DescentBB

After church today, a couple came up to me and asked if I would sing three songs in church during their wedding. I told them that I never did it before, so I politely said no. As my dad and I were leaving, the parents of the bride met us at the door, and offered to pay me $150 if I did. I was stunned.

It would be in the same church as I go to, and I don't have to go to the reception. My dad says I should take it. Its only for an hour.

My question is...is that too much money? I don't want to seem like I did it for the money.

Bettina

No it is not too much. They offered out of the clear blue so obviuosly they don't think it is to much. Besides the time spent singing there is the ancillary time of preparing i.e. getting dressed for the event, figuring out what songs to sing and rehersing.
Go for it.

hell yeah
do it

most people get thrown outof church for singing during the wedding.

woody has a good point. they offered you the money straight out. you're not going to ask for more money of course, but don't go up to them and ask for less either.
if you want to rationalise your change of mind, simply say the truth: you didn't initially realise how much they wanted you to do it.

for $150 they must REALLY want you to do it, so go make em proud Bett .

havn't you seen the movie the wedding singer?

When they first asked, they said they would pay me, but I turned them down because I nvr did it be4. So, they did offer up front but not how much.

I was told their first choice had to leave town and when they heard me in church, they asked me. I sing in two weeks. I will have sheet music with me.

Bettina

Best of luck.

No, it is definately not too much money. They chose you because they like your voice. Go for it, and have a good time with it. I'm sure you'll do well.

Best of luck to you.

Go for it Bett. Life is all about experiences. Good luck.

you'd be surprised how much people often charge for these kind of events. $150 ain't much, so take it on with a high and rock their socks, dollface

hope it goes well!

Yeah, for my sisters wedding pictures cost over $1000!

Good luck!

Bettina, here is some good advice:

NO FEE IS TOO BIG.

Considering that it's a wedding, they think 150 would be barely anything compared to the wedding prices.

Yeah, I'm in the throes of having to help my girl plan our wedding... I think the chrches we have talked to have quoted around a $150-$200 musician fee if we use their pianist/organist... and a $50-$100 instrument fee if we use our own musician. Singing three songs is comperable to playing a whole wedding, IMO. I'd say they are offering you a middle-of-the-line price.

snoopy wrote:Yeah, I'm in the throes of having to help my girl plan our wedding... I think the chrches we have talked to have quoted around a $150-$200 musician fee if we use their pianist/organist... and a $50-$100 instrument fee if we use our own musician. Singing three songs is comperable to playing a whole wedding, IMO. I'd say they are offering you a middle-of-the-line price.

Good...I feel better now. I've never done this before so I didn't want to be paid a lot for learning...Thanks for the help.

Bettina

The only fee that's too big is the one they don't want to pay. As a rather extreme example, here's a bit of a conversation between me and someone who wanted to hire my Celtic band on St. Pat's:

Him: So how much would you charge for something like this?
<me finding out details>
Me: Generally it'd be around $400 for that.
Him: We realize this is a busy time of year so we're prepared to pay a little more than usual. How does $1000 sound?
Me (trying not to sound too excited): That.. sounds quite reasonable to me!

In other words, if someone offers a certain fee, it's not too much. If you hold out for more, then you could be pushing it, but since you didn't do that then there's no problem. Unfortunately, that's the only time anyone's ever offered more than I asked

Sounds like fun. You should have a good time.

Will you use soundtracks or accompanists? I tend not to prefer soundtracks myself because I am a church musician and also because they remind me of karaoke.

De Rigueur wrote: Will you use soundtracks or accompanists? I tend not to prefer soundtracks myself because I am a church musician and also because they remind me of karaoke.

I'm only singing three songs in the church so it will be just me and the organist. Probably at the beginning, during the vows, and toward the end. I'm not hi-tech at all.

Bettina

$150 is dirt cheap for a wedding. My parents used to do a lot of weddings (Dad's a pianist, Mom's a classical vocalist). They charge $400 for my Dad to do the music and my mom to sing a couple of songs. And they don't go to the rehearsal. $400 is cheap for a wedding. Consider the fact that somebody is pumping thousands each into flowers, food, photography, and a dress.

However, since you've never done it before, go for it. Its an easy 150 bucks. I've done a couple of weddings myself (guitar/piano). Just like any other performance: Have fun!

Just think, you are going to be part of their most important memories. Thats awsome! I know I feel great when do hair for weddings, and when I've gone to the church, they they look so beautiful. That is a kick butt experience.

And by the way, my updos/styles cost about $100-150 per person, so don't feel bad taking money for sing. You are that special, people love your voice!

snoopy wrote:Yeah, I'm in the throes of having to help my girl plan our wedding

0_o

That's what brides maids are for! Dude, your job is to show up on time with your tie on straight.

Well, I did it, and I got my $175 and a $25 bonus too. )
I thought I was going to get nothing, because I got caught up in the moment and choked twice on Ave Maria. I composed myself pretty quickly, and no damage was done to the service. Geez, the love I saw from those two was overwhelming. They were really in love.

I don't think I will do this again, it was way too emotional and I didn't even know them.
Its pooltime, bigtime, now.

Bettina

I think performing for people is enjoyable. I wouldn't give it up so soon.

I'm glad to see you did it. I accompanied a singer friend of mine many times for weddings. I play keyboards / piano. The music isnâ??t always the best, but it gave me good spending money during college. If you have a talent like singing and you enjoy it, then there is nothing wrong with making a little money in the process.

Thanks...The singing was easy, but I didn't think my emotions would get to me. I didn't even know them and I was tearing up in parts enough to choke. She was so beautiful she really stole the show. He was nice and good looking too. His mother gave me a huge hug so I guess I did ok.

Oh well, I'll think about it if offered again.

Bettina

Since I was majoring in music at that time, I had worked up a pretty good repertoire of pieces. During one wedding, I was having a really great day at the keys--I was hot, hot, hot! I flawlessly played for about 30 minutes before the ceremony some fairly challenging pieces. Played the Wagner wedding march and accompanied my friend for two songs during the ceremony. At the end, they had me play the Mendelssohn wedding march. As the now-married couple was about half way out the church, I TOTALLY screwed up the march: my mind went blank and I couldn't remember the rest of it, so I hit some really baaad notes. The couple and all the guests turned around and looked at me with a "what the heck are you doing" look in there eyes. I was so embarrassed, I wanted to crawl into the piano, close the lid and die.

After the reception, when the father of the bride paid us, he complemented me on how well I played. I apologized for messing up the Mendelssohn wedding march. He looked at me puzzled and said that everyone thought I was playing some new arrangement they never heard before. Heh...go figure

Go for it Bett!

DaZs, how is that a funny story?

'cause he wasn't the victim?

You must not watch Jackass

life is always funny, pants ruin everything.

remove the pants and it's like the unfunny veil from life is lifted! OH JOY OH RAPTURE!

there is an unfunny conspiracy by the evil pants wearers to make the world miserable.