The Booking Process

To book your musicians:

First, give us a call or email to determine availability, and then:

• Select your ensemble. Click here for options, and of course we're always available to help you decide.
• Tell us the time we should start and end - or at least the time of the ceremony and an estimate of how much total time you'll need music. See sidebar at right for tips on timeframes. >
• Tell us the location of your event so we can calculate any necessary travel fee and plan our schedule for that day.

Once the above three things are in place, we will supply you with a bid; when we've agreed upon a price and determined ensemble, time and location, we'll mail you two copies of our contract. Keep one for your records, and sign and mail the other back to us with your check or money order for the deposit (usually 50%).

The rest of the story:

Choose your music - look over repertoire lists, see playlists from past weddings we've played, read our handy ceremony music planning guide, and use our planning sheet to work out your ceremony music program. Need advice or help deciding? That's what we're here for.

Send us the remaining balance 1 - 2 weeks before the wedding. At the same time, we should finalize all the details and communicate any changes.

Relax and enjoy your wedding! If that's not a good idea, we don't know what is.

Here's a copy of our contract, if you'd like to glance over it: Collage Music Engagement Contract

Want to see where we've played? Here's a current list (as of September 2009).

Now for a few nuts and bolts...

Cancellation Policy: In the unfortunate event that a booking must be cancelled by you, we will refund any payments including the deposit amount up to 60 days prior to the date of the engagement. After that point, the deposit amount is not refundable. If a contracted musician is ill or otherwise cannot play, we will employ a highly competent substitute from our preferred roster.

Method of Payment: we accept checks and cash; in very special circumstances where a check or cash is not possible, we can accept credit card payments through PayPal.

Our Basic Requirements

1. We require one armless chair per musician. If you'll need us to set up in two (or more) locations throughout the event, it's really helpful to have a set of chairs at each location, so we can make our transition more quickly.

2. We require one 10-minute break after each hour of service (when we are playing for a ceremony and cocktail hour, this means we'll take a short break after the recessionals and an appropriate amount of post-lude music, and then we'll start our cocktail hour set).

3. We need adequate shelter. While we enjoy playing outdoors, we cannot play in direct sun nor rain. The elements can damage our instruments irreversibly in a matter of minutes - string instruments especially must be treated as though they're made of sugar. Most wedding venues and event rental services can provide a canopy or umbrella. Dense tree shade is usually sufficient.

4. We require final payment no later than the date of performance. You may mail it to us in advance, or deliver it in person at the event.

5. Access to a working electrical outlet within 25 feet is critical if we are providing amplification for ourselves, unless we are providing a battery-powered amp; read more at the following link:

Click here for important information about amplification

Contact Susan at 503.317.5825 for information, booking, and questions.