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

[Martha Wild via Callers]

After having some serious delays at weddings (like 5 hours between when we were 
supposed to be on and when we actually went on) I now (either as a caller or 
with one of my bands) charge at least $100-$150 per band/caller person, but 
include the caveat that a half hour delay is free, but every half hour after 
that is an extra $50 (not per person but total). This seems to be enough to 
have made people be a lot tighter on getting to the dancing on time.
Martha

> On Mar 26, 2016, at 11:55 AM, Jeff Kaufman via Callers 
>  wrote:
> 
> I would ask for about 3x more for a wedding then for an evening of dancing:
> 
> * weddings are a lot of hassle
> 
> * you're only playing/calling for a short time, but you need to be there very 
> early and schedules are not reliable at weddings -- this may be worse for 
> bands than callers
> 
> * people spend so much at most weddings these days that they're typically 
> willing to pay whatever (once I let someone negotiate me down a lot by them 
> saying they were trying to save money and when I got therei found out that 
> the food cost more per guest then they were paying each of us)
> 
> * I'd charge much less or free for a friend, especially if I would be at 
> their wedding anyway: it's like a wedding gift
> 
> On Mar 26, 2016 2:23 PM, "Michael Fuerst via Callers" 
> > 
> wrote:
> Central Illinois where I live?  $35-50, although our local callers would 
> probably do such for free.
> NYC?  $2000, but  $3000 if on a weekend
>  
> Michael Fuerst  802 N Broadway  Urbana IL 61801  217 239 5844 
> 
> 
> 
> On Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers 
> > 
> wrote:
> 
> 
> Hey folks,
> 
> I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what 
> the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding 
> (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for 
> NYC?)
> 
> Thanks,
> Maia
> 
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> 
> 
> 
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Re: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

[John Sweeney via Callers]

Hi Maia,

First you have to decide whether you are running a business or 
enjoying a hobby.

 

I do both and the rates are completely different.  As a hobby I 
charge whatever the gig can afford, going as low as zero.  But that has to be 
stuff that you want to do for fun, for friends, for charity, or whatever.

 

As a business you need to take into account ALL your expenses: 
equipment, depreciation, travel costs, your time preparing for the gig and 
getting to and from the gig, set up and break down time, insurance, licenses 
for playing music, etc.

 

How long they dance for is completely irrelevant.  You are 
providing your services for that evening and you can’t do another gig at the 
same time.  They are paying you for using up your whole evening regardless of 
how much dancing they want.  I have done weddings where I have only called 
three dances, and weddings where I have called 15 dances.  In both cases the 
bride and groom were delighted, they got exactly what they wanted and lots of 
great photos and memories.  The charge was the same for both!

 

A good place to start is by using Google or Yellow Pages to contact 
a few local DJs.  Ask them how much they charge for a wedding in the relevant 
area.  You should be charging at least as much as the DJ as you do the same job 
PLUS calling!  I charge a flat rate plus petrol for all private gigs.

 

Hope that helps.

 

Happy dancing,

   John

 

John Sweeney, Dancer, England<mailto:j...@modernjive.com> 
j...@modernjive.com 01233 625 362 & 07802 940 574

 <http://www.modernjive.com> http://www.modernjive.com for Modern Jive Events & 
DVDs

 <http://www.contrafusion.co.uk> http://www.contrafusion.co.uk for Dancing in 
Kent

 

From: Maia McCormick via Callers [mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net] 
Sent: 26 March 2016 18:13
To: callers@lists.sharedweight.net
Subject: [Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

 

Hey folks,

 

I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what 
the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say, 
30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?)

 

Thanks,

Maia

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

[Erik Hoffman via Callers]

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" 
> 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 
> 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 

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

[JoLaine Jones-Pokorney via Callers]

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@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@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
>>
>>
>> On 3/26/16 11:13 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote:
>>
>> Hey folks,
>>
>> I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for
>> what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a
>> wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this
>> rate for NYC?)
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Maia
>>
>>
>> ___
>> Callers mailing 
>> listCallers@lists.sharedweight.nethttp://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>>
>> ___
>> Callers mailing list
>> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
>> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> David Casserly
> (cell) 781 258-2761
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>

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

[Dave Casserly via Callers]

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@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
>
>
> On 3/26/16 11:13 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote:
>
> Hey folks,
>
> I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for
> what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a
> wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this
> rate for NYC?)
>
> Thanks,
> Maia
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing 
> listCallers@lists.sharedweight.nethttp://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>


-- 
David Casserly
(cell) 781 258-2761

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

[Alan Winston via Callers]

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

On 3/26/16 11:13 AM, Maia McCormick via Callers wrote:

Hey folks,

I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea 
for what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge 
for a wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you 
adjust this rate for NYC?)


Thanks,
Maia


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

[Erik Hoffman via Callers]

Jeff Below says:
Weddings are a lot of hassle. I find most weddings a joy.

I used to do mobile DJ. Doing that it was easy to see I was primarily part of 
the service industry, and often it was just a gig. Since I now do only calling, 
and only with live music (even if it’s just me and my fiddle), I find that I 
almost always wish I knew the people who are getting married, and often enjoy 
the whole wedding. Yes, there are still a few when I feel more connected to the 
caterers – the other servers of weddings.

They are a hassle in the way that there are other things you need to check in 
about:
Dress
First Dance
Father/Daughter, Son/Mother
Special events
Dollar Dance?
Boguet and/or garter Toss?
Etc.
The caller ends up being more or less the emcee of the evening.
As Jeff points out, if you’re bringing the sound system, you often have to get 
there prior to the wedding and stay until the end. Often the sound system gets 
used for toasts. A wireless hand-held mic can come in handy!

Money: A musician friend of mine once showed me an article on how music is at 
the bottom of the pay list. Thousands on a wedding dress, thousands on 
catering, a hundred on music. And, when doing a good job at leading those four 
or five dances, you hear back that that is what people remember about that 
wedding!

We folk musicians often undercut ourselves. I know I do. I have a hard time 
asking for $500 a person, where a swing band might have no problem with that. 
I’ve been getting better at it. And, I’ve been getting better—and think it 
works better—saying package rates:

$1600 for three of us and a sound system
$1200 for two of us and a sound system
$700 for me and my fiddle

Of course these are the start of negotiations. For repeat groups like schools 
and churches that have yearly get togethers I charge what they can afford. 
Actually, the same is true for weddings, I do try to ask what they’re budget 
is, and often work with it. I still do these kind of gigs for $200 to $300 per 
person, and less for friends. But it is more than 3 times a normal dance in our 
area (where one might get $75 or $80…)

I did write a book on this subject called Old-Time Dance Calling for Weddings, 
Parties, and One-Night Stands. $20 includes postage & handling.

~erik Hoffman
oakland, ca


From: Callers [mailto:callers-boun...@lists.sharedweight.net] On Behalf Of Jeff 
Kaufman via Callers

I would ask for about 3x more for a wedding then for an evening of dancing:

* weddings are a lot of hassle

* you're only playing/calling for a short time, but you need to be there very 
early and schedules are not reliable at weddings -- this may be worse for bands 
than callers

* people spend so much at most weddings these days that they're typically 
willing to pay whatever (once I let someone negotiate me down a lot by them 
saying they were trying to save money and when I got therei found out that the 
food cost more per guest then they were paying each of us)

* I'd charge much less or free for a friend, especially if I would be at their 
wedding anyway: it's like a wedding gift
On Mar 26, 2016 2:23 PM, "Michael Fuerst via Callers" 
> wrote:
Central Illinois where I live?  $35-50, although our local callers would 
probably do such for free.
NYC?  $2000, but  $3000 if on a weekend

Michael Fuerst  802 N Broadway  Urbana IL 61801  217 239 
5844

On Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers 
> wrote:

Hey folks,

I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what 
the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say, 
30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?)

Thanks,
Maia

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

[Jeff Kaufman via Callers]

I would ask for about 3x more for a wedding then for an evening of dancing:

* weddings are a lot of hassle

* you're only playing/calling for a short time, but you need to be there
very early and schedules are not reliable at weddings -- this may be worse
for bands than callers

* people spend so much at most weddings these days that they're typically
willing to pay whatever (once I let someone negotiate me down a lot by them
saying they were trying to save money and when I got therei found out that
the food cost more per guest then they were paying each of us)

* I'd charge much less or free for a friend, especially if I would be at
their wedding anyway: it's like a wedding gift
On Mar 26, 2016 2:23 PM, "Michael Fuerst via Callers" <
callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:

> Central Illinois where I live?  $35-50, although our local callers would
> probably do such for free.
> NYC?  $2000, but  $3000 if on a weekend
>
> Michael Fuerst  802 N Broadway  Urbana IL 61801  217 239 5844
>
>
> On Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers <
> callers@lists.sharedweight.net> wrote:
>
>
> Hey folks,
>
> I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for
> what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a
> wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this
> rate for NYC?)
>
> Thanks,
> Maia
>
> ___
> Callers mailing list
> Callers@lists.sharedweight.net
> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>
>
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> http://lists.sharedweight.net/listinfo.cgi/callers-sharedweight.net
>
>

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

[Michael Fuerst via Callers]

Central Illinois where I live?  $35-50, although our local callers would 
probably do such for free.NYC?  $2000, but  $3000 if on a weekend Michael 
Fuerst      802 N Broadway      Urbana IL 61801  217 239 5844 

On Saturday, March 26, 2016 1:13 PM, Maia McCormick via Callers 
 wrote:
 

 Hey folks,
I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for what 
the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a wedding (say, 
30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this rate for NYC?)
Thanks,Maia
___
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[Callers] Rates for private events (weddings etc)?

[Maia McCormick via Callers]

Hey folks,

I've just been asked to call a wedding, and I don't have a good idea for
what the going rate for these things is. What do you all charge for a
wedding (say, 30 mins-an hour of dancing)? (And how might you adjust this
rate for NYC?)

Thanks,
Maia