Jamie, the band leader, usually gets an email or phone call from the client, well in advance of the event, seeking further information or asking questions about song preferences. At that point Jamie sends out a standard template clarifying times on the night etc, and sends a list of our repertoire for the client to select some song preferences. If the client doesn't reach out by 6 to 8 weeks before the event, Jamie sends out the template and list of preferences anyway.

STUDIO never let any client down. Regardless of any issues that may arise on the day, we will be there on time. We arrive 90 minutes before the start time, and let the venue and the client know we have arrived. Just before we start playing, we double check with the client about the first dance, last songs, any special requests

STUDIO live and breathe weddings. We always aim to exceed expectations, and have played at over 1800 weddings/events, so we never stop learning how to keep improving the set and giving you an amazing night. The whole evening is planned out in advance to gradually ramp up the atmosphere to a big Crescendo at the end. We play song after song to keep building momentum (while reading the crowd to play what will go down best) and make sure people don't want to leave the dance floor. We love what we do, and that does help build rapport with the guests.

Jamie adds all the first dance choices to a "pending" list of songs to learn, and assesses within a week or two whether it is better for the band to play it, or play the original recording. Jamie works out an the arrangements for a number of songs in a day, to get them ready for the band to play them at the last rehearsal before the event. Clients have been known to change their mind on their first song, so this process works well. A great first dance choice is any song that means a lot personally to the couple. A tricky one is where the original recording has a sophisticated studio production, or an unusual song format. eg Bohemian Rhapsody!

STUDIO have a very diverse repertoire, having 3 different vocalists, who specialise in different genres, so we are much better placed to already know or learn many songs. If the song has a sophisticated studio production, an unusual song format, or the clients have worked out a sophisticated dance routine based on the original recordings, it is no problem if the client wants to play the original recording

STUDIO are the most flexible and diverse band on the Wedding circuit. We take a lot of creative input from the client to understand particular songs they want (or don't want!), while leaving some flexibility for us to read the crowd and play the floor filling bangers. Every STUDIO set is tailored to each client. To quote a recent client "The setlist really felt like "us""

We announce the bride and groom onto the floor, and agree with them whether they want the bridal party to join them half way through the song etc. If the couple look really comfortable we may wait a bit longer. If they start to look a bit anxious we may call the bridal party up earlier.

We only need to know the venue name and address, and we look after the rest. We have played most of the popular venues many times. If there are access restrictions, it is useful to be told that in advance. If it is a fixed small stage, we work around that. If it is a temporary small stage, it is sometimes better to have no stage and set up directly on the floor. We have a sophisticated PA set up with in ear monitoring so that allows us to set up in any room

Once the booking is made we handle all the co-ordination with the venue and wedding planners. Jamie has extensive Project Management experience in large Corporate companies, so everything is planned in great detail.

Jamie has built up a massive network of dep musicians who know the set, and can slot in seamlessly. Jamie has music charts for all the songs, so this makes it very easy for dep musicians to slot in. Dep musicians love working with STUDIO so it makes it very easy to retain very talented loyal professional deps.

When we arrive at the venue we drive our vehicles to the load in point an check we have access to the stage area. As soon as we have access, we load in all the equipment quickly and set up. We then have a 15 minute sound check, and then change into our stage clothes. One of the band will then come to speak to the client to double check last minute details.

6.30pm. We always arrive 90 minutes before the start time to allow for any issues with the journey and venue access etc. We allow for 60 minutes to load in , set up and soundcheck, so we appreciate getting access to the stage area as soon as possible.

We have worked with noise limiters and sound restrictions and always handle it professionally. We check sound levels at the start to make sure we are unlikely to breach limits. We use in ear monitoring to make sure we all can hear ourselves properly, regardless of the sound level outfront.

STUDIO wear smart casual clothes to look very professional, while still looking like a band! Black/Grey/Silver shirts, trousers and shoes, with waistcoats.

STUDIO are experts at this. We get client input a few months before the event so we can craft a tailored set that will hit the mark. We will have 55 to 60 songs on the playlist, and have time to usually play about 45 to 50 of them on the night. Jamie will read the crowd, how many people are dancing, what seems to be going down best, and the demographics of the crowd that night.

We have crafted set lists for over 20 years to gradually build up the energy and make sure we don't peak too soon. Songs are grouped together that have a common genre/energy/target audience. Mid tempo or older songs are placed nearer the start of the night, to make sure the last two hours are non stop floor filling banger songs. We want to make sure everyone in the audience gets a memorable set of songs that will make them dance. Songs specifically requested by clients from our repertoire are shaded on our set list, to make sure we include them, and target times are set against each section of songs, so we know when to go for the big tunes to finish the night. We tend not to play many slow songs (although I love them) as it is all about keeping the energy in the room high. We have a 30 minute break to fit in with your buffet. Apart from that it is song after song, with no breaks, to keep you dancing.

We prefer that guests don't request songs on the night as it interrupts the flow. It creates a gap when they are talking, and you are not dancing, if we have to stop to listen. We pride ourselves on the energy and momentum we build. If they do have requests, we will try and slot them in at an appropriate time, rather than disrupt the flow. If the wedding couple have requests at any point that is a different story, and we are happy to try and satisfy them immediately

Most of the time we like to let the music do the talking, as we have so many floor filler songs we want to play for you. Our Male vocalist out front likes to have a bit of banter with the crowd, and get them to do a limbo etc. Our Sax Player has amazing charisma and joins the crowd for a dance off, and gets them to join a conga. We are happy to make any required announcements.

If your meal runs late we will check with you whether you are ok with us setting up while you finish your meal. If the buffet times changes, we reschedule our break to coincide with it. If there was a technical problem with any of the equipment eg a guitar or keyboard or microphone we just change the set order to get the problem fixed. We bring spare guitars, keyboards etc. We have had to deal with many challenges such as power cuts, clients unintentionally bumping into equipment, sound limiters cutting off our equipment, and always handle it professionally

We aim to have the dance floor full all night, so the numbers on the dance floor will be similar. The differences will be in the energy levels. From 9.30pm/10pm right through to Midnight the energy levels will be very high, and never drop. We may play something like "Caledonia" around 11.50pm to provide a nice calm, before something like "Loch Lomond" to finish the night with a big bang.

Jamie plans out the night in 30 minutes segments so everything flows smoothly, dipping into different genres, while continually building up the energy. The last hour is planned/timetabled precisely to include guaranteed floor fillers that always work. "Loch Lomond" is the perfect song to finish on, and gives people what they expect from a good Scottish Wedding. Other songs that work well include "Dignity" and "Take my Hand".

We have an excellent Ceilidh Caller (and 2 experienced deputies) who will give very clear instructions and demonstrate the steps. We like to assertively encourage people to join in, and always make it a lot of fun!

The Handover from live performance to DJ set is seamless. We just need to change over a couple of cables, which takes a few seconds.

We can tell from the packed dance floor and smiles from the wedding couple it is a great night. Jamie constantly monitors the vibe, and continually adjusts the energy/songs to make sure it is a great night. We are passionate about exceeding clients expectations and usually couples get very emotional at the end of the night when they tell us how much we have made their night

Real life quotes - - they were absolutely fantastic and exceeded all our expectations.
We had a ceilidh portion of the evening which was so much fun and the calling of the dances was so well organised by the band, helping it go smoothly (and safely!). The remainder of the evening and set was just so much more better than we ever could have expected. Such a talented group of musicians that play so well together.
The setlist really felt like "us" and the interaction on the dancefloor from the sax player and guitarist was an added bonus
The band were incredible - they provided such a fantastic mix of songs and all members of the band are very talented. We absolutely loved that we were able to kick things off with a ceilidh (which was especially fun as a few of our guests had never been to a Scottish wedding before) and the rest of the band’s set was filled with so many great songs that kept the dance floor full all night.
They read the crowd perfectly and when it was clear our guests were having a blast on the dance floor they even introduced a limbo competition and conga line led by the amazing sax player (while the rest of the band provided an amazing soundtrack).
So many of our guests said how much they loved the band and that they added so much fun to the night. ….Everything was really straightforward with excellent communication

It is difficult to single out one wedding as we have played at so many amazing weddings for lovely couples in great venues. Every wedding is special to us, and it is lovely seeing couples smile and dance all night (and cry tears of joy) knowing we have helped make their night special. Three particular nights come to mind (1) playing for a couple in the Borders at a marquee in their farm 10 years ago - The bride was so moved by the first song she was in tears of joy, the dance floor was mobbed like a rock concert, we got a standing ovation, and she is a Facebook friend now, continually reminiscing about the band (2) Playing at Oran Mor for the wedding of Ken McLuskey (of the Bluebells) and having the Bluebells join us on stage for a finale of "Young at Heart". An amazing night, with a crowd full of very successful musicians (3) Driving to a wedding in Forfar during a hurricane, arriving to find the venue had a power cut, playing the first song acoustically by candle light! With STUDIO the show always goes on!!