The cost of hiring a singing waiter varies depending on a number of factors, including the date and location of the event, the number of singing waiters you would like and the length of their performance. Most companies will offer a bespoke quote for your event which should cover the costs of:

• a personal event planner
• a high-quality interactive act, tailored specifically to your event
• a team of professional vocalists
• sound equipment and technicians for on the day
• relevant insurance

It’s worth considering the kind of performance that you want before booking your singing waiter act. Due to the customisable nature of the performance, it will be up to you to decide the setlist that the waiters sing, when they will start their performance and how they will interact with the audience. Experienced singing waiters have the expertise to make any performance memorable, but it’s your specific input that helps elevate it to become an unforgettable one.

A singing waiter performance can be completely customised, so that it is the perfect fit for your event. You will choose everything from the playlist of songs, to the dance moves, to the level of cheesiness and interaction with the audience. In our case, thanks to years of experience planning and performing at events, we are also able to recommend a setlist and performance style based on your needs.

Singing waiters can perform music from a whole range of genres and styles. Each event and audience will prefer different music, and a well-crafted singing waiter performance will take advantage of those preferences. If you’re unsure which songs you’d like your secret singers to perform, then the company you hire should be able to offer you some suggestions based on your event and preferences.  Most singing waiter firms can draw from a range of popular playlists which they’ll be able to use as a guide. Alternatively, you can leave it to them to create a unique set – with tracks and songs that are perfect for you, your guests and your individual tastes.

You may be able to request certain singing waiters for your event ahead of schedule, but whether or not you can book them will depend on their schedule. Sometimes singing waiters’ reputations precede them, or you may have spotted a particular performer that you liked at a previous performance. If you’ve spotted a singing waiter in one of our videos that you’d like at your event then let us know and we can try to accommodate your request.

Hiring more than one singing waiter means that many more performance options will be open and the set can be more varied. Having two or three singing waiters at your event increases the impact of the surprise, and also opens up options for harmonies, and also means that a greater breadth of genres can be covered.

Singing waiter performances start from the moment your guests arrive. Singing waiters will immediately get into character and blend in with the real venue staff. For the first couple of hours, they stay undercover – secretly getting to know everyone in the room. For example, here at Silver Service, we start the interactive set at a pre-planned time and this will typically include 10-12 songs, lasting around 30-40 minutes on average. The length of performances is ultimately at the discretion of the client. It may be that the event is better suited to two shorter sets of music, instead of a longer one.

Singing waiter companies often offer additional services alongside the waiters themselves. This could include the hire of a dancefloor, lights, or a stage setup. For example, we can bundle in a DJ service into your package, in order to cover your entertainment for the day and night.

Singing waiters will bring their wireless microphones and a PA system to professionally perform. A small mixing desk will also be used to play the backing tracks and to properly balance the singers’ vocals. Our singing waiters arrive with everything that they need to deliver their performance. They’ll be able to discreetly set up their equipment ahead of their performance, so that the surprise will have the best impact possible.

Singing waiters do not usually require dress rehearsals before performing at your event, so they should not be required to be present at any of your preparations in the lead up to the event. However, this doesn’t mean that they will be unrehearsed.  Our singing waiters are highly trained performers who understand the importance of private rehearsal and also have excellent improvising skills that help them make each performance as unique as the next.

There are little to no major health and safety risks involved with hiring singing waiters, however the usual risks involved with performances still apply. Electrical equipment must be properly tested and other staff at the event should be made aware of the singing waiters, so there is no confusion as to why sound equipment is where it is.  Our singing waiter service includes the hire of an event organiser who ensures that only that equipment is as it should be, but also makes sure that the whole event runs smoothly and safely for all involved.

Singing waiters and the companies that operate them should have public liability insurance in place to ensure that the performers are properly covered in the unlikely event of any damage being caused.  For example, our company and all our singers have Public and products liability up to £5,000,000, as well as Employers’ liability up to £10,000,000. This can be increased if your venue requires it, although we have found that this has been more than enough for hundreds of venues in the past.

In most cases, singing waiter performances require a deposit to be paid in advance. For example, we tailor our packages to each party and customer, but usually charge a standard deposit of £500 which can be paid in instalments if required.

Hiring singing waiters usually involves requesting a quote from a company first. Many singing waiter companies have schedules planned out over the next two years, so it’s important to make an enquiry sooner rather than later.  An enquiry will involve you either sending an email, filling a form or making a call and giving details about your event and your requirements. The company should then get back to you with a quote for the service. If you’re happy with the price, you can then make your booking, which might involve putting down a deposit to secure a date. You can start the booking process with Silver Service Singers by filling in the booking form on our website.