We're considering having a modern choir to sing at our ceremony. A friend at work used to sing with them but gave it up not long after performing at another work colleague's wedding in 2012. Gemma (whose wedding they did in 2012) suggested that we have them at our wedding and said that she was charged £50 per person for 5 people but our co-worker waived her fee.
I've had a quote back of £550 for 4/5 people. This includes joining in with the hymns, singing as the guests are arriving (she didn't say how many songs), a song as I walk down the aisle, two songs during the signing of the register and an 'exit song'. H2B thinks this is too much to spend considering our DJ has only charged £170 for four hours. He isn't very keen on the whole idea, but I think it would make our ceremony a bit different and special. Is it too much and should I try and negotiate it down a bit?
CommentAuthorInDreamland
It's a lot of money but if you really want them and they're worth the money to you then go for it. Try negotiate them down.
Personally I think it's a lot to spend, especially compared to the £80 we spent on just the organist for our ceremony.
Each to their own though x
Married the love of my life on Saturday 11th May 2013 xxx
Had our dream perfect honeymoon in Hawaii!
CommentAuthorKatieH
We have the option to have a choir and it's an extra £60 on top of the church fee. £550 seems way too much.
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorCatherineR
Personally I wouldn't pay that amount for what you are getting and I'm a musician myself however you have to bare in mind that the £50 per singer is to cover hire for any music they will need, travel expenses, rehearsal time, hiring of the space they rehearse in etc etc and when you consider that each piece of music can be as little as £5-£50 just per piece it's not really much per person. It's quite the norm really but I could go on. Personally I would get the organist to play as that won't be anymore than £50-£100 depending on the church xx
Married my wife on 15.08.15
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CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
It seems a lot in comparison to what Gemma was charged. We're on quite a tight budget aswell. Wondering if it's worth trying to haggle a little bit?
I think that's kinda steep tbh. We had a string trio play from 12pm (as our guests arrived for the 1pm ceremony), throughout the ceremony, and then from 1.50-3.20pm for the drinks reception and we paid £530; and they were top musicians (have played on 5tr1ctly, as well as with people like K@ny3 W35t and 5h1rley B@55ey, etc). That said, if we'd wanted them just for the ceremony it wouldn't have been a huge amount less as obv they need to make money so if they've had to travel they need to allow for it (plus it might mean they can't take another booking/are limiting themselves).
Whether it's worth it is very personal and, I would say, depends on your budget and how much you like/want them. For us, our string trip were worth every penny, they were amazing and really made it.
CommentAuthor*KelBel*
It does seen a lot for what you're getting, our string quartet for the ceremony alone would have been £280 but we are having them for an extra 1.5 hrs to entertain guests during the drinks reception so have paid £445 all in x
Velcro...my wedding day twinny! The Two Kel's!
Got engaged 14/10/12 in Central Park NYC!
Became Mrs Macdonald 13th September 2014
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CommentAuthorKatieH
We are also having a harpist for the ceremony and for the welcome drinks and we are paying 380
Met in 2007
Started dating in 2009
Got engaged in 2014
Became Mrs Holme 11.06.16
CommentAuthorFlossie
I think that does sound quite steep, but if it's something you really want and you can afford it, then why not? I think all things entertainment-wise are quite expensive!
Our DJ is going to work out at around £420 from 7.30 - midnight and with a few bits of extra equipment included in the cost. We also have a harpist to play throughout the wedding breakfast which is £320 for 2 hours of playing.
Happily married
18th June 2016
xx
CommentAuthorTeresa
I think it's is quite pricy but if it's what you want, maybe see how your budget goes and if you have spare book them x
CommentAuthorCharlotteE98
I think, much as I hate to admit it, H2B is right on this one! And when I thought about it last night I don't think I'd be able to negotiate them down very much.
I'm sure we'll come up with something better that's cheaper :o)
