Looking for a Pianist for the Residents Bar - Co. Meath

Hi All,

I couldn't see a similar thread.
We're getting married in Meath next March, and one idea that I'm currently investigating, is getting a pianist into the residents bar for a sing-along at the end of the night.

I have spoken with the venue, and they're happy for this to take place, as we have the place to ourselves for the night.

I've done some googling, and all I have found is a pianist called Sean De Burca. I've been in touch with him, and he seems more expensive than we were hoping to pay.

Does anyone have any recommendations for local pianists, who would play such an event, and can bring their own piano?

It's not a show stopper if we cannot get someone, as we could throw on our own playlist if required. We were hoping to spend €200 at a maximum

Thanks

clint_silver

Deleted User wrote: »

Hi All,

I couldn't see a similar thread.
We're getting married in Meath next March, and one idea that I'm currently investigating, is getting a pianist into the residents bar for a sing-along at the end of the night.

I have spoken with the venue, and they're happy for this to take place, as we have the place to ourselves for the night.

I've done some googling, and all I have found is a pianist called Sean De Burca. I've been in touch with him, and he seems more expensive than we were hoping to pay.

Does anyone have any recommendations for local pianists, who would play such an event, and can bring their own piano?

It's not a show stopper if we cannot get someone, as we could throw on our own playlist if required. We were hoping to spend €200 at a maximum

Thanks

going rate for something like that is 250-300 minimum, thats even for pre-reception.
If youre thinking of getting someone in to play at something like 2am-4am with their own equipment then Id imagine youre going to be putting another 50-100 on top of that. If it was part of a deal with a band you were hiring for the day then there maybe some leeway on the price but not really on a single hire. At least none of the guys I know.

Theres a lot more guitar players available if you really wanted a musician. Go to the irish facebook page "help me Im getting married" Give your budget and ask would someone be available.

Savman

Budget is definitely way too low. Accompanying drunk singers at 3am is messy and not a fun gig.

missmatty

I don't think there's a chance of anyone bringing their own piano either, there's a logistical nightmare if I ever saw one.

D0NNELLY

How much did the pianist quote you?

Thanks all. Yeah, you're probably all correct. Worth a shot. As I said, it's not a big deal if we can't get the pianist.

The guy I was in touch with gave a price of around €500 I think. It was only if there was something cheap available, I'd be willing to pay for it.

Thanks to the person who recommended a guitarist. Might check that out

Nervous Wreck

As a guitarist who plays wedding ceremonies, I wouldn't touch this kind of gig for less than €500 OP.

I'd say you'll find someone who'll do it for less but a professional would be charging at least €400 for this type of gig so just be cautious of the quality of someone who accepts it for less; maybe ask to hear samples or see them perform first.

Nervous Wreck

Nervous Wreck wrote: »

As a guitarist who plays wedding ceremonies, I wouldn't touch this kind of gig for less than €500 OP.

I'd say you'll find someone who'll do it for less but a professional would be charging at least €400 for this type of gig so just be cautious of the quality of someone who accepts it for less; maybe ask to hear samples or see them perform first.

Thanks for the reply. Completely see where you are coming from.
I was at one wedding with it before, and it was great fun, but I can understand why people would have no interest in doing such a gig.

I'm going to accept that this idea is a no goer, and move on with my next job for the wedding

Thanks again for all of your replies

AoifeCork

Like the other musos, I would run from this gig... unless I was looking to really fill a date! So I would wait until maybe a few weeks before and look into it then. You never know, someone might just be looking to fill their Saturday/Friday night.

I've done two and they were really tough-and they were small crowds in exclusive use venues. I was R.I.P until late Sunday afternoon :P

There's also an Irish Cover Bands Page on Facebook. If you were easy going enough about the idea and wanted to get someone last minute, that'd be the place to head to!

mcgiggles

We've Sean de Burca booked for our wedding, he's doing church ceremony and drinks reception in the hotel for that price... If you really wanted that, could you book him for ceremony or drinks reception aswell and he might do you a deal? Obviously only if you haven't already booked/ paid for another musician... :-)

clint_silver

missmatty wrote: »

I don't think there's a chance of anyone bringing their own piano either, there's a logistical nightmare if I ever saw one.

An electrical piano and a 10" speaker would be brought in for that.

Shyboy

mcgiggles wrote: »

We've Sean de Burca booked for our wedding, he's doing church ceremony and drinks reception in the hotel for that price... If you really wanted that, could you book him for ceremony or drinks reception aswell and he might do you a deal? Obviously only if you haven't already booked/ paid for another musician... :-)

Sean de Burca is a highly talented pianist, actually one of the best in Ireland, IMHO. I know he travels around the world performing at events, cruise ships, etc.

I met him once...an absolute gentleman...:)

mcgiggles

Shyboy wrote:

I met him once...an absolute gentleman...

To add to that he's an absolute pleasure to deal with so far and we haven't even met him :-) his voice though.. it'll be like having my very own Frank Sinatra serenading me on the day :-D

Sherlof3

Hang on a second I think this is one of the best ideas I have heard for a wedding - don't give up! You may need to up the budget though but if it comes off it will be great!! How about a student or someone not quite professional?

clint_silver

Sherlof3 wrote: »

Hang on a second I think this is one of the best ideas I have heard for a wedding - don't give up! You may need to up the budget though but if it comes off it will be great!! How about a student or someone not quite professional?

Like most service providors for weddings, bands and musicians are 1 of 3 things. cheap, good, available. You only get to pick 2.

Sherlof3

Sherlof3 wrote: »

Hang on a second I think this is one of the best ideas I have heard for a wedding - don't give up! You may need to up the budget though but if it comes off it will be great!! How about a student or someone not quite professional?

I was speaking to a friend of mine, who did this a couple of years ago, and yes, it is expensive.

While I like the idea a lot, and it was great fun when I saw it before, it's on our "WANTS" list, rather than "NEEDS"

My fear, is it probably goes under appreciated.
And just to confirm, I understand that the price I was quoted is reasonable. I've no problem with that. But as this was a Want that we can do without, I would only have gone through with the idea, if it was reasonably cheap.

Hope someone else might go with the idea.
Sean DeBurca seemed very friendly in his email, and seems to have glowing recommendations on here

tickingclock

I've been at two weddings that had this. One was a guitar and one a piano. Both were not professional musicians. Both were from local bands. It doesn't need to be the high end of professional as it will be 3am! One of weddings where this was done also had a song book where the most popular songs from sing songs were all included so people could sing along. Both weddings stood out for me as ring great craic. Couldn't remember what favours were at weddings but I do remember a sing song! Dont give up on the idea