You’re engaged - congratulations! It’s a very exciting time where both you and your partner have decided to take the big step together into the next chapter of your life. Once the excitement wears off (does it ever?), it’s time to begin the planning process for the wedding.
Weddings come in all shapes and sizes; traditional big white weddings in a stately home, a DIY or glamping marquee in a garden or field, a city wedding in a hotel or in a converted barn in the middle of nowhere. Not to mention weddings abroad or all the other potential iterations of your big day!
Once you’ve sorted the date and your first wave of invites, booked the venue and caterers, it’s time to think of the entertainment. For me, this would include the wedding photographer and the celebrant. Depending on what your wedding set up is, you may not need a celebrant but if you do then I highly recommend the wonderful Stewart O’Sullivan (https://www.stewartthecelebrant.co.uk/).
After this, you inevitably come to the conclusion that a wedding or party isn’t complete without a saxophonist. A sax player can really add to the reception, wedding party entry, the ceremony or the DJ set in the evening.
But how do you go about booking a sax player? If you find a saxophonist you like on social media then contact them through there and they should get back to you. If they aren’t free for your date, most will have alternative players for different regions of England that they can recommend.
Once a saxophone player has confirmed that they are available for your date, they often have a call or video conference with the bride and groom to figure out things like start times for sets, extras like wedding party entries, any requests or first dance tunes and speaker position/general logistics. It’s a great way to come face to the face with the sax player who you are likely to hire before your wedding day and gives a sense of security that you are hiring the right person for you.
Next, the saxophonist will send a deposit invoice (often somewhere between 10-50%) which will need to be paid by the wedding party to lock in the date. The balance invoice is often sent in a week or so before the actual event (this differs from player to player), allowing you to add extra bits of performances or requests relatively late.
The invoice is calculated on the amount of playing that is done, some sort of travel allowance (I start charging petrol money if the gig takes over an hour to get to either way), sustenance/food (if the venue isn’t providing for the player) and any equipment hire (lights/PA). I include my PA/speakers and lights (if needed) in my quotes.
Most saxophone players will sort the music setlist a month or so in advance and often run it by the couple to make sure it is what they are after. More often than not, a set works best when there are a couple of requests but enough crowd pleasers that the performance will appeal to every one of your guests.
Many Saxophone players will have different approaches but they will broadly follow the steps above. If you and your partner would like to get in contact with Nick Pike Sax about your wedding then I’d love to hear from you!
Nick Pike Saxophone
A talented and versatile saxophonist, Nick plays iconic pop, funk and soul songs reworked with his unique touch. Nick Pike Saxophone is available throughout London, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Berkshire. Book now >
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