|
|
_Trickstar_ New user 26 Posts |
So I've been offered the chance to perform at a wedding. though this will be my first wedding as a professional magician, what details about the wedding should I be looking at getting off the client, I understand I need to know the venue and time obviously but what other important information should I get
on a side note, I've been booked to perform for 2 hours at 2pm till 4 pm, if food is served in between that time and I am unable to perform magic till after the food should I stay longer and charge more? |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
I remember a young fellow (thirty years ago) asking a somewhat similar question of an old pro'.,about doing trade shows. (We were standing at the counter at Magic Inc.) --He asked, "How much should I charge for a trade show?" The old pro' responded, "When you're ready to do a trade show, you wont need to ask that question!"
You shouldn't accept bookings for dates, until you already know what questions to ask. Being a professional isn't just about performing! Someone will probably come in here and tell you what they think you should KNOW, and ASK.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
_Trickstar_ New user 26 Posts |
That's not the issue I have performed events before but they were set up by people who have recommended me and I know what I'm charging, I'm not asking that, I'm doing the event. I've never been to a wedding before so I don't know how they go, I'd assume I'd be performing at the reception venue, the bride and groom are probably really busy preparing, I don't want to ask them any unnecessary or stupid question. all I want to know is when other magicians get booked for a wedding what details about the wedding do you ask for/ what question do you ask the client. I want to show up prepared and ready to perform to the best of my ability.
i know the wedding venue, I know the time I'm performing, I know how much ill be receiving when I finish, I know what routines ill be doing. I just want to make sure I'm not going in half blind. so what else should I find out about the event before I arrive |
mixman Loyal user Northern Colorado 294 Posts |
I have been performing weddings for a little over 30 years, both as a DJ and Magician. I would start by first asking you a question. Is this performance happening in the US, the UK, or somewhere else. the reason I ask as that wedding events and timelines are different in different countries. I can only speak from my experience here in the US. When I perform as a Magician at receptions, it is very much like any other strolling performance that I do. Usually, immediately after the end of the ceremony, the cocktail hour starts for guests to visit while the Bride and Groom finish with photos and prepare for the reception. Once photos are finished and the Bride and Groom are ready, they are usually introduced. sometimes with the wedding party and sometimes just the couple. After the introduction, they may either sit down and start the dinner, take a moment for some opening welcome, or even perform their first dance. During dinner, I go around and perform table magic for guests while they wait for the food or the toast. After dinner is when the toasts usually occur. That is when I pretty much stop performing as a Magician and go into DJ mode. I have occasionally been hired to perform as a Magician for the entire evening, but this is fairly rare. In my experience, I would say that 95% of the time, there is dancing or some type of music after the toast and cake cutting. The biggest thing to remember about weddings is that the Bride and Groom are the real stars of the event.
|
_Trickstar_ New user 26 Posts |
Hi mixman, thanks for the response, this is a uk wedding, I'm not performing for the whole evening, I'm only performing for 2 hours at 2pm till 4pm, though ill be trying to arrive there early as to see the layout if the venue and get prepared, as it is the bride and groom wedding and your right they are the stars they'll be really busy enjoying themselves, where do you find the time to approach them to perform magic. also should I get payment after or before I perform?, the client is the groom, should I ask for an itenary of some kind?
|
puggo Inner circle 2022 Posts |
Some suggestions:
-Ask to be put in touch with the wedding planner/contact at the venue/Toastmaster. Get timings from them if possible, rather than the wedding couple. If this is not possible, ask the groom/best man. -Be aware that some (of the nicer) UK venues ask the performers for a copy of their public liability insurance. If you don't have it and feel you want to get it, get in touch with Equity (around £120 per year). -2-4 PM could be during the photos and reception drinks - liaise with the photographer on the day so you work together. -If working during the wedding breakfast, don't do so while people are eating if possible. -Weddings are all about making the day go better, not about the performer. -Do what you think's best for payment, my only advice is don't accept checks and if taking payment on the day, ask if the best man/usher will be sorting it out. -On rare occasions, I don't get to perform for the Bride & Groom as they're busy at the times I'm working. If this is the case, don't 'force' it, but have a really quick, powerful effect to show them just in case you get the chance when saying goodbye. -Always have something for the kids, as most weddings will have a few. Good luck. Charlie |
MeetMagicMike Inner circle Gainesville Fl 3501 Posts |
Don't accept checks? Why not? I've never had a problem with a check.
|
55Hudson Special user Minneapolis 984 Posts |
Mix man and puggo have provided good input.
I would add a couple things (my experience limited to USA weddings). The goal of the wedding couple is that ten years from now, their guests will still be talking about how great this wedding was. Typically I perform strolling while the wedding party is off with the photographer. This is a time when everyone is hanging around just waiting for the couple to arrive. I only ever do one trick for the couple - Anniversary Waltz. Be flexible - always remember the wedding couple are the stars and anything you can do to help their guests have a great time is a good thing to do. Good luck! Hudson |
ThSecret Regular user 147 Posts |
I have never done magic at a wedding, however I was watching a Penguin Live Lecture (The name is slipping my mind right now, although it may have been David Stone). He said that you should have one strong effect where the majority of the people at the event can see it. That way, even if you do not get to stroll to every table, no matter who's opinion the bride and groom ask of the magician they can say they saw you. The spectator would reply something along the lines of, "Oh yeah.... was that the guy who popped a ballon on the dance floor, and a bottle of champaign appeared out of nowhere?
"A play does not take place on stage but in the minds of the spectators."
|
MazingMandy Special user Has tolerated the trolls here for 676 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 12, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: Well, that's helpful Dick. I assume you never asked a question of anyone before? |
imgic Inner circle Moved back to Midwest to see 1336 Posts |
Anniversary Waltz is a great trick for bride and groom. Doc Eason nad Garret a Thomas put out an hour long video you can still find for free (though you still need to buy the cards):
http://www.bigblindmedia.com/download-a-......utorial/ Another option for the happy couple is Axel Hecklau's Two: Fusion. You can see trailer here: http://www.axelhecklau-shop.com/lng/en/m......ols.html Good luck...have fun.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge."
|
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Sorry that you didn't think my reply was helpful enough, Mandy!
The OP's original questions didn't have any of the information that he shared in his next post. If he had shared that information in his first post, He would have gotten a better answer. I'm glad that I didn't waste my time giving him the information, that he already had, but, didn't mention. Please don't make assumptions. One must learn how to ask a question, to get the answer that one needs.
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
simplymagicweb Inner circle Norfolk, UK 1410 Posts |
Hi Trickstar - I'm also UK based, and perform at between 50 and 60 wedding annually so have made the wedding market core to my magic business. Rather than a long message here, please feel free to give me a buzz buddy - easier to talk than type! My contact details or on my website...
Magically,
Website - www.simplymagic.co.uk Twitter - www.twitter.com/simplymagic19 Facebook - www.facebook.com/SeanGoodmanMagician Creator of BDZ, Holidayz, The Grayle, DUO, Secret Servante, Genetics, Vision, Tick Tock, Starstruck, CelebriDate, MagiDate, Focus, SIGMA and R2R |
Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
Quote:
On Feb 20, 2017, MazingMandy wrote: That is freakin hilarious. |
Dick Oslund Inner circle 8357 Posts |
Patrick...I answered Mandy's post on Feb.20
SNEAKY, UNDERHANDED, DEVIOUS,& SURREPTITIOUS ITINERANT MOUNTEBANK
|
Magic Patrick Inner circle Minnesota 1591 Posts |
Quote:
On Jul 14, 2017, Dick Oslund wrote: So?!! It was still a funny reply no matter the date. |
The Magic Cafe Forum Index » » Table hoppers & party strollers » » Help with accepting my first wedding gig (3 Likes) |
[ Top of Page ] |
All content & postings Copyright © 2001-2024 Steve Brooks. All Rights Reserved. This page was created in 0.03 seconds requiring 5 database queries. |
The views and comments expressed on The Magic Café are not necessarily those of The Magic Café, Steve Brooks, or Steve Brooks Magic. > Privacy Statement < |