Would/does your band do WEDDINGS? Are they that bad?

[DWBass]

We've only played a couple weddings, but made it clear to the groom/bride that we are a cover band, here is our set list, and generally would not be able to take requests on the fly (we are not pros). The ones that hired us knew our set list and had heard us play before. Since we're not a typical wedding band, we charge a lot less, too. The couple weddings we've done went very well, would definitely recommend that experience if it comes your way.

If done correctly.....most bands are hired months in advance knowing the band's repertoire and any song requests are done then so the band can prepare. Agreed, no songs on the fly unless the band knows it. And be prepared to have folks sit in. It's all part of the game. Best part is the money.

I forgot to add.....ixnay on the jibber jabber! Music, music, music!! Medleys are always good.

 

[Joe Nerve]

My band does mostly weddings, and this is the greatest gig I've ever had.

We have roadies and a truck (we make enough money to afford that). I show up, play 3 sets just like I would in a cover gig yet get to go home before midnight. People all dress nicely and are generally more respectful. They're all pretty happy, too. I get a cocktail hour, dinner and dessert - and more often than not the food is AWESOME! I get to play R&R, Funk, Motown, Jazz, Disco and everything in between. I get to play with lots of different musicians.

Plus I get paid 4X as much as I ever did doing cover gigs.


What's not to like?

OK. So I have to wear a tie. I got used to it .

 

[nilorius]

Of course not the official part, but the party - why not. It's the same as someones 40 anniversary.

 

[growlypants]

We used to play a lot of weddings, back in the day. Lots of fun, plus the gig was relatively easy. I remember one time this rusty old car pulled up to the back door of the VFW we were playing at, the guy popped the trunk, and there was the wedding cake!!!!!

 

[SteveC]

Weddings usually are behind schedule so you don't play that long but the pay is really good.

Yeah, we were scheduled 8-11 but played 8:45 - 11.

What I don't like about weddings is the 10 hour days with lots of down time. Hurry up and wait.

Yep. See my previous post.


We don't play a lot of "public" venues/gigs. Once in a while. We do mostly corporate and private stuff. Lake "cabin" gigs in the summer. That kind of thing. We only do a "bar" gig if the situation is right. We've been at it for a while. The gig has to be worth it for us to leave our families.

 

[Joe Nerve]

There seems to be quite a bit of "dislike" out there for playing weddings.

I want to add to my post that I think the dislike comes from the fact that many people are still thinking weddings gigs are what they were in 1990. Having to be able to sight read, having to have the ability to play ANYTHING on the spot, playing for 4 hours straight, yada, yada...

Most of the successful bands in my area AREN'T doing that. We have a DJ that comes along with us that fills in to make sure music is happening all night - and to be certain that we never miss a request. I understand that some couples may not want that (and we will accommodate them if that's the case), but my experience tells me that most do. It gives them the best of both worlds.

 

[SteveC]

We played a recording at the last one. We simply didn't have time to learn it. With Covid everything was in limbo so it was a bit of a mess. Ended up ok. The bride was just happy we were there at all.

 

[Texan]

I've done weddings as both a DJ and Bassist. Hated all of them, except one. A biker wedding. The just wanted a Classic Rock/Country band and it was insane.

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, I've played lots of wedding gigs...everything from VFW beer & chicken dances to highly scripted receptions. I would never take a big production wedding gig (or a corporate gig) if the band wasn't up to to the occasion or didn't have enough experience for it. As they say 'With great pay comes great responsibility'.

If it's more casual and you know your audience, then it can be a lot more fun.

I played a series of weddings for a BL whose children were young adults. We played the receptions for his kids plus all their friends when they got married. And as I recall, about half of them ended up with someone throwing a punch before the night was over. After the 1st set, we'd start picking who was going to be the troublemaker.
Now that was fun!

 

[Hasty]

No one comes to a wedding to see the band.

Years ago a good friend got married and the wedding band was Brave Combo. I went to the wedding to see my friends get married... but the band was definitely a reason to stay for the reception!

 

[logdrum]

You might even bring home a bridesmate

Haha. Probably more of a myth than reality. The wait staff, aunt/uncles and cousins and bored guest might be the possible suspects. Bridesmaids/Groom-mates are probably spoken for.

 

[jnuts1]

So you are getting $1000 per person per wedding?

also I would to add we go all out for the weddings. We will learn almost any tunes they want, MC, DJ cocktail hour and so on. after learning all of the material which is not always easy to 15-20 new tunes your per hour rate starts to drastically fall.

 

[Thumpinshelton]

Whether it is a private party or wedding event (still a private event) the pay is usually much better. We play a lot of weddings and private parties. We actually prefer these type of events from a pay perspective. They have always been a blast and love every minute of it. My main band is an 80's themed band and we have already booked about 7 weddings for 2021 and several private events. I also play with a couple jazz/pop bands that does only corporate events and weddings which is starting to book up pretty fast as well. From my perspective I absolutely love them!!!

 

[jerry]

As long as your not the one dealing with the wedding planner or bride, weddings are good paydays.

 

[Chickenwheels]

...then there's the wedding gig stories. You'll see some things..!

 

[SteveC]

Weather aside (we've been lucky) the private lake house party gigs are my favorite. Giant 4,000 sqft cabins. Food and drink usually included. We had a "green room" off the patio we used as a stage that had a stocked bar and fridge. We were told to make ourselves at home. Another place had a stage for us in the driveway of the "spare" garage/guest house. Food, drinks, good pay and Mn lakes country. Those are gigs I'll play all summer and take the winter off.

 

[Chickenwheels]

I've never played a wedding gig as part of a band, but I've been the private event manager for a venue that does about 50 weddings per year for the past 12 years. Weddings really are about putting your ego aside, understanding that the client is both the star and under a ton of stress, and being an absolute professional. To that end, I always demand that the band sets up and sound checks before guests arrive. This could mean setting up at noon, but not playing until 8:00 p.m. I can't tell you how many bands I've had that thought that it would be okay to load-in and soundcheck during dinner service. It's not about the band's convenience, and that's why you are getting paid extra.

True. It ain't a rockstar gig. You've got to be a pro and ready for anything, maybe even not getting some cake.

 

[BarfanyShart]

My band back in the day did a fair number of weddings ... hippy/punk/LGBTQ/Plural/low-key-cult weddings held in remote mountain communes and illegal farms ... but still technically wedding gigs.

 

[SteveC]

Weddings really are about putting your ego aside, understanding that the client is both the star and under a ton of stress, and being an absolute professional. To that end, I always demand that the band sets up and sound checks before guests arrive. This could mean setting up at noon, but not playing until 8:00 p.m. I can't tell you how many bands I've had that thought that it would be okay to load-in and soundcheck during dinner service. It's not about the band's convenience, and that's why you are getting paid extra.

I don't disagree.
I get being set before guests arrive. I wouldn't have it any other way as a band member.
I don't know that people understand why they are paying a lot for a (hopefully) good band. I think many people just assume you know all their favorite songs and don't have to spend time working them up. They assume that you have something to do or someplace to go for those 5-8 hours. Almost anything you do or anywhere you go costs money. That means you make less for the gig. You may be doing "MC" duties. You may be playing cocktail/dinner music (live or via recordings) as well. All that has value. They don't always understand why you are asking so much (in their mind) to do their wedding. Many people think they are paying you to play.In reality, I think most working bands agree that you aren'y getting paid to play. You are getting paid to learn songs, drive, haul and set up gear, etc. But yes, that should be why you are getting paid extra.

 

[SteveC]

you should probably charge more money

We charge as much as we think the "market' can handle. We have been told no after giving a quote. We are reviewing our wedding policy after a debacle this summer. Travel will be a separate charge from the band fee. Consideration will also be given to how many special requests we need to add, load in time, length of gig, perks (food) etc.