I usually charge $250 to $300. As you stated, there are many factors involved that affect the decision. If they are close friends I have offered to call as a wedding gift.
Rich > On Nov 10, 2025, at 1:32 PM, Joseph Erhard-Hudson via Contra Callers > <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Hi all, > > A good friend I made through contra dance has asked me to call some dancing > at her wedding reception. (She is also a budding caller who I mentored for a > while as she was getting started.) As soon as I said "yes", she asked what > compensation would be meaningful to me, which strikes me as a thoughtful and > thought-provoking way to put it. > > While I ponder my answer, I'm curious to hear what other callers charge for > wedding dances. If there's a range, would you ask differently for newly-met > people vs. friends from your dance community vs. close friends and family? > What other factors would you consider? > > For myself, for very close friends I have sometimes refused payment out of > love, considering it a wedding gift to them. Others view their own wedding as > a time of outward generosity and wouldn't dream of paying less than the > customary amount, whatever the heck that is. (I am also an occasional wedding > officiant and faced the same conundrum there, but at least have a more > well-defined range of fees from the local community to fall back on when > either side considers full payment to be needed.) > > I have called enough family events that I know what to bring and what to > expect as a caller. I'd just like to focus on compensation here, unless > there's something about the work that's needed from the caller that would > influence what you ask. > > Joseph Erhard-Hudson > Moscow, Idaho > _______________________________________________ > Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] > To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected] _______________________________________________ Contra Callers mailing list -- [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to [email protected]
