{"id":17,"date":"2012-02-16T16:54:54","date_gmt":"2012-02-16T21:54:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/stringsetc.net\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2012-10-20T18:41:16","modified_gmt":"2012-10-20T22:41:16","slug":"string-rock","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/?page_id=17","title":{"rendered":"FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li><strong>How far out should I book you as my entertainment?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Once you have a confirmed location, date and time, you should then contact Strings Etc. to select the types of entertainment you desire for your event.\u00a0 We can discuss the varying options for groups so you may select the one(s) that fit your style and your budget.\u00a0 Sure, linens and flowers create a look, but it\u2019s the music and entertainment that creates the atmosphere and sets the tone for the entire event.\u00a0 We should be one of your first calls after you secure the date and location.<\/li>\n<li><strong>I\u2019m having a wedding on the beach.\u00a0 Have you ever played on a beach?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Absolutely!\u00a0 We do, however, recommend that you also use amplification for the wedding vows and the music as there will be outside wind and wave noise.\u00a0 With our exclusive wireless sound system, our musicians can be on the beach with you without fear of cables, cords, etc.\u00a0 Your guests will hear every \u201cI Do!\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Our favorite song is \u2026.\u00a0 Can you play it?\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nYES!\u00a0 We create our own arrangements of any style of music, even from your favorite metal band.\u00a0 We are extremely versatile.\u00a0 Many of the wedding sites encourage you to be \u201ctasteful\u201d in your musical selections and to leave the top 40 hits for your reception.\u00a0 We like to challenge that advice. \u00a0Strings Etc. is the perfect choice if you want to incorporate those songs tastefully into your ceremony as there are no lyrics when the songs are played on acoustic string instruments. You are not required to fit into society norms with the so-called rules for a wedding.\u00a0 It\u2019s your day, and you can make it anything you want!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are you available to extend your playing time?<\/strong><br \/>\nWe are often asked to extend our performance times to keep the party going.\u00a0 Your guests have already enjoyed the table linens and lighting; they are not going to stay around simply to keep staring at them.\u00a0 However, they will stay as long as they are entertained.\u00a0 This is why we usually schedule our musicians for extra time outside the contracted terms.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have to end the party just yet!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you play outside?\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nYes, but with guidelines.\u00a0 We are performing on expensive, delicate wooden instruments that can be harmed by the elements.\u00a0 Therefore, our musicians cannot perform in direct sunlight.\u00a0 Many times, a large patio umbrella or shade from a building\/tree\/tent\/gazebo will suffice.\u00a0 BE WARY of any string ensemble that says they will perform in direct sunlight as they are probably using the cheapest instruments they can find.\u00a0 These violin-shaped objects usually have a terrible sound like fingernails on a chalkboard, and that can affect the overall tone of your wedding.\u00a0 Also, in the event of inclement weather, our musicians must be under cover since the instruments will NOT work in the rain.\u00a0 Please remember to ask your venue if there is a \u201crain backup\u201d location.\u00a0 We are in Florida, and the weather is very unpredictable.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Our wedding is a destination wedding in Central Florida.\u00a0 Where can we find more information about vendors in the area?\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nStrings Etc. has worked with couples and event planners from around the world to create their dream destination wedding in Central Florida.\u00a0 Since 1992, we have formed professional relationships with other reputable vendors in the area and are happy to recommend florists, venues, photographers, and caterers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We are getting married in our church\/synagogue\/temple.\u00a0 Are we allowed to bring in other non-member musicians?\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nIn most cases, yes.\u00a0 Depending on your church\u2019s policies, Strings Etc. can provide an ensemble that can also include use of your church\u2019s piano or organ.\u00a0 Our musicians are well-versed in the liturgy of several faiths, including Christianity, Catholic, Protestant, Episcopal, Baptist, Southern Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Mormon, Seventh-Day Adventist, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and others.\u00a0 We respect the guidelines of each faith, and can perform music acceptable to the religious venues.<\/li>\n<li><strong>We are a gay couple wanting to have a wedding\/commitment\u00a0ceremony in Central Florida.\u00a0 Can you provide our entertainment?<br \/>\n<\/strong>Yes!\u00a0 Strings Etc. has performed for numerous commitment ceremonies and gay weddings.\u00a0 Strings Etc. does not discriminate on any basis.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What do your musicians wear?<\/strong><br \/>\nUsually, Strings Etc. musicians wear all black or formal black attire for events.\u00a0 Sometimes we are asked to match the wedding party colors by adding a colored tie, scarf, or flower pinned to a shirt.\u00a0 Many times, we are asked to fit a theme.\u00a0 At a <em>Star Wars<\/em> Wedding, we wore costumes of Jedi, Storm Trooper, and Imperial Officer. \u00a0At a Halloween wedding, we wore Goth black with appropriate makeup.\u00a0 At a <em>Lord of the Rings<\/em> wedding, we were asked to wear Medieval-style fairy gowns with wings.\u00a0 So long as the costuming does not interfere with our playing ability, the options are limitless!<\/li>\n<li><strong>Unpredictable things can happen. \u00a0Can you please keep playing?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes.\u00a0 With LIVE musicians, we can keep entertaining guests as long as needed to repair a ripped seam, fallen hairstyle, etc.\u00a0 When using a DJ, he has to fade in and out for the wait time, add unwanted songs or loop the same song endlessly, and the music just does not flow properly.\u00a0 With LIVE musicians, we watch what is happening, end songs properly, repeat as needed while varying the style\/key\/tone, and provide a fanfare just before the bride processes.\u00a0 Live musicians can ADAPT to the situation, and Strings Etc. has the professional experience to make it appear flawless to your guests.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What forms of payment do you accept?\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nOnce under a written contract, Strings Etc. accepts payment in the form of personal check, company check, cashier\u2019s check, cash, PayPal, and most major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you require a deposit to hold a date?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes.\u00a0 Our policy is 25% non-refundable deposit upon contract execution, with the remaining balance due by no later than 14 days prior to the Event.\u00a0 Overtime rates are due immediately at the event.\u00a0 Again, major credit cards are accepted via mobile technology.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you travel?\u00a0<\/strong><br \/>\nYes. If your event is outside the greater Orlando area, there may be an additional travel fee for our ensembles.\u00a0 Please contact us to discuss details.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you perform publicly where I can see you before I book you?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes.\u00a0 Our musicians are all professionals and music is our career.\u00a0 We perform at different locations around Florida and throughout the world.\u00a0 Please visit our main page to view our experience, or contact us to find out where you can next see us perform.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Should I hire a band or a DJ?<\/strong><br \/>\nI say:\u00a0 why not fuse both?\u00a0 Strings Etc. offers live musicians performing as a band or with a DJ.\u00a0 This gives the excitement and feel of live music, with the variety of a DJ\u2019s catalogue of songs.\u00a0 Wireless instrumentalists can stroll through the crowd playing the latest hot dance tracks while a live drummer provides the beat onstage with the DJ.\u00a0 Is it really exciting if your DJ stays in one place all night?\u00a0 We offer the experience of live performers who can get even the most conservative guests to enjoy the party.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do your musicians drink alcohol while performing?<\/strong><br \/>\nNO!\u00a0 Strings Etc. does not permit any of its performers to consume alcoholic beverages during an event or performance. \u00a0We do ask our clients to provide a selection of non-alcoholic beverages (especially individually bottled water when performing outside).\u00a0 If the event is a meal event, we request a meal for each musician\/technician to be consumed during the agreed-upon breaks.\u00a0 As the entertainers are on-location several hours before and after the conclusion of the event, we are limited as to when and where we can obtain such a meal; therefore, we request it be provided by the client.<\/li>\n<li><strong>My venue is telling me that if I hire you, you have to carry your own commercial general liability insurance policy.\u00a0 Do you know what this means and do you have it?<\/strong><br \/>\nYes \u2013 we have it!\u00a0 Many of the most popular venues (Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Resorts, Sea World, Universal Orlando Theme Parks and Resorts, Orange County Convention Center, Orange County Parks and Recreation sites, and many other hotels and resorts) REQUIRE all vendors to have their own insurances in the event of an accident involving a musician or our equipment.\u00a0 Strings Etc. carries its own commercial general liability (CGL) insurance policy in the required limits that covers its musicians, technicians, and the venue in case of an accident.\u00a0 Most of the aforementioned venues already have a copy of our insurance certificates on file, but we are happy to provide another upon request.\u00a0 When shopping around for your vendors, always ask if they have their own CGL policies so you are not responsible in the event of an accident.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you have a package that will fit my budget?<\/strong><br \/>\nUsually the answer is yes as we can offer a solo instrument up to larger ensemble.\u00a0 The question should be:\u00a0 How can I re-arrange my budget to afford live music?\u00a0 Your guests will probably not remember the color or types of your flowers or your linens, but they will remember if they enjoyed themselves.\u00a0 The key to these memories is the entertainment.\u00a0 Beware of price guarantees!\u00a0 The lowest bidder is NOT using the same professionals as the higher bidders.\u00a0 Our experienced professionals do this as a career, not as a hobby. \u00a0Live music sets the tone and background for the entire event, and the quality of the musicians cannot be compromised to achieve this.\u00a0 Familiar music performed in a background atmosphere capture the attention of the guests as they eagerly await the bride\u2019s arrival and the ceremony.\u00a0 Popular and rock music played on string instruments as part of a rock band will create a buzz amongst the guests and keep the energy high, especially during the reception.<\/li>\n<li><strong>I found a string group online with a lower price.\u00a0 Will you match it or beat it?<\/strong><br \/>\nStrings Etc. uses only experienced, professional musicians.\u00a0 Music is our career, not a hobby.\u00a0 We make our living performing music, and have spent many years perfecting our art.\u00a0 Our prices are competitive, but may not be the lowest. You will get what you pay for \u2013 high quality, professional musicians with the experience you desire for your event. Many times, the lower priced string ensembles use students and non-professional musicians, and the person you think you are hiring is not even present at your event!\u00a0 You don\u2019t get a \u201cdo-over\u201d with your wedding, so why trust your big day to the lowest bidder?<\/li>\n<li>\n<div><strong>Do you belong to any professional organizations?<\/strong><\/div>\n<div>Yes! All Strings Etc. musicians are members of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), and are eligible to perform in any venue throughout the world through this affiliation. Strings Etc. is also a member of the Orlando Wedding Guild (OWG) and Central Florida Musicians&#8217; Association (CFMA).<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How far out should I book you as my entertainment? Once you have a confirmed location, date and time, you should then contact Strings Etc. to select the types of entertainment you desire for your event.\u00a0 We can discuss the varying options for groups so you may select the one(s) that fit your style and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":7,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=17"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":62,"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/17\/revisions\/62"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stringsetc.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=17"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}