Types of Wedding Entertainment in Manchester
Written by Nick Rushton — Award-Winning Magician
Choosing the right entertainment is one of the most important decisions you'll make when planning your Manchester wedding. The right entertainment keeps your guests engaged, fills the natural gaps in the day, and creates memories that last far longer than the cake or the flowers. Here's a comprehensive guide to the most popular types of wedding entertainment in Manchester — and when each one works best.
Close-Up Magician
A close-up magician (also called a walk-around magician or table magician) performs incredible sleight of hand, mind reading and comedy directly to small groups of your guests. Unlike stage entertainment, close-up magic is personal, interactive and creates genuine one-on-one moments of wonder.
When it works best:
- Drinks reception — the most popular time. While photos are being taken, a magician keeps guests entertained rather than standing around waiting.
- Between courses — table magic between courses of the wedding breakfast is incredibly popular. Each table gets a private mini-show.
- Evening reception — as new evening guests arrive, magic breaks the ice and gets people mixing.
Why it's one of the most popular choices: Close-up magic doesn't need a stage, sound system or any special setup. It works in any venue, at any time of day, and for any number of guests. It's also completely self-contained — the magician handles everything and moves around your guests naturally.
A professional Manchester wedding magician typically costs between £400 and £900 for 2–3 hours. See pricing guide →
Live Band
A live band is one of the most traditional and popular forms of wedding entertainment. Manchester has a thriving music scene, and there are plenty of excellent wedding bands covering everything from jazz and swing to rock, pop and Motown.
When it works best: Evening reception — getting guests on the dance floor after dinner.
Things to consider:
- Bands need space, staging and a power supply — check with your venue
- Sound levels can be an issue in smaller venues
- Most bands need 1–2 hours for setup and soundcheck
- Budget: typically £1,000–£3,000+ for a good Manchester wedding band
DJ
A DJ is the go-to choice for evening entertainment. They're flexible, can play any genre, and take requests from guests. Many Manchester DJs also offer lighting packages.
When it works best: Evening reception and late-night dancing.
Things to consider:
- Budget: typically £400–£800
- Some couples book both a band (first set) and DJ (late night)
- Ask about their setup time and equipment requirements
Photo Booth
Photo booths have become a staple at Manchester weddings. Guests love the instant prints, and the props provide great entertainment. Modern booths range from classic curtained setups to open-air mirror booths and 360-degree video booths.
When it works best: Evening reception — gives guests something fun to do between dancing.
Things to consider:
- Budget: typically £300–£700
- Check the space requirements — some booths need quite a large area
- Ask for a guest book copy of all photos as a keepsake
Caricaturist
A caricaturist sketches fun, exaggerated portraits of your guests. It's unique entertainment and guests get to take home a personalised souvenir. Caricaturists work well alongside other entertainment — they'll set up in a corner and guests can visit when they like.
When it works best: Drinks reception or evening reception.
Things to consider:
- Budget: typically £400–£600 for 2–3 hours
- Each sketch takes 3–5 minutes, so they can cover 20–40 guests per set
Acoustic Musician / Singer
An acoustic musician or singer provides elegant background music. Guitar, piano, violin or a vocalist can set the perfect tone for your ceremony or drinks reception without the volume of a full band.
When it works best: Ceremony, drinks reception, or wedding breakfast background music.
Casino Tables
Fun casino tables (blackjack, roulette, poker) are popular evening entertainment. Guests play with fun money — no real gambling — and it adds a touch of glamour. Works particularly well at larger weddings.
When it works best: Evening reception alongside the DJ/band.
What's the Best Combination?
Many Manchester couples combine multiple types of entertainment across the day. A popular combination is:
- Drinks reception: Close-up magician (mix-and-mingle)
- Wedding breakfast: Table magician between courses
- Evening reception: Live band or DJ + photo booth
This covers every part of the day and gives guests different experiences throughout. The beauty of close-up magic is that it fills the quieter gaps that other entertainment can't reach — the drinks reception wait, the gaps between courses, the transition between day and evening guests.
Book a Manchester Wedding Magician
If you're planning a wedding at one of Manchester's top venues, I'd love to help. I perform close-up magic during drinks receptions, between courses and during evening receptions. I've been performing professionally for over 29 years, I have over 500 five-star reviews, and I cover all of Manchester and Greater Manchester.
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
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