Questions & Tips
It is important to us that your day goes perfect. We get asked similar questions about bookings, performance and costs, which we have listed below. If you have a question and it is not answered below, please get in touch (0845 544 1636 or email enquiries@ashmoreacoustics.co.uk).
General Information
Booking Questions
Performance Questions
DJ Service
Top tips
General Information
Ashmore Acoustics are a fully professional live duo with over 10 years experience. Completely self sufficient with PA and lights with an IPod service at no extra cost. {more about our IPod service}
Ashmore Acoustics also hold a £5 million full public liability insurance to meet venue requirements. All musical equipment is P.A.T tested annually for extra peace of mind.
We offer 5 packages to suit your needs: Bronze & Silver, Gold, Silver & Gold, Platinum. And Diamond. {find out more about our prices and packages}
All our prices are inclusive of VAT. To secure your date, we require just a £200 deposit made payable to Ashmore Acoustics Ltd.
As part of our wedding packages we offer an IPod Service. When Ashmore Acoustics live performance ends, why not continue the party with our IPod Service, the perfect solution to cater for everyone’s musical tastes. {IPod service}
Example running order & times:
20.30 – 21.30 (Live music)
21.45 – 22.45 (Live music)
22.45 – Midnight (IPod service)
Booking FAQs
How much do you cost?
To prepare a quote we need as much information as possible as every event is different. The precise cost depends on several factors: location, peak/off-peak season, early set-up, late finish etc. {see our packages & prices}
How do I book Ashmore Acoustics?
Step 1 – Contact us – We will require some booking details from you via email or telephone. These should include: your contact information, details of the venue, performance times and any special requirements. (complete one of the contact forms at the bottom of each page or call 0845 544 1636)
Step 2 – Secure your date – Once you are happy with all the arrangements, a small deposit is payable within 5 days to secure the date of the event. Dates are offered on a first come first serve basis. {check our availability}
Step 3 – Sign the contract – You will be sent written confirmation of your booking, a receipt for your deposit along with a contract of engagement (this should be checked, signed and returned to us within 7 days).
Step 4 – When is payment due?
A £200 deposit will book your date and the balance is due 14 days before the day of the engagement payable by BACS Account Transfer.
We know someone who will play at our event for a cheap price. Why should we book Ashmore Acoustics?
We are a professionals. We also hold £5 million public liability insurance and all equipment is regularly PAT tested (portable appliance tested) for electrical safety. Both myself and Matthew have a wealth of experience in playing live and all bookings are confirmed in writing. If you do decide to book a duo with low prices, please remember that you usually get what you pay for.
Can I see you live before booking?
In most circumstances this is not possible as we specialise in performances at private functions. By the nature of the fact that they are private, you cannot obtain access. Bands/duos who regularly play at pubs are probably not the type you’d hire for an important private party as pubs don’t pay the money required for top quality acts.
We do perform twice a year at The National Wedding Show, once in March and once in October.
However, it is impossible to guarantee that by the time these shows take place, that we will still be available for your event. The best artists get booked very quickly so if you find one that you like, you are much safer basing your decision to hire on the strength of their tracks, set list, biography and references from other clients.
Performance FAQs
How much room do you need to perform?
Our minimum space requirement if 10ft (w) x 6ft (d)
What are your power requirements?
We require a power supply for our PA system, however we can be fully acoustic for smaller events.
Will you need a sound check?
Preparation behind the scenes is our preferred option but we are also aware this is not always possible. Ashmore Acoustics are also flexible with stage or performance areas, i.e. for smaller or sound limited environments. We need time to set up our equipment and check the sound levels, (minimum of one hour). This is to ensure the best volume and sound quality for your venue.
Is it possible to personalise the set list?
Yes of course – please let us know which songs on our set list you would most like to hear and any you dislike, however we may vary the set list running order on the day to suit the event. We require 4 weeks’ notice to prepare.
Can we learn a special song or songs that are not on the set list?
We are happy to learn songs that are not on our set list to make your event more special but we will require at least 6 weeks’ notice to prepare.
What do we need?
We may have travelled long distances to reach you, so we require a hot meal or a sandwich when when we arrive at the venue and bottled water to keep up our energy levels.
How long do you take to set up?
It usually takes us about 40 minutes to set up, and we aim to arrive an hour before the performance. If you would like us to arrive earlier to set up this is usually possible but may involve a small extra ‘waiting fee’.
Top Tips
It’s important to take lots of care in your planning, and to do everything you can to ensure that everything runs smoothly. However, if on the day you worry about every last detail and that all timings are adhered to rigorously, you’ll have a miserable time! Some timings are important – you need to know when the musicians are going to arrive, and they need to know the latest time you’ll want them to play, for example – but it’s generally better to decide on a broad timetable and let the musicians know that, within this, flexibility on both sides is the watchword!
Most bridal couples have a good idea of what they consider to be “good” music, and quite rightly want to have considerable input into the music that their band plays. But an experienced band will have a good idea what will or won’t work at a wedding, and the sensible bridal couple, rather than specifying a definite and restrictive playlist, will seek to work with the band to agree on a broad format for the evening’s entertainment, will agree a few specific requests with the band, but will leave the band to fill in the gaps.
