How to afford live music at your wedding

What brides pay for first tends to gets a disproportionately big slice of their wedding budget pie. For example buy your dress first and you are likely to overspend on that dress.

If your reception location is next you are likely to overspend on that too.

A better way is to first decide on your total wedding budget and then allocate a percentage of that amount for each part of your wedding.

Your wedding music can be as low as zero percent of your budget (an MP3 player through the venue PA system). About 5 percent of your budget is usually enough to hire a live soloist who plays with panache and authority as you walk down the aisle. Your reception DJ and / or band could easily be another 10 to 15 percent of your budget.

Five top tips for saving money on your wedding music:

01. Think rural. Small country town wedding vendors, including musicians, charge less for their services that their big city cousins.

02. Packaging. Some higher end wedding venues offer all inclusive packages including the celebrant, flowers and live music. You will have less personal control over the details but will save time and possibly money.

03. Bands on tour. Bands can be very expensive, but if one you like is on tour and passing through your town at the right time, you might be able to book them for a private gig at your reception for a reduced fee. This also works for solo performers and other entertainers.

04. Friends and family. They might not professional musicians but there is probably a lot of musical talent in your family that could be truly heart warming (and free) at your wedding. My top tip is to hire a professional accompanist to play sensitively and supportively alongside your friend or family member, especially if they are singing or playing a solo instrument.

05. They’re there anyway. Plan your wedding reception in your favourite restaurant at a time when the in-house musicians are already scheduled to play.

Five top tips for saving money on your wedding generally:

01. Any day except Saturday. Choose a weekday to get married, and not only will all your wedding vendors be available, but you may also receive midweek discounts.

02. Be a morning person. For one thing people tend to drink less in the morning so you will save on your reception bar tab. An outdoor wedding in the morning might also mean you have the place to yourself.

03. Avoid holidays. Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, even Valentine’s Day are likely to attract a premium on your quote

04. Off-season is on point. Off season discounts can add up to substantial savings for you and your guests, especially if you are planning a destination wedding.

05. Get it done. Book your wedding music and other services as far in advance as possible to avoid price increases and just so you can relax quicker.

Your wedding guitarist is Damon Winter, B. Mus. (classical guitar), Dip. Contemp. Mus.
I make live wedding music easy for busy brides.
Email: DamonWinter@email.com for a free consultation and quote. 
Visit www.WeddingGuitarist.com

The content of this blog and associated links including all images, video and text is
 © Copyright WinterMusic Ltd.