I do, and for a special treat, my wife
and I recently tried out the newest
Chinese restaurant in town.
As expected, the meal was wonderful,
but we had trouble getting started.
The menu listed easily over 120 selections.
They ranged from a few familiar favorites,
like "Broccoli Beef", to lots of vague items
like "Gold and Silver Platter", "Pu Pu Platter",
and "Happy Family".
Huh? What are all those?
A quick conversation with the waiter
set us straight. After asking about our
preferences, our appetite, and our budget,
he described a few excellent options, and
we made our selections.
I'm happy to say everything worked out
very well.
But at the beginning I felt like the eager
bride-to-be or event-planner who calls me
and starts our conversation by asking
"
Hey Robbie, What's your fee?"
Now don't get me wrong. Her question is
perfectly understandable. Really, I get it --
Unless the money is right, nothing else matters.
Sometimes the budget REALLY is her highest
concern.
Sometimes we ALL have to shop around
for the best price.
But too often, "
What's your fee?"
is the ONLY question she asks.
In my experience, this bride-to-be is
often just as bewildered as I was in
that restaurant.
She just needs help getting started.
And I'm always glad to help.
Back in the restaurant, I knew that
if I began by asking about the price,
I'd overlook some important options.
And as it turned out, they made an
enormous difference.
So to help this bride, I always recommend
that she examine her options.
What are her possible choices? What is each
choice like? What are the pros and cons of
each choice?
Then we'll have a nice, helpful conversation.
We'll talk about the mood she wants to
create, where she plans her celebration,
and how many guests she expects.
We'll also talk about what she wants her
celebration to LOOK like, and more important,
what she wants it to SOUND like.
We'll talk about special features she wants,
like songs she'll request for her ceremony,
cocktail party, dinner party, and dancing.
Does she want a band (and what style?),
or a DJ, or something else?
Once I know all that, I can recommend the
perfect version of my band for her wedding.
The best size, and what instruments to include.
I'll always want to help her, but ONLY THEN
can I answer "What's your fee?".
So here's that Tip I promised you:
When you begin planning music, collect all your
creative options first, and leave the "nuts & bolts"
details for later.
Sometimes we can get to this point faster:
I LOVE it whenever anyone calls me about
planning music, ESPECIALLY when they begin
by asking me "
What are my options?".
That lets us jump into this productive
conversation right away.
So whenever you "sort of" know what you want
but are "lost in the woods" about choosing...
You can call me. Let's talk about your options.
I'll add the voice of experience to your wedding
or party planning.
