Budgeting For Wedding Reception Music

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BUDGETING FOR WEDDING RECEPTION MUSIC By STAN WIEST Member Association Bridal Consultants President A. STAN WIEST MUSIC 271 Bread And C

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BUDGETING FOR WEDDING RECEPTION MUSIC
By STAN WIEST
Member Association Bridal Consultants
President A. STAN WIEST MUSIC
271 Bread And Cheese Hollow Road
Fort Salonga, N.Y. 11768
http://www.stanwiest.com


The first thing I tell brides is there is no substitute for quality. Never go for
quantity. It is much better to have a fantastic 5 or 6 piece band than have a poorly
rehearsed, put together orchestra of 12 or 18 pieces for the visual impact especially one
that reads charts.

The Music makes or breaks the function.

If a bride and groom are mainly interested in background music with little dancing a
great trio can make the difference between a so, so affair and something really special.
Consider a jazz trio for great background music.

Something we see a lot of is problems with performing student groups (from a music
college for instance either they cancel at the last minute adding undue stress to the final
moments before the actual wedding or ceremony or they (the students) substitute other players
for those who cannot make your date. It is much more efficient and pleasurable to spend on a
single violinist or harpist who does this professionally than to worry about a four piece
student string group who may or may not be there. Again quality is the issue.

Avoid going to "Floating Showcases". These are where a company advertises a showcase at
a different location each night of the week. The bride will be paying an inflated band fee.
The bands usually have to pay a fee of $500 to $1000 per night to perform at these locations.
The cost is passed along to the bride in inflated fees. The entertainment company books the
wedding at these floating showcases and then relinquishes all responsibility for the band or
the performance of the band. There is no guarantee the band will perform what the client
wants or even that the members of the band will be the same at the wedding. The entertainment
company moves on to the next floating showcase expecting never to hear from the bride again -
it is no longer their responsibility. When the band breaks up the bride is stuck with the
cost of finding another band.

Another area for a bride on a budget is ceremony and cocktail hour.
An excellent string trio can basically perform the same literature as a string quartet.
Slightly less sound but still excellent quality and no limitations on the literature
performed.

It is exotic to have a steel drum band for a cocktail hour but also costly.
For the bride on a budget a good keyboardist on synthesizer can produce the sound of steel
drums, strings and a wide array of instruments. You will hear the instruments but not see
them all at a fraction of the cost. Remember a cocktail hour should be soft, background
music to set the mood for the wedding reception.

Never hire a vocalist for a cocktail hour - it is a waste of money. No one will listen
and guests will shy away since the vocalist will disturb their conversation. Strictly
instrumental music for a cocktail hour.

If it is a choice between adding a 4th. 5th or 6th piece to the band for the reception
or having music for the cocktail hour go for adding the addition piece for the reception.

Brides are constantly pushed to hire 9, 10 or more pieces Many times
the ratio of musicians is too high for the number of guests attending or too large for the
band area. With the technology of today's synthesizers a good 5 or 6 piece band can sound
like 10 or 11 pieces without the cost.

Versatility is extremely important. A good 5 or 6 piece band that is extremely flexible
in repertoire is much more effective than a 10 or 12 piece band limited to reading music
charts.

Many bands add additional vocalists that specialize in a certain style but they only
sing one or two songs each hour. For a bride on a budget this makes no sense.


Bands (and DJ's) who want to add an MC - an extra person just to handle the
announcements and run the affair are not for the bride on a budget. Many times guests are
intimidated by a MC on the dance floor. This is just as easily done by a member of the
band-preferable the band leader. An extra person (MC) on the dance floor takes away from the
elegance of a wedding. The MC is the featured attraction rather than the bride and groom who
should be.

If a bride is on a budget rather than bringing in outside music for a church ceremony
use the church organist and spend the additional money on the music for the reception.
However if the reception is at a public catering hall - have one of the band members perform
the music for the ceremony.

Every bride and groom should realize that at some point there has to be a cut off in
the number of guests - select this number and stick to it. Keep in mind what you want
musically and the costs as well as photography etc. Work out a budget in advance and set your
priorities and stay within the budget.

Do not start going over the set number of guests. For those you cannot afford to invite
send out wedding announcements. Each catering location has a minimum number of guests
required for each room. Never book a room larger than your needs.

If a bride considers overtime for the music - remember it is not just the music. There
will be a fee for the catering location, staff etc. If money is a factor continue the party
after the set reception at the home of the bride or groom.

Buffet's are always less expensive than sit down dinners. This enables you to save in
one area and use the money towards another. You can also have a cocktail reception without a
main course but always let your guests know in advance.

For the couple who are very restricted in the amount of money they can spend there is
also the option of a disc jockey. There is no substitute for a great band it speaks of
tastefulness, panache and party ambiance but a DJ who really knows how to get a crown going
is a good way to save money.

But never get your DJ through a Pennysayver or card from a local bulletin board. So
many times brides call us a week before their wedding date saying the DJ backed out for a
better paying job or they are "sick" and cannot perform. When you deal with a reputable
company if there is a real illness or tragedy they will always be able to fill your affair
with a DJ who is a professional.
STAN WIEST PRESIDENT
A. STAN WIEST MUSIC
ALSO LOOK FOR
WEDDING MUSIC TRENDS
THEME AND DESTINATION
WEDDINGS by
STAN WIEST
More Information at
http://www.stanwiest.com

Email stan@stanwiest.com


PHONE (631) 754-0594
FAX (631) 754-4236