This topic is about Cocktail Hours before wedding ceremonies. I have a few questions.

Do you as a performer sing or just play instrumentals during this time. And, do guests actually listen to the performer during this hour?

What type of songs do you play during the hour?

I assume you mean the cocktail hour before the wedding "reception" ? ...
Depending on the wishes of the client, venue, crowd, etc it could be laid back bossas, light jazz, standards, OR it could be a "warmup" for the party, with more lively music ... Either way, vocals (even at a low volume) are a part of my repertoire ...
If you ARE referring to a cocktail hour before the "ceremony" I think it would be more subdued ...
t.
t.

So far, I've never been asked to play for a pre-ceremony "cocktail hour." Before the wedding service, sure...at which time I use only a piano-maybe some buried strings - and crank out the love songs the client has indicated they'd enjoy.

Usually, I save my vocals for after the
dinner is concluded. In my mind, anything prior to the "dancing" part of the evening, I'm background. Vocals, IMO, tend to push me more to the foreground than I think is appropriate. During the pre-dinner and dinner times, I'll do jazzy background stuff...with a handful of latin tunes tossed in.

After the dinner is over, at the reception, I'll introduce myself, do my opening remarks, etc, etc...and then treat it basically like a dance. Of course, I'll emcee the rest of the evening in terms of the various dances, etc.

Sometimes I've been asked to emcee the entire evening, which is fine...but I don't alter what I play and when I play unless I've got very, very specific instructions on how the client wants the night to go. Im my preliminary communications, I'll try & direct them toward the plan I think...

A) Best suits their wedding...

B) Will be the most successful based on my experiences...

Usually they listen, sometimes, not...

Bill



[This message has been edited by Bill in Dayton (edited 01-13-2005).]

One of the first jobs I played as a professional was a cocktail hour before the wedding reception. At that time I was hauling around a spinet organ and external leslie speaker. I got to the job, got all setup and noticed that I had NO music. So I played the next two hours from songs I could play without music. Many of those tunes were very inapproiate for the occasion. I played songs like "For the Good Times", "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone", "Please Release Me" and so forth.

NO ONE NOTICED, Nadda, zip, zilch. You are background music only. I used to play for an IHL hockey team also. Nobody really listens there either. Good Luck

Tom

I don't think that sad songs are inappropriate at a happy gathering. Many songs serve as a memory jog wheel to a certain era or situation, and just because the song is sad .... there is no reason to assume that it will make the listener sad.

"For the good times" is requested ALL THE TIME around here, and couples always dance close to it.....same as "Release me".
I really don't think the actual words translate (that literally) to the listener.

Many of my most requested songs are kinda sad if you take them at face value, but if you go deeper, the song may still touch you inside in a positive way.
Other eg:
"Since I fell for you"
"Since I don't have you"
"Make the world go away"
This list is endless!

For the most part...your just there...all background, so people can talk and mix with each other..

I agree with Tony:

Light bossas,Jazz and pops

Chico

Yes..this is pre-wedding ceremony hour.
I was thinking along the same lines that the cocktail hour is purely background music just to create a feeling of festivity and not to draw too much attention to oneself.

It's interesting you bring up the inappropriate song issue. I actually think it might be quite comical to play some of those during this time and the attendees might get a kick out of it. I wouldn't play achy breaky heart.

I bet you 50 cents that no one will even comment on the song choices, unless they are telling you how much they enjoy them. You'll be musical wallpaper for that whole hour. (take advantage of the paid rest!)

Low volume CD....works fine, unless they request that you play, but like everyone has stated, why bother if no one notices you playing or the CD until you have everyone rise for the introduction of the bridal party.

Hi Synth_Guy: They may (or may not) notice 'what' you're actually playing, but our job in this situation is basically to act as window dressing, providing an air of class & sophistication (especially playing an acoustic GRAND piano in a tuxedo) to their event of a lifetime. These days, most families who can afford to hire a decent musician or band, also hire a professional videopgrapher to record the day (for posteriety). In fact, the video production cost alone can often be the MOST EXPENSE portion of the family's wedding bill, sometimes taking on elaborate proportions on the level usually reserved for a top Hollywood movie. Hmmmm. . . . Am I in the right business? Lights, camera, action! - Scott

talk about being in the right business, several years ago my band broke up and I had just bought a trailer and new PA gear. So a friend of mine set me up with some DJ gigs, this was maybe 14 years ago so I thought I was doing good to make 250 for a wedding or party. I could do 2 or three on a weekend and makeing more money and working more than any band.
Then I find out my niece makes wedding cakes, delivers them in the morning before the wedding and leaves does 2 or 3 a day for 250-300 bucks apiece.
No truck, no trailer, no pa, just deliver the cake and go home.

I have recently quit the oldies band I was in as a keyboard player and joined a very popular local wedding band....as a vocalist and DRUMMER!!!

I'm getting ready to do a heavy season of weddings this year. So far we have 10 weddings booked with more bridal shows booked. I will be playing the cocktail hour on keys, then playing the wedding on drums. The band has a keyboard player, but he doesn't want to do the CH. I will be making $100.00 for the cocktail hour and $600.00 for the wedding. Not a bad payoff for a day's work.

Best of both worlds..keyboards and drums.

I really hate it when a drummer does the cocktail hour[on drums]..

The guests really seem to drink fast during my cocktail hours ;-)

Is that $700.00 total just for you or is the $700.00 divided amongst the whole band?

The $600.00 is per man.