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Newlyweds stun guests by performing with band at their own reception

"It felt quite personal to have all these people we’re close with playing on our wedding day and to join them was just amazing."

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Josh and Sally Wilkinson playing in their band the Alford Silver Band on their wedding day. (Danny Inwood Photography via SWNS)

By Adam Dutton via SWNS

A bride and groom stunned wedding guests when they got up to perform with the band at their reception.

Newlyweds Josh and Sally Wilkinson left friends and family amazed after they joined in the musical entertainment on their big day.

Musical director Josh, 27, grabbed the baton to conduct the brass band while Sally, 35, played the cornet while still in her wedding dress.

The pair earlier tied the knot at Saint Wilfred's Church, in Alford, Lincs., England before moving on to their reception at Alford Manor House on July 30.

Both are members of Alford Silver Band and had booked them to play for an hour to entertain guests following their wedding breakfast.

Josh and Sally Wilkinson playing in their band the Alford Silver Band on their wedding day. (Danny Inwood Photography via SWNS)
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But they couldn't resist joining their bandmates on stage for a surprise performance of Avicii's "Wake Me Up" with an arrangement written by Josh.

Josh has been playing with the brass band since he was aged just 14 and met Sally when she joined five years ago.

“It was very special to play with them," said Josh, of Alford, who also works as a piano teacher.

"It felt quite personal to have all these people we’re close with playing on our wedding day and to join them was just amazing.

“We had the band playing and they were being conducted by one of Sal’s relative's, Tony.

“He took the band for the hour, and on the last piece we took over and played Avicii, the big dance anthem, 'Wake Me Up.'

“It really was an incredible moment, everyone was around dancing and it was a fun time.

“It was kind of surreal. It was nice to have a lot of friends and families actually see what we do.

“The 'Wake Me Up' song was an arrangement I wrote for the brass band so that was extra special.

“We couldn’t have asked for a better day, everyone came and told us how personal it felt. The whole day went like clockwork."

The couple's relationship blossomed after Sally joined the band in 2017, with the pair hitting it off right away.

“I've got a long connection with the band," Josh, who can also play the trumpet, cornet and piano, said.

Josh and Sally Wilkinson on their wedding day. (Danny Inwood Photography via SWNS)

"I played with them while I was younger, from the ages of 14 to 18 and now I conduct them.

“But Sal has she been part of the band for five years now. We’ve been together since then.

“The wedding started at 1pm in Saint Wilfred's. My old piano teacher played the organ during the service.

"We went to the manor house down the road. We had loads of photo taken outside. Then we had out band playing and we had another band on the night.

“We've done weddings as a band before, we're quite versatile.

“But there is certainly more pressure when it’s your own wedding though, you don’t want to mess it up on the day.”

Sally, a specialist occupational therapist, added: “It was so amazing playing in the band in front of all our family and friends especially as it was how we met five years ago.

"It was certainly very special."

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