Hi, Joe… Several folks have jumped in already, saying pretty much everything I would say. While there are many points of disagreement among callers, we seem to be of one mind on weddings.
A wedding is a barn dance. Circles, easy squares (if the numbers work out), whole-set longways (one couple active, e.g. Virginia Reel). No duple minors, no chains or right-and-lefts, no ultra-quick changes of facing direction. The only exception is if the bride and groom are contra dancers and some of the guests are, too. But even in that case, I would do mostly dances of one-nighter level, with maybe one or two contras “for those who know how” – and I would definitely not do the contras before the easier dances; it might well scare the other guests away from trying anything. Squares and contras, even fairly easy ones, look much harder to spectators than you might realize. I don’t teach a buzz swing at one-nighters (including weddings), and seldom do I suggest a ballroom hold for the swing. I use elbow turns and/or two-hand turns, depending on the age mix (two-hand turns work better if there are wide disparities in height), and always with a walking step. It sounds as if you’re wondering if a band hired separately can play for you. Be very, very clear about what you want; listen to a sample of the band well before the day. They may or may not want to work with you; they may or may not get the trad/32-measure idiom. Be willing to use recorded music if necessary. Sound: I bring my own, but I know not all callers have a system. Again, be crystal clear about what you need. Alcohol: I charge what the traffic will bear, booze or no booze. Weddings are work, regardless. I find that alcohol doesn’t make my job a lot harder if I keep the figures easy and keep everyone moving (so they sweat off the liquor). High heels: While some women are willing to remove their shoes to dance (depending on how smooth/rough the floor is), my preference is for the invitation to make clear that there will be trad group dancing and that comfortable clothes and low heels are recommended. I agree with those who said that recruitment should be the farthest thing from your mind. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com/> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (available now) From: Joe Harrington via Contra Callers <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, July 3, 2023 3:53 PM To: Shared Weight Callers <[email protected]> Subject: [Callers] calling weddings Any advice for calling weddings? I've been asked to call my first one and I don't see a lot of wedding-specific advice online. What do you ask them in advance, how do you approach it, what are good dances to call? I'm assuming that a workshop is impractical, so it's barn dances and maybe working up to a contra by the end? Try to teach a swing? Some advice I've gotten so far: Band - can they play contras, am I DJing instead, if so what kind of music, trad or pop? Floor - make sure it's big enough, get length, width, and surface Sound system - what is it and is there a sound tech? Duration - how long they'll want to dance Dancers - how many, any experienced guests? Special dances - first, parents, bouquet, last? Will the bride and groom dance? (If not, nobody will) Will there be alcohol? (one person suggested doubling the fee if there is) Will many women be in high heels? I welcome any advice! My main goal in taking wedding gigs is recruiting new dancers to our local scene, if that matters. Thanks, --jh--
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