Cost of violinist at wedding??

[DoubleSix]

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?

[DoubleSix]

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!

Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 28th August 12:54

[DoubleSix]

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!!

Edited by DoubleSix on Friday 28th August 18:48

[DoubleSix]

Mobile Chicane said:

No.

The only way to stop the cost of the wedding spiralling dangerously towards ludicrous is to rein in Bridezilla.

Violinist at a wedding? Bad move IMVVHO.

Unless you can afford Nigel Kennedy, give it a miss. Your guests, and the region's cats and dogs will thank you for it.

Ha ha really??

Seems very commonplace... I've certainly enjoyed solo violin buskers who weren't Mr Kennedy's equal.

[DoubleSix]

Mobile Chicane said:

DoubleSix said:

Seems very commonplace...

So why do it?

Genuine question here.

Well, it's a rather unconventional wedding in most regards (understatement).

But one needs something for the ceremony and a CD through a crap stereo is the alternative.

I'm not one for convention, but also not one to rail against it purely for the sake of doing so.

[DoubleSix]

speedysoprano said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Rumbled. Jumped the gun a little with my first post.

Sad. Also seems I should up my rates...

Quite the villain aren't I.

The gun I held to her head wasn't actually loaded you know!

[DoubleSix]

guillemot said:

Seriously - the region's cats and dogs will thank you??!! As a professional violinist I find it desperately sad to read such disparaging remarks. I'd wager professional musicians are the most highly trained of all and have probably put the most motivation and money into their chosen skill. If it's the not the instrument for you, fair enough, but if you've heard a st one it's because you've heard a st one, not a professional one who's worked for years and takes immense pride in what they do.

I don't think it's daylight robbery OP, although it seems a tad high for 45 mins, but you don't give details about travel or any special requests she'd have to learn or equally how much time she'll be sitting around. I am lucky enough to have a rather lovely sounding fiddle and a good bow to complement and need to maintain them properly, which is pricey. Plus I need to acquire any specific music requirements you may want, spend time practising those pieces. Added to that there's travel there and liability insurance as someone else has suggested. Add in all of that and potential travel time it starts to look cheap for half a day's work....

Edited by guillemot on Saturday 29th August 22:01

Edited by guillemot on Saturday 29th August 22:07

Thanks for your insight, appreciate it.

She's local. Only playing a few simple pieces already within her repertoire. Like you, I thought it a bit toppy but not miles off.

We're happy. She's happy. It's only a few hand-wringers on PH that seem put out..