The Lucky Saints

We're pretty slick at setting up these days so we just need 45 - 60 minutes and we're good to go! 

Our standard times are 8pm - Midnight.

Of course!  We will always work with you to ensure that our timings suit your schedule.  We can start early and finish early if preferred for example, 7-11pm.  The best thing to do is discuss what you need with us and we can work it out.

Standard breaktime is 30 minutes. We normally do this when the evening buffet is served. We will play background music as a default unless you want to supply your own playlist, in which case, we can plug your phone or device into our PA system.   

We are always happy to let you pick songs from our massive repertoire and we can learn a few of your favourite songs if we don't know them, given enough notice. 

Through our experience of playing weddings up and down the country, we know how to keep a dancefloor bouncing, so in all honesty you can trust us to know what works on any given night. Every night can be different so we tend to read the room and play what is getting people up to dance as we look to finish on the highest possible note. 

It would be our absolute pleasure to learn your first dance if we dont already know it, it's what we do! Even if its a unique or special version of the original, we can rework it to whatever you need.  We recognise that first dances are a highlight of the night so its one of top priorities to get this right for you.

If you have a Daddy/Daughter or Mother/Son song as a second dance we can also do this. 

We love taking requests! If its going to make you or your guests happy or get people on the dancefloor, then its our duty to play those songs, so please encourage your guests to ask us. 

Yes, the band can play for an additional hour OR we can offer a disco set where you can get the GBX tunes going or standard dance/pop tunes to finish off the night in style. 

You can book in any of these as an optional extra when you’re processing your evening entertainment booking or these can also be added closer to the time. 

We do offer an acoustic set for a couple of hours which is be perfect for an afternoon drinks reception or some background music to an outside event.  

Yes, we bring PA and lights and everything that we will need on the night. We just need to plug in and we are good to go!

Clients absolutely love that the band can pull off so many different types/genres of music so brilliantly and with such energy.  We will often start of the night playing the classics but we'll move to playing rock, pop, indie and by the end of the night we've shifted to full-on dance mode to get the dancefloor packed right before we bring it back down to end the night perfectly on Loch Lomond (or whatever preferred final song you want). 

But what stands out is the extremely high standard of the band sound, performance and vocals. Guests will NOT be disappointed.

The band also love having some banter with the audience as we see it as our job to have fun and get everyone involved so that its an unforgettable experience for all. 

Well not everyone in the band has the same taste but we do love The Killers, Coldplay, The Foo Fighters, Fleetwood Mac, Calvin Harris and generally any dancefloor filler songs. 

YES!  We can provide anything from 1 or 2 Ceilidh songs up to 45 mins where needed. The band will always call the dances to make sure everyone knows what they are doing so that they can just have fun!  

The Ceilidh songs that we provide are typically through a backing track to cover the instruments we don't have (fiddle, accordion etc.) backed with live drums and guitar.  

Typical Ceilidh songs will include Gay Gordons, Dashing White Sergeant, Canadian Barn Dance, St Bernard's Waltz and Strip the Willow.

When a booking comes in we check the contract for details - client names, location etc.we always check for anything non standard such as early start time or additional requests. We Double check the band is free and the details are in the diary. And then take a note of the client contact details.

With most clients we swap about 5-10 emails to check on event timings, first dance, Ceildih options and anything else that they require for the night. Where clients prefer a meet up or phone call we’re happy to do that too. We always try to make contact close to the event date to triple check everything.

When we receive a first dance request we always check we’ve got the right artist and version with the client.Then we update our records and tell the rest of the band. We will organise a rehearsal to learn the song if we don’t already know it. If the client wants a bespoke version we will sometimes send over a rough recorded version for reference. What makes a great choice if first dance is where the song starts off slow but then builds up later in the track allowing the wedding party to join in.

Rarely have we had to decline a song choice from a couple but if they want Whitney Houston in the original keg that’s a stretch! We have male and female vocals so can cover most songs. If the song is too difficult or the request gets to us less than 2 weeks before the event we will usually suggest an mp3 instead. The only other thing is that we try to limit it to 3 new songs per client or it gets too challenging to learn them all in a busy wedding season.

Weee happy for clients to choose a second song after the first dance (like a Daddy Daughter song) and/or an additional song that has a personal connection to the couple. We’re happy to omit songs clients don’t want for whatever reason too. At the break we will go as far as letting clients do their own playlist. We also allow clients to choose the final song(s) of the night as not everyone wants Loch Lomond!

Typically we just need to know load in times and location of the room/load in. If there are parking restrictions or specific roads we need to use we want to know that too. If the location is a city centre or will also explore an arming options.

We do sometimes talk to wedding planners if the couple have asked them to be the main contact but mostly we communicate with couples but sometimes the parents too! We will phone the venue to check things like parking/load in etc.espeiclalt if its a venue we are unfamiliar with or is in a remote location.

We tend to wear black trousers and smart black jackets on stage as it just works and avoids individual band members wearing anything too out there.

We have an extensive list of deputy musicians to call on if any member of the band is unwell on the day. Under no circumstances would we turn up without the full band or allow it to impact the event.

We always contact the couple or wedding planner in the days leading up to the event to double check everything. We realise we won’t be able to get in touch on the day itself.

We have dealt with 100s of clients and played live 100s of times at weddings and events. We know exactly how to make sure we meet the clients needs before, during and after the event and we would reassure them that they have nothing to worry about. Most of all we will smash the first dance, get everyone involved and deal with anything else on the night to make it awesome. We will be happy to talk them through any part of the bands process

When we arrive at a venue we establish the load in location and parking arrangements. We require up to an hour to set up and complete a sound check to be ready well ahead of the start time. During this time we will speak to the clients where possible to check in and we will speak to staff to check where to set up, buffet time and whether they are running to schedule.

We will arrive around 1.5 hours (6:30pm) before we are due to start. That gives us some contingency to deal with anything unforeseen, to load in, set up and soundcheck. For census with difficult load ins or other challenges we will arrive earlier. We absolutely work hard to start every event on time.

We will wait for a thumbs up for a member of staff or family member, ask everyone to stand and welcome the couple into the room usually playing an upbeat tune. We will then deal with any cake cut before going into the first dance. We usually wait until after the first chorus to invite the wedding party to join the couple on the dance floor. If the couple indicate a specific part of the song when people should join in we will work to that.

We always try to inject energy after the first dances which tend to be slower types of songs. We will keep the party going for a few songs then announce that we are happy to take requests. If the dancfloor isn’t full for any reason we will change up the genre of song

For example to an older classic or Ceildih or a slosh to get people involved. Where a song is well received we will try to stick to that type of song for a while. We do a range of songs for all tastes.

After the first dance we tend to go into an up tempo wave of songs for about 30 mins then cool it off for a while then ramp up again towards a peak before the break/buffet which is usually (but not always 9:30pm). Again at the start of the second half we start off a bit slower but after a few songs it really is a massive ramp up of energy for the last 1.5 hours or so to a total peak to have everyone on the dancefloor and ready for the final song or 2 where the focus comes very much back to the happy couple.

The Lucky Saints actively ask for requests over the mic multiple times throughout the night because getting people involved and happy is our job and sometimes it makes their night. If there is a song we absolutely cant play we will offer to play it at the break or offer a similar/alternative song that we can play. If we can we will try and play it straight away. If we get inundated with requests we'll do as many as we can.

The live Ceilidh set is a lot of fun as its active participation. We announce that we are about to perform a specific Ceilidh dance eg Gay Gordons and give people time to assemble on the dancefloor - as often-times they need time to get on the floor and we offer a little joking encouragement that they should take part but nothing pushy. The lead singer Pauline or Lawrie will usually ask the guests whether they know the steps to dance. Either way we will use the microphone to explain the steps and either demonstrate it ourselves or ask for a couple to do it for us. We will then say the steps throughout the Ceilidh song until we feel they have it nailed.

We are fairly chatty between songs as again, the interaction and banter between band and guests really helps to make the night more memorable. Its good to break up the set with announcements (buffet, last orders or a request). If there is something interesting/funny about the venue or night or couple we are happy to say that to amuse the guests but we very much read the room and if everyone is partying we will keep the vibe going.

Transitions between the live performance and the DJ set is designed to be seamless. After the last dance we will pretty much launch the DJ set as we want to keep the vibes high and ensures there is no drop in energy.

Delays happen at events especially where food is being served or speeches are being made - so the band always check with the venue when we arrive if we are running to schedule. We will sometimes have to wait for access to a function room or we will set up early and just wait until the couple are ready to commence the first dance. We have had a technical issue where one of our speakers has stopped working but our PA is big enough to allow for his and it didnt impact the night.

We are well accustomed to working with sound limiters which are fairly common. We adjust the master level of our PA during the soundcheck to find a suitable level. Guests wouldnt really notice much difference as the band will still sound loud enough. And we will keep an eye on it throughout the night.

Early on in the night, the dancefloor is usually packed for the first 30 mins followed by a lull usually after the Ceilidh (when we do it) as everyone is usually tired. We will then usually see it gradually grow back up to being packed before the break. Then at the start of the second half again it will be fairly quiet but as guests get into the swing of things the dancefloor will remain packed for most of the second half. At the final song whether its Loch Lomond or other song everyone is on the floor with the couple, its the law! :)

We usually have the party swinging for most of the second half to an absolute peak about 15 mins before the end. But before its gets to the very end we usually cool it down a little and veer into scottish classics such as the proclaimers, deacon blue and finally either Loch Lomond or another final tune chosen by the couple. For the final tune, we put absolutely everything into and make sure everyone is involved (which usually isnt difficult) as everyone is just there for the happy couple at that point.

The band know its been a good night when the dancefloor has been full, all night, there has been good banter/engagement between the guests and band, we've played a few requests and the guests are smiling, dancing, singing and laughing. There is a general vibe in the room when its been a good night and the couple usually come up and thank us at the end.

Most couples tell us that they really enjoyed the energy of the band, the full dancefloor and for keeping their guests entertained all night. Its a fear of couples that their guests wont dance or enjoy themselves, they just want a big party and we are delighted to give it to them.

Our favourite moment was when a couple joined us on the stage to sing 500 Miles which was a lot of fun and had the guests clapping and having the best time, it was a lot of fun.