I’ve been a musician much longer than I’ve been a photographer. So music has always been an enormous part of my life.
You just can’t underestimate the power of music at your wedding. That might sound extreme, but music can quite often make or break the atmosphere at a wedding. A professional band, artist or DJ has performed hundreds, if not thousands of events. They know how to read a crowd. They understand how wedding reception schedules work. And they’ll create a unique atmosphere for your day and evening, that many guests will be talking about for months, or years after your wedding. That just simply can’t be done on an iPhone playing Spotify. The shittest DJ in your suburb is still going to do a better job than the best Spotify playlist.
As a Yarra Valley wedding photographer, here is who I consider, to be the best wedding bands and DJ’s across The Yarra Valley & Melbourne.
- Apples
- Cal Young Music
- Lark Music
- Loadsy
- Lua Lua
- Music with Memories
- Paper Hearts
- Waves Duo
- Wendy Bird
Check out even more info on them below, all with videos that you can view right here on this page.
DJ MC APPLES
Apples
Bringer of absolute vibes. This guy is genuinely one of the best in the business. Incredibly organised, seriously professional, and just so dialled in across every part of what he does. Whether it’s DJing, MCing, or jumping on the guitar for an acoustic set, he covers it all at a ridiculously high level.
We share a very strong mutual love for punk and emo, which is always a good time, but what really sets him apart is how well he can read a room and adapt. He’s not locked into one style, he can shift gears and build a dancefloor around whatever suits the couple and the crowd, and do it seamlessly.
His setup is also next level. Super clean, slick, and intentional, so it actually complements the overall aesthetic of the wedding rather than sticking out like dogs balls. It all feels very considered and polished.
On top of all that, he’s just an absolute ripper bloke to have around on the day. Easy to work with, calm, and completely across everything, which makes a huge difference.
He books out well in advance, so if you’re thinking about it, don’t sit on it too long.
CAL YOUNG
Cal
This guy. The perfect blend of everything you want across a wedding day. An incredible vocalist first and foremost, with that effortless, laid-back acoustic style that just sets the tone so well. From soft, intimate tunes during the ceremony to beautiful background vibes through canapés and dinner, he absolutely nails every moment.
Then once the formalities wrap up, the guitar gets packed away and the DJ decks come out, and he shifts gears seamlessly into party mode. It’s the kind of all-in-one setup that just makes the whole day feel cohesive and easy.
He also DJ’d and sang at my little brother’s wedding, which honestly goes a long way when I’m recommending someone. You don’t put someone in that position unless you properly trust them to deliver, and he did exactly that.
And if we happen to be working together, there’s a fair chance I’ll end up borrowing his guitar for a song or two and jumping in for a duet, which is always a bit of fun.
LARK MUSIC
Lark
Lark played at our wedding back in 2014, and we were absolutely stoked, as were all our guests, which is about as good an endorsement as it gets.
They run as a small agency band, but what sets them apart is how transparent they are about it. You actually know who’s turning up on the day, and if you head along to one of their showcases, you can choose your own singer and lineup, which is a pretty rare and very cool touch.
I’ve also got a soft spot for Luke. Every time I hear him sing, it takes me straight back to our wedding night, all the nostalgia and loved-up vibes included.
ANDREW LOADSMAN
Loadsy
I’ve never seen anyone get a wedding crowd fired up faster than Andrew Loadsman. His voice is completely unique, and his ability to set a party atmosphere is honestly something you just have to experience to believe.
He starts things off with live acoustic, and once that wraps up, he switches into DJ mode with instrumental tracks, layering his live vocals over the top. Then he’s out on the dancefloor with a wireless mic, fully in the mix, getting everyone involved and the energy absolutely flying.
LUA LUA
Paul & Tammy
An awesome husband and wife duo who are both multi-instrumentalists, bringing a beautiful mix of piano, guitar and violin to the day. It creates a really unique sound that you just don’t often get at weddings, and it adds a layer of warmth and depth that’s hard to replicate.
On top of that, they can seamlessly transition into DJing later in the night, so you’ve got the full flow of ceremony through to dancefloor covered without needing to bring in extra suppliers.
Genuinely lovely people as well, which makes working alongside them an easy yes every time.
MUSIC WITH MEMORIES
Shannon
Towan is an absolute legend and one of the most in-demand wedding DJs in the Yarra Valley for a reason. We often find ourselves working with a similar kind of couple, and it always makes for a fun, high-energy night.
He’s super relaxed, easy going, and just a genuinely good bloke to have around on your wedding day, which goes a long way when things can already feel a bit full on.
Communication with Shannon is… let’s just say refreshingly old school. He’s a Facebook Messenger only kind of guy, so don’t expect any emails, but he always gets back to you and keeps things moving without any drama.
He knows exactly what he’s about when it comes to his sound, and he leans into that with confidence. If his style lines up with your taste, you’re in very safe hands, and your dancefloor will be pumping from start to finish.
PAPER HEARTS
Ryan & Amelia
A
Another husband and wife duo, and genuinely two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. I’ve got a lot of love for these guys. Their harmonies are beautiful, and they’ve got a really well curated selection of songs that just works perfectly for those relaxed ceremony and canapés moments.
Like many on this page, once the live set wraps up, the DJ decks come out and they take things into full party mode so you can keep the night going and dance it all away.
Ryan is also a fantastic DJ, MC, and celebrant, which makes them an incredibly versatile all-in-one option for couples who want things to feel seamless from start to finish.
WAVES DUO
Joey & Sarah
Such an incredible acoustic duo, and two of the most beautiful humans you’ll ever meet. I’ve also had them perform at a couple of my own celebrations, which probably says enough about how much I rate them.
You get the perfect blend of male and female vocals with beautiful, effortless harmonies that sit perfectly in a ceremony or canapés setting. Joey is a master of live looping on guitar, building out full, rich arrangements that sound like far more than just two people, very much in that Ed Sheeran style of performance.
On top of that, Joey also DJs later in the night, so the energy can seamlessly roll from relaxed acoustic vibes into a full dancefloor without missing a beat.
Then there’s Sarah, whose voice is genuinely next level. It’s the kind of tone that gives you goosebumps every single time you hear it.
Together they bring such a warm, natural energy to a wedding day, and it’s always a joy to work alongside them.
WENDYBIRD
Wendy
If you’re after a killer duo, trio, or even a full five-piece band, Wendybird has you covered. Wendy has a beautiful, soulful voice that just instantly sets the tone for a wedding day, it really does feel like the soundtrack to something special.
She also works with an incredibly versatile group of musicians, so whether it’s something intimate and stripped back or a bigger full-band setup, they can scale the vibe perfectly to suit the day and the crowd.
It’s always a pleasure having them involved, they bring a really warm, professional energy and just make everything feel easy.
