talkmagic.co.uk

Wedding reception on saturday. I had a 3 hour booking. When I arrived they were just serving the food, so I introduced myself to the bride's father and basically took a back seat while people ate their food - I popped onto a couple of tables (including the top table) between courses. Then the bride's mother came running over with a plate of food for me and insisted I sat down and ate it - which I did. Once the food was out of the way it was time for the speeches. I was given a glass of champagne and merrily toasted everyone's health. By the end of the speeches there was 15 minutes left of my booking. The bride's father came over and was full of praise about what a good job I'd done. He then paid my fee in £20 notes and gave me a £50 tip. Then I went home.

wow sounds like a great gig, I could do with some like that

so free food...free champers...funny speeches...and a £50 tip, and potential for future bookings?

Nice!

Result!

Well done, that man!

Nice one Cyril!

Personally I refuse to eat or drink (alcohol) if offered at a gig. I just have a soft drink if offered.

I don't like the thought of food in my teeth or my breath smelling of alcohol or strong food when performing close-up.

I would also feel really bad if I didn't get round to all the tables and wouldn't feel that I had done my job properly. It's happened once recently when the waiters were super fast in clearing plates and serving the next course. I now perform while people are eating (with their permission and not during the main course) if I don't think I will get round them all in the allotted time.

Nice tip though (I also got a £50 tip on Saturday - it's nice when you're appreciated)

I share some of your sentiments Kevin but I never perform while people are eating and wouldn't ask - but each to their own.

Just got my first 2008 booking today for a nice summer wedding My first since moving. Nice to break the duck again

dat8962 wrote:I share some of your sentiments Kevin but I never perform while people are eating and wouldn't ask - but each to their own.

When I first started working the wedding reception market I used to fret about working each and every table. Then I realised that it's the bride (or the father of the bride normally) who is actually paying the fee. So I do what they want me to. They normally point people out to me who I "must" go and perform for, and often the bride will want to monopolise me with her close friends (lucky me) - this is mainly due to the fact that I offer palm and tarot readings. I've even had the bride and groom take me away to a private room for a reading which managed to take up close to an hour of a two hour booking.

I think it's my performance style - bit of cards, bit more mind reading, shed loads of fortune telling - that means I have to be a bit more flexible and not sweat about how many tables I have to work. Rule number one however is always keep the top table happy.