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The Best Men’s First Wedding: How It All Started at Liffey Valley House Every professional wedding band has a beginning. For The Best Men , it started with a wonderful couple, a rented van, a beautiful venue, and an amp to the head. In 2002, I decided to start a wedding band. We were already in bands playing original music, and I was always the one asked to 'bring the keyboard' to social events, for when the sing-song eventually happened - why not mix the two? I picked the name "The Best Men", which I felt was both ceremonial and toungue-in-cheek at the same time. So these four 20-year-olds put together a potential set with no experience of playing weddings whatsoever. Funny to think about, after the literal thousands of weddings we've played since. We advertised, got a website up and we started to get calls. Couples had to check us out in the basement of a music shop called Musician Inc on Drury Street... there was nowhere else to see us! We were a testament to the sheer optimism of youth! One evening, Sarah and Liam came to see us and they liked us enough to involve us on their most special day. The venue was Liffey Valley House , a stunning estate outside Dublin that is now known as Leixlip Manor & Gardens ( https://leixlipmanorhotel.ie/ ). I went to check the place out before the actual day, to try to assuage my first time nerves! It was beautiful and charming and I felt a little better. A little. Actually no, I was still terrified. They chose Somebody  by Depeche Mode as their first dance song , and it was a cool, unusual choice. The big thing back then was swing, Brat Pack revival stuff. This was to be our first real test as a wedding music band in Ireland . How did it go? Amazingly! The relief! Everyone danced away and the mood was full-on party, everyone singing along with the band. Sarah and Liam were delighted and thanked us profusely. I had rented a van and a driver, so after packing up, it was my turn to go in the back of the van (with no seats, mind you, just laying on the floor!). Being newbies, we had packed the van whatever way we could, but one sharp turn dislodged a guitar amp from its perch and the amp landed on my head. The consternation that followed was like something out of The Commitments. Somehow I suffered no injuries or long term damage. This amp is hurtling towards you. From One Wedding to a Full-Time Career: Our Journey as a Top Wedding Band in Ireland That first gig taught us everything we needed to know. How important it is to connect with the couple, read the room, and keep the night flowing. A real wedding music experiences  was the key. Also, don't put a loose amp over a dozing human in the back of a van. Since then, we’ve played at weddings all across Ireland, helping couples bring the party to the night with live music. Whether it’s a new hit, a classic chart-topping anthem or a 90s floor-filler, it's about talent, conviction and heart. Planning Your Wedding? Let’s Talk Live Music If you’re looking for a wedding band in Ireland  that delivers unforgettable performances and a personal touch, The Best Men  are ready to bring your celebration to life. Get in touch today to check availability and guarantee the perfect wedding soundtrack for your night.

A regular port of call for the best Irish Wedding Bands is Ballymagarvey Village in Balrath, County Meath, and it is genuinely one of The Best Men Wedding Band's favourite places to play. The Best Men Irish Wedding Band at Ballymagarvey Meath 2025 We actually played at the first wedding that took place at Ballymagarvey Village, so we were the first band to play there nearly 20 years ago. Since then, we have performed there countless times. So much so that recently, the barman joked to Daragh (our drummer) that we were there more than he was! Our guitarist Colin sent up his drone and shot a couple of clips of the venue last December: Colin's Drone Shots of Ballymagarvey We've seen the venue evolve practically every year. Originally, wedding bands would load in their instuments through an area beside the bar. The bar was in its own room and the dancefloor was in the function room. Then they resituated the bar and opened both rooms to eachother, which is a great advantage for wedding bands playing there - having the bar separate to the dancefloor can be a challenge, as it can be difficult to lure guests from the bar room to the dance room. My calendar only goes back to 2017, but I totted up the number of times The Best Men Wedding Band have been there and it is 138 times! That's including the 2 years of no gigs during COVID and not including 10 years worth of gigs before that. Here are a couple of snaps through the years... 2014 Wedding at Ballymagarvey - The Best Men Irish Wedding Band 2015 Xmas Wedding at Ballymagarvey 2016 Wedding at Ballymagarvey - The Best Men Irish Wedding Band 2018 Wedding at Ballymagarvey - The Best Men Irish Wedding Band 2019 Wedding at Ballymagarvey - The Best Men Irish Wedding Band We have also played many ceremonies in the Mill building, both piano and ukulele music. Here is a picture from our first ceremony in the Mill - back in 2011! Ballymagarvey Mill Wedding Ceremony - back in 2011! We’re proud to be one of the most in-demand Irish wedding bands, and Ballymagarvey Village holds a special place in our history. Contact us to check your date and find out more about our band! Take a look at Ballymagarvey Village .

Everyone must agree that music plays an essential role on the Wedding Day, from the Bride's procession up the aisle to the last crowd-pleaser of the night. If you tried to imagine a Bride walking up the aisle to silence, that becomes abundantly clear! Music is that magical component that heightens the emotions, soundtracks memories and helps draw everyone together on the big day. Sometimes people (even musicians!) can have misconceptions about what works and what doesn't. So let's tackle some of the common myths around Irish wedding bands music and help you make informed song choices with our assistance - gleaned from the 2000+ weddings The Best Men have performed at. The Best Men Irish Wedding Band at Kilkenny Castle 2025 Myth No. 1: Old People Won't Dance To Modern Songs Occasionally, couples will express concerns about certain styles of music - the younger element not dancing to old songs, the older contingent not dancing to modern stuff. After 20 years, I can safely say that a mix of styles, songs ordered in specific ways, performed with conviction and expertise, is the formula that works best. Young people will dance to music from the 1960s, when it is familiar, upbeat and played with energy. Take for example "I'm A Believer", which had a late boost when it appeared in the rewatchable movie Shrek. Equally so, I have watched countless older guests dancing to our version of "Levels" by Avicii. The band should hit at least some examples of various styles - include 90s dance for the energy, jives for folks who like country music. Everyone should agree that they had a ball at the wedding and that is how to achieve that musically. PRO TIP from THE BEST MEN: For weddings, hire a band that can do every style well - it's not just songs, but how the band performs that makes a difference. The Best Men Irish Wedding Band at Robertas 2024 Myth No. 2: You Have To Have A Slow Song For Your First Dance Slow dances can be beautiful and intimate, but if that’s not your style, go for what makes you feel good! I have seen couples break out hip-hop moves, waltz to showstoppers from musicals, do a choreographed routine to September. If you are feeling a little nervous, ask the band to call the guests on to the floor very soon after the song starts, so the photographer gets a couple of shots of just the happy couple, but you are not left on your own too long. If you have a choreographed routine, I would suggest having the song played from Spotify, as opposed to the band playing it live - it's safer if you are used to all the subtle, little cues and the original vocal in the song. PRO TIP from THE BEST MEN: When the band are setting up, ask a groomsman or bridesmaid to round up the top wedding party members for the first dance, so when you're ready, they're ready too. Myth No. 3: A Small Venue Means You Can't Have A Live Band If a couple is having their wedding reception in a smaller room, they might think that live music won't be an option for them. However, we have played many small venues over the years, with no issue. If the space is tight, we use a different, more streamlined sound system to monitor volumes. The drummer can use lower volume cymbals (called vented cymbals). We don't use individual large amps for each musician, as was commonly seen in the past. So everything can be controlled and we can keep a small footprint - and you can have your live music. PRO TIP from THE BEST MEN: The band don't really need a stage. In fact, sometimes having the band at the same level as the guests dancing can make the vibe more convivial, a sense that 'we're all together here'. The Best Men - Small Venue? No problem! Written by Jonathan from The Best Men Wedding Band. We're the experts in crowd-pleasing tunes, dance-floor magic, and creating the perfect musical backdrop for your special day.

You've just found the number 1! The Best Men Top 10 Wedding Bands Ireland Video We’re THE BEST MEN, and we're a 4-piece band that bring the energy, the skill, and enough unforgettable moments to go viral. ​ 🎶 What makes us the number 1 in the Top 10 Wedding Bands Ireland? Guaranteed Floor-Filling Anthems : High-energy tunes, jaw-dropping mashups, and those Insta-worthy moments you didn’t know you needed. Professional Rebels : Four killer musicians, 15+ years of perfecting our craft. Think stunning harmonies, surprise twists on your favourite songs, and the kind of performance that fills dancefloors. Award-Winning Legends : Twice crowned Wedding Band of the Year, with 200+ 5-star reviews to back it up. ​ 💼 Trust us, we’ve done it all: We’ve played at 8am in Google, midnight at Microsoft, entertained Oscar-winners & sports legends, gigged the US, Europe and Asia. From every lavish castle in Ireland to literally someone’s sitting room in Donnybrook, we’ve been there and rocked – and wherever we go, we leave a trail of packed dancefloors. ​ 👉 Book THE BEST MEN – the name says it all. The Best Men - we're the best wedding band in Ireland X 💡 Services we offer: Ceremony Afternoon Evening blowouts for the memory books DJ - for that we call in ProDJs – because why settle for less?   We’re big on inclusivity, down for every crowd, and here to make your day feel like your day. With a dedicated booking coordinator handling every detail, all you need to do is show up and party. Email niamh@thebestmen.ie Booking Manager   Phone Niamh 085 8764561 International 00353858764561 ​

So you've searched for the best wedding bands Ireland has to offer? You've just found the BEST one! We’re THE BEST MEN, and we're a 4-piece band that bring the energy, the skill, and enough unforgettable moments to go viral. ​ 🎶 Why choose us? Guaranteed Floor-Filling Anthems : High-energy tunes, jaw-dropping mashups, and those Insta-worthy moments you didn’t know you needed. Professional Rebels : Four killer musicians, 15+ years of perfecting our craft. Think stunning harmonies, surprise twists on your favourite songs, and the kind of performance that fills dancefloors. Award-Winning Legends : Twice crowned Wedding Band of the Year, with 200+ 5-star reviews to back it up. ​ 💼 Trust us, we’ve done it all:We’ve played at 8am in Google, midnight at Microsoft, entertained Oscar-winners & sports legends, gigged the US, Europe and Asia. From every lavish castle in Ireland to literally someone’s sitting room in Donnybrook, we’ve been there and rocked – and wherever we go, we leave a trail of packed dancefloors. ​ 👉 Book THE BEST MEN – the name says it all. The Best Men Wedding Band Ireland