[Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

Sat Mar 26 17:16:29 PDT 2016

It would be good if, as you reply, you say where you’re from. Quite clearly the cost of a wedding in NYC or the SF Bay Area might be more than in Missoula, MT. Still:

Musicians tend to undercharge. I’m no exception. I love what I do, and can be a pushover on price. With that said: we tend to underrate our business. This is probably because most of us don’t do it as a business, but as a vocation for which we at times get paid.

If you’ve ever booked Wild Asparagus, you know that George books dances as a business. You might think he’s trying to wring every last dollar out of you, but, this is their primary source of income, and they’ve done a fantastic job of building they’re reputation—their “brand”—and now ask for what they know they deserve.

Jay Ungar once told me that he knows all the caterers in the Hudson Valley. When he negotiates a price he tries to find out who the caterer is. If it’s a $500 a plate business, he charges accordingly. If it’s a point-person organizing the pot-luck, again, if he wants the gig, he suggest a much lower fee.

Right after I moved to the Bay Area, I got a call about gig, a fund-raiser for a school. Every school I’d ever done such an event for was scrounging for any extra money they could make. I said, “we like to make $200 a person.” “OK, that’s fine,” was the immediate response. That seemed strange. It wasn’t until after the gig that I understood the Head Royce School in Oakland is a private school for the CEO types. It was one of the more interesting gigs—though it was also one where it was clear we were the servants, and should keep to our little corner, play music, and, perhaps get a few people dancing… The interest was just in watching the uber-rich of the 90s in Oakland do their thing.

So this note is a strong suggestion: don’t undercharge. You may feel (as I do) that charging $1500 for three of us to play music is a lot, as I do. But often it’s still one of the least expensive thing on the budget. Well, hall rent might be only $500 to $1000, but the rest of many of these types of things can run into the thousands. And, don’t be afraid to compare to other types of service performers: Call a wedding band and ask what they charge—it’s usually a lot more than what we charge. If you’re doing it solo with recordings, call a wedding DJ and find out what they charge.

~erik Hoffman

    oakland, ca

I charge $150 for a wedding and $50 more if alcohol is served.
JoLaine
On Mar 26, 2016 5:29 PM, "Dave Casserly via Callers" <callers at lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers at lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
I've only called weddings for good friends, and I do that for free.  But I've played a lot of weddings, and I generally would not take a wedding gig unless it paid at least 2-3x what a normal dance would pay.

For a single caller, assuming you're NOT bringing sound or being in charge of the band, you'll probably have some MC duties, at least.  It's been that way at pretty much all of the weddings where I've played for a dance.  As Alan and Jeff said, it doesn't matter how much time there will be actual dancing; you'll end up being there for quite a while in any event with setup, etc.  Keeping your time to a minimum isn't going to be a priority; I've played weddings where the band sets up and finishes sound check literally three hours before going on.

I recommend getting the couple on the phone immediately so you can gauge what they're looking for.  Generally, I think about it in terms of how long I need to be there.  If it's a local gig, I'd start with something like $150 for the first hour I'd be there, and $50/hr after that, plus travel.  But I'd ask for more if I had any duties other than playing (or calling), such as setting up sound, providing recorded music, etc.  Typically, you won't be at a wedding for less than three or four hours, at least, so you're looking at $250-500.  I live in DC, which is not quite as expensive as NY, so adjust accordingly.

I am generally willing to play or call for dances for community events and other one night stands at a much lower rate.  With weddings, though, the couple's paying LOTS of money for stuff that isn't as valuable as the music, and I'm unlikely to move much off the initial ask, unless it's a very close friend, in which case I'd do it for free.

-Dave

On Sat, Mar 26, 2016 at 4:36 PM, Alan Winston via Callers <callers at lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers at lists.sharedweight.net>> wrote:
First off, you're not charging for the number of minutes of dancing.  You're charging for your experience, expertise, and skill, showing up on time and being ready to do it, waiting around as necessary, traveling if needed, being mellow if (when) things go over and your time is cut, etc.

What are you being asked to deliver for your fee?  Are they booking their own band and arranging their own sound?

For the wedding dance I just did in Berkeley - probably a comparable market to NYC - they provided sound, I organized a band for them, each band member and I were promised $300 for playing for the dance (and then a more for playing in the ceremony and some incidental music).  They actually paid me more than the agreed-upon amount, so I don't think they thought I was gouging.,

For a friend's wedding I might work free.

If you want to be paid appropriately, state your price and don't waver.  If you want to get the gig regardless, ask them their budget and quote less than that.

When asked to arrange musicians I make it clear that I can't quote before I know who's available but state a range ($1000-$1500) and I also ask their budget and then adjust the number of musicians (two good ones is fine, three better) so we all get paid enough within their budget.

-- Alan

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