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Mac & Hawes

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Last reviewed: August 9, 2026 | Halifax | Wedding Music |

Business status: Active.

Last reviewed: August 9, 2026. Business status: Active.

Mac & Hawes is a Halifax wedding band offering live East Coast cover music for receptions and other celebrations. The group’s official wedding page describes a dance-focused performance style shaped around Maritime sing-alongs and a Kitchen Party atmosphere.

For couples looking for live entertainment with familiar material and a distinctly regional feel, Mac & Hawes presents itself as an option for weddings in Halifax, elsewhere in Nova Scotia and across Atlantic Canada. The band publishes direct phone and email contact details, but does not publish wedding prices online.

Services and specialization

Mac & Hawes is a Halifax, Nova Scotia-based band that specialises in live entertainment for weddings, corporate events and private parties. For weddings, its official site describes the act as an East Coast cover band and highlights a Maritime Kitchen Party approach rather than a formal orchestra, DJ service or ceremony-only musician offering.

The band’s published music information identifies a mix of Maritime, pop, rock, country and oldies material. Its sample song list includes traditional East Coast selections alongside well-known songs by artists such as Neil Young, Johnny Cash, Blue Rodeo, Great Big Sea and the Tragically Hip. This makes the profile most relevant to couples considering a cover-band reception with recognizable, sing-along-friendly music.

The official site also says Mac & Hawes provides customised entertainment for an event, ranging from background music for dinner to a higher-energy performance. Couples should ask what that flexibility means for their own schedule and venue, as the site does not set out standard wedding packages.

Service area and who it may suit

Mac & Hawes identifies itself as Halifax-based. Its home page says the band travels across Atlantic Canada, while its About page refers to live acoustic entertainment for venues across Canada. The more specific practical takeaway is that travel may be possible beyond Halifax, but the exact destination, travel cost and availability should be confirmed directly for each wedding.

This may suit couples who want live cover music with an East Coast and Maritime character, particularly for a reception where guests can participate in familiar songs and dancing. It may be less immediately suited to couples seeking a clearly published classical ceremony programme, a DJ-only format, or a fixed-price entertainment package; those options are not detailed on the official site.

Music, format and event planning

The group says its songbook spans more than six decades and notes performance experience with acoustic, electric and bass guitars, banjo, accordion, mandolin and harmonica. Its About page also states that a fiddle player is available upon request. These are documented features, not guarantees that every instrument or configuration is included in every booking.

Mac & Hawes says on-the-spot requests are encouraged and that it works with clients on music planning. Its website also refers to planning an ideal music schedule, handling technical issues and making adjustments during an event. Confirm in writing which requests can be accommodated, whether a fiddle player is available for the selected date, and what sound, lighting or technical responsibilities fall to the band, venue or couple.

Confirmed strengths and practical limitations

A confirmed feature is the band’s defined musical position: live cover music combining Maritime material with pop, rock, country and oldies, supported by a published sample song list. Another documented feature is its Halifax base and stated travel across Atlantic Canada. The official website also provides a dedicated wedding page rather than only general event information.

The practical limitations are mainly missing booking detail. The website does not publish standard set lengths, number of musicians for a given event, package inclusions, technical rider, deposit policy, cancellation terms or a complete travel policy. The site’s references to different instruments and tailored entertainment make direct confirmation especially important before a couple finalizes a timeline or budget.

Published musical styles: Maritime, pop, rock, country and oldies.
Published optional feature: fiddle player available upon request.
Unpublished details: package structure, event duration, technical requirements and contract terms.

Pricing

Current pricing is not explicitly published. Mac & Hawes does not list wedding rates, package prices, minimum booking lengths, travel charges, deposits, overtime fees or tax treatment on its confirmed official pages.

Ask for a written quote that states the performance configuration, the date and venue, planned performance and break times, travel or accommodation costs where applicable, equipment included, deposit amount, payment schedule and cancellation or postponement terms. A written quote is also the clearest way to compare a live band with other reception music options.

Current prices are not published on the official pages reviewed.

Contact and booking

The official website lists macandhawes@gmail.com and 902-209-6171 for enquiries. Its wedding page invites couples to discuss their wedding, and its home page directs prospective clients to book the band for an event.

When reaching out, share the wedding date, venue and city, guest count, reception timing and whether you are considering ceremony music, dinner background music, dancing or more than one part of the day. This will help the band confirm availability and provide an event-specific proposal rather than a general enquiry response.

What couples should confirm

Before booking, confirm the exact lineup performing, whether the requested instruments or fiddle player are available, the planned sets and breaks, and whether the band can cover the parts of the day you have in mind. If you have must-play or do-not-play songs, ask how requests are handled and when final music decisions are due.

Also confirm venue logistics: load-in and soundcheck time, stage footprint, electrical needs, sound limits, meals and parking, insurance documentation if required by the venue, and who supplies any microphone or audio needed for speeches. Finally, review a written agreement covering the full price, travel, deposit, balance due date, cancellation and postponement arrangements.

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Frequently asked questions

What kind of wedding music does Mac & Hawes play?

The band publishes Maritime, pop, rock, country and oldies material, positioning its wedding offering as live East Coast cover music with a Maritime Kitchen Party feel.