TIPPING THE BAND

GroomsMom Posted: Jun 26, 2003 06:10 AM

TIPPING THE BAND

I AM THE MOTHER OF THE GROOM AND I WAS WONDERING WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT TO TIP FOR THE BAND?

aliciahelene Posted: Jun 26, 2003 09:51 AM

Re: TIPPING THE BAND

I may be giving you false information..but I had asked this questiona nd was told 50 bucks for each musician..like I said I may be wrong..I hope this helps!!

deby Posted: Jun 26, 2003 01:01 PM

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LImom Posted: Jun 26, 2003 01:07 PM

Re: TIPPING THE BAND

I like your thinking Deby.

Sassyz75 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 01:23 PM

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We tipped our band $50 a person. It is a nice gesture especially if they will be learning songs for you or doing anything special (mine did learn a lot of songs and had to rehearse for it).

IMO feeding your band isn't a 'tip' ... why would you want your band starving? Then they wouldn't play as well.

deby Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:07 PM

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Sassyz75 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:13 PM

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I think what a lot of people don't understand is that the band leader is the one that gets paid- the musicians are then paid by the band leader.. and contrary to popular opinion- musicians pay tax. So really the members of the band are the people you want to give the tip to because the brunt of that fee you are paying goes to the band leader- not the band.

firsttimer Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:17 PM

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I agree that the bands leader makes most of the money..however a band only plays for a total of 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 hours of your affair. What about the photographer and videographer that are with you a total of 10-12 hours. They are the ones that should be taken care of.. Any one else agree???????

aliciahelene Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:21 PM

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This whole tipping thing is getting way out of hand.. everyone rightfully so has a different opinion as to what is good//I bought the bridal book of ettiquette and that is what I am going to follow..unfortunately i cant say right now what the tip is for musicians because I am not at home..I am curious..whats is expected of ceremony musicians who play for 45 minutes? What would be a good tip for them?

Sassyz75 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:24 PM

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I'm sorry- I disagree- my parents are jazz musicians and play a lot of weddings and the like... although the photographer and videographers should also be taken care of- I do not think you are right about the musicians 'only' working for a few hours... If you are a good musician you are working all WEEK to prepare. You are constantly practicing, keeping your instrument in good repair, learning new songs, etc.

I guess I should tell me Mom that she doesn't work hard and doesn't deserve the $ she makes because she only works 2-4 hours at a time...

LImom Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:25 PM

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Deby, which Greek band are you going with? My daughter booked Delta but she also requested a violinist. He is charging another $500 but the owner of Delta told us he would pay the violinist his $50 tip. That at least takes care of him. Obviously no tip for the owner but I don't know about the other musicians. It seems a little too much to be walking around handing each one a $50 bill. You have a point with them getting a dinner and I assume all the drinks they want from the open bar. (Personally, I can't see anyone in our particular family throwing bills all over the bride. The old timers are gone, but you never know.) What are the other Greek girls doing? Has anyone asked on the other Forum?

blushingbride2003 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:44 PM

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Why should a band be any different than a waiter, manicurist, hair stylist, etc.? If you feel the band is costing too much or is overcharging for their service, then why did you book a band? You expect them to do an outstanding job but you don't want to tip them and feed them because they're already costing too much? You have to realize that the amount of time the band spends to set up, play for 5 hrs. (usual time for a reception), and then pack up, traveling, plus practicing and learning songs, that's a lot of time and effort. I think if a service is provided, you should always tip. JMO!

aliciahelene Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:47 PM

Re: TIPPING THE BAND

It will get overwhelming tipping..so I am going to put teh cash in envelopes and have the best man distribute the tips to everyone..our musicians are personal friends of ours..so we will probably tip thm ahead of time..if they wereent playing at the wedding, they would definately be coming as guests..

xjulietx Posted: Jun 26, 2003 02:55 PM

Re: TIPPING THE BAND

My dad is a musician, too (Sassy and I think our parents might have played together through the years) and I agree that the band deserves a tip. Not only do they bring life to a party, but they are human beings who are capable of sensing your party's mood and adjusting likewise. If your friends are swinging to a song and they don't want it to end, only live musicians can add a few extra bars of music to keep people happy. And oftentimes, if you book through an agency, they get a big cut of what you are paying. Throw the band a few bucks, they'll make you happy.

deby Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:22 PM

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My point is that the tip is OPTIONAL.

Sassyz75 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:35 PM

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Hey whatever- relax. I don't care what you do.. I already had my wedding and tipped my band because they did an excellent job. You don't want to tip- don't! But IMO it is the right thing to do.

Jordan Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:44 PM

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I'm not sure what to tip the band...but our band has it in our contract that they will NOT be eating. They're there to play - not sit & relax...that's their thing - not every band is like that. I feel bad...but they're being paid to do a job, not to eat.

I do agree that it's the 'right thing' to do, wrt tipping.

What-Now Posted: Jun 26, 2003 03:49 PM

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OPTIONAL is the kew word i think! In wedding business everyone is EXPECTING a tip! I already went throu this and i still don't understand what the tips were for! I think the only people who are not suppose to get tips these days are the newlyweds, everyone else are supposed to get it! And they should get it: for extra or supperb service, not just because they were their and did their job!

WINO1 Posted: Jun 26, 2003 07:25 PM

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When I booked my band I asked them if they expected an additional tip they told me that if you feed them they don't expect anything at the end of the night..... depending on where you are getting married feeding a 6-9 piece band is pricey....