Thread: Weddings

How do you guys do weddings? Generally, what do you think is the safest, best way to go for different audiences?What music works best? Also, what specific extras do you do for weddings, i.e.(candelabra, zills to bride and groom, etc). Basically, what does your typical show look like??? thanks a lot

It all depends on the desires of the planner. I have done weddings which were very conservative - my form of a zeffa, standard set, getting the bride up to dance, using very traditional music - to a very modern wedding with basically the same structure but very different/modern music and costuming.

Zeffa is a separate set. I generally charge it as a short set. The main standard set is usually 20 mins which will include getting the bride and groom up and either dancing with them or presenting them to the audience. Once again, this depends on the desires of the planner.

Check out Princess Farhana's blog. I believe she has info on performing at weddings there.

{{{HUGS}}}

Originally Posted by chyzanne

How do you guys do weddings? Generally, what do you think is the safest, best way to go for different audiences?What music works best? Also, what specific extras do you do for weddings, i.e.(candelabra, zills to bride and groom, etc). Basically, what does your typical show look like??? thanks a lot

We charge more for weddings because most (both native and foreign-born)wedding customers want to be in control of everything: the costumes, the appearance of the extra dancers ('no tattoos' is a frequent concern) , the songs, the type of dances. You may need to meet with the customer, travel to the proposed venue to make sure what they want is possible, obtain costume pieces missing from the costume closet, etc. The only thing 'typical' about a wedding is the customer's desire to control every aspect of the day which includes you, so charge for it. PS make SURE you get your deposit upfront and soonest, wedding customers are the ones most likely to run out of money and then start looking for ways to cut expenses... like you...

thanks, guys!

princess farhana's blog is very helpful here's the link:
PRINCESS FARHANA: I'LL (BELLY) DANCE AT YOUR WEDDING

Originally Posted by maurazebra

We charge more for weddings because most (both native and foreign-born)wedding customers want to be in control of everything: the costumes, the appearance of the extra dancers ('no tattoos' is a frequent concern) , the songs, the type of dances. You may need to meet with the customer, travel to the proposed venue to make sure what they want is possible ... etc.

Yes to all of that. And unless the gigs are really, really far apart time-wise, I often will not accept any other gigs that night so that I can be free to adjust to any delays in the schedule of things. By the time it gets to be showtime for me, the bride and groom and wedding party will have been "on stage" for hours and there have been numerous opportunities for unexpected snafus and delays that bounce down the line. Some of these events are planned like D-day, and I don't want to add to the chaos and stress by griping "I have to go on NOW." I also don't want to bring anger and resentment into a wedding situation because I have somewhere else to be. I just allot more time to a wedding gig than others and be done with it.