REAL WEDDING STORIES
Hear from real couples who've booked Next Level for their wedding
These real wedding stories showcase what happens when world-class live entertainment meets unforgettable celebrations.
From luxury hotel receptions and private marquee parties to Jewish & Asian Wedding parties and everything in-between, these stories give an honest insight into the atmosphere we create.
We talk with real couples about their experience with Next Level, with genuine feedback from couples and guests. You’ll see how we adapt to different venues, cultures and styles, while delivering the one thing every couple wants: a packed dance floor and an unforgettable night.
ED & ZOE
Down Hall Hotel & Spa - Essex
“I would pay good money to see your band again.”
Ed & Zoe’s wedding at Down Hall Hotel & Spa was designed around one clear non-negotiable: an unforgettable party. From the very start, they wanted a wedding where music carried the energy all day — not just a short burst after dinner — and where every guest felt part of the celebration.
Set within one of Essex’s most elegant wedding venues, Down Hall Hotel & Spa provided a stunning backdrop for a full-scale live music experience. With its grand interiors and spacious event rooms, it’s a venue that rewards experienced wedding entertainment — especially when the goal is to keep momentum high without ever overwhelming the room.
Music played a role throughout the entire day. During the drinks reception, our singer and guitarist performed soulful, relaxed sets to set the mood as guests arrived and explored the grounds. This flowed seamlessly into dinner, where the full band performed romantic, atmospheric songs, enhancing the ambience while allowing conversation to remain effortless — something Ed & Zoe told us was incredibly important to them.
Their first dance, performed live by the band, was “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole — a joyful, timeless choice that perfectly bridged the transition from elegance into celebration.
For the evening reception, Ed & Zoe chose our 11-piece luxury party band, featuring four powerhouse soul vocalists, a high-energy horn section (saxophone and trumpet), and our signature rhythm section on bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. From the first track, the dance floor filled. And crucially, it stayed full all night!
One of the couple’s biggest concerns was avoiding the typical lull that happens at many weddings, where energy dips and guests drift away from the dance floor. At Down Hall, that simply didn’t happen. The floor remained packed from start to finish, creating exactly the high-energy wedding party they’d envisioned.
The reaction from guests confirmed it. Friends and family described the band as one of the highlights of the entire wedding, with one guest going out of their way the next morning to say, “I would pay good money to see your band again.” Praise like that is something Ed & Zoe still talk about long after the day.
Like many couples planning a luxury wedding in Essex, they found choosing a wedding band stressful — knowing how much the entertainment would shape the atmosphere. What reassured them most was seeing real wedding footage, real audiences, and knowing the band would actively engage guests rather than simply perform in the background.
Looking back, Ed & Zoe describe booking Next Level as one of the best decisions they made. And with plans already forming for a future anniversary celebration, it’s clear their Down Hall Hotel wedding was exactly the unforgettable party they hoped for.
JASMIN & SAM
Stapleford Park, Leicestershire
"We're hoping one of our friends will book you for their wedding so we can do it all again!"
Jasmin and Sam’s wedding at Stapleford Park was all about energy, inclusivity and creating an atmosphere where every guest felt part of the celebration.
Stapleford Park is one of Leicestershire’s most impressive luxury wedding venues. Its scale and elegance demand entertainment that can truly fill the space and keep momentum high throughout the evening. For Jasmin and Sam, live music was central to achieving that.
The day began with our Sax and Trax set during the drinks reception. A live saxophonist performing alongside DJ-backed tracks created a relaxed but stylish atmosphere as guests arrived, mingled and explored the venue. It set the tone perfectly, building anticipation without overpowering the moment.
For their first dance, our lead singer performed a bespoke live version of “I Could Get Used To This” by Becky Hill. It was a personal and emotional moment for the couple and a seamless transition into the evening celebration that followed.
For the evening reception, Jasmin and Sam chose our high-energy 9-piece show band, supported by our DJ to keep the energy flowing all night. The band featured powerful soul vocals, a dynamic horn section, and our signature rhythm section on bass, drums, guitar and keyboards. From the first song, the dance floor filled and it stayed that way.
One of the most memorable moments of the night came from the reaction of the guests themselves. A family member known for never dancing, often self-conscious and usually happiest watching from the sidelines, ended up dancing all night. Even her father was amazed. It was a perfect example of the inclusive, infectious atmosphere the couple had hoped for.
Sam later summed it up simply. He did not sit down once. He danced the entire night.
To honour Jasmin’s Indian heritage, our DJ collaborated live with dhol drummers, blending traditional elements seamlessly into the modern party format. This created one of the standout moments of the evening and added a unique cultural layer to the celebration.
The response from friends and family was immediate. Guests were already talking about booking us for their own weddings, just to experience it all again.
For couples planning a wedding at Stapleford Park, this celebration shows what is possible when a world-class venue is matched with experienced, flexible and high-energy wedding entertainment. When the music is right, the atmosphere takes care of itself.
ABBIE & MIKE
Sopwell House
“We just didn’t want to leave the dance floor, it was just so much fun.”
Abbie and Mike’s Jewish wedding at Sopwell House was built around one clear priority: energy. From the very beginning, the music, dancing and overall atmosphere were central to their plans, with the goal of keeping the dance floor full and the celebration as lively as possible.
Sopwell House is an elegant and refined venue, but on this night it became something altogether more electric. Music set the tone from the very start of the day and carried that energy all the way through to the final song.
For the Chuppah, we supplied a specialist Israeli singer who performed the traditional music live, creating a deeply meaningful and authentic ceremony. It was an important element for the couple, and one that set the emotional foundation for everything that followed.
When the evening celebrations began, anticipation in the room was unmistakable. One of the defining moments of the night was the Hora. Our 9-piece band, joined once again by the Israeli singer, launched into a high-energy Hora medley that instantly ignited the dance floor. Guests of all faiths rushed in, dancing without hesitation as Abbie and Mike were lifted high on chairs, surrounded by cheering friends and family.
The energy was electric.
Looking back at the videos, the couple were amazed to see even the most reserved guests fully immersed in the moment. People who would normally avoid the dance floor were dancing with complete abandon, caught up in the atmosphere.
And crucially, that momentum never dropped.
As soon as the Hora ended, the band rolled straight into a bespoke setlist packed with proven floor fillers, carefully curated to keep energy levels high. The dance floor stayed full for most of the night, with guests refusing to leave because they were simply having too much fun.
Abbie later described how important it was that the band created a happy, lively atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable joining in. From the couple’s entrance onto the dance floor, with guests forming an arch around them, to spontaneous limbo moments and a conga line weaving through the crowd, the night unfolded naturally and joyfully.
The feedback from friends and family was immediate. Many said it felt more like being at a live concert than a wedding. One particularly reserved guest even admitted that the band got him dancing, something no one expected.
Planning a Jewish wedding comes with specific musical traditions and expectations, and Abbie and Mike valued how seamlessly everything was handled. From the Chuppah through to the Hora and the party that followed, every element worked together effortlessly.
For couples planning a Jewish wedding at Sopwell House, this celebration shows what is possible when tradition, high-energy live music and expert delivery come together. When the band gets it right, the dance floor becomes the heart of the entire day.
HAYLEY & NICKY
Private Address - Oxfordshire
"You really made the wedding"
Nicky and Hayley’s wedding at a private address in Oxfordshire was one of those rare celebrations where the brief was simple and unapologetic. They wanted to dance all night, throw a proper party, and enjoy every second of it themselves.
Set in a marquee filled with friends, family and pure anticipation, the day was designed to feel relaxed early on and completely unfiltered by the evening. Music played a central role in shaping that journey.
For their first dance, the couple chose something beautifully understated and personal. Our pianist performed live on a grand piano, creating an intimate moment that felt perfectly suited to the setting and the occasion. It was elegant, emotional and gave everyone a chance to take it all in before the pace changed completely.
And when it did change, it changed fast.
As soon as the evening reception began, our 9-piece show band took over and the marquee transformed into a full-scale party. From the first song, the dance floor filled and stayed full. The energy never dipped, guests never drifted away, and the atmosphere became increasingly rowdy in the best possible way.
Nicky and Hayley were clear from the start that they wanted to prioritise themselves as much as their guests. They wanted to spend the evening dancing rather than worrying about whether everyone else was having a good time. As it turned out, that mindset was infectious. Guests later told them that seeing the couple enjoying themselves so completely made it impossible not to join in.
One standout moment came when Nicky surprised everyone by grabbing the microphone mid-song. What started as confusion quickly turned into disbelief and then pure celebration when guests realised it was him. It became one of the most talked-about moments of the night and summed up the spirit of the entire wedding.
The feedback afterwards was unanimous. Guests of all ages commented on the setlist, the variety of music, and how seamlessly older crowd-pleasers were mixed with modern tracks. Even the most unlikely guests were still talking about the band the next day. At the post-wedding barbecue, it was the one thing nearly everyone mentioned.
For Nicky and Hayley, booking a live wedding band was the easiest decision they made once they trusted the process. While it was a significant part of the budget, it was also the one they had zero regrets about. The professionalism, planning and delivery meant they could relax and enjoy the night they had envisioned.
For couples planning a private marquee wedding in Oxfordshire, this celebration is proof that when the entertainment is right, the party takes care of itself.
SHREEYA & KURREN
Rutland House Hotel & Spa
"Best decision of our wedding"
Shreeya and Kurren’s Asian wedding at Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa was a celebration defined by energy, originality and atmosphere. Playing alongside Kudos Music, the brief was clear from the outset. This wedding needed to feel immersive, engaging and genuinely fun for every guest, from the very first moment.
Entertainment was a top priority for the couple. They wanted their guests to enjoy the experience just as much as they did, with music and dancing at the heart of the day. A full dance floor was non-negotiable.
The tone was set early. During the drinks reception, our saxophonist led guests through the venue, drawing everyone together and building anticipation as the celebration unfolded. From there, guests were guided into the wedding breakfast, where our 11-piece band delivered a high-energy welcome set that immediately shifted the atmosphere in the room.
Before guests had even taken their seats, the band launched into a bold and modern mix featuring Burna Boy, Afrobeat and hip hop classics. It was an unexpected and powerful moment that made it clear this was not going to be a traditional start to the evening. The energy was already off the charts.
One of the most original moments of the entire wedding came during the groom’s speech. Working closely with Kurren, we collaborated on a bespoke musical structure that wove live music from Next Level into different parts of the speech, illustrating moments from the couple’s story. The result was completely unique. Emotional, entertaining and effortlessly cool. Guests described it as one of the best wedding speeches they had ever seen.
As the evening continued, the dance floor came alive. The band delivered a long and varied setlist that moved seamlessly between genres and generations. Contemporary hits sat comfortably alongside timeless classics, ensuring every age group felt included. Even guests who rarely dance were fully engaged, with aunties and uncles still talking about the band long after the wedding.
Shreeya later spoke about how special it felt to see all of their loved ones together in one room, dancing and completely present in the moment. With the logistics over and the pressure lifted, the night became about connection, celebration and pure enjoyment.
The feedback from friends and family was unanimous. The band became one of the most talked-about elements of the wedding, and it remains the first thing people mention when the couple reminisce about the day.
For couples planning an Asian wedding at Rutland Hall Hotel & Spa, this celebration shows what is possible when live entertainment is treated as an experience rather than a background detail. When the energy is right from the very first note, the entire day is elevated.