We love all types of event equally here at Trevor George, but we have to admit that weddings and civil ceremonies hold a particularly special place in our hearts. There’s nothing like helping a couple find the perfect entertainment for their wedding and seeing it all come together for a truly fantastic day.
We’ve worked at weddings of all shapes and sizes over the years; from lavish, high-end bashes, to smaller, more intimate affairs; but we think there are a few tips that are vital whatever kind of wedding you’re planning, and today we’re sharing a few of them…
SAMPLES, SAMPLES, SAMPLES
Whether it’s a floor-filling wedding band for dancing after dinner, or a beautiful classical ensemble to provide music while you walk down the aisle, you’ll naturally want to hear your musical acts before they perform. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to do so before your wedding day.
A good wedding band should, at the very least, have good sound clips to let your hear them in action before you make any decisions. If they have videos too, that’s even better. At Trevor George, we’re sticklers for good promo material, and we try to make sure all of our wedding clients get a full taste of the band they’re booking before they make the final call. It’s sometimes even possible to watch a band perform in the flesh at a nearby gig or rehearsal space, so be sure to ask if there are any upcoming opportunities to see your potential band live.
THINK MORE THAN MUSIC
The temptation with wedding entertainment is to put all the focus on finding the perfect band for your first dance, but while that’s an crucial part of the day, there’s much more to wedding entertainment than wedding bands and dancing.
If you want to create some truly unforgettable moments during your big day, it’s worth looking towards circus and cabaret acts to add a touch of “wow factor” to your wedding entertainment. A sleek, modern circus acts like the Cyr Wheel can deliver breathtaking, elegant showpiece, or an amazing aerial act like the Heliosphere can provide a stunning finale before you and your partner head off to start the rest of your lives.
MEMENTOS AND KEEPSAKES
From photos and videos, to gifts and guest books, weddings are all about capturing a moment in time. While you’ll no doubt remember your wedding for the rest of your life, it’s often nice to give your guests something to remember the day by too.
There are countless brilliant acts that offer a keepsake as part of their performance; whether that’s a caricaturist who can capture your guest’s likeness in a humorous portrait, or a elegant silhouette cutter who creates an intricate profile of their subject in a matter of minutes. If that all sounds like a bit too much sitting still for your crowd, we’d suggest a fun photo booth with plenty of silly props. These pictures can even be uploaded to Facebook straight away (with approval from the guests, of course) so there’s a few nice “unofficial” shots to share while you wait for the official wedding pics to come through.
PLAN FOR DOWNTIME
While your wedding day will undoubtedly be busy for you and your partner, it can be easy to forget that there’s often a lot of waiting around for your guests. There’s photographs to be taken, a register to be signed and of course, brides do have a habit of being late.
During these lulls throughout the day, a bit of distraction always appreciated. That might come in the form of a strolling performer like a magician or mind-reader, or it could be a brief musical performance to set the mood while guests enjoy champagne after the ceremony. By thinking ahead and planning beyond the ceremony and the first dance, you can make the day flow smoothly for both you, and for your guests.
BE AWARE OF YOUR AGE GROUPS
One of the things that’s so great about weddings is the way they bring together friends and family of all ages. That said, it’s also one of the reasons they can be tricky to plan for. You don’t have to try to please all of the people all the time, but it’s nice to have a few moments that bring people together.
Look for bands with a good, mixed repertoire that spans decades so that there’s something everyone can get up and dance to at some point in the evening. Vintage bands let you have the best of both worlds; offering recognisable pop hits in a style that won’t make older guests feel left out. If there are young children at your wedding, consider giving them their own area with kid-friendly performers to keep them occupied; from face painters and balloon modellers, to arts and crafts workshops, there are loads of great options that’ll go down a treat with your younger guests.
Those are just a few things to consider when looking for great wedding entertainment. For more ideas, or to discuss entertainment for your wedding, get in touch!