Supplier Spotlight: Oscar Flanagan Music
Time to grab a cuppa, get comfy, and settle in for our latest Supplier Spotlight. This is our go-to space where we interview the nation's favourite wedding suppliers to get you all the best styling tips, hacks, and insider advice for your big day.
In the hot seat today is the very talented Oscar Flanagan, we work together frequently as Wedding Musician and Celebrant, the eagled eyed may have noticed we share the same last name… Yes, I’m his Mum (and his unofficial roadie)!
Oscar is a singer, guitarist, pianist, songwriter, producer and a BBC Introducing Artist.
Katie, Editor
Meet Oscar Flanagan
Q: Katie: To kick things off, give us the quick headlines so our readers know exactly who you are and the magic you create!
A: I’m Oscar Flanagan, Weddings & Events Singer and Acoustic Guitarist
Oscar Flanagan Wedding Musician, tuning up at Wennington Hall, Wennington.
Q: Katie: Where are you based, how far do you love to travel, and what are your favourite kinds of spaces to work with?
A: I’m based in Skipton, North Yorkshire and also very close to the border of East Lancashire. 50 miles of travel is included within each booking, but I'm happy to travel wherever you need me. My favourite venues are: The Tipis At Riley Green, Holmes Mill - the Cotton Room acoustics are incredible, Falcon Manor, Wennington Hall and Eaves Hall.
Photography by: Matt Hetherinton
Behind the Designs
Q: Katie: Let’s start right at the beginning! How did you find your way into the wedding world, and what was that exact moment you realised this was your calling?
A: I got into the wedding industry through my mum, Katie Flanagan, editor at Celebrant Led, who used to work as a the wedding manager at a busy venue. When I was 16, she invited me along to play at a wedding fair and encouraged me to get involved in the industry. I started performing at weddings shortly after that and instantly loved the atmosphere, the people, and being part of such an important day in someone’s life. Four years on, I’ve been performing at weddings consistently and have built up experience creating live music moments that feel personal, relaxed and memorable for every couple.
Q: Katie: Every business has its own distinct personality. What is the core philosophy, style, and value system that defines your work today?
A: I’m all about creating a wedding atmosphere that feels relaxed, personal and genuinely fun. Live music has such a huge impact on the energy of a day, and my goal is always to make moments feel natural rather than staged. Whether it’s an emotional aisle song, laid-back drinks music or a packed dancefloor singalong, I want guests to feel completely present in the moment.
My style is modern, acoustic-led pop, mixing timeless classics with current songs people actually love singing along to. Couples often describe me as easy-going, professional and adaptable, and I think that comes from understanding that every wedding is different. No copy-and-paste playlists, no awkward wedding singer clichés, just great live music tailored to the people in front of me. Above everything, I value reliability, good communication and making the whole experience stress-free for couples from the first enquiry to the first dance.
“I’ve played at registrar led and celebrant led ceremonies and the rigid, registrar-led ceremony that can feel more like a pressured exam than a celebration. More and more couples are moving toward celebrant-led weddings, and it makes such a difference. Suddenly the whole ceremony is built around them, their story, their personalities. The room relaxes, the emotion is real, and honestly the music hits completely differently when everyone in the room feels like they’re part of something personal rather than just watching a formal procedure.”
Q: Katie: Let’s talk about your ‘dream couple’. Describe the people that make you instantly say, "Yes, I absolutely need to work with them!"
A: My dream couples are the ones who want both sides of live wedding music, the intimate moments and the big atmosphere. I love working with couples who want that emotional, personal feeling of walking down the aisle to their song performed live and acoustically, creating a moment that feels completely unique to them.
But I also love couples who want the energy to lift straight after the ceremony, turning the drinks reception into a fun, upbeat atmosphere where guests are singing along, dancing, and properly enjoying themselves from the very start of the day. For me, the best weddings balance emotion and energy perfectly, and I love being part of both.
Trends & Expert Secrets
Q: Katie: What is the most unique, unconventional, or wonderfully memorable wedding setup you’ve ever been a part of?
A: One moment that really stands out happened at the Coniston Hotel. I was playing Hallelujah as the bride walked down the aisle, and the emotion in the room was something else, the whole room was in tears before she’d even made it in. She actually had to wait outside for a moment to compose herself, so I did something you simply can’t do with a playlist: I extended the song, looping back through the verse and chorus to give her the time she needed. When she finally walked in it was perfect timing. That’s the thing about live music, it breathes and responds to the moment in a way nothing pre-recorded ever could.
Q: Katie: The wedding world is always evolving. What exciting new patterns, directions, or details are you noticing right now in your brilliant corner of the industry?
A: Couples are increasingly asking for really personal, specific song choices rather than the classic wedding staples, tracks that mean something to them as a couple, sometimes quite unexpected genres, and they want them stripped back and done in a way that feels intimate rather than performative.
Q: Katie: If you could predict the 'next big thing' or share one thing you’d love to see more UK couples embrace, what would it be?
A: Longer acoustic sets during the cocktail hour, that window between the wedding breakfast and the evening do. It’s such an underused part of the day and a live acoustic guitarist filling that space creates something really special, relaxed, warm, and memorable in a way a playlist simply can’t replicate.
Q: Katie: For couples currently planning their wedding, what insider secret or piece of advice would you give them from your area of expertise?
A: Don’t underestimate the power of the music during your ceremony. Most couples spend months deciding on flowers and table settings, but leave the music as an afterthought. Those few songs: your aisle entrance, the signing, your aisle exit, are the moments everyone will remember feeling something. Talk to your musician early, be specific about what those songs mean to you, and don’t just default to the obvious choices if they’re not really you.
The Wedding Journey & Meaning
Q: Katie: When a couple books you, what does that journey look like from start to finish? How do you make sure they feel completely looked after?
A: Once a couple enquires I like to keep things really simple and personal. We have a conversation, whether that’s over email or a call, where I get to understand what their day looks and feels like and what music matters to them. From there I send across all the details they need clearly, with no stress. As the wedding gets closer we check back in, confirm the setlist for the ceremony, and I make sure every song they want is ready exactly as they’d hope. On the day, I arrive early, set up quietly, and handle everything myself so they don’t have to think about it at all.
Q: Katie: We are seeing a gorgeous shift away from 'perfect-for-Instagram' weddings toward deeply meaningful days. What is one old-school wedding tradition or rule you are secretly glad modern couples are ditching?
A: I’ve played at registrar led and celebrant led ceremonies and the rigid, registrar-led ceremony that can feel more like a pressured exam than a celebration. More and more couples are moving toward celebrant-led weddings, and it makes such a difference. Suddenly the whole ceremony is built around them, their story, their personalities. The room relaxes, the emotion is real, and honestly the music hits completely differently when everyone in the room feels like they’re part of something personal rather than just watching a formal procedure.
Q: Katie: When the wedding magic is done and you’re finally off-the-clock, where can we usually find you and how do you like to unwind?
A: Honestly, you’ll probably find me at another gig. When I’m not playing weddings, I’m out doing live performances across Yorkshire, Lancashire, Manchester and the North West, it’s just what I love doing. Music is never really work to me, so unwinding and doing what I enjoy is a dream.
Stalk Their Work
Where to find
Oscar has some brilliant blog posts on his website including his guide to the best aisle entrance and aisle exit songs.
Pricing is transparent and you can get in touch to check date availability. https://www.oscarflanagan.com
See Oscar in action on Instagram, TikTok:@oscartflanagan
Editor's Note: This is a naturally curated editorial feature showcasing our favourite independent wedding suppliers. This is not a sponsored or paid post.
“Wedding businesses, get in touch to feature here!”