Now booking weddings for 2026-27
It sounds like a fairy tale: you’ve just exchanged vows, and then John Legend appears at the piano to sing your first dance song. For a fortunate few, that dream has actually come true. John has performed at a handful of private weddings over the years. And of course, he famously sang “All of Me” publicly for the very first time at his own wedding to Chrissy Teigen in 2013 — a song written as a heartfelt tribute to her.
So yes, it is possible to hire John Legend for a private event, including weddings. A-list artists like him occasionally perform at luxury weddings, exclusive corporate events, or high-profile charity galas. It’s not quite as simple as booking your local wedding singer — but with the right connections (and the right budget), John Legend has moonlighted as an ultra-luxe “wedding singer.”
But for most couples, the question isn’t can you hire him — it’s how on earth do you afford that?
Let’s talk about the practical side: cost.
It probably comes as no surprise that hiring a world-famous, Grammy-winning artist will cost a small fortune. To put it in perspective, the average amount couples spend on all their wedding music in the UK is about £1,900 (ceremony musicians, reception band/DJ, etc.). Hiring John Legend for one night, meanwhile, will set you back many times that amount.
Two luxury entertainment agency suggests budgeting roughly $500,000 to $1,500,000 (USD) as a starting price for a private John Legend performance (bnmusic-artists.com) (scarletevents.com).
Why the huge price tag? When you book an A-list artist, you’re not just paying for a 30- or 45-minute set of music. The fee covers the artist’s time, the opportunity cost of other shows, the crew and band members, technical riders (sound, lighting, etc.), security, and sometimes exclusive rights (so your event is the only one that day). For an international star like John Legend, you’re also paying for the prestige – it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the cost reflects that.
In short: Hiring John Legend is realistically only within reach if you have an extremely large budget (think high six figures at minimum). For most couples planning a wedding, allocating upwards of half a million dollars (or more) to music isn’t feasible – that kind of budget could pay for your entire wedding several times over and a luxury honeymoon! (For a reality check on typical wedding music budgets, see my blog “How Much Does a Wedding Singer Cost?” to compare what local singers or bands charge.)
Not all of John’s wedding appearances come from a checkbook. In 2015, John Legend partnered with the charity Omaze to host a contest for his fans – the prize being John Legend singing at your wedding (or other special event). Fans donated to his Show Me Campaign (supporting education in his hometown) for a chance to win. One lucky couple actually won this raffle, earning the wedding performance of a lifetime.
“All of Me” quickly became a wedding and Valentine’s Day staple. It’s the kind of song you hear at ceremonies for the bride’s entrance or as a first dance choice over and over – because it strikes an emotional chord every time. In fact, it’s one of the few songs to surpass 2 billion streams on Spotify.
The song’s music video famously ends with actual footage from John and Chrissy’s own wedding day, making everyone who watches feel like they’re sharing a piece of that intimate moment. When John Legend himself sings “All of Me” at a wedding (like he did at Kim and Kanye’s, or the Reddy wedding), it’s an meta full-circle moment – the man who wrote arguably the decade’s biggest wedding song delivering it live, just for you. No wonder there are tears all around!
Even if John Legend isn’t physically at your wedding, his music often is. Brides and grooms choose this song (and other John Legend hits like “Stay With You” or “Love Me Now”) for key moments like walking down the aisle or the first dance because of the emotional weight they carry. “All of Me” in particular is about loving someone completely, and that message resonates deeply on a wedding day. It’s safe to say John Legend’s influence is felt at weddings everywhere, whether through speakers or, in rare cases, live in person.
At the end of the day, whether or not John Legend sings at your wedding, what matters most is that your wedding music feels special to you. Music sets the tone for the entire day – from the emotional swell of the wedding ceremony to the joyful energy on the dance floor. It should give you goosebumps, make you laugh, make you cry happy tears, and etch memories in your heart.
If hiring a celebrity artist is out of reach (as it is for most of us!), don’t be discouraged. You can still achieve that once-in-a-lifetime musical experience with the right live performer. The key is to find someone who is passionate about weddings, versatile with songs, and willing to go the extra mile to make your day perfect. (For more on the benefits of live music versus, say, an iPod playlist, see our post “Why Hire a Wedding Singer?” – it dives into how a singer adds atmosphere in a way no Spotify playlist can.)
Many couples in Hertfordshire and the surrounding areas have discovered that a live looping guitarist and singer (hello! 👋) can deliver incredible moments – from an acoustic processional that brings guests to tears, to a lively sing-along over dinner, to a first dance performance that is uniquely “your song.” Hiring a wedding singer is about adding a personal, human element to your music. It’s interactive, it’s heartfelt, and it’s 100% focused on you – something even the biggest star in the world couldn’t personalize in the same way.
Here’s what some of my couples have said — independent kind words I’ve embedded directly from my Google Business profile.
Mariana and Thomas - Northamptonshire (The Granary at Fawsley)
Kat and Dave - Bedfordshire (Eversholt Hall)
Becci and Joe - Hertfordshire (Milling Barn)
Enquire now to check availability for your date and to find out how we can make your wedding music truly unforgettable. No pressure, no commitment – just a friendly chat about your ideas, favourite songs, and vision for the day. Whether you’re in Hertfordshire or nearby, I’d love to help craft the perfect soundtrack for your wedding, from the ceremony to the last dance.
As a member of the Musicians’ Union, I’m fully covered with public liability insurance up to £10 million. All of my professional-grade sound equipment is PAT tested to ensure everything sounds great and runs smoothly.
Artist Approved on Entertainment Nation (as ‘Tom James’) – trusted for weddings and events across the UK.
Proud to be a Verified Encore Artist – professionally reviewed and trusted for delivering high-quality live music.