how much does a wedding singer cost in brisbane?
by Jess Martyn, Brisbane wedding singer & pianist ·
in 2026, wedding music in brisbane runs from a few hundred dollars for a ceremony-only musician to $2,000+ for music across the whole day. Easy Weddings' 2026 survey puts the average queensland couple's music spend at $2,001 (all music, DJs and bands included), and Bridebook puts ceremony-only musicians at $300-$700. my own weddings start from $750, with travel beyond 30 minutes and any new songs on top.
what the market says (2026)
published figures vary a lot because they measure different things. here's what each one actually covers.
- Easy Weddings, 2026 Australian Wedding Industry Report
$2,001 average in QLD; $2,142 nationally
average spend on all wedding music: DJs, bands, duos and soloists (soloists are 13% of hires) · February 2026
- Bridebook Australia
solo musician from $500; ceremony only $300-$700; whole-day music $1,500-$2,500
national guide ranges · updated July 2026
- GigHeaven, Brisbane wedding singers
$650 typical, from $200 to $2,400+
listed singers on the marketplace; no method or sample size given · accessed October 2026
- Steve Carlyle, Brisbane acoustic wedding singer & DJ
$2,500-$3,500 packages (GST inc.)
6-8 hours of live acoustic sets plus DJ, PA and lighting · accessed October 2026
- Jess Martyn (me)
from $750
live vocals, piano and loop pedal, with PA and mics; travel and new songs extra · October 2026
| source | figure | what it covers | date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Weddings, 2026 Australian Wedding Industry Report | $2,001 average in QLD; $2,142 nationally | average spend on all wedding music: DJs, bands, duos and soloists (soloists are 13% of hires) | February 2026 |
| Bridebook Australia | solo musician from $500; ceremony only $300-$700; whole-day music $1,500-$2,500 | national guide ranges | updated July 2026 |
| GigHeaven, Brisbane wedding singers | $650 typical, from $200 to $2,400+ | listed singers on the marketplace; no method or sample size given | accessed October 2026 |
| Steve Carlyle, Brisbane acoustic wedding singer & DJ | $2,500-$3,500 packages (GST inc.) | 6-8 hours of live acoustic sets plus DJ, PA and lighting | accessed October 2026 |
| Jess Martyn (me) | from $750 | live vocals, piano and loop pedal, with PA and mics; travel and new songs extra | October 2026 |
figures checked against each source in October 2026. prices change, so check the source before you budget.
what changes the price?
- how long you book
- a ceremony on its own costs less than music from the aisle to the last dance. most of my weddings book three 45-minute sets across about three hours.
- how many spots
- ceremony on the lawn, drinks on the deck, reception inside: each move means packing down and setting up again. for me it's $50 per extra location.
- travel
- the further from your musician's base, the more you'll pay. i include the first 30 minutes, then it's $100 an hour, pro-rata.
- learning new songs
- many musicians charge to learn something that isn't already in their repertoire. mine is $100 a song, and anything on my 600+ song list is free.
- the act itself
- a soloist, a duo, a band and a DJ are different services at different prices. a looping singer-pianist sits in between: one musician, but a fuller sound than a single voice and guitar.
- DJ or no DJ
- many packages bundle a DJ for the late-night dance floor, which pushes the price up and changes what you are comparing.
what you're actually paying for
you're not simply paying for someone to stand up and play songs. you're paying for:
- professional experience
- preparation
- learning requested songs
- equipment
- travel
- setup and pack-down
- performance time
- communication with your suppliers
- backup planning
- the ability to read a room
- years spent developing the skill to make everything look effortless
compare like with like
when you line up quotes, ask each musician:
- How many hours of performance are included?
- Does setup/pack-down cost extra?
- Is sound equipment included?
- Are requested songs included?
- Can the musician learn special songs for us?
- How much travel is included?
- What happens if the musician becomes unavailable?
- Can they provide music for multiple parts of the day?
the cheapest quote isn't necessarily the best value, and the most expensive option isn't automatically the best either. you're looking for someone who understands your vision and can deliver it professionally.
what i charge
weddings start from $750. your quote builds from there, and every extra is spelled out up front, so there are no surprises on the day.
- travel
- the first 30 minutes are on me. beyond that it's $100 per hour, pro-rata, and i'll travel anywhere for the right wedding.
- your songs
- anything from the 600+ song list costs nothing extra. a song i need to learn is $100 each, with a week's notice.
- moving spots
- ceremony on the lawn, reception inside? it's $50 for each extra location i pack up and move to.
- paying
- a 50% deposit when you book locks in your date. the balance is paid on the day.
- the little ask
- every wedding booking includes a google review afterwards and sharing your photos and videos with me. it's how a solo musician keeps the music going.
free guide for couples
how to make your wedding sound incredible
my free guide to wedding music, from the aisle to the last dance. song ideas, a sample timeline, the questions to ask any musician (me included) and a checklist so nothing gets missed.
you'll also get the odd wedding-music email from me. no spam, unsubscribe anytime (privacy).
you're in. here's your guide.
download the guide (PDF)save it somewhere handy. when you're ready to talk about your day, check if i'm free for your date.
hmm, that didn't go through. give it another go in a sec, or grab the guide anyway.
want an exact number for your day?
tell me your date, venue and the parts of the day you'd like music for. i'll check your date within 24 hours and send a tailored quote within 2 business days.