Jimi Michiel

hey all,

For those of you that do the wedding reception circuit, what do you usually charge? I usually charge a flat fee for the ceremony, but sometimes the recceptions are 4 or 5 hours...

Thanks,
jimi

krossum

Jimi-

This is not a trite facetious answer - charge whatever it takes to get you out the front door to play the gig.

I takes a lot for me to play those gigs recently; usually around $750 for a trio - that's my private party rate (2-3 hours max). $900 and up during the holiday season.

for what it's worth...

-Kelly

Phil Rinaldi

I book many different bands including my own.
Where I live (10 miles outside of New York City), your average wedding band (6-8 pieces) is around $6, 000.00 for a four hour party.
With that being said, I have some bands on my roster that I charge $15, 000.00 for.
You really need to know the average price in your area and then judge the popularity and/or abilities of the band you are trying to book. The more you can do, the better you are, and the more popular you are...the more you can charge.

Siegtrmpt

Like Phil said, check out the going rates in your area and who your clientelle is. A huge corporate event in a major venue brings on much more responsibility and thus more dollars than a normal wedding at the local country club. There are also prime times where you should ask for top dollar and other times when normal rates prevail. So much depends on the local clientelle and what they are able and willing to spend. I suspect some of the weddings Phil mentions have budgets of 50-100K or more and expect a $15K band to play like a $15K band. I imagine he also has bands or refers bands that are available for lesser amount to meet the needs of those with lesser budgets rather than let that business walk away. Phil?

Phil Rinaldi

Yes, I do have cheaper bands.
Like I had said, $6, 000.00 is average, but $15, 000.00 is not uncommon.
I will not pay my guys less than $400.00 for a wedding though and the leader (if it is not me) gets at least $800.00.
The average wedding I play has a buget of $100, 000.00.
A good 20% are well into the $200, 000.00 - $300, 000.00 range.
One band I book was on VH1's My Big Fabulous Wedding and the budget there was over $1, 000, 000.00.
Crazy stuff here in NY/NJ.

Jimi Michiel

Thanks for the responses, guys. I'm at the point now where, financially and professionally, I can't really afford to turn down anything, but I don't want to undercharge when I could be making more. I'm still trying to get a feel for the scene here in Minneapolis. In Boston I played a lot of the mega-weddings that Phil talks about, but in Minneapolis most of the ceremonies I play seem to be have significantly lower budgets.

Thanks guys,
Jimi

TrentAustin

I routinely play mega-weddings on Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Newport, etc.

How do you think I can afford a Monette?

That being said I with Phil on pricing in this area. Once you figure how much these people waste on flowers for the tables it makes my band fees seem incredibly cheap.

-T

andrewboring

Check the union wage scales, then see what the market rate is in your area. You can start with the lower rates (closer to union scales) until you start getting some gigs and referrals. As you start picking up business, you can raise your rates for the big money gigs that you want to play, and turn down the business that can't afford you.


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Siegtrmpt

Once in a while I need to sell new clients on the worth of a quality live band to their event. Nothing can ruin a wedding quicker than a bad organist, trumpet player or a pick up band that isn't very good. They usually come around if the money is in their ballpark.