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Christian Weddings

to much money for music??

So..i just had a meeting with someone who is going to be doing our ceremony music. 

i loved him! he will be playing the hammered dulcimer during the ceremony! its GORGEOUS! it is $300 for the ceremony...and my FI thinks its wwayyy to much since we are paying $400 for a dj for the reception.
but i REALLY didn't want to walk down the aisle to a cd. 

i am happy with the decision still..and a deposit is already been paid and we have a contract. 

but what are you all having for the ceremony music? cds? 
i just didn't want to have a cd...i wanted live music. 

my FI says "you're gonna pay a guy $300 for an HOUR to play a piano?" and so i say "its not a piano..its a hammered dulicmer ...its a totally different instrument." my FI says "same thing"

am i being ridiculous??

here is his website so you girls can see the instrument :

Re: to much money for music??

  • edited December 2011
    I've seen a hammered dulcimer played and it was pretty cool. 

    We spent around $400 on ceremony music for a pianist/organist, cantor, and trumpet.  I definitely wanted live music. Ultimately, it's a matter of what you have the budget to do.
  • edited December 2011
    I wanted live music (pan flute), but it wasn't anywhere near our budget, and since live music wasn't one of my priorities, I got a musician to record the bridal march in pan flute for quite a bit cheaper. It's not live, but it's still personalized, so I'm happy. 

    As for your situation, it depends on if live music is something you're willing to splurge on. For me it wasn't.  $300 seems like a bit much, but if he has to learn a new song or something, you wouldn't just be paying for his time at the wedding, but also for all his practice time. 
  • edited December 2011
    ya it was REALLY important to me to have live music at my ceremony. 

    our budget is on the smaller side but we are having so much help from my FMIL and she was okay with me spending the $300 because its something that i really wanted for my wedding. 

    i already paid the $150 deposit and i am just gonna pay the other $150 with my next paycheck. i really dont think it is THAT much money. idk. 
  • edited December 2011
    I don't know if $300 is too much for the ceremony or not because a colleague is doing ours, BUT you are really saving with a $400 DJ. That is SO inexpensive! My DJ is $1,000... which is the best price I could find around here for someone who has a good reputation. So with your DJ and ceremony musician, you are still paying $700, which is cheaper than JUST my DJ. So you're good! Laughing
  • edited December 2011
    exactly!!!

    Our DJ is a frind of my FI and gave us a GREAT deal...he usually charges $600...but is only charning us $400! that is a $200 saving...which is going to my ceremony music!!!! (: 
  • edited December 2011
    I personally think its ok if it's in your budget. I'm in the Metro NY area and we are paying $400+ for a string trio at our ceremony. At first we were reluctant but we really really really wanted it, so we went for it.
  • iamjoesgurliamjoesgurl member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary
    edited December 2011
    When we got married DH was "roadie" for a Christian band and was really close to them so he asked them to do the music.  The pianist played electric piano for the prelude (worship music) and then played the grand piano that was in the chapel for the processional, special music and recessional.  I can't remember how much DH paid them but I wouldn't be surprised if it was close to $400 (and they were his friends!).  They completely deserved every penny of it.
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  • azdancer8azdancer8 member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    We didn't pay anything for our ceremony music - DH composed the music, and his mentor played it for us for free. And our special music was done by our honor attendant. (Of course, we "paid" them in gifts, but technically they were free.)

    But like a PP said, we paid more for our DJ for the reception - around $800. It all depends on your budget and what areas are more important for you to spend the money on. :)
  • edited December 2011
    FI and I booked a DJ and lighting service for our entire ceremony, reception, and all of our lighting (including uplights and dance floor lights) for $1300.  I'd say $700 total is a good deal.
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  • edited December 2011
    We're using a cd for the ceremony, and the reception lol.  It's a small wedding, and music isn't in our budget.

    If it's in your budget then I say go for it!!


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  • edited December 2011
    Our church fee ($750) covers the cost for the organist.  While I would love a string trio, I can't justify that since we're already paying for the organ.
  • naomikbnaomikb member
    2500 Comments Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    I'm a bit late to this one, but we are paying  our musicians (piano/organ, violin, singer) $150-$200 each for the ceremony (rehearsal, prelude, ceremony music, postlude).

    It seems like it's what you really want, and you usually pay a premium for "specialists" who play unique instruments or have special talents, because they have expertise and can charge more because there are fewer people available!  I say go for it.
  • edited December 2011
    thanks guys!!! (: 

    i am feeling better and i am sooo excited for my ceremony music!
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