Another band question...

alina Posted: Feb 28, 2003 12:40 PM

Another band question...

through a grapewine, I found out that another bride who used my band was not happy with their service, because

a)at their final meeting, the band leader said that they couldn't play a whole bunch of requested songs and thus made them hire extra singers for those songs and pay extra $$$ and

b)the band took a one hour break during the time when dinner was served. They went back to play only after the MOB told the band leader that they'll get no $$$ at the end of the night - the full band pmt was due minus the initial $500 deposit

What can I do to prevent this from happening at my wedding?
How can I go about

karen32 Posted: Feb 28, 2003 12:54 PM

Re: Another band question...

You should definitely read your contract. I'm sure in there it specifies the amount/frequency/duration of band breaks. There should probably be something in there about your music selection also. When you booked, did you tell the band what songs you wanted?? Did they indicate there would be a problem??

alina Posted: Feb 28, 2003 12:59 PM

Re: Another band question...

Karen:
I have only one answer to your questions, its all a 'No'. We didn't discuss either songs or breaks, and none of that is in the contract. If I remember correctly, besides the price, the contract has the # of members included and the durations that they will be there, but nothing else.

dubliner Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:08 PM

Re: Another band question...

Alina

Put it all in the contract - that way everyone know where they stand

dubliner Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:10 PM

Re: Another band question...

Verbally agree on everything if you have to, then go home and type it up and ask them to sign it. This might p1ss them off though - so I would just be really nice about it - play the anal bride ( I am not saying you are !!) but be sincere - I would be like - I am stressing out, the music is so important, I need to make sure everything is ok.,.,,,,

alina Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:21 PM

Re: Another band question...

I guess what I am trying to ask is what can I say / negotiate for... I mean if they can't play a song, they can't play a song, but on the flip side if they can't play like 20 of my songs, I would have an issue... We're not supposed to meet with them until May. Also, I don't really know how long the customary breaks are for? They do have to eat, somehow.

Rob-luvs-me Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:27 PM

Re: Another band question...

I don't know what is customary for breaks but I can tell you what my band is doing if it might help you.
They only take the breaks that the club forces them to (which is 5 mins for the waiters to take dinner orders, and then for the main course of the meal - where they only take a partial break- of the 8 members they alternate so that 4 play dinner music that whole time). Besides that they play the whole time.
I heard from other people that they band play 50 mins of each hour, or 55 mins of each hour. There seems to bee a number of different ways.
Could you call your band and tell them you had a friend who used a differnt band recently and this something happened so 'being the nervous bride' you wondered if they could make an adendum to your contract to include any of the information that was not originally included such as breaks or song lists etc?

christine1221 Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:30 PM

Re: Another band question...

alina ... the band eats while you're eating. In your contract it should also be stated that there be 'continuous music' . There should be something going on .. a CD playing dinner music while they eat. An hour is a little unreasonable.

Our band took several breaks, for maybe 10 minutes at a time. And Dinner was like 25 - 30 min.

I would start getting together a list of everything you absolutely want. Then put it all in writing. As Helen suggested, have then sign a copy, then make sure you BRING IT to your reception. If you get resistance on this, then start shopping around. I would rather lose a small deposit than have a band that's going to ruin the party. This is what people remember about your wedding. You're smart to get on this now, rather than wait.

good luck!

sanmik Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:36 PM

Re: Another band question...

My band is taking 4 breaks within 5 hours - - three 10 minute breaks between servings of food/ and beginning of Viennese Hour and a 20 minute break for dinner.

alina Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:43 PM

Re: Another band question...

Should I move up my may meeting to March/april, even though the MC/band leader wouldn't like it (i had originally tried to set up a meeting early). Also, I have not yet gathered all 'must play' songs...

dubliner Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:47 PM

Re: Another band question...

Alina

About the song list - did they send you one? or do they have a website that lists their songlist?

Have you chosen your songs? If you are worried, call them and tell them you are mailing a play list, and ask them to let you know how much of it they cover.

alina Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:51 PM

Re: Another band question...

Dubliner, they dont' have songs on either their site or even a hard copy. MC told me he stopped making it b/c after a while there were a lot of songs, and customers would be asking him 'what's this song, and what's that song, etc.'. So far, through my conversations with him from November on he has assured me more than once that they can play just about anything, and that they dont do 'cookie cutter' play lists.

So he pretty much refuses to give me any suggestions for any songs, including the special garter, bouquet and cake songs... This has been irritating, but it will be accounted for during 'tip' time.

I am nervous about getting on his bad side and have him screw up our wedding, which is an issue, when one has something that needs to be confronted/cleared up.

Rob-luvs-me Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:56 PM

You have FM

LisaT Posted: Feb 28, 2003 01:59 PM

Re: Another band question...

we didn't have any breaks in music, and no CDs playing. Throughout the night there was always live music playing. During dinner, they took turns eating - for example, they would leave the piano player behind while the rest ate. They all sang. It was a nine piece band.

I would address your concerns with the band NOW and not wait until May. Giving them extra time to learn songs you want is a good thing. Our band learned every song we asked them to (about 10 or so songs).

Anything they agree to now (to calm your concerns) you should have added to the contract.

alina Posted: Feb 28, 2003 02:06 PM

Re: Another band question...

Thanks, Lisat! I'll try to finish up my list by this weekend and call them next week.

Rob-luvs-me, you have FM, back at ya!!!

Rob-luvs-me Posted: Feb 28, 2003 02:16 PM

Re: Another band question...

karen32 Posted: Feb 28, 2003 02:46 PM

Re: Another band question...

I think you definitely need to meet with the band sooner rather than later. You seem to have some legitimate concerns. If the bandleader is unreasonable to deal with now, are you really sure you want to deal with them on the most important day of your life???

Claud2001 Posted: Feb 28, 2003 11:43 PM

Re: Another band question...

The contract should explicitly state, 'Continuous LIVE music'

prncssrachel Posted: Mar 01, 2003 01:17 AM

Re: Another band question...

I am a musician, and I have played weddings, even though they are not my thing, but they should only be taking 5 minutes for every hour of playing. I mean, we are trained for our ability to stay on stage or wherever for long periods of time. They should also take breaks in shifts. So even when there's no one singing, at least there's someone playing keyboard or piano or some smaller instrumental song.