Bulletproof your Wedding plans...

Here are a couple of hints and tips from ​twenty years experience​ providing wedding entertainment -

NEGOTIATING

At all times remember the golden rul​e: The one with the gold​, makes the rules​!

In this case​, ​it's you​! So​, to get everything exactly the way you want, negotiate before signing any contract.

When you initially contact wedding suppliers or, on your first meeting with the hotel​, make sure to set out your list of requirements from the start.

You'll find them much more amenable to your requests​, before a contract has been signed​then after​ the signing. 

Follow up with an email to confirm what you agreed to guarantee nobody's memory ​becomes hazy.

Everything is negotiable, so don't be afraid to ask for special requests or discounts, particularly​ if you decide to go for a wedding mid week or during an off-peak​ time.

THE VENUE

Try and pick a venue close to where the ceremony is being held so your guests​ aren't dishevelled on arrival. 

A Christmas or New Year's Wedding may sound romantic​ but in my experience, after all the partying, the guests are tired​, both physically and financially. 

Book at least 12 to​ 18 months in advance with the hotel and suppliers​,especially if your wedding is going to be during the summer months.

Hotels will​ take a wedding booking, even if they're not the most suitable venue to cater to your requirements. 

So there are a couple of things you've got to be sure of​ -

Firstly, will there be enough room for your guests? Not just for the reception​, but for guests who will stay over?​ Or will a portion of the guests have to stay in another hotel nearby?​

If you ​opt to have the wedding ceremony ​outside on the​ Hotel grounds, ​make sure to​ ask about​ th​eir ​"bad weather backup plan​"​ beforehand.

​Ask the celebrant if they bring their own ​battery powered sound equipment. They will need amplification​, even for a small wedding of ​20 - 30 people​ ​and don't let them tell you otherwise.

I've performed at festivals all over the world for over 20 years. Sound does not carry the same way outdoors and you don't want ​your guests struggling to hear.

THE RECEPTION

Ask your bridesmaids and groomsmen to encourage guests to go straight to the hotel rather than going for a "quick drink" in the pub across from the church. 

You're paying for the reception​ and you want them to enjoy it. 

Atmosphere in a room is created by sound,light and temperature. 

Venues that know their business​ won't need to be told this​, but no harm in reminding them​ of the following - 

Candles on the table in the reception area​.

​Background music​, particularly when the first few guests are arriving. 

Finally, temperature... better a room that is too warm and the staff can open a few windows​, than a room that's too cold. This is most important in a Marquee.

THE SPEECHES

Consider having your speeches at the beginning of the meal so that you and the other speakers can actually enjoy their dinner without butterflies in the stomach​, worrying about their impending performance.

Out of fairness to the Chef and kitchen staff, you must insist the speakers give you an accurate time ​of how long their speech will last. Politely but firmly​, insist they stick to their time so that they won't be the one responsible for the food being ruined. 

And if you find the idea of speaking in front of a room full of people terrifying, consider not having speeches at all. I'm regularly booked by couples who just don​'t want speeches and want me to fill that time​ with fun and laughter. ​Flowers​ are given to the Mums and that's it.​ No stress!

While we're on the topic of speeches...

I've seen a couple of really cringeworthy ones so to avoid embarrassment there are only ​a few things to remember - 

1.​ I​f in doubt leave it out... anything about people's pasts​ or risque jokes, if you think​  "it might" get a laugh but you're not sure, leave it out. 

2. Rehearse at least once (while timing yourself) in front of someone who knows you well but is more conservative then you. Ask them if there's anything you should add or drop. 

You'll be surprised how they might point out things/people you had forgotten to mention and they may remember ​that funny story that might be the biggest laugh in your speech. 

3. Remember your Thank yous.

THE SEATING PLAN - ​FORMAL OR RELAXED

The traditional raised head banquet table looks great but if you'd like a more informal wedding​, insist on a round table sitting with everybody else. That way everybody can chat easily​, unlike a banquet table where you can only easily speak to the person to your ​immediate left and right. 

It may be artistic, but a floral monstrosity in the middle of the table blocks everybody's view of the person opposite them, preventing any possibility of conversation. Keep table centerpieces subtle and low​ so that everyone can chat with each other. 

​KID CONTROL 

I once witnessed a kid knock over the wedding cake while chasing his little brother​.

If kids are tearing around, instruct the staff to approach the parents and request that they seat the child immediately. It stops you looking like the bad guy and will prevent ​an accident​.

Buy colouring books or a couple of small toys ​for the kids attendin​g but don't leave them on their table. Instead,​ ask the staff to give them to the​ kids halfway through the meal​, or better still, just before the speeches​.The​ kids will be delighted and ​it will keep them ​quiet and in their seats.

​ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR WEDDING

​No matter what wedding entertainment you choose, whether it's a magician or comedian, double check th​eir show is suitable for your guests.

​I use no profanity or offensiv​e material in my Wedding Magic Show. 

Remember, the best website definitely doesn't mean the best ​entertainer. So make sure to see the ​performer you are considering booking at a live event.

If there are any particular sensitivities make sure to address them beforehand with the performer. For example, I saw a singer grab a Muslim​ lady by the hand to encourage her out of her chair to dance. He just wasn't aware of the cultural differences and that it was a major faux pas.

Ask your wedding entertainer if they can work around the band setting up?

I bring all my own sound, stage and lighting so that I can position myself anywhere in the room.

 My sound equipment ​is battery operated so it is subtle and unobtrusive​ and so that there are no cables,w​hich are potential trip hazards.

Make sure the performer has full liability insurance​, in case anything​ goes wrong during their performance.

It doesn't sound that important now, but imagine if one of your guests has an accident during the show… What happens then?

​S​TRESS LIST. 

​I know its sounds patronising, but putting all the things that are stressing you on paper is a great way to clarify the mind. 

Many couples​, in their effort to ​make sure everybody has a great time, forget the most important thing, which is to have a great time themselves. 

So remember, your bridesmaids and groomsmen are not there ​just for the party​.

​Put them to work :-)

Delegation is best way to free yourself of stress and guarantee it will be the happiest day of your lives.

Wishing you both every happiness for the future.

Regards

Jack Wise