Market rates for a wedding reception hour

[Jacob L]

Hi everyone!

I took about a 10 year hiatus from performing professionally for personal reasons.

I’ve recently put my services back out there and got an interested client for their wedding in March.

I’m curious what a standard rate is today for a weddings cocktail hour. I’d do walk around magic for 1-2 hours.

While I’m “restarting” the business side, I still have around 15 years of magic under my belt so I’m not a beginner.

I was thinking a going rate of 250/hr was reasonable for my skill and energy I bring to the table. Is this lowballing or not enough?

I’m also looking to book more restaurant gigs so trying to establish a good idea of market rates. There aren’t many magicians in my area, east TN.

Appreciate any advice!

 

[Justin.Morris]

Not sure about your area, but I was finding that if I charged $250 for the first hour and $150 for each additional hour, I got more 2 hour gigs than when I just did a straight $250/hour. Also, work out the math of how many tables each hour works out to based on your average routine length. That's very helpful to help them decide how many hours they might need.

 

[Jacob L]

Not sure about your area, but I was finding that if I charged $250 for the first hour and $150 for each additional hour, I got more 2 hour gigs than when I just did a straight $250/hour. Also, work out the math of how many tables each hour works out to based on your average routine length. That's very helpful to help them decide how many hours they might need.

Thanks for the reply! Based on the bride's budget and since I'm breaking back in the market, we settled on $200 for an hour. I'll be raising my rates after this since it was a good way to get the groove back. I think the 250-300/hr area is where I'll land based on my area and the info in The Approach by Jamie D Grant.
I do like the idea of the big payment for the first hour and then a discounted rate for each hour after though, glad that's working for you!