Vendor Meals/band tips

I'd love to hear from the bands out there,
What do you do?

Mark is absolutely right. A '4 hour' gig translates into a 7-8 hour day involving -
equipment load, drive time, setup, 'the 4 hours', break down, drive back, and unloading with hardly any time in between.
For that reason it is customary to always feed the band and consider it part of the hiring fee.
On a personal note, if you were to tell me that my band will NOT be fed, I wouldn't be happy but I'd deal with it somehow in a classy manner as long as I had some notice.
However, I have heard stories of bands & DJs who were forced to brown bag a meal and that would look tacky to guests if noticed.
One more thought:
A well fed band is a happy band and usually performs with more energy. Although most bands out there do their best to be as professional as possible, a hungry band might fade in energy level over time.
The bottom line is that unless it is stated in your contract that the band must be fed, it is certainly your choice to do so or not. Just be aware of the pros and cons and let the band know in advance.

The prior comments on the length of the day as compared with the performing time are very true.
On many of the weddings my personal band performs I am at the location two and a half hours prior to performance- with my road crew - to set up. If a ceremony is involved at 12:30 PM -the typical schedule runs as follows:
Arrive at location with road crew 9:30 AM for 3 set ups
1) set up main band reception location
2) set up cocktail hour location
3) set up ceremony location

With an arrival at 9:30 AM the performance aspect is usally
12 Noon- music as guests arrive
12:30 Ceremony
1-2 Cocktail Hour Music
2-6 PM Band for reception

This is already 8 1/2 hours on location- not counting any overtime. This also does not take into consideration any travel time to the location-leaving extra early to avoid traffic or construction problems.Add additional hour for break down of equipment after the reception.
You can see that a wedding performance suddenly turns into a 10 to 12 hour time frame.
Many of the catering locations offer discounts or packages for food for the vendors they recommend. This is something else to take into consideration.
The final decision on providing food is always up to you. After many hours of preparation and performance - having a bite to eat is very refreshing for performers and enables them to continue the excitement level for your guests. You come out way ahead in the final results.
Please visit my website at www.stanwiest.com
About half way down the page I have several editorials you might want to read regarding this and related topics. It is right after the photo of the Salsa band with Mayor Guiliani on the website. Also look over the SPECIALTY ENTERTAINMENT section to give you additional ideas for ceremony and cocktail hour.

You can click on highlighted items for more information,.
I spoke at a Wedding Seminar for brides last night at the Westbury Manor and this is one of the topics that came up from the brides.

STAN WIEST
A.STAN WIEST MUSIC
Featured in BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE
January 2003 in 'The Cutting Edge in Weddings And Wedding Music'
(631) 754-0594
Stan Wiest Website Stan Wiest Email