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Wedding Advice
- Thread starter backin82
- Start date
Thanks for circling back. Sounds like you guys had a pretty good experience and discovered some key points to iron out for the future (without having to pay expensive 'tuition' for that education).
FIRST and foremost, the gig isn't about the band; leave your egos at home.
Being a top flight wedding band isn't for amateurs, there is a whole lot of things that a first rate wedding band does. I haven't played weddings for years and I was never in a top flight wedding band, but just things like being the master of ceremonies, knowing what order things happen in, like first dance, bride / dad, groom / mom; then everybody. Know a polka, Mack the knife, I forget the song name, but basically it walks the couple through the cake cutting, and about a hundred other things I can't remember or never knew
From your list:
1) yes you learn a number of songs (negotiate), no you don't charge for that
2) absolutely, why would someone bring another sound system when you have one right there?
3) coordinate with the wedding planner. If you aren't experienced with weddings, you'll probably just play
4) you negotiate that; I don't think I've ever played more than 3 hours at a wedding
Good luck, if you run it like a business, there is money to be made. Almost no bands do though.
Sounds like a great experience overall! It's fantastic that you enjoyed the coordination, logistics, and the gig itself, plus the good pay. It's understandable that some of your bandmates felt the stress, but it's great that everyone walked away feeling positive. I hope you get more opportunities like this—it sounds like you're ready for the challenge and the fun!
The seven posts before yours included a post gig report and commentary.
1. I'll learn one or two songs for our regular rate. Any more and I would up the price. Make sure the client has an idea of what types of songs you play before they hire you so there shouldn't be many big changes. This should be discussed before you quote them a price (or tell them that it is your base rate and that you're glad to customize for a fee).
2. In my area you need a PA for any bar gig, so we already have a PA and it is not a big deal to bring to a wedding. IF it is in a venue that is too big for your PA, then you can hire a sound guy and build that cost into your rate (plus a little extra for your trouble).
3. Before they hire us, I ask if they want reception music, dinner music, etc. and how long those will be. Base your rate on how long you will be playing.
4. It is standard for the band to be loaded in and sound checked BEFORE the guests arrive at the venue. Then you wait for the ceremonies, speeches, etc. until it is your turn to play. This could be several hours, and is part of the package. In my experience, by the time the dance music starts it has already been a long day for everyone and people start leaving after 2 hours of dancing. But if they want to pay you for 3 hours, take the 3 hours.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Doing weddings is not what it was 25 years ago. The very fact that they hired a new trio tells you that. Time to sit down with the couple (and parents, if they were involved in hiring you) to get an idea what is expected. Certainly know if there are any songs they hope to hear (and give them a dose of reality if they are picking songs that can't be done by a trio), and songs they DON'T want to hear, whether you are there just to play music, or whether you are expected to MC, when you are playing, whether they expect background music, and what kind, dress code for band, how long you are expected to play.
Etc.
Etc.
1. Do you learn a requested song list for the gig? If so, do you charge to learn new songs?
Yes, of course.
2. Is it best to create a turnkey operation where you provide the sound system?It depends on the gig. You will need to talk to the wedding planner about that
3. How involved are you in the wedding plan itself? Do you craft a set list that flows with the reception, or just plan on doing a big block of time during the dance hours?Again, talk to the wedding planner about what they want.
4. How many hours to plan on playing at a wedding? (the groom for this one initially had us playing for 3.5 hours, but eventually we convinced him that his reception was only 3 hours long, so he needed to cut the list down some, haha!)Again, ask the wedding planner.
We're pretty busy, but for us, a wedding hasn't been that much different than any other gig we do. Maybe a couple of songs requested and that's about it. Usually the gig comes from someone who has heard us before and wants a dance with that flavor.
We do what we do, we're a rock and roll band. If people want that for a wedding we are happy to oblige.
We do what we do, we're a rock and roll band. If people want that for a wedding we are happy to oblige.
Tuxedos are not always the standard for wedding bands. My previous band did dark gray suits and black skinny ties, no tuxes. Just make sure whatever you're wearing matches. We all bought the exact same suit from the same store to be sure.
We worked weddings for almost 20 years:
1. No to learning a requested song list. Our song list was provided to the buyer, usually mother of the bride; The wedding party knew what we played before hiring us. Still, we'd allow for up to 3 off-list requests, including bride-groom-1st dance and father-bride dance numbers.
2. Yes to providing sound system. Relying on the bride/mother-of-the-bride for that was a recipe for disaster. We provided a separate channel for speeches, sometimes a microphone, though if the wedding party wanted to use a more expensive wireless mic, they'd have to provide it with a receiver. We did not provide one of our wireless mics to the wedding party. Also, if there was a DJ also on the gig, he'd have to roll his own sound system.
3. Involvement in the wedding planning was usually up to the agent to coordinate and let us know how to flow the list. We'd work with the wedding party on higher paying gigs, but we were clear with agents on lower paying, sub-$2k gigs - Do not share BL contact info with the wedding party; You'll have to earn your cut on this one.
4. How many hours to plan on playing - However many hours you negotiate for. Officially, 4 hours was our limit if you asked any agents we worked with. This way, anything over 4 hours couldn't be planned or allowed for; This way, overtime would come by way of direct-to-band bonus, usually cash in those days.
Another thing to consider adding is the designated set beginning and end time. We had a few occasions where were booked for a 3 hour set beginning at 8pm, and because the drunken groomsmen went overtime with their toasts, we didn’t start playing till after 9. The client complained at the end, with the expected “hey, what the hell, your contract said you play for 3 hours!” Doesn’t work like that, dude.
Yep/absolutely. Our contracts had start/finish times listed as #2, right below "name and address of place of engagement".
Ours went on to include:
3. Type of Engagement: Live music performance
4. Wage agreed upon: $_____________
5. All Payments shall be paid by certified check, money order, bank draft or cash as follows:
(a) $_____________ deposit shall be paid by Purchaser to Band not later than __________
(b) Balance of $_________ to be made payable, in person, to Band not later than day of performance.
6. Additional Provisions: _________________________________
THIS AGREEMENT BECOMES VOID IF PURCHASER FAILS TO SIGN AND RETURN SAME WITHIN 10 DAYS OF DATE ISSUED.
Further additional terms and conditions appear on next page and are incorporated into this agreement by reference - PLEASE READ
Purchaser's Name (Print)
________________________
Band Representative (Print)
__________________________
Purchaser's Signature
__________________________
Street Address, City, State, Zip
________________________
Band Representative Signature
___________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Page 2:Additional Terms and Conditions:
7. Setup Time: Stage is to be assembled, accessible and have adequate electrical service installed at least 3 hours prior to the arrival of the first guest. Electrical service to be within immediate access of the stage and not require power cords or extension cords to be placed across any foot traffic areas.
8. Control over Direction, Content and Volume: During the engagement term, Purchaser may make recommendations to the Band concerning specific musical compositions to be played, the volume of the music and any other recommendation Purchaser feels to be in its best interest. Band agrees to consider such recommendations and, wherever possible, to comply with the same. Specific recommendations by Purchaser regarding music volume will be considered within the reasonable context of the type of music the Band is engaged to perform. Ultimate direction and control over musicians during the engagement as to these matters shall be solely with the Band.
9. Breaks: The Band shall take such break periods that are customary for the type and term of the engagement. At all other times, they shall, as per the provisions of this Agreement, perform the services for which they are engaged.
10. Piano: If an acoustic piano is required for the engagement, Buyer agrees to furnish one in good working condition, tuned to A-440 Hz.
11. Cancellation by Buyer: Since band and musicians are blocking out prime-time performance time, and since that time is of valued and limited quantity dedicated to generating revenue, full payment is required if Buyer elects to cancel engagement. Band may, at its discretion, choose to replay the engagement at The Band's and Purchasers convenience.
12. Cancellation by band due to circumstances beyond band’s control: The agreement of Band to perform is subject to proven detention by sickness, death in the immediate family, accidents, riots, strikes, epidemics, acts of God or any other legitimate conditions beyond their control. In the event of cancellation due to any of these circumstances, any deposits collected from Buyer by Band shall be fully refunded to the Purchaser, ending further obligations from Band to Buyer under this contract.
13. Cancellation due to Inclement Weather: Payment is required for events regardless of weather. The Band may, at its discretion, agree to partial payment of no less than 50% of contract amount, depending on how far in advance notification of cancellation is given. Ultimate determination shall be with the band.
14. Recording: The Band's performance shall not be recorded in any audio or video formats, reproduced or transmitted from the place of performance without specific written agreement from the Band, except the Band may record the performance for its own use.
15. Jurisdiction: This Agreement is subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of law of the State of Texas.
_________________________________________________
We'd then provide, on a Schedule A and B, two separate stage plots, depending on overall room square footage, including riser/stage dimensions and electrical requirements broken down by outlets, voltage (always 120 VAC in the US) and breaker amps - always 30 in multiples.
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I suggest for any band, to prepare for an extra hour. It can be quite lucrative. Optional extra time can be written into the contract, or negotiated on the spot. In a lot of my wedding gigs, the band strategically gets the crowd pretty riled up near the end of the contract, while the bandleader goes over and talks to the client. Thumbs-up means we play for another hour and go home with at least another 100 bucks in our pockets.
Sometimes it's possible and sometimes not, depending on how they're paying for hall rental and other staff.
Sometimes it's possible and sometimes not, depending on how they're paying for hall rental and other staff.
And get the money up front. If you wait till the end, you'll never see it.
