When you think, “destination wedding,” you probably picture ocean side ceremonies and a smaller, close-knit group of family and friends.  While a paradise wedding sounds lovely and serene, the intense planning that goes into this type of celebration is mind-boggling.  Even with a shorter guest list, the flowers, food, table settings, decorations, entertainment, and travel arrangements must be handled from all the way back home.
 
One of our GigMasters clients came up with a great way to have their destination wedding without a lot of added stress.  Picture California wine country – an elegant, isolated winery, with beautiful architecture, endless views, and all-inclusive arrangements for private parties. 
 
For this bride-to-be, an upscale, yet welcoming atmosphere was at the top of her wish list for both her wedding ceremony and reception.  The Eagle Castle Winery in Paso Robles, California fit these criteria, and boasts some impressive amenities as well.  This winery, in particular, provides full catering, and a tasty menu.  They are even able to provide the wedding cake.
 
We found this choice for a wedding venue to be unique and inspired.  While one could host a variety of private parties at a winery, the location, food, and, of course, the wine, make for a sophisticated - and delicious - wedding celebration.

With a more intimate setting and guest list, hiring a solo musician such as a Flamenco Guitarist or Italian Singer would accent the tranquil mood of this location.

Having your wedding at a winery also makes for some great wedding favor ideas, including personalized glassware, bottle openers, and sampled selections of wine.
 
Thanks again to our client for sharing her wedding plans – we wish her a successful and memorable celebration.

If your event is coming up soon, then you have, by now, chosen your party venue, hired entertainment, organized the seating chart for your guests, picked the lineup of hors devours, and re-stocked the bar.  You have also learned that every detail counts! 

One detail you may not have thought about is the attire of your hired entertainment.  We went ahead and asked our performers what clients should expect from their wardrobes, and how much say clients should have in the outfit choice.

All of our performers explained that their attire is dependent on the event, the venue, and the client’s needs. 

We found out that, firstly, looking professional, yet comfortable, was most important to bands, string ensembles, solo musicians, DJ’s, dancers, and other variety entertainers.  Dressing appropriately for outdoor conditions, or indoor lighting, is essential to performing with ease.  Be sure to let your entertainer know about the particulars of your party venue – indoors or outdoors, formal or casual, on a stage under lights, or underneath a tent.  All of these factors will contribute to their clothing choice, as well as other aspects of their setup.

We also found that performers welcome special requests from their clients.  For example, if they are performing in a wedding ceremony, they are often willing to coordinate their outfit with the bridal party or the overall color scheme of the wedding.

Also, let them know if your event has a special theme.  They have heard it all – even requests for 80’s band costumes:  One of our members, Deja Blu Variety Dance Band told us,

“The wildest event we were asked to play was for a construction company whose theme song was “Working in the Coal Mine” – they asked us to dress up like DEVO, from the 80’s.  They lost their budget so we never got to do the DEVO thing.  Don’t know what I would have done since there were no females in that band. :o) ”

Most performers are willing to accommodate unusual requests, as they share the same goal as the host: to make the event a success.

We hope this information is helpful!

GigMasters recently added “Americana” to its roster of Live Band categories.

What we find most intriguing about this musical genre is both the history and the wide range of influences it echoes.  Americana music blurs the lines between country, rock & roll, rhythm & blues, bluegrass, and folk genres.  It is often described as “Roots Rock” – music that runs deep and carries the sounds and stories of American culture. 

Some notable Americana musicians include Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Van Morrison, Alison Krauss, Grateful Dead, Elvis Presley, and Wilco.

Pete Knapp of Shut Eye Records promotes Americana music under some other clever names, my favorites being “Cow Punk” and “Y’allternative.”  These names certainly characterize the banjo, guitar, and fiddling of this genre.   

Be sure to check out our Americana Bands, just in time for our most patriotic holidays – these musicians will set the tone for Memorial Day and 4th of July parties across the country. 

Baltimore Band Examiner, Jeff Schad, recently asked his readers,

"Who here has had that dream? The one where you're taking in an amazing live show by a local band that impresses you way more than expected. You start thinking huge party on your buddy's uncle's cousin's farm."

I know I have had that dream, and in my dream, my live music festival would be called "Ame-aroo".  Not very original, I know.  But his article, "GigMasters Delivers on Local Entertainment Bookings," goes on to highlight GigMasters as an example of how to make your live music show possible. 

Jeff also discusses how "New models in the music industry are rapidly changing things...".  GigMasters definitely stands by the idea that bands and other performers should take an active approach to self-advertising online - It's a great way to get your band's name out there and get more gigs.

Thanks for the shout out, Jeff!  

If you are like me, then you have been welcoming the recent and untimely glimpses into hot summer weather.  If you are like me, you are also living in fear of Swine Flu.  Feeling excitement mixed with anxiety as it relates to global and health issues means only one thing:  It’s time to get together with friends and party - while we still can! 

Cinco de Mayo is coming up this week, celebrating Mexican heritage, and also observing the defeat of Mexico’s army at the Battle of Puebla on the date in 1862.  Traditionally, this holiday has been celebrated in both Mexico and the United States with great food, music, and dancing.  If you are still looking for Cinco de Mayo party ideas, you might consider hiring a Mariachi Band, or taking your celebration to the streets by hiring a Mobile DJ.

With summertime also on its way, we are approaching Block Party season.  So start dusting off the grill and the tiki torches, and make sure there is enough room on your street, driveway, or backyard patio for a dance floor.  The GigMasters Team has put together a list of the Top Ten Block Party Songs to amplify the summer atmosphere at your next outdoor party – enjoy!     

    
GigMasters’ Top Ten Block Party Songs:

1. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
2. Love Shack – The B52’s
3. Summertime – DJ Jazzy Jeff and Fresh Prince
4. Take It Easy – The Eagles
5. Sittin’ On the Dock of the Bay – Otis Redding
6. Margaritaville – Jimmy Buffett
7. Scarlet Begonias – Grateful Dead
8. Oye Como Va – Santana
9. In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry
10. Kokomo – The Beach Boys

And be sure to check out our growing Tribute and Cover Band categories for talented groups near you!

Love is in the air! Here’s the latest in celebrity engagement and wedding news—from across the pond to Canada to Texas!

• It was aisle dash #2 for Salma Hayek and husband François-Henri Pinault this weekend at the Venice opera house. The two were originally married Valentine’s day in Paris.
  
• Heidi Montag followed in Hayek’s footsteps and had a do-over wedding with Spencer Pratt this weekend. The couple’s first wedding was in November.
  
• Andy Roddick & Brooklyn Decker recently took the plunge in Austin, TX where none other that Sir Elton John played for the newlyweds. Talk about entertainment! Fellow tennis pro Roger Federer also got hitched, to tennis player Miroslava "Mirka" Vavrinec, this month.
  
• Bad boy Fred Durst of Limp Bizkit fame tweeted about tying the knot with his girlfriend in July. And CSI star Lauren Lee Smith said “I do” in April to her photographer sweetie, in her home of Canada.
  

CELEBRITIZE: A recurring theme this month was to make your wedding your own—whether you plan to have more than one of them or not! We can’t all have a knight play at our weddings, but keep cover/tribute bands in mind—it’s the latest trend in wedding entertainment. Also, think about a non-traditional venue - they make for amazing, memorable events. And, we think there's nothing cooler than juxtaposing the music with the venue, like a hard rock band in an opera house.

GigMasters clients have asked us in the past what our policy is on tipping performers.  While we feel that tips are a great way to show your appreciation, we know that every event and every customer is unique, so we leave this decision up to them.  What we can offer are, well - some tips:

Most bands, solo musicians, and variety entertainers have let us know that tips are “not expected, but greatly appreciated.”  They have also told us that in their past experience, they have received additional compensation on top of their performance fee about 50% of the time. 

So if you find yourself blown away by a performance, or exceptionally satisfied with an entertainer’s professionalism and chemistry with their audience, a tip is a great way to show your thanks.

When it comes to the actual “mechanics” of tipping, you might consider simply adding some extra cash to your payment, whether by cash or check, at the end of your event.  If you have already paid your performer in full before the event has taken place, you could offer an envelope with cash or check as the performer leaves. 

When calculating the tip, this amount is truly up to the client.  If you are more comfortable with offering a percentage based on the performance fee, our members have agreed that anywhere from 5% to 20% of the overall price is appropriate. 

There are situations when additional compensation is customary.  Many dancers expect tips from party guests, either during the event, or afterward.  This should be discussed before your event takes place in order to clarify what the performer expects in terms of overall payment.

Also, if you are attending a public event at a restaurant or bar, and a tip jar is visible, show the performer some love.          

Overall, tipping should not be a worrisome topic if you are hiring entertainment for your event.  GigMasters performers are happy to do what they do best - entertain - whether that means singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or telling jokes.  Offering additional payment is thought of as encouragement and positive reinforcement.

We hope this information is helpful!  

 

April showers bring…May proposals! While the winter holidays are still the #1 most popular time for marriage proposals, spring is not far behind. To that end, GigMasters filtered through all of the great wedding planning feedback we’ve gotten over the years and narrowed it down to the “Top 3 Things To Ask/Tell Your Wedding Performer” for engaged couples. There are lots of entertainment options for brides and grooms—and we 100% encourage the consideration of all of them! Here are a few simple rules to follow to ensure a great time is had by all.

1. Plan ahead and communicate: If possible, meet with your performer ahead of time. Even if you can't meet in person, do your homework, make joint lists and have at least one phone conversation to get on the same page. Always ask to speak to their most recent clients and/or clients whose circumstances are similar to yours (ie. same reception site, extra-large wedding parties, guest "performances," etc.)
   
2. Be clear…crystal clear: If there are dealbreakers such as a “do not play” list or a time limit you must stick to come toast time, put it in writing. You can --and should -- go as far as mapping out the flow of the evening. A rigid schedule may be hard to keep since there are many other factors, like food service, but a general flow with ballpark time-frames will help keep your event on track. The only kind of surprises you want—and your performer wants for you—are pleasant ones.
   
3. Ask the tough questions: Find out up front what the cost is going to be should you and your spouse decide to extend the playlist, even if (or especially if) you’re not planning on it. Also, find out if your band / DJ has experience dealing with insistent song requesters, technical difficulties, weather issues, etc. You should feel confident that they will deal gracefully with whatever comes their way. Examples they use to answer these questions make for great references. Don't be shy -- if they tell you about the wedding where the electricity went out for an hour, and they had to play acoustically, ask if you can speak to that couple!
   

Celebritize: When in doubt, choose a first song that speaks to you as a couple. Check out these famous first dance titles, and tell us it wasn’t a love story in the making.

• Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore - At Last (Etta James)
• Courtney Cox & David Arquette - Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul McCartney)
• Niki Taylor & Burney Lamar - Better Together (Jack Johnson)
• Pink & Carey Hart - She's Always a Woman (Billy Joel)

As the 2.2 million brides and grooms-to-be out there gear up for the 2009 wedding season, we're taking a good look at the wedding news, planning sites and blogs out there—and there’s a lot out there! Despite the economic storm, couples need not run for cover; a beautiful wedding is possible--on any budget. In fact, there are all kinds of online tools, articles and information available for those who are willing to spend some time doing their homework. As GigMasters helps couples find the perfect entertainment, there are other sites out there to help make "the big day" beautiful. To get you started, here’s a round-up of what’s being posted on 3 of the top wedding blogs around:

WWW.BRIDES.COM/BLOG: This how-to/ what-to-do guide prides itself on being the source for bridal fashion—and even posts direct from the NYC couture shows. Recent “Wedded Bits” Post: Attack of the 49-foot-bride, voiced by Reese Witherspoon in “Monsters vs. Aliens,” plays fashionista!

WWW.THEKNOT.COM/BLOG: “Wedding Obsessions” is all about creativity and style for everything wedding—with budget in mind. This co-written blog for the brides and by the brides gives ideas on everything from engagement to honeymoon. Recent Post: Did you know it’s possible to hold your reception in a sports stadium?!

WWW.WEDDINGBEE.COM: Talk about a team effort! This blog-only site has virtual “reporters” from all over sending photos and ideas for the many types of weddings and couples out there. Heavy on décor ideas and hair/beauty, Wedding Bee feels like a best friend who’s full of handy tips. Recent Post: Recession-proof accessories…’nuff said.

TIP FOR ENGAGED COUPLES: After determining a budget, make a wish list with your fiancé of the things that are most important to you both. Then, consider wedding blogs and online tools to figure out where to get the most bang for your buck so that you’re both happy in the planning process. That in itself is worth its weight in gold!