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Wedding Gigs - Differing Opinions Within Band

#21
I always found doing weddings with an original music rock band to be challenging. First off, while we were a favorite of the bride and groom, most of the people there had never heard of you. Since you were a "wedding band" that night, they all made requests, some really off-the-wall requests, like for country songs or rap songs. Then there's the volume issue- no matter how quiet you get the drummer to play, aunt Mabel still thinks it's too loud.

That said, I would still like to form a band specifically designed to play weddings. Learn lots of cheesy tunes, take requests, and everyone knows that's the gig.

For our wedding we hired a jazz quartet- guitar, bass , drums, and vocals. It was great. Very appropriate volume levels, and classic great music that all generations appreciated. Plus it was fun to make my buddies dress up in suits. We paid them well, but it wasn't really over the top in terms of money. I think everyone was pretty happy about it as a gig.
 
#22
Corevalay said:
Now I could be burned at the stake for saying this as a musician, but I hired a DJ for my own wedding and I have to say, I definitely prefer it vs. a live band. The guys we got were great, had everyone up dancing all night and were 1/4 the price of a band.
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No burning from me....I did the same. The guy I hired actually was a BL of a good area party band, who did alot of weddings as a DJ for weddings happening in the early afternoon. I asked him out of curiousity what I would have had to pay his band..was three times what he charged as a DJ, no way I could afford it. And frankly he was great as a DJ, had all the songs my wife and the other guests wanted.


Back to Jaywa's OP, I can't decide if I like playing weddings or hate them. I guess that is becuase I am in a band that is so laid back we really test the boundaries of professionalism. For bars that works fine, and it does well for some of the wedding/function stufff we play where we are friends with the people who hired us and they know exactly what to expect. Played a few that were booked third-party and they were really stressful...but if I was in a slick weddingband I'm sure it would be OK.

Even though I am a married man, I do have a question about mentioning flirty women as a benefit. It has been my experience that weddings are great places to hook up....but not for the hired help (e.g. the band). Am I wrong?
 
#23
Factor88 said:
Even though I am a married man, I do have a question about mentioning flirty women as a benefit. It has been my experience that weddings are great places to hook up....but not for the hired help (e.g. the band). Am I wrong?
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Happily married man myself... that comment was made strictly as an observer, not as in interested party. So yeah, in my situation the nicely dressed flirty women are a benefit more from an eye candy / diversion aspect than anything else. And in anyone's situation yes it would probably would be considered bad form for a band member to hit on a wedding party attendee... much like helping ones self to the buffet or open bar without an invitation from the client first. In that respect (among others) the "rules of engagement" for a wedding band differ from the bar band scene.
 
#24
I've never played a wedding, but frankly I would love to. I like entertaining people who are in a mood to be entertained. I like making people dance. And I like getting paid to do it.

So there's a long wait between setup and showtime? There are tools to help with that. They are called books.

I don't mind learning a few new songs for requests. I don't mind playing a hoary old tune if the audience is going to love it and dance to it. I really just don't hear much in the complaints people make about weddings that would make me think it's such a terrible thing.

Of course, maybe once I've played a couple I'll feel differently, I don't know...
 
#27
Freddels said:
Wait . . . two guitarists? Why do you need two guitarists?
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Actually only one of them is a full-time guitarist. The other guy is our multi-instrument "utility guy" and backup singer.

Funny thing is, the multi-instrumentalist who was bitching about the wait time is also the first one to belly up to the buffet at our wedding gigs. Every time. Usually twice. :hmm:
 
#29
Maybe the entire band doesn't have to show up for setup, or get paid the same amount. I play a lot of wedding gigs. Granted, my work is in a niche where the clients are looking for something a bit more sedate than a full rock band. I do these gigs as a sideman. The bandleader is responsible for setup. My job is to show up a few minutes before down beat and discreetly get myself and my instrument onto the bandstand. I don't expect to get paid more than the going rate for a sideman gig.

For me, the problem with sitting around for hours is that it would typically conflict with my schedule. Sometimes those gigs come up, and I have to hand them off. As for getting fed, the food is rarely worth going out of my way. If my schedule is tight, I'll grab a sandwich at home before heading out.
 
#31
Same here for Polkas. I played a gig where the bandleader called a few Polka tunes. Not only did everybody dance, but I could see the guests singing the words from memory.

At one gig, somebody requested the Chicken Dance. The band members were grumbling about playing it, and hoping the request would be forgotten. So I started it out myself on the bass.
 
#32
Wedding gigs consistently pay well, well enough for a whole day, not just 4-6 hours. Wish I had more of them. I don't mind playing Frank & Dean, weird requests, and/or the hokey pokey. If I see dancing, I'm on top of the world.
 
#34
Why all the down-time? IME the standard is to be ready to play 30minutes before the down beat.. One guy comes a few hours earlier to set up the sound system.. Band plays a dinner set, eat then play either 1long dance set or two sets depending on if its a 4 hour or 5 hour wedding.. Once in a great great while a 6 hour wedding.. IMO, making money like a doctor doesn't suck.. Oh and if someone bitches and doesn't want to be there, guess what.. They're replaceable..
 
#37
jaywa said:
the two guitarists in our band (also the two oldest, both 60) started bitching about wedding gigs.

Your thoughts on the topic?
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Here's my thought:

Some people make a hobby of complaining.

Those two guys should either quit the band, or stay in it and shut up. But don't stay in the band and whine about it.

IMO, of course (since you asked). I'm just being honest. :hmm:
 

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