Entertainment for Weddings and Parties
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A Guide to Help You Remember Your ‘Big Day’ For the RIGHT Reasons!
The different parts of the day:
First Impressions
As your guest arrive background music can really enhance the atmosphere - Create a stunning first impression for your guests as they arrive – choose from minstrels, jugglers and fire-eaters as well as a jester and lord chamberlain to meet and greet them and ‘break the ice' – all in full period costume.
Arrival of the Bride
It is not unusual to have a Highland piper playing for the arrival of the Bride. We can arrange this for you, or alternatively, how about one, or even two pipers playing the English medieval bagpipes!? These are less strident than the more modern Highland pipes. Alternatively, how about a trumpet fanfare?! Demonstration CDs are available.
Solid silver tankards and goblets available for hire
During the Ceremony
Another medieval instrument, the hurdy gurdy has three sets of strings which provide the melody, a drone accompaniment and rhythm to give it a unique sound. Either on its own, or blended with another instrument it is a stunning choice to entertain whilst you sign the register.
Also available are classical guitar, harp, flute and opera, classical or traditional singers amongst others.
The Husband and Wife Leave the Ceremony
Again, the perfect opportunity for a piper
During The Photographs
It can be hard to strike the right balance for this part of the day – it is good to have some interesting background music when the photographs are being taken, whilst avoiding anything too loud or intrusive.
In the right venue a group of minstrels can be out of the way, playing period and traditional tunes on a wide range of instruments. Time and time again guests have commented on how enjoyable the music was, without being intrusive – some couples have even joined in with the music for their photographs!
Traditional jazz is another ‘upbeat' option, or the now very common string quartet.
Before The Meal
If there is going to be a break before your wedding breakfast or banquet you could have a short play – perhaps some scenes from ‘Shakespeare's Lovers?
Or we could arrange a display of falconry, magic, juggling or fire eating – even a Punch and Judy show, or puppets for the children.
The Speeches
Click on the above to download an excellent free eBook by the magician and M.C. Marc Lemezma, advising how to plan and write your speeches.
www.lemezma.com
During The Meal
From a conventional toastmaster to a Lord Chamberlain or other historical character, you can select your choice to be a ‘Master of Ceremonies’. Minstrels can play you into the feast or breakfast, sing or play between courses, and a magician can delight all by working his way round the tables if there will be a delay as guests wait for a buffet.
After The Meal
Time perhaps to start unwinding? How about having a performance by some ‘strolling players' – anything from the bawdy ‘Miller's Tale' by Chaucer, or a comedy ‘murder mystery' play written especially for your day.
Alternatively, perhaps some background music whilst you relax with coffee. If you have moved to another area for this whilst the main are is cleared and prepared for the evening, would you enjoy leading the procession back with minstrels playing pipes and drums?
The Evening
There are now fortunately many live music alternatives available rather than the normal option of a disco. Because of the wide range of ages often found at any family gathering, it can be an impossible choice for the DJ to find music that will appeal to all, and no matter how good they are as a presenter, nothing can match the ambience and excitement of having your own musicians for the evening.
You could enjoy a jazz/blues group, or else a ‘covers' band playing anything from the 60's to modern day music. All of the bands we offer will be happy to play your own CDs – either for the first dance, during any breaks or at the end of the evening.
As an agent since the mid 90's (and a musician since the 70's) I've found that few forms of entertainment can match a barn dance or ceilidh in breaking the ice and getting guests up and dancing quickly – even if it is only for an hour or two before a disco, or ‘covers' band.
The Bride and Groom Leave
Options include leading a last dance, or going up the middle of an arch formed by your guests, saying goodnight to them all.
How To Cut Your Entertainment Budget Without Cutting Corners
Very few of us have unlimited budgets, so here are a few ideas to help you keep costs down – please contact us to discuss other options.
- Does it have to be a Saturday? Fridays and Sundays are less popular, weekdays even more so. You may be able to book your performers and suppliers for less on these days.
- Use one versatile group for longer, rather than two different ones.
- Are you trying to do too much? Sometimes ‘less is more', we have played at some very simple weddings that have had a lovely relaxed atmosphere.
- With the wide range of ages often found at weddings, you may not want to have a disco all night, but would still like to hear some of your favourite tracks. Ask your band if they will play your own compilation CD (easy to make on a modern computer) through their sound system.
Past experiences, What has worked, What Hasn't!
The 'worst' wedding we have ever played at was one where no expense had been spared – it was almost as if a competition was being held to see just how much could be packed into one day. As is normal, the timetable started to ‘slide’, but there were no gaps left – the string quartet was playing still when we were supposed to be setting up and sound checking; the DJ was due to come on pretty much when we started our first number. There were two best men, both of who were pretty much out of action by the time the evening started; confusion reigned supreme!
- Speeches – It is not unusual to have these before, rather than after the meal, so that those who don’t enjoy public speaking don’t have to worry all the way through, and can enjoy themselves along with everyone else.
- It is good to have a flexible timetable, and best if everyone is working to the same plan! At one wedding between ‘two houses of equal dignity’ there had been some disharmony – possibly a ‘turf war’ had occurred as the venue was the groom’s family’s house. Both mothers had their own timetable; as these conflicted we had to split the difference and explain to both separately why everything was running late/early!
- The normal delay is about 20 to 30 minutes by the time the speeches finish, although an hour is not that unusual – this is not a bad sign at all, it just happens when people relax. An organiser once said that moving guests was as easy as 'herding cats'! Too relaxed can be a bad thing though, our current record is a three hour delay in finishing the meal and speeches due to the extremely lavish liquid refreshments served to the guests at lunchtime...
- If you are having a marquee, don’t to forget to arrange for power for the band, and to make sure that the flooring is suitable for dancing. It is also good to let the band set up on the ‘high ground’ if it is pitched on a slope, as this prevents them from getting trampled quite so much.
- There are very few experienced best men, it can be very helpful to have an independent person co-ordinating between the different suppliers and performers; someone who is free to sort out any problems along the way and to keep things running smoothly. We have several excellent actor / musicians available who have played this part very well in the past – and who are more than happy to dress in costume if you are having a themed wedding!
Whatever you decide to do, have a great event!