How much does it cost to book a dhol player in the UK?

Most UK bookings are 2 dhol players: from £295 for a baraat, jaan arrival or entrance, from £395 for a high-energy set, from £495 for an entrance plus set and from £695 for a full day. One player is from £195. Those are from prices, and your quote confirms the figure once we know your date, venue and running order.

Quotes are free, there is no obligation to book, and nothing is added later.

1 dhol player, from £195: one vetted player for a smaller, intimate event.

Baraat or jaan arrival, from £295: two players lead the procession or the arrival to the venue, with route and timings agreed with you.

Entrance, from £295: two players for a bride entrance, a groom entrance or any other entrance.

Dhol set, from £395: two players perform with the DJ during the dancing, usually 20 to 30 minutes alongside bhangra, Bollywood and English music.

Entrance + set, from £495: the entrance, then the high-energy set with the DJ.

Full day, from £695: the baraat in the day, then the reception entrance and a set in the evening with the same team.

The packages above are for 1 or 2 players. Bigger teams depend on requirements and time on site, so they are quoted individually.

1 player suits small, intimate events. 2 players are the most popular for baraats, smaller venues and venues with sound restrictions. 4 players are the most booked for wedding receptions, with strong visual, sound and energy. 8 players suit big venues, big impact and stage presence. 10 players suit a big budget, a big statement and large venues. 10 or more is a professional dhol team and a big ensemble, for the grandest of weddings.

Number of players. Moving from 2 to 4 or more changes the price, and larger teams are quoted on your requirements.

Time on site. You pay for the team's time, not only the minutes they play. A 7pm entrance and an 11pm set can mean five or six hours, which is why Entrance + set costs more than a set alone.

Location and travel. The further the team travels, the more it adds.

Date and season. Saturdays from May to September go first. Midweek and winter dates are easier to fit.

Number of performances. A baraat, an entrance and a late set are three performances, which a full day package covers with one team.

Extras. Matching outfits, your own songs added to the set, or pairing the drums with a horse, DJ or dancers can change the quote.

Book early, especially for summer Saturdays. Send your venue and running order with your enquiry so the first quote is accurate. Keep performances close together to cut waiting time, and check your venue's limits before choosing more players than the room allows.

If you want a baraat and a reception performance, the full day package at £695 is usually better value than two separate bookings, because travel is covered once. The cheapest quote is not always the best value, so check each one names the number of players, the set length and the insurance.

Teams larger than 2, extra performances, long waiting time between slots and travel to remote venues are priced into your quote rather than the from price. Your venue may also limit set length and player numbers, so check them before you book.

Pick a package, send your date, venue and running order, and we confirm availability and your exact price. A deposit then secures your date and your team. Dates are first come, first served, so confirm quickly once you are happy.