Do I Tip The Band?

Bennett Prescott

Bennett Prescott

Just This Guy, You Know?
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Jan 10, 2011
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Wallingford, CT
www.bennettprescott.com
I'd really like to hire a band for my wedding next year, having a DJ is not my idea of fun and having no music is not an option. We're having it in Vermont near where I grew up, so I asked a friend of mine from that area who he would hire. He came back with two names: The guy he'd want at his wedding (who he works with often), and the guy who would be acceptable (who I know). Preferred act got back to me with a price, and it was about what I expected - that is to say, not cheap. Even if I go with the scaled back trio it's going to be pricey, and since this is coming right out of my pocket I'm going to have to spend a lot of thought on just how much I love live music. That said, if I'm going to do it I'd want to do it right, and this seems right.

My question is: Do I tip the band? How much? 20% is what I consider normal for this sort of service, but that on top of what they're already asking... ouch. Anyone else been in this situation? What's the etiquette?
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Bennett Prescott said:
I'd really like to hire a band for my wedding next year, having a DJ is not my idea of fun and having no music is not an option. We're having it in Vermont near where I grew up, so I asked a friend of mine from that area who he would hire. He came back with two names: The guy he'd want at his wedding (who he works with often), and the guy who would be acceptable (who I know). Preferred act got back to me with a price, and it was about what I expected - that is to say, not cheap. Even if I go with the scaled back trio it's going to be pricey, and since this is coming right out of my pocket I'm going to have to spend a lot of thought on just how much I love live music. That said, if I'm going to do it I'd want to do it right, and this seems right.

My question is: Do I tip the band? How much? 20% is what I consider normal for this sort of service, but that on top of what they're already asking... ouch. Anyone else been in this situation? What's the etiquette?
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Long time since I've done the wedding band thing.... but I remember the band leader expecting a decent tip if we were fed shitty food, had a crappy load in with the wedding planner from hell, the bar was closed before we were done (no drinking during the gig) or asked to play beyond the contract. In a 100% ideal world he didn't expect a sizable gratuity.

That said, I have no idea what the protocol is these days and I'm certain it varies with geography.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Bennett,

I got married back in August and we brought in a 10pc. band - everyone still raves about them. When we went to hear them, they set up their entire rig in a living room, and performed for an hour with loudspeakers, full horn section, amps, etc. I could talk to the people around me easily, and hear what they were saying back without straining. Every instrument had its "spot" in the mix, and vocalists worked the mics like true professionals.

By the end of the demo, I was sold…and no, it wasn't cheap, but the entertainment and fun that they brought to my wedding was absolutely worth it. Oh, I also made sure they got fed VERY well.

As far as tip goes, I would wait until the end of the night when things are winding down. Have whatever your maximum amount is that you'd be willing to tip them, and tip them based on their service(s) to you and your guests.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Bennett -

If the band absolutely knocks your socks off, brings your reception to a level higher than expectations, sure tip 'em - how much?? Hmm... I've done sound for well over 500 wedding receptions in my career, everything from small backyards to over $400k productions in Va. "horse country", and I think the biggest tip I ever got (even splits with band members) was about $30... I think the agreed payment is what a wedding band expects and gets 98% of the time.

A band I work with regularly here in central Va. does about 50-50 corp/wedding, the wedding receptions fall in the $30-$100k range, they are an absolute killer wedding band, and the best tip I've seen with them is $20. That was a total of $140 for a gig that cost the bride's dad over $4k for the band...

As an aside... I paid for 2 daughters weddings (150-175 guests), and neither would allow me to hire a band for the reception, even though I had a number of good ones available for rock bottom prices, through my association with them. The reason was.... "Dad, if we have a band you'll be messing with the sound, so get a DJ!" I got a great, professional DJ, he was a wonderful MC, and was worth every penny. Food for thought...

In any event, more info about your event! Number of guests, venue, type of reception you want to have, etc.

Congrats,

-Tim T
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

I can only comment on what I've seen in doing this sort of gig for the last 7+ years.

For reference, the band I deal with ranges anywhere from 3 to 6 pieces + production (1 or sometimes 2 people), and on a rare occasion a solo or duo is requested for a low-key reception, in which case production personnel are not involved. Occasionally 1 or 2 members are hired to perform for the ceremony if it's in the same site as the reception. All of the musicians are professionals - a few are in the various armed forces bands, and only one person has a day job that is not music performance related. So as far as quality of product, it's not a hobby for these people by any means. Whether with this group or as a member of other groups, each musician probably does +/- 200 gigs per year, and it's not uncommon for various members to do 2 or 3 gigs in a day during the summer and around holidays.

Based on that reference, I can count on one hand the number of times per year the full band receives gratuities. I don't know if there's any correlation, but the probably of receiving a tip seems to be inversely proportional to the quantity of musicians present. The most frequent tip (if you want to call it that) I see is when the bride/groom/parents ask if the band can play an extra 30-60 minutes to "keep the party going", and offer the band another $100-200 per person to do so. For time invested, this generally trumps any gratuities.

It seems that people believe that the band is a set contract price and they are not obligated to tip for services rendered since it is an "extra expense" above and beyond what a DJ would cost. Conversely, the wedding DJs I know say its rare when they don't receive gratuity after a job.

I can't say if this is the norm for every wedding band, but it's what I've witnessed.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

When should I expect the invitation? :lol:

I'd say if you feel comfortable with their asking price, they're not really expecting to be tipped. Make sure you go over their contract pretty well. You don't want to get over charged if they go longer! If you feed them, they'll be even happier!
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Tim Tyler said:
Bennett -

I think the agreed payment is what a wedding band expects and gets 98% of the time.
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I agree, I've played my fair share of weddings on both sides of the stage and we have been given a tip maybe twice. Unless the band goes above and beyond and really makes it truly an unforgettable night beyond what it already will be the agreed upon price is usually it.
 
I recently gave a friend and his new wife tech services for the wedding/reception. They were paying for the shindig themselves and I figured that was a unique gift that only I was in the position to give them.

During the reception I ran 4 different bands plus a couple of soloists across the stage while playing an ipod playlist they provided in between.

I did get a tip that was about 15% of what I would have charged for the event on the open market.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Since you're in the business, you are uniquely capable of understanding the things that the band would appreciate far better and mean more to them than a monetary tip.

Make sure their load-in is easy. Get them some loaders, clear the path, put down plywood on the grass (if needed), make sure the stage is clear and they have power, etc.
Make them feel like humans. Feed them what the guests are eating. Let them drink. Check on them during the event to see that they're doing ok.
Don't work them past the scheduled end time. They'll be tired and still have to load out after the gig.

Whenever I've had to work weddings (oh so long ago) it was how we were treated that made the difference, not the money. We were all paid well already.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Todd Larick said:
I agree, I've played my fair share of weddings on both sides of the stage and we have been given a tip maybe twice. Unless the band goes above and beyond and really makes it truly an unforgettable night beyond what it already will be the agreed upon price is usually it.
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Same here. We do alot of weddings, and very rarely are tipped. I think the agreed upon price is what a band will expect. It goes hand in hand with all the other expenses for the wedding also. Do you plan on tipping the caterer?
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Andrew Broughton said:
Make sure their load-in is easy. Get them some loaders, clear the path, put down plywood on the grass (if needed), make sure the stage is clear and they have power, etc.
Make them feel like humans. Feed them what the guests are eating. Let them drink. Check on them during the event to see that they're doing ok.
Don't work them past the scheduled end time. They'll be tired and still have to load out after the gig.
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This also. When not onstage, we are "guests" at the reception, just as any others who are there. If there is an open bar, we are welcome to it, as well as any food being served.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Donnie Evans said:
Same here. We do alot of weddings, and very rarely are tipped. I think the agreed upon price is what a band will expect. It goes hand in hand with all the other expenses for the wedding also. Do you plan on tipping the caterer?
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I've been in a local A circuit club band for about 16 years now, hired for various wedidngs along the way as well (one couple has hired us for thier 3rd child now). Maybe it's a regional thing but, No tips were offered (or were required). The agree price is the agreed price. I concur with the others, the easier the gig is, the better we feel about the money we are earning. Easy load in, get fed, and watered... etc.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

This past year, was my first year working on the Wedding/Corporate circuit. I am running sound for a 10 pc band and 2 Techs (me and another helper). We had 20 shows this past year; 16 Weddings and 4 Parties.

There was a few times this past year that I did get a “tip”, but I don't think it was nothing more than $20. I know that a few of those times the cash was to cover parking & tolls for the event.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Hey all, thanks for the advice. I got a call from the band leader basically offering to slash his rate, but I don't want to feel like I'm stiffing the guy. If it were me, splitting it with two other guys, I wouldn't feel like we were particularly expensive. It's a busy weekend, so rates are going to be higher, and the band sounds perfect. Now maybe if I can get him to give me a deal on adding a horn player... But I'd rather pay them a good rate up front and feel good about it.

Of course we'll feed and water them and give them a nice break. I think this band can be a very memorable part of our wedding, just glad it doesn't sound like I'm expected to pay another 20% on top... at some point there's nothing else to cut to try and make this happen! We're already doing the whole weekend, two full days with all our close family and friends (somehow that's 130 people!), which has brought expenses up. It'll be fun, and thank God her parents are pitching in a bunch, they're really letting us have our dream wedding, but we're putting in a pretty hefty sum ourselves.

We've rented this place, in case you're interested:
Vermont Family Vacation – Ohana Family Camp – Family Friendly Vacation
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

I always felt flattered to be asked to participate in such "family" events. Not "thanks for hiring us", but "thanks for including us in your celebration". If we were merely hired (as would sometimes happen), a tip was appreciated. If we were treated as guests, paid up front and made to feel appreciated, our "wedding gift" was to play our hearts out for the agreed amount. If we really enjoyed ourselves, we'd "tip" the family somehow......
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

I was in a wedding band for almost 4 years.

The one thing that I noticed that will make for a better "party" (Congrats BTW), is that when the band feels "a part of" the party, then they will do a better job and go above "the call of duty".

Now this does not mean "letting it all loose", but give them some drinks and decent food and they will be happy.

I have done gigs that we were told SPECIFICALLY NOT to approach the bar-EVEN FOR WATER OR SODAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The band would take on an "attitude" and jsut do their job. They would not be into it and the performance lacked quite a bit.

Being a little be nice to them (which I sure you would-knowing you) makes a BIG difference. When THEY are having fun-then everybody is having fun.

Some of the most fun gigs were not the ones that paid the most-but rather the ones that we felt we were part of the celebration.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Andrew Broughton said:
Make sure their load-in is easy. Get them some loaders, clear the path, put down plywood on the grass (if needed), make sure the stage is clear and they have power, etc.
Make them feel like humans. Feed them what the guests are eating. Let them drink. Check on them during the event to see that they're doing ok.
Don't work them past the scheduled end time. They'll be tired and still have to load out after the gig.
Click to expand...

Yup. That kind of treatment, from the groom no less, would be a very nice bonus compared to the usual hassles.
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

Tip them by being nice. Feed them the same food you eat. Give them drinks. Treat them as friends.
No need to pay extra, they're already charging 2 to 3 times what a club gig pays
<looks like that advice was already given!>
 
Re: Do I Tip The Band?

I worked a nice wedding this past summer with a band that performs mostly in the bar/club circuit.(very good band by the way).
From my end I can see why you need to charge more for weddings....alot more.
For a wedding that the entertainment wasn't starting until about 7pm, we had to be loaded in and setup by 1pm that afternoon.
The wedding was at a typical golf/country glub and the club organizers had (4) weddings going on that day and they didn't want anything being setup/moved in once guests started to arrive.
Band was 4-piece plus myself and girlfriend/roadie...we all were allowed open bar from before the wedding even started to after it ended. We all also had our own table and ate the same food as the guests.
At the end of the night we were handed another envelope with a $100 tip for everyone($600)
 
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