Answers
to frequently asked questions:
1. Do you
charge for your set up time? No. The time that you
pay for is calculated from the time that we start playing.
We will arrive at your event 20-30 minutes before we are
scheduled to play and do not charge you for our set up
time.
2. Do you
need a sound system? No. We do not require
amplification except in very unusual circumstances.
3. If my
wedding takes place on the beach, will you play?
Yes. We can play indoors or outdoors. We can also move
easily and quickly from one location to another, should
your plans require it. Musicians need shelter to protect
their valuable instruments. Sun shade can be provided with
umbrellas, porticos or natural shade cover. In the case of
rain (rare for Santa Barbara!), we require solid overhead
protection. We have performed at a variety of churches and
event venues in the Santa Barbara County area (the Four Seasons Biltmore, the Bacara Resort, Fess Parker's Double Tree Resort,
Fess Parker's Inn & Spa and
Vineyards, Firestone Vineyard, the Ojai Valley Inn, Santa Ynez Inn, the Hilltop Farm and
the Rose Story Farm).
4. How soon
do I need to decide on my musical selections? If you
don’t want anything other than what is listed on our
repertoire list, you can make your finalize your decision
as late as one week before the wedding. For help in
choosing, there are lots of web sites which play a wide
variety of wedding music:
http://www.wedalert.com/songs/index.asp
We are also happy to consult with you over the phone about
this. You might want to take family members into
consideration in helping you make your choice.
5. My
fiancé and I have would like to hear a song we heard the
night we met. Can you play it for us? If you request
music that we do not own, we will do a search to see if it
is in print. If it is, we will purchase it and add the cost
to your bill (Generally this is not more than $20). If not,
we may be able to arrange the music for a fee (minimum of
$60). If it is not suitable for strings, we will let you
know so that you don’t waste your money.
6. My
cousin is a singer and I'd like her to sing at my wedding.
Can you play something with her? Yes, we have
several songs in our repertoire already. If she wants to do
something unusual, it will depend on the availability of
the music or whether we need to arrange it (see above). We
will need a short rehearsal with the singer for one half an
hour prior to the event.
7. We are
following a traditional format at our church/synagogue.
Will you know when to play during the ceremony? We
have played for a wide variety of religious denominations
and secular events. We have played for hundreds of
occasions and have many years of experience amongst us.
8. Do you
charge a travel fee? Depending on the distance to
the event, compensation for travel may be added to our fee.
We will let you know in our initial proposal.
9. My
wedding is at a private home with little room for parking.
Can you come in one car? Yes, if parking is at a
premium at your event, the musicians can carpool to reduce
the parking spaces needed. If we know we need extra time
for parking, we will arrive early to unload our instruments
and move the car away from the site.
10. How
much room do you need for your group to play? The
entire quartet can fit in a space of about 8’ by 10’.
11. Do you
take breaks? Yes, if we are playing longer than one
hour. For a wedding with cocktail hour, one ten minute
break is required. For events longer than two hours, one
fifteen minute break will be taken every hour and a half.
12. What's the difference between a trio/duo and a
quartet? The difference is in the number of
players involved--a quartet is four people, a trio is
three, and a duo, two, and also the instruments used
(violins, viola and/or cello). The size of the ensemble
effects the volume and the richness of the sound. A trio or
a duo can sound lovely, especially in smaller settings or
indoors.
13. I'm looking for a dance band for our reception.
Can you recommend other musicians? Yes. We highly
recommend Heather Levin's agency, All Occasions Entertainment. She can
help you find a variety of bands and djs. Other
musicians we know well and enjoy working with include
guitarist Anthony Ybarra, flutist Suzanne Duffy who plays classical music
but also has an Irish Folk band, and Ciambella, a folk group with a gypsy
flare.
SOME
HELPFUL LINKS:
Below are some links to various wedding sites to help you
with your planning. These sites can help you find
everything from florists to photographers to wedding cakes.
www.WeddingManor.com
www.decidio.com
