for.

I always encourage couples to make the music as personal to them as possible! Whether it’s a special song for a particular moment, a few favourite tunes they’d love to hear, or even songs they’d rather avoid, I’m happy to work around their preferences. I can tailor my setlist to suit their musical tastes while also reading the room and creating the right atmosphere for their guests. Ultimately, it’s their big day, and I want the music to reflect that!

I’ll normally start by welcoming everyone and inviting the newlyweds onto the dance floor for their first dance.

I always discuss beforehand whether the couple would prefer the full song to themselves or have family and friends join in partway through. If they want others involved, I’ll usually invite everyone up towards the end of the song.

It’s all about making the couple feel comfortable, reading the room and creating a special moment before getting everyone involved and the party started!

On the Night

My style is fairly casual and relaxed, which I think reflects my personality and the type of performer I am. I like to look smart and presentable without being overly formal, so it’s usually a smart-casual look that suits the occasion. For me, it’s about being comfortable, looking the part and letting the music do the talking. I want couples and their guests to feel like they’re enjoying great live music in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.

I’m constantly reading the crowd throughout the night, watching what songs get people dancing, singing along and enjoying themselves.

I never stick rigidly to a setlist. If something is working, I’ll keep that energy going, and if I feel the atmosphere changing, I can quickly switch things up with a different song or style of music.

For me, it’s all about being flexible, keeping the dance floor busy and making sure everyone has a brilliant night!

I like to build the energy naturally throughout the evening, keeping a good mix of songs that get everyone involved. I tend to work in waves, building up to those big singalong and party moments rather than going full throttle from start to finish.

I also try to time my breaks carefully so they don’t interrupt the atmosphere. The aim is to keep the momentum going and finish the night on a real high, with everyone having had a brilliant time!

I’m always happy to take requests from guests throughout the night, and they’re more than welcome to come up and ask!

If it’s a song I can perform and it fits the atmosphere, I’ll do my best to include it. If it’s something I can’t play, I’ll always be honest and try to offer a similar alternative.

The main thing is keeping everyone happy while making sure the music flows naturally and the dance floor stays busy. Of course, the couple’s preferences always come first!

I like to keep things relaxed, friendly and natural. I’ll have a bit of banter with the crowd throughout the night, but I’m not one for talking too much between songs. I prefer to let the music do most of the talking and keep the party flowing!

I’m always happy to make announcements for the couple, whether it’s introducing special moments, giving shout-outs or passing on any important information. It’s all about reading the room and getting the balance right!

Weddings don’t always run exactly to schedule, so I think being flexible and staying calm is really important. If the meal runs late or timings change, I’ll work with the venue staff to adjust things and keep everything running smoothly.

Technical issues are rare, but I’m always prepared to deal with them quickly and professionally.

I’ve had evenings where the first dance has been delayed because things were running behind, so I’ve simply adjusted my timings and adapted the set to make sure the couple still get a fantastic night. The main thing is making sure any changes cause as little stress or disruption as possible!

At 8.30pm, I’d hopefully have the dance floor starting to fill up, with guests finding their feet and getting into the party atmosphere.

By 10pm, I’d expect things to be in full swing, with plenty of dancing, singing along and everyone letting their hair down!

By 11.30pm, we’re into those big party anthems and singalong moments, with everyone making the most of the final part of the night.

Every wedding crowd is different, but my aim is always the same: build the atmosphere naturally, keep the energy going and finish the night on a real high!

I always like to finish the night on a real high, usually with a big singalong anthem that gets everyone together on the dance floor for one final moment.

I’ll read the crowd and build towards that last song, making sure the evening finishes with plenty of energy and a great atmosphere.

If there’s time for one more and the crowd are loving it, I’m always happy to keep the party going! The aim is to send everyone home with a smile and some brilliant memories of the night!

Logistics & Setup

I like to know a little about the venue beforehand, particularly where I’ll be performing, access for loading equipment and the availability of power sockets. As a solo performer, my setup is fairly compact, so I can comfortably fit into most spaces without any issues. It’s always helpful to know about noise limiters, sound restrictions or any tricky access arrangements in advance. Most things are easily worked around with a little planning, and I’m always happy to liaise directly with the venue to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Coast are fantastic at handling the initial arrangements and making sure everyone has the information they need. I’m also more than happy to communicate directly with the venue or wedding planner when required, particularly regarding setup, timings and any technical requirements. I like to keep things simple and work closely with everyone involved to ensure everything runs smoothly. The last thing I want is for the couple to have to worry about the little details on their big day!

In the unlikely event that I was ever ill and unable to perform, I’d contact Coast Entertainments straight away and work closely with them to do everything in our power to arrange a suitable replacement for the couple.

When I arrive at the venue, I’ll introduce myself to the venue staff and find out where I’ll be setting up. I’ll then bring in all my equipment and get everything ready for the evening.

I use a professional sound and lighting setup, alongside live vocals, live guitar and high-quality backing tracks, to create a full, energetic live performance. Once everything is in place, I’ll carry out a soundcheck to make sure the vocals, guitar and backing tracks are all perfectly balanced and the sound is suited to the venue.

I always try to keep the whole process as smooth and discreet as possible, especially if the wedding meal or other celebrations are still taking place. I’ll work closely with the venue staff and around their timings to avoid any unnecessary disruption.

From the couple’s point of view, there’s very little they need to worry about. Ideally, they’ll barely notice the setup process and can simply relax and enjoy their day, knowing everything is being taken care of and will be ready when it’s time to get the party started!

I normally aim to arrive at the venue around an hour before my performance. So, if I’m due to start at 8pm, I’ll typically arrive at 7pm.

This gives me plenty of time to unload my equipment, get my sound and lighting set up, and carry out a soundcheck to make sure everything is sounding exactly as it should.

Of course, every venue is different, so factors such as access arrangements, loading distances or any specific venue requirements can influence arrival times. If I know a venue requires a little extra preparation, I’ll always plan accordingly.

The main thing for me is being organised and making sure everything runs smoothly. I want the couple to be enjoying their wedding day without having to worry about any of the technical side of things. By the time 8pm comes around, I’m ready to get everyone on the dance floor!

Noise limiters and sound restrictions are quite common at wedding venues, so they’re something I’m used to working around. I’ll always check the venue’s requirements beforehand and adjust my sound setup accordingly.

Having control over my live vocals, guitar and backing tracks means I can balance everything to suit the room without losing the energy of the performance.

In most cases, the couple and guests won’t notice much difference. It’s all about getting the sound right for the venue while still creating a brilliant atmosphere and keeping the dance floor busy!

Ceilidh

My live ceilidh set is always great fun and a brilliant way to get everyone involved! I play live guitar alongside traditional ceilidh backing tracks, creating that lively Scottish atmosphere.

I call the dances myself, talking everyone through the steps before we start and giving little reminders along the way. It doesn’t matter if guests have never done ceilidh dancing before, as I keep everything simple and relaxed.

I always encourage people to join in, but never put anyone on the spot. It’s all about having a laugh, bringing people together and creating some brilliant memories!

Extras & Add-ons

The transition from my live performance to the DJ set is completely seamless, with no awkward gaps or interruptions to the music.

I plan the evening so the DJ set picks up naturally from where the live music finishes, keeping the energy going and the dance floor busy.

The great thing about offering both is that I can read the crowd throughout the night and tailor the music to suit the atmosphere, making the whole evening feel like one continuous party!

The Band

For me, the biggest sign of a great night is seeing a busy dance floor, everyone singing along, laughing and genuinely enjoying themselves.

There’s no better feeling than looking out from the stage and seeing the couple surrounded by their family and friends having the time of their lives.

When the couple come over at the end of the night to say how much they’ve enjoyed themselves, that’s the icing on the cake. That’s when I know I’ve done my job properly!

I think what surprises couples most is just how much energy live music brings to the evening, especially with the combination of live vocals, guitar and backing tracks creating that full band atmosphere.

It’s one thing to hear songs you love, but it’s another to experience them performed live with everyone singing and dancing along.

I think couples are often surprised by just how involved their guests get, and how much of a difference that live atmosphere makes to the whole night!

It’s hard to pick just one because I’ve been lucky enough to be part of so many brilliant weddings. But my favourite moments are always when the whole room comes together, everyone’s on the dance floor, arms around each other, singing their hearts out.

There’s something really special about looking out and seeing the bride and groom surrounded by all their favourite people, having the time of their lives. Those are the moments that really stick with me and remind me why I love what I do!

Ask anything

Ask us anything about Craig McGill.

Instant answers to your hardest questions, straight from the band's own info.

Answers come straight from the band's own information.

Make an Enquiry

Want to know a bit more information about this act? Fill in our enquiry form and we will aim to get back to you within 24 hours

Request a Callback

If you are interested but would like to speak to someone personally about our services we also offer a free, friendly consultation service.