CAN YOU OR SHOULD YOU NEGOTIATE ON PRICE WITH A WEDDING BAND

Corkie2011

Hi Everyone,

Thinking about booking the band Concord from Mayo for my wedding next year.Going to see them in a couple of weeks as they have been recommended by a friend. Just wondering if anyone here has seen them and what they thought. Also if anyone has an idea of the price they charge and if this is negotiable, if you could PM about the price it would be great.
Thanks.

Ballyman

All you can do is ask. If you want them and they haven't a booking for your date then I'm pretty sure they would be willing to negotiate some bit depending on how much they have reduced their prices over the last few years.

Just be aware that if they are an in demand band then they may not need to negotiate as they will get another booking anyway and could tell you to take a hike!

At the end of the day if you really want them and the price they quote you is in or around your budget then go ahead and book them.

sweetie

I would say a price is more negotiable closer to the date of the wedding. However you run the risk of a good wedding band being booked at that stage! It doesnt hurt to ask especially if its not a friday or saturday night.

asjm

Hi Corkie2011,

were thinking of booking them aswell for our wedding next year, seen them playing 2weeks ago at a friends wedding and we both thought they were excellant, seen how they do the change over from the band to the dj, and didnt really notice a thing. they include the dj for the same price and he was good!
but have another band in mind the bumble bee honey's and would like to seem them before we decide, having said that Concorde are much better value!!

tannytantans

Don't know the band myself but at my wedding and lots of my friends the bands were willing to negotiate and they lowered their prices again when we offered to pay in cash

rider66

We booked 2 bands just recently for our wedding this October. One band are friends so we didn't want them to be the main entertainment since they are also guests, but we love their music and style so they are going to play trad instead of a disco, and maybe before the meal...and at the church... we have yet to work out those details, I get so excited!

If you're set on a specific big name band it may not be a good idea to book so late. But we are more interested in our guests being entertained on the day and of course staying on a reasonable budget. That budget part gets very challenging as you shop around because so many bands (photographers, florists, and MANY other suppliers) tug on the heart strings. "It's the most important day of your life" Hogwash! It's one of the most important days but is one day worth going into debt over? It seems to me that's a terrible way to start a marriage. You want to be able to plan for your FUTURE, not clean up old debt! Of course I'm an old bat so my perspective is a bit different than it was when I was 20 or 30. But it is still my first marriage and my dearest dream come true!

I would suggest that you see the bands in person and see how they fill a dance floor. We think that's what it's all about, keeping the guests dancing and enjoying themselves. Unless you have an unlimited budget, I'd suggest you consider where the majority of your guests go to dance or see live bands. You might just find a really good "unknown" band that will be much more reasonable than the 1200 - 3700 euro prices that established bands ask for.

Bottom line - yes, negotiate for everything! Times are tough and YOU are the one paying (close enough)! The wedding industry has a lot of very snobby vendors that act like they're doing you a favor - they won't get money from us! I'm sure you expect value for your money from the grocery and anywhere else you frequent. Keep that mindset when you're shopping for ANYTHING for the wedding! Good luck and congratulations!

AoifeCork

As a musician who performs with a wedding band and does ceremonial music-ALWAYS ALWAYS HAGGLE! These are tough times and musicians know that. Where some couple might be able to afford up to 4000 euro on music altogether, some may have a budget of less than 2000 for band, dj, drinks reception AND ceremony music, so prices will always come up and down with a bit of negotiation. Look at what you're asking of your musicians and then see if their prices are justified. ie, travel, repertoire, first dance (for the band), notice given, method of payment etc.

Trust your gut feeling-YOU'RE the customer.. it's YOUR day.. That being said, try not to get too much of a bargain. Do be realistic of course.

Best of luck! If you want more advice on musicians or anything, just PM-happy to spread the expertise!

Fiona4037

I cant offer any advice on the band Concord but with regard to haggling with the band i can help! We just booked our band this week for our August 2012 wedding. We initally went to see the band in action at a wedding Friday night, then sent the band an email on the Saturday saying how impressed we were with the and how much we wanted them at our wedding but they were slightly over our budget. I stated in the email how much our budget was and could the possibly do it for that price. Got an email back yeaterday saying he had talked to the rest of the band and they would do it for us, a saving of €300!!:) So no harm in haggling and i def find it easier via email! plus you've got your evidence too!

clint_silver

Fiona4037 wrote: »

I cant offer any advice on the band Concord but with regard to haggling with the band i can help! We just booked our band this week for our August 2012 wedding. We initally went to see the band in action at a wedding Friday night, then sent the band an email on the Saturday saying how impressed we were with the and how much we wanted them at our wedding but they were slightly over our budget. I stated in the email how much our budget was and could the possibly do it for that price. Got an email back yeaterday saying he had talked to the rest of the band and they would do it for us, a saving of €300!!:) So no harm in haggling and i def find it easier via email! plus you've got your evidence too!

as this states, always ask. Its different if its far out for popular bands, "will you do a wedding 18 months from now on a saturday night in august for 25% less then normal" the answer will be no, but if its a thursday night 3 months from now, absolutely.

Definitely get emails confirming everything, protect yourself.
If the band dont have an email, get it in writing when handing over a deposit what your finalized price and balance is.