As entertainment experts who’ve been to our fair share of weddings, we’re often asked just what is it that makes truly great wedding entertainment. The sensible thing to do would be to withhold that knowledge, only sharing it with those that passed into the inner ranks of the Trevor George weddings team…
But we’re nice folks here really, and as such, we thought we’d share a few of the things that we think makes a great act for weddings and civil ceremonies. Read on for our picks.
CROSS-GENERATIONAL APPEAL
Weddings bring together friends and family members of all ages from all walks of life. So naturally you need your entertainment to have something for everyone, and while it might seem a tall order to find a wedding band that can satisfy both your doddering grandparents and your surly teenage cousin, the very best acts find a way to bridge the gap through a mix of great repertoire, the right energy and a ready supply of winning charm.
REPERTOIRE
Following on from the previous point, a great wedding act absolutely has to have the repertoire to match. The best bands and musicians are always adding to their setlists with new songs, special requests and old favourites. If you can’t see your favourite song on a sample setlist, it’s worth asking whether the band would be able to learn it specially for your wedding, but remember that it takes a while for a band to get a new piece sounding just the way you want it, so be sure to give them plenty of time to arrange and rehearse it.
AUDIENCE INTERACTION
With friends, family and sometimes a few colleagues milling around, one thing’s for sure; not everyone at your wedding is going to know each other. But while offering a free bar is certainly one way to get people to loosen up, you can also look to your entertainment to get people talking. Top quality strolling acts (like magicians for instance) are great at drawing a crowd of people and getting them to interact as part of their show. Unexpected acts like circus performers or living tables provide talking points beyond the usual ‘so how do you know the happy couple?’ And if you really want to get people mixing and mingling, try introducing interactive elements like games or casino tables.
FLEXIBILITY
In truth, we look for flexibility in all of our performers, but it’s particularly important for wedding entertainment. Weddings come in all shapes and sizes, with lots of separate elements that all need to run smoothly. You need acts and performers who can, within reason, adapt to better fit the needs of the day. Whether that’s offering more than one service; like a band who can perform both background music for dinner and a full set for dancing; or simply a performer who doesn’t mind a bit of waiting around between sets; a good wedding act understands that they’re just one part of a well-oiled machine that has to run perfectly.
For more great acts and entertainment ideas, be sure to follow us on Twitter, and if you’re planning a wedding and want to discuss some more great ideas, get in touch!