Ever played violin for a wedding ceremony?

Question

Hi! I've been asked to play violin for a wedding ceremony (I live in Pa) though I play very well I have never done a wedding. I'm wondering how much I should charge? Also how do I know how to get the timing of the music down so it ends at the right moment after they come down the isle when there's no way to know until the rehearsal itself. I'd appreciate any advice from someone who's performed for wedding on how to go about things. Thanks so much!

Answer 1

My cousin in law's grandmother played at her wedding and she continued playing for like a good 3 minutes after the bride was down the aisle and standing at the altar. It was so awkward and everyone was like "When is she going to stop!?" So just a word of advice, discuss with your bride and groom if they want you to (tastefully) cut it off once she is with the groom at the altar or finish the entire song.

Good luck...I love weddings! :)

Answer 2

I have played with 3 other people for 2 weddings. (It was a quartet they wanted.)

Since the parents of the bride were teachers at the school, we agreed that each of us get $50 ($200 total) for just playing the wedding song and extra (depending on how long they wanted us to play at the reception).

Answer 3

How much you charge should really depend on your playing experience.  I have a master's degree in violin, so I usually charge $100 for the wedding and the rehearsal together.  Perhaps charge less if you don't have as much experience.

As for the timing of things.  You're right when you say that there is no way to know the timing until you get to the rehearsal.  Sometimes, the wedding doesn't even go like the rehearsal goes.  What I do is go through the music and come up with strong cadences where you could easily stop.  Mark them in your music and use that as a guide in the rehearsal and wedding.

Where do you live in PA?  I live in PA too.  Maybe we could play another wedding gig together sometime.

Answer 4

I played in a wedding with my two friends (a violist and a cellist, i'm a violinist) and i'm also from pa.  It was one of my piano teacher's friend's wedding so we only charged $150 ($50 for each of us) although it took a long time to prepare.  I recommend seeing what music you will need to play before you decide how much you would like to be paid because I ended up arranging a song for trio out of a piano part which took about 3 hours since I could barely read alto clef at the time.  Try to find an amount of money that works with the amount of time you put into the playing and preparing.  

As for the timing of the music, I would recommend going to the place where the wedding is going to be held and seeing about how long it will take people to walk down the aisle.  At the wedding I played at somehow the song ended right as the bride finished walking down the aisle but i think that was just a strange coincidence.  You can always ask if you can play at the dress rehearsal to make sure you know when to end.  Remember, it is always better to keep playing if you are unsure or if something has ended than to stop at a place that does not make the song sound finished.

Finally, don't get too nervous and just have fun!  Being nervous helps violinists a little but being overly nervous is a good thing.  Make sure you prepare alot beforehand and talk to the bride/groom/family to see if they have any specifications of music they would like you to play.

Good luck!

Answer 5

I own a chamber music business in NY, and even after playing 500 weddings (so far . . ) you cannot measure the timing for everything.  You need about 15 minutes of music before the ceremony as the guests are seated (more if the bride is late - be prepared!).  Then you need a processional - TWO if the bride chooses to have something separate for her attendant, then herself.  Any incidental music? - music between readings, at the ring exchange, lighting candles, pouring sand, etc.???   Then a recessional, and a few postlude pieces as the congregation disperses.

You asked about timing the processional - it only comes out dead even in the movies.  Have a little extra, so the bride is not caught part-way up the aisle with no music.  A little extra music (up to 20-20 seconds) allows her to compose herself, hand off her bouquet, etc.

If this in doors, no worries except maybe lighting.  Outdoors - you need a really heavy,solid stand, and WIND CLIPS - get the kind that look like huge clip clothespins, and are clear plastic in the front (or wire) and solid wood on the back - FULL LENGTH.  Bring BUG repellent - I like the kind that looks like a yellow pin-on button, rather than risking getting oily sprays on me and my instrument.  Plan for all kinds of terrain and weather - the couple my ENVISION a gorgeous setting, but the realities for us hired help are different.

What to charge?  If these are friends, then you have to tell them that you usual fee is X, but you will make a gift price for them of x.  Otherwise, $100 is not too much to ask - and it cold be higher or lower, depending where you live, and what the going rate is.  

Good luck- this is easier with a small group, or even accompaniment.