Cost of violinist at wedding??
Discussion
I actually dont think that is too bad..
A) You are paying someone for a unique skill - a decent violinist will go through years and years of traning and practicing and of course need to recoup their cost.
B) Even though their playing time will be minimal you have to take into account the time it will take to prepare, travel and even get out of bed to make it worth their while for the event.
Of course if the violinist in question is rubbish and their training conisits of 3 youtube videos then you would be correct in saying the price is extortionate.
A) You are paying someone for a unique skill - a decent violinist will go through years and years of traning and practicing and of course need to recoup their cost.
B) Even though their playing time will be minimal you have to take into account the time it will take to prepare, travel and even get out of bed to make it worth their while for the event.
Of course if the violinist in question is rubbish and their training conisits of 3 youtube videos then you would be correct in saying the price is extortionate.
DoubleSix said:
Quick sanity check if you don't mind folks!
Just organising last few things for my wedding and violinist has quoted £170 for a 45min registry office ceremony.
Appreciate she will need to set up etc but this seems a ridiculous amout no?
Possibly a little on the high side.Just organising last few things for my wedding and violinist has quoted £170 for a 45min registry office ceremony.
Appreciate she will need to set up etc but this seems a ridiculous amout no?
If money is an issue, give the local music school or even local independent school a call. They will probably have an excellent young musician happy to do it for beer money plus cab fare. You'll need to bear in mind, obviously, that they will not be commercially minded. So you'll need to be nice to them and hand-hold as regards what you want.
I've hired string quartets this way several times and may be doing so again imminently.
Rowley Birkin said:
Possibly a little on the high side.
If money is an issue, give the local music school or even local independent school a call. They will probably have an excellent young musician happy to do it for beer money plus cab fare. You'll need to bear in mind, obviously, that they will not be commercially minded. So you'll need to be nice to them and hand-hold as regards what you want.
I've hired string quartets this way several times and may be doing so again imminently.
This is an excellent idea - Harpist at a wedding I was at recently was found from a local school, and was really bloody good.If money is an issue, give the local music school or even local independent school a call. They will probably have an excellent young musician happy to do it for beer money plus cab fare. You'll need to bear in mind, obviously, that they will not be commercially minded. So you'll need to be nice to them and hand-hold as regards what you want.
I've hired string quartets this way several times and may be doing so again imminently.
45 min ceremony, she'll have to get there half an hour before hand, etc.
I don't think it's too bad really.
Would you do it for less??
We had a string quartet at ours, the played the ceremony for 40 min, then stuck around for a few hours, I think that was circa £800, although it was an hour or so from where they were based.
ETA: Actually scrap all of the above - the string quartet charged £400.
I don't think it's too bad really.
Would you do it for less??
We had a string quartet at ours, the played the ceremony for 40 min, then stuck around for a few hours, I think that was circa £800, although it was an hour or so from where they were based.
ETA: Actually scrap all of the above - the string quartet charged £400.
Edited by Dan_1981 on Friday 28th August 12:41
Ok, thanks for the views folks.
My initial insulted feelings have softened somewhat
Still think it's steep and crafted a short but polite email suggesting a figure closer to £100 for such a short turn.
She replied almost straight away outlining her charging structure and has agreed £120 as a "special" rate.
This seems reasonable and I'm glad I pushed for deal - we all love a deal right!
My initial insulted feelings have softened somewhat
Still think it's steep and crafted a short but polite email suggesting a figure closer to £100 for such a short turn.
She replied almost straight away outlining her charging structure and has agreed £120 as a "special" rate.
This seems reasonable and I'm glad I pushed for deal - we all love a deal right!
Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 28th August 12:54
Oh, I should add, before anyone accuses me of being tight or (heaven forbid) poor; whilst the sums in question are small I've found the only way to stop the cost of this wedding spiraling dangerously towards ludicrous is to question EVERY cost and nail it down where possible.
It's been quite refreshing if admittedly rather un-British of me!!
It's been quite refreshing if admittedly rather un-British of me!!
Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 28th August 18:48
DoubleSix said:
Oh, I should add, before anyone accuses me of being tight or (heaven forbid) poor; whilst the sums in question are small I've found the only way to stop the cost of this wedding spiraling dangerously towards ludicrous is to question EVERY cost and nail it down where possible.
Wait till the divorce. That's when you'll be poor and discover what costs spiralling dangerously towards ludicrous really means.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff