How much are people paying for ceremony musicians?

kellie9928

I'm having an outdoor wedding and would love live music at my ceremony; however, I'm not sure what the going rate for musicians is.  Ladies, please help me out, what did you pay and what did you get?  Thanks!

maestromusicians

As a wedding music contractor, I can attest to the fact that you get what you pay for.

Personal interests aside, there are many "going rates' since students and professionals are often equally willing to work for your wedding. Students, however good they might be, are still students, however, and won't provide the same high level of music that you are looking for.

Professional classical musicians have years of training under their fingers. You're paying for the sound, in addition to the security of knowing that the musicians are experienced.

My Boston-based company charges $400-$700 depending on how many people
you want to book.

Daniel Broniatowski, D.M.A.
www.maestromusicians.com

HandBanana

I can't really say.  We had hubby's cousin and friends play.  2 Violinist, Viola, and Cello. They are in high school orchestra.  They also have to do service hours so they would have done it for free but I insisted on paying them.

Good luck.  You may want to post this on your local page too.

CassieeK

It will be $400 for our string trio.

rachelalexsmith

We're looking around $1500+ for a band..that's the only thing FI has delegated solely to him because he loves music.

sweetiney

For string groups, at least in my area, the cost is generally under $600 for a quartet, under $500 for a trio and under $400 for a duet. This usually includes 15-20min. prelude, ceremony music and 10-20min. postlude music. Rates for receptions are generally per-hour.

Ljacks87

We are paying $150 per musician, so $600 for a string quartet. Includes the standard prelude (15-20 mins), processional, recessional and postlude (15 mins).

vexie

Our pianist charged us $100/hour.  We paid him for 2 hours .... 1/2 hour prelude,  the ceremony then 1 hour cocktail party.  Plus... he wrote my wedding march!

KellyRVT

We are paying $420 in Columbus, Ohio for a violin, cello and flute.

cmp1986

I'm having an indoor ceremony. I'm having my DJ do the ceremony, cocktail hour and reception. He's charging me $600.

kellie9928

Thanks Ladies!  This information has been very helpful!

lbnl9

As a pianist, I usually have a base rate of ~$200; this covers: one planning meeting, rehearsal, and ceremony.  If there are more musicians involved, necessitating more rehearsals, I will charge more; same goes for extensive travel, or additional service, i.e. cocktail hour/reception.