This year, Undercover Artists – Singing Waiters are celebrating a decade of shocking unsuspecting wedding guests, belting out showstoppers, and subtly (or not so subtly) stealing the limelight. I can hardly believe that for the last 10 years we’ve been transforming ordinary wedding breakfasts into something unforgettable, mastering the art of surprise entertainment. If you haven’t yet experienced the joy of a singing waiter, then honestly, where have you been?

Back in 2015 I noticed there was a gap in the market for an act like ours. I wanted to create a company of singing waiters with a difference, a team who could actually sing and were passionate about delivering the best possible performance for our events. From weddings, birthdays, corporate events (and even a funeral!) I still get so excited every time an enquiry comes in, or someone decides to choose our little company. Our aim was simple: disguise professional West End performers as waiters. In the beginning we were a small group of 4 singers – myself, Lucy, Alana and Kevin (3 of which who still work for us to this day). Kevin you may or may not recognise now as Veronica Green, a world renowned drag queen notable for appearing on seasons 2 & 3 of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, although he is still very much part of the Undercover Artists family. Fast forward ten years, and we’ve crashed over 3,000 weddings, been responsible for countless tears of joy, and have seen more surprise grandma dance-offs than we can count. We have also grown to 25 members, performing up and down the country and throughout Europe, cementing our reputation as one of the most successful singing waiters companies around.

What makes our undercover waiters so special? It’s not just about being able to hold a note (although, let’s be honest, with shows such as Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera and Jersey Boys behind us there’s a fair amount of talent in the team). It’s the carefully choreographed surprise factor. From the moment we step foot onto your venue to dramatically dropping a tray, our waiters are committed to the act before they even sing a note. It’s what goes on behind the scenes that truly sets our company apart. From the vocal arrangements, admin organisation and having Becky, our venue co-ordinator and social media manager, we try and take the stress off our clients as much as possible. This is what makes us the best singing waiters in the UK.

10 Years of Wedding Trends

Throughout the last 10 years wedding trends have changed significantly, and we’ve been lucky enough to see (and sing through) them all.

• Rustic Barn Weddings: When our surprise singers first started, rustic charm was all the rage. Think of lace, burlap, mason jars and fairy lights.
• Boho Chic Weddings: The era of pampas grass and tipis. There’s nothing better than having our singing staff weaving your guests in and out of tables, leading the biggest conga you’ve seen into the garden.
• Festival-Style Weddings: Food trucks, live music and biodegradable confetti. If there’s one thing that adds to the atmosphere of a festival wedding, it’s definitely our secret singers!
• DIY Weddings: The couple may be wanting to cut down on budget, but trust us, a singing waiter is the one splurge that will have Aunt Brenda talking for years.

Our Favourite Wedding Reactions (So Far!)

Over the years, we’ve seen every reaction imaginable. Some highlights include:

• The best man who tried to join in (bless him, but no, sir, we do not need a duet).
• The mother of the bride who mistook our singer for an actual member of staff and asked for a top-up mid-song. Usually they still don’t realise even after the performance and ask again!
• The bridesmaid doing the worm (trust us on this one, it’s on our instagram!).

What’s Next for Undercover Artists?

As we step into our 10th year, we’re planning to make our performances even bigger, bolder, and more unforgettable than ever. We’ve evolved into including our surprise sax, taking your singing waiters experience to a whole new level. Expect new song choices, fresh routines, and maybe even a few unexpected twists (we won’t say what just yet – we don’t want to ruin the surprise!).

So, if you’re tying the knot in the UK or abroad and want to give your guests an experience they’ll never forget, you know what to do. Spoiler: it involves us, microphones, and a little bit of wedding-day mischief.

Here’s to the next 10 years of undercover entertainment!

Looking to book an unforgettable surprise for your wedding or event? Get in touch today and let’s make some musical magic!

Venue: Gate Street Barn

Photographer: Chris Perry Photography