Weddings I did a wedding on May 1, 2010..and I could have made more.

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DJMN

New DJ
Feb 6, 2007
4,533
1
45
Northern Minnesota
So I did an awesome wedding on May 1, 2010.

Well right when the main dance started, the grooms father came to pay the last 75%.

He asked me.."How much?"

I said.."well we booked at $700...you gave me a check for $175 which is 25% down...so the total would be $525."

He said..."Are you sure?"


Anyways..so he hands me $530 because he had no fives. I said thank you, he said thank you.

So as the night completed, and everyone was packing up and leaving, the dad graciously thanked us over and over again. He asked "ARE YOU SURE WE ARE GOOD, DO YOU NEED MORE?"

I said..."Nah, it was a blast, and we are all good" I will accept tips if presented.

Well, he hugs me, and they on their merry way.


So on the way home..I sat and pondered this thinking...why did he keep asking questions like that.

When I got home...I found the contract..and sure enough...I booked them at $800! :sqlaugh:


So yea..I kinda ripped myself off in a sense.

So they ended up paying the $200+$530...which adds up to $730 for all you horrible mathematicians.

So yea..I short changed myself...$70. :sqmad: My fault!

So I get a idiot reward on this one. But your turn..take your best shot at me. I totally blew it on this one.


(Edited note here: The $70 does not make or break me...but just sharing a silly story)
 
Brain farts will happen to the best of us.

As an aside, Ducky and I carry a reciept book and the client's folder (contains contracts, planner, and any other notes) to the weddings, that way it we're not sure on something, we can just look it up.
 
I carry contract and planner and any emails in a folder with a sticky note inside the front cover showing price, down payment, and amount owed, and anything special I need to know quick.
 
I second Dougs post.


Dave
 
Doug said:
I carry contract and planner and any emails in a folder with a sticky note inside the front cover showing price, down payment, and amount owed, and anything special I need to know quick.
Click to expand...

Along those same lines, although I get payment in advance, Gigbuilder has a good summery page that can be printed for each event that includes all the essentials as well as balances.
 
Not to start a whole argument here, but this is one of the prime reasons we have payment in full in advance. So much is going on the day of an event from both sides, from us setting up and make sure everything is ready to the client being frantic (have you ever had one that wasnt? lol) that things like this can happen.

Make it so full payment is due X number of days (ours is 7) before the event and you will not have this happen again.
 
And I would also add, it is obvious the FOB knew he owed more, and that was kind of a cheap move not just paying what he knew he owed.
 
Wedding planning is extremely busy and the last thing you or the paying party want to think about is getting paid on the day of the event. Do yourself a favor and require that the event be pain in advance at least 10 days before the event :)
 
patrickrlewis said:
Not to start a whole argument here, but this is one of the prime reasons we have payment in full in advance. So much is going on the day of an event from both sides, from us setting up and make sure everything is ready to the client being frantic (have you ever had one that wasnt? lol) that things like this can happen.

Make it so full payment is due X number of days (ours is 7) before the event and you will not have this happen again.
Click to expand...

mikemerlin said:
Wedding planning is extremely busy and the last thing you or the paying party want to think about is getting paid on the day of the event. Do yourself a favor and require that the event be pain in advance at least 10 days before the event :)
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Yup! I changed my stipulations in April, and my new contract is 25% down, and the remainder balance to be paid and cleared (check) before actual event.
 
Adam dont beat yourself up. We all have our moments. Today I thought I was to receive a remaining balance of 695. I had actually received 300 for my booking fees which I have had for 3 yrs lol. So I had thought I was going to get 95 more in the end. I did get a tip though at the end of the night making my total 1050. Yes I do gain final payment on the day but before starting and in cash with a proper receipt.
 
mine is always 7 to 14 days before said event, for monies to be cleared

if not paid before and the event is over and still not paid
they are charged @ a rate of 14% interest per fortnight or part thereof in bookkeeping fees and recovery costs
its legal because was added by a lawyer over 20 years ago
never had a problem since
 
patrickrlewis said:
Not to start a whole argument here, but this is one of the prime reasons we have payment in full in advance. So much is going on the day of an event from both sides, from us setting up and make sure everything is ready to the client being frantic (have you ever had one that wasnt? lol) that things like this can happen.

Make it so full payment is due X number of days (ours is 7) before the event and you will not have this happen again.
Click to expand...

Do you feel that doing this may make it more likely to get a tip the night of the event? I know that is not why you get payment upfront, just interested.
 
knardini said:
Do you feel that doing this may make it more likely to get a tip the night of the event? I know that is not why you get payment upfront, just interested.
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I don't know what Patricks answer might be but, I also require full payment 30 days prior to the event... but, not because I think it will improve my chances of getting a tip. It's more of a convience they don't have to worry about paying me before the event and I don't have to worry about being paid.
 
Exactly what Ron said.

It is all about making it easier for the client. No matter who is in charge of paying you, they are going to have a million things on their mind and I like to take just one of those things off their mind. There is no running around the day off trying to figure out who is supposed to pay you, how much is owed and all the stuff. I can show up, unpack, set up, play, and break down without having to track anyone down.

If they want to tip, that is fine, but I never expect one. My agreed on price is the agreed on price.
 
Ok chit heads..rest of the story...lol.

Don't even comment just take it for what it is worth. Because even though everything worked out...I could have kept my mouth shut.



So last friday night...I end up seeing the mom and dad for the bride and groom. If fact I had three previous wedding client couples there. :sqbiggrin:

Anyways..so these two parents are talking me up..and telling me how much business I will be getting...how much the bragged me up...that their son was beyond happy...everyone had a great time..you get the idea.

I was like..."Yea..oh my goodness was that ever a great time." I said something like...."And with no planning from your son...it turned out awesome!"

I have gotten to know these parents well enough where I feel comfortable talking to them this way.

So then I mention something in the lines of..."Yea remember when you were asking me if everything was good...I thought maybe I overcharged." And I explained what I said above.

The wife goes..."He will pay you!"

I kinda in a loud voice said "I WILL NOT TAKE YOUR DAMN MONEY...everyone had a great time...and we are all squared away!"

She was like..no we kinda thought it was for $800 and we dont want to short change you. I again...told them like 5 times...I will not take their money..because I was completely happy..and everything went great.

Well as I kept talking to the mom..the dad went to the bar...I assumed he was getting a drink..NOPE...here he comes with a wad of cash.

He lifted my hand up and said "Here ya go!"

I pulled my hand down and said..."(HIS NAME HERE) I will not take your money...everything is great...I really enjoyed myself...and I absolutely refuse to take any money from you!"

The wife goes.."Fine...we will split the difference..YOU WILL TAKE HALF, and we will call it good." Grabbing the money from the dad..and putting $50 in my hand! I said..I am really ok with nothing...but if you are going to twist my arm and give this to me..I will take it..and from the bottom of my heart...I appreciate it! I gave them both a big hug.

They said..."No it was worth it. So many people are still talking about your performance."




The reason I dont want comments..is because I am a real person, and I feel like chit for even saying anything. But I know this mom and dad has became my friends..and it was a neat story to share with them. I really wish they would have accepted that I was unwilling to take any more money from them. I cant feel bad they kinda forced me to take the money....but my goodness. You know I feel like chit. Even though you know somebody...and everything is great...doesnt mean you go and talk about it, at all!

I was happy with what I got...and I really should have never talked about it again to the clients.

So let's not even go there. Its pointless.
 
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