"Party" gig is actually a wedding

[ShoeManiac]

So OP, where is this event, anyway? Because depending on both the region and the venue itself, you can tell a good deal about what the client is looking for. I've mentioned this before in other wedding band threads, because in the metropolitan areas of the Northeast, weddings are BIG business! And wedding bands can charge over $10K at times. Many of those are repped by agencies, so the bands don't see all of that money. Still, many a prospective client knows that wedding bands can charge A LOT of money.

The approach of these particular clients comes across as underhanded at best. And they could wind up with an experience that isn't in line with their expectations given the information they chose to share or withhold.

The wise thing to do is play the gig like a pro. Doing otherwise could lead to the client bad-mouthing your act and damaging your business in the long term. And your booking person will learn to be a bit more aggressive in how they question potential party clients for future jobs.

 

[chuck norriss]

 

[NWB]

Since it's been described as a party, then that's the way you should treat it.

Show up, immediately hit the keg and/or punch bowl (get your fill, this serious business) and then launch into a really bad version of Freebird while spitting the lyrics into the guest's faces.

Play as loud as your amps can go. Play some Megadeth - badly. Between songs, scream "LET'S ROCK THIS JOINT TO THE GROUND!!". Be sure to throw in a few profanities too.

Make a pass at the bridesmaids (all of them!) before throwing up on the groom.

Knock the keg off its stand as you fall and pass out on the floor in a pool of vomit.

That will give them the party gig that they asked for.

 

[Hopkins]

If you find a suit & tie uncomfortable, maybe you should look at getting a better fitting suit? There's no reason the customer should have to spend more just because you need to look fancy and don't like it.

As for the difference between a party and a wedding, no there's not that big of a difference. If there is, your party shows must be pretty sub-par. My band's done many weddings & parties, and we don't change anything except our look. Well, there are a couple non-PG songs that get dropped, but that's it. And we get high praise from the weddings we play.

I am very hot natured, and a dress shirt and jacket is hot and stuffy.I also have a short, thick neck which makes wearing a tie uncomfortable as well. A suit and tie is hell compared to jeans and a tee shirt.

 

[awilkie84]

I am very hot natured, and a dress shirt and jacket is hot and stuffy.I also have a short, thick neck which makes wearing a tie uncomfortable as well. A suit and tie is hell compared to jeans and a tee shirt.

So, your natural body shape automatically means people have to pay more for your band to dress up? I'm sorry, I still don't see that as THEIR problem.

 

[obimark]

So, your natural body shape automatically means people have to pay more for your band to dress up? I'm sorry, I still don't see that as THEIR problem.

Why in the world wouldn't you get paid more to dress up different than you normally would? Particularly a fancy suit to play rock?
As I said, not much business sense- "special requirements= increased fees/costs" Business 101. Didn't even take my MBA to know that.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

So, your natural body shape automatically means people have to pay more for your band to dress up? I'm sorry, I still don't see that as THEIR problem.

It's not their problem, it's his problem, but for him to do the gig it has to be worth his while which means more pay to do something he doesn't want to do. Easy peasy.

 

[Hopkins]

So, your natural body shape automatically means people have to pay more for your band to dress up? I'm sorry, I still don't see that as THEIR problem.

No they have to pay more because a wedding gig is more work than a party gig, its that simple. Wearing a suit is just part of it, but that's beside the point, the client was dishonest.

 

[awilkie84]

No they have to pay more because a wedding gig is more work than a party gig, its that simple. Wearing a suit is just part of it, but that's beside the point, the client was dishonest.

Please, explain how it's more work. I don't see how.

 

[David Jayne]

Please, explain how it's more work. I don't see how.

As long as the band doesn't have to do all the usual wedding stuff, it isn't. If they do, it is. If you don't know what that means, I can explain.

 

[jive1]

I had a client ask the band to wear bowties. Since only a handful of us had them, we billed her for the cost of the ties. Tuxes cost extra. If we own them, we have to pay for dry cleaning. If we don't, we have to pay for rental. Like I said, time and materials.

 

[obimark]

I had a client ask the band to wear bowties. Since only a handful of us had them, we billed her for the cost of the ties. Tuxes cost extra. If we own them, we have to pay for dry cleaning. If we don't, we have to pay for rental. Like I said, time and materials.

Jive1- Good business sense- I could be in a band with you (if we weren't both kick- *** bassists already). ;-)
Whatever business you are in- there are two things you never lose with - "Time and Materials", and "Cost Plus"... learn those terms...

 

[David Jayne]

I had a client ask the band to wear bowties. Since only a handful of us had them, we billed her for the cost of the ties. Tuxes cost extra. If we own them, we have to pay for dry cleaning. If we don't, we have to pay for rental. Like I said, time and materials.

I had a wedding gig on Block Island where I forgot my bow tie, and they used to be required almost always. I made one out of electrical tape. Nobody knew. : D

 

[Hopkins]

Please, explain how it's more work. I don't see how.

The dry cleaning thing is a good point, you cant just wash a suit you have sweated into all night. You have to get there earlier than you would a party gig. You have to very possibly learn new material, for the first dance, father daughter dance, ect. Your gear is expected to be used as the PA and you are usually expected to play longer.

 

[awilkie84]

The dry cleaning thing is a good point, you cant just wash a suit you have sweated into all night. You have to get there earlier than you would a party gig. You have to very possibly learn new material, for the first dance, father daughter dance, ect. Your gear is expected to be used as the PA and you are usually expected to play longer.

You don't NEED a suit that needs dry cleaning. There are other options. I have a machine wash suit.
If you don't have the proper materials for the occasion, that's on you, not them. It should be as required as having a back-up bass, and knowing your songs.
New material, like 2 songs tops? Great! That's totally worth a huge upcharge.
Gear as a PA. That's such a burden, isn't it?
I don't know what kind of terrible parties you've played, but my party gigs have generally gone 1-2 hours longer than any wedding I've been booked for.

 

[lowfreq33]

Would a tip jar at a wedding be tacky? Just wondering.

Absolutely not. Does the bartender have a tip jar? You bet he does. You don't have to cram it down people's throats, but it should be there.

 

[Hopkins]

You don't NEED a suit that needs dry cleaning. There are other options. I have a machine wash suit.
If you don't have the proper materials for the occasion, that's on you, not them. It should be as required as having a back-up bass, and knowing your songs.
New material, like 2 songs tops? Great! That's totally worth a huge upcharge.
Gear as a PA. That's such a burden, isn't it?
I don't know what kind of terrible parties you've played, but my party gigs have generally gone 1-2 hours longer than any wedding I've been booked for.

Your right dude, I apologize for having an opinion. Wedding gigs are awesome, wearing a suit is more comfortable than pajamas, and having a drunk idiot slur into your personal microphone during the toast is perfectly sanitary. I think I am going to quit my day job and become a full time wedding musician

 

[fdeck]

I've noticed a lot of generalizations about wedding gigs, but weddings come in all shapes and sizes. I've probably played well over 100 low-key "jazz" wedding gigs, and I think it's a legitimate niche even if it isn't the biggest or most lucrative form of wedding entertainment. The bands I play with get lots of referrals. I've played weddings, where the bride and groom tell us that they were guests at another wedding where we played. Some typical features of these gigs:

1. Equipment tends to be minimal, so the logistics are a lot simpler. Often it's the same equipment as a bar gig. The bandleader shows up a bit early and sets up the PA if one is needed. Players often show up just a few minutes before the down beat, and set up discreetly.

2. There's rarely a hired emcee. It really is more of a private party atmosphere, and less of a stage-managed event. These are people who are confident that they know how to throw a party for their friends.

3. Requests, first dance, etc.? No problem. We know the standard repertoire, and many players can also handle mainstream pop tunes that the age group is likely to ask for. If there's a first dance, the bandleader will send out a YouTube link a couple days before the event, or bring a lead sheet.

4. Attire is whatever the bandleader asks for. Clients seldom ask for tux any more, but everybody owns one.

There are some bandleaders in my locale who can handle anything from low-key gigs all the way up to full blown Hollywood weddings. Full service weddings that demand a jazz band for the reception are quite rare, but not un-heard of. I've played a few weddings with full 19-piece jazz bands because they clients were deeply into swing era music.

Bandleaders tend to be pretty careful about who they call for these gigs -- typically players who have proven that they can handle the work with utter reliability and professionalism.

 

[jive1]

You don't NEED a suit that needs dry cleaning. There are other options. I have a machine wash suit.
If you don't have the proper materials for the occasion, that's on you, not them. It should be as required as having a back-up bass, and knowing your songs.

If you are required to wear anything other than your typical work uniform, I think it's OK to ask for an upcharge. Taken to an extreme, if your client asked you to wear a chicken suit to your gig, don't you think it's reasonable to ask for the price of a chicken suit? Actually for some folks, wearing a chicken suit would be more comfortable than wearing a coat and tie. For us, black suit and tie is standard since it's part of our look. But if a client asked for bright red blazers, you bet I will upcharge. It's not on me to have every possible thing a musician can wear at my disposal.

 

[mellowinman]

You don't NEED a suit that needs dry cleaning. There are other options. I have a machine wash suit.
If you don't have the proper materials for the occasion, that's on you, not them. It should be as required as having a back-up bass, and knowing your songs.
New material, like 2 songs tops? Great! That's totally worth a huge upcharge.
Gear as a PA. That's such a burden, isn't it?
I don't know what kind of terrible parties you've played, but my party gigs have generally gone 1-2 hours longer than any wedding I've been booked for.

I need to see a photo of you wearing that machine wash suit.

Color me a little bit skeptical, as a guy who has worked in business for many years.