Recharging my batteries

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I’m currently away recharging my batteries. 2017 has been a good year, sometimes challenging, sometimes sad, but overall I feel happy with what I’ve achieved and the decisions I’ve made. We didn’t get as much time away as we’d promised ourselves and so I decided not to take any Christmas party work this year and get some winter sun earlier than usual. So, for the second time this year, we’re in Fuerteventura.

Having said that, I’ve got 4G and a phone signal everywhere here so if you need me, or want to check a date, just get in touch.

While we’ve been here I’ve been catching up on various podcasts including Roifield Brown’s “F X V” (Friday 15. I was listening to his interview with Fil Callender on his his life in Reggae / Jamaican music and they played this wonderful track Heatwave ~ “Mind Blowing Decisions” (this TOTP version unfortunately doesn’t include the full intro 🙁 )

To listen to the podcast click here – it’s episode 27

Yesterday I spent a very enjoyable hour recharging my batteries in one of my favourite bars The Coco Beach Lounge. Playing in the background was an Eryka Badu playlist, here’s one track I just had to Shazam ~ “Window Seat”. I liked it because it had a fabulous chilled groove – the video brings it to another level. I know that I’m a tune and vibe man – that’s to say I don’t always listen to lyrics (especially at first) – but I certainly didn’t expect a video like this!

One of the highlights of 2017 for me was seeing Ian Hunter, one of my heroes from the 70’s. I actually did a print of Ian for my art A level! He was the front man of Mott The Hoople and a solo start in his own right. I finally got to see him for the first time a few months ago at The Engine Rooms and he didn’t disappoint. For a man who celebrated his 78th birthday a few days earlier he looked amazing in a black Fred Perry polo shirt and jeans – I hope I get another chance to see him. I picked his live album to listen to when I walked to the shops one evening. We may not have had as much time away as I’d have liked this year but we’ve seen some great shows which is also a good way of recharging my batteries.

Finally, for this post, I’ve been listening to another “Guilty Pleasure”… Desert Island Discs! Every episode is available as a download from the BBC Radio iPlayer. I decided to listen to the Kay Mellor episode from earlier this year as we’ve been enjoying her latest drama Love Lies & Records. Among her choices was Amy Winehouse’s version of “Our Day Will Come” which she uses as the theme music for the latest tv show. Rest in peace Amy.

I’m lucky, I have a job I love but I still need things to look forward to, so holidays and nights out are essential for me. Everybody has to recharge their batteries – make sure you do!

recharging my batteries

Real Wedding Bex and Alex

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Real Wedding Bex and Alex is the first in a series of posts about real weddings from this year that I’ll add to the Real Wedding book you’ll find in my bookcase.

I was reminded, when I saw this video last week, of so many great memories from a perfect Real Wedding Bex and Alex and all of their family and friends. The very essence of the day is brilliantly captured by Tony and Denise from D & T Wedding Video Services. To find out more about them and their fabulous wedding films PLEASE CLICK HERE. I will simply say they are a joy to work alongside and their videos speak for themselves.

https://vimeo.com/235327184

Bex recently wrote this testimonial for me …

“Where to start? I first met Paul at a PMN wedding fayre when I noticed on one of his videos was showing some pictures of my friends wedding, so just said a brief hello and he gave me some details of an evening he was hosting at Southampton Ring Studio, I mentioned it to Alex and we went along for the evening as I remember it there was only us and one other couple, we sat and listened to the first half of the presentation and during the half way break we went outside to have a chat and I think it’s fair to say we were both already wowed by everything Paul offered and agreed that we really wanted him for our wedding, we returned for the second half and were even more impressed, it already we felt like we had found a friend there was no pressure everything was light hearted we went away from the evening to discuss the final details and booked up the next day! 

From that moment we knew we had done something great, Paul was on hand any time with any queries we had he helped massively when we had a supplier cancel on us and found us an alternative within an hour he truly was my guardian angel throughout the planning process, we loved having our own personal folder where we could write down our ideas for music and the Facebook group chat certainly gave us some interesting ideas, I know Alex found the grooms evening really useful attending once with and usher and then again with our best man, everything leading up to our big day was made so much easier by having Paul on board and we would 100% recommend him to all our friends and family. 

On our day everything ran so smoothly timings were kept and our guests were delighted with all the fun things including our love story and Mr & Mrs. And we are sure it would not have been so easy and enjoyable without Paul. 

Thanks a million there really aren’t enough words to say how fantastic you are!”

… such kind words, I am so glad I am able to help couples like Bex and Alex and like YOU!

Real Wedding Bex and Alex

Here are just a few notes from this Real Wedding Bex and Alex

Bex and Alex had a beautiful church ceremony at All Saints in Martin followed by a marquee reception in Damerham.
As Bex said in her testimonial I was very involved in their planning, they attended the “Creating Your WOW Wedding” event twice and Alex and Josh, his best man, came to my “WOW Bridegroom” event too. I provided music at the church alongside the organist and bell ringers, it was stunning ceremony ending with them coming back down the aisle to Take That’s “Greatest Day” with the bell ringers joining in – it was just like something out of a movie!

The whole day was full of breathtaking moments, the speeches really hit the mark and I was honoured to share their love story with everyone before their first dance. Bex and Alex took to the dance floor for their first dance to Ed Sheeran’s “Think Out Loud” and the Bex danced with her dad, Ken, to this wonderful song “Daddy Dance With Me” by Krystal Keith.

I’ll stop there, but I’m sure Bex would be happy to tell you more. 😀
There will be another post like Real Wedding Bex and Alex soon.

September weddings

Mark says

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Mark says …
so, what’s this post about I hear you ask.

Well it works on two levels.

First it speaks to people looking for a DJ who wants to give his clients the best possible service. The “Mark” in question is Mark Ferrell who, along with lovely wife Rebecca, is behind the biggest change in DJ standards, training and education of the last twenty years. I certainly wouldn’t be doing what I do, the way I do it, if it wasn’t for Mark and Rebecca and the five workshops I’ve attended with them.

Secondly it’s for the benefit of other DJ’s and I know there are a few who keep an eye on what I post. Mark can help you, it CLICK HERE to find out more about Mark, Rebecca and MarBecca Without Mark and Rebecca I wouldn’t be where I am today – if you want to know more please ask me.

The MarBecca Motto: “It’s all about Love.”

The MarBecca Slogan: “It’s not WHAT you do. It’s HOW you do it.”

The MarBecca Mantra: “Teaching People To Change Lives Through Entertainment And Speaking Skills.”

Mark posted a couple of things that really resonated with me this week and I wanted to share them here.

If you’re hiring a DJ only for music, you’re really limiting your reception to a “dinner dance” and limiting the full richness of its true potential.

This is so true, most couples looking for a wedding DJ are just looking for music because they don’t know what else a great DJ can offer. They are looking for a DJ because they haven’t seen one who they liked enough to ask for a card. Many people think that DJs are cheesy because they’ve only seen.

Then he posted this …

To do a truly GREAT job as a Mobile DJ, you have to wear a lot of hats. To be exceptional, you must gain mastery of 3 distinct vocal skills:
* Announcing
* Master of Ceremonies
* Storytelling
Each of these vocal/mic skills play different roles in someone’s event, and accomplish different objectives.
Let me put it this way… If I was looking for a DJ for my niece’s wedding, I would hire only the DJ with those skill sets.
Let me put it another way… If I was putting together a team of DJs, they would each have to master those skill sets.

Mark Says

To find out more about training with Mark and Rebecca PLEASE CLICK HERE

September weddings

Join the WOW Speakers Club

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Are you scared because you have to make a wedding speech … then join the WOW Speakers Club is just what you need!

Watch this video NOW!

The transcript goes something like this …
You’ve got nothing to be ashamed of ~ public speaking always ranks high in the anxiety polls.
Don’t panic help is at hand.
I’m Paul The Party DJ also known as The WOW Wedding Guy and I’m on a mission to stamp out boring weddings and help couples just like you create amazing weddings, I’ve even won awards for it!

Yes, public speaking can be scary but on this occasion you need to get some perspective. 
You have to make a speech, but the room is full of lovely people who have been invited to be part of a very special day, they are on your side, they want you to be great. You’ve got plenty of time to prepare and practice, so there really is no reason to fail.

There’s a famous saying I love, it’s “They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel” , so speak from your heart

Research, planning, writing, rewriting and practice are key don’t just try and do it “off the cuff” even if you are the best blagger in the World

This day, these people deserves more. This wedding deserves THE BEST

As part of my mission Ive created THE WOW SPEAKERS CLUB, it’s a 4 week course of 90 minutes fun sessions held on consecutive Thursday evenings at Le Chanteclerc, just off Junction 1 of the M27 at Cadnam.

Places are limited and it’s open to anyone – whether you are one of my wedding clients or not. The cost is …
FREE I just ask you buy a drink from the bar

At the end of this fun four week course you’ll have a great speech and you’ll be confident about delivering it. You’re speech will be one of the highlights of a great day!


So. sign up today, there’ll be loads of hints and tips to help you be the best you can with chances to practise and support the fellow course attendees – it’s a no brainer, 
book your places NOW – email paul@thepartydj.co.uk

I was Libby and Glenn’s Engagement Party DJ

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I was Libby and Glenn’s Engagement Party DJ last Saturday just down the road from The Party DJ HQ at the Colbury Hall.

I was delighted when I got a FaceBook message from Libby enquiring about my availability, I scheduled a meeting with them both and explained how I felt they could make the most of the party.

Glenn and Libby love a photo opportunity and had a huge collection of photos I turned into a photo montage with my big screen on the stage. They had over 400 pictures including many with their family and friends which kept everybody entertained for the early part of the evening.

We had talked about how the evening should run and after a meet and greet we opened the buffet at about 8:30, then Libby’s dad and Glenn made short speeches before we kicked off the dancing – everything flowed really well and a good time was had by all.

I haven’t always been a fan of engagement parties but over the last couple of years I feel the advice I’ve been able to share with my couples has helped them create great parties. Often this is the first time the two families have met and it’s good to bring everybody together ahead of the wedding. I also offer a special deal on wedding bookings to couples who get me to do an engagement party for them!

I was Libby and Glenn’s Engagement Party DJ last Saturday and I’m hoping I’ll be their wedding DJ too!

Meet the Hampshire Wedding Group at Winchester Guildhall

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You can meet the Hampshire Wedding Group at Winchester Guildhall this Sunday and make planning your perfect wedding easy … well easier!

This is the first of three,free to enter, wedding fayres this Autumn organised by the Hampshire Wedding Group. Winchester Guildhall became a member of the group earlier this year and we are delighted to be holding our first wedding fair at this iconic landmark building.

Our hand-picked wedding experts know a thing or two about weddings. Experience has taught us that a wonderful wedding depends on having a team who work well together and upon whom you can rely. Hampshire Wedding Group is a non-profit organisation of hand-picked wedding suppliers based in Hampshire.

The group is compiled solely by recommendation, accepting only the very best, highly experienced suppliers. We are a team of like-minded, professional, trusted suppliers that have worked together on numerous occasions and can recommend each other without hesitation, to help you create your perfect day.
Exclusive Wedding Discount Giveaway, worth over £2000.

As a demonstration of our dedicated teamwork we are giving away exclusive wedding discount vouchers to spend with our recommended suppliers, with a combined value of over £2000.
For your chance to win and enter the free prize draw, pre-register for our next wedding fayre dated below. To complete your entry to the prize draw, come along to one of our free to enter wedding fayres and leave your name with our staff member at the door.
We all look forward to seeing you at one of the wonderful venues below between 11am & 3pm. With Free Entry and parking at some of the venues, complimentary canapés and a glass of bubbly upon arrival.

Winchester Guildhall is a beautiful setting for a wedding with many options of ceremony and reception rooms. For more information PLEASE CLICK HERE
The Hampshire Wedding Group really do look forward to welcoming you between 11am and 3pm this Sunday.

Meet the Hampshire Wedding Group at Winchester Guildhall and make sure you say hello to me too 😀

https://www.thepartydj.co.uk/creating-wow-wedding-20th-february/

It’s Magic with Paul Newton

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I’ll start this post with a confession, magicians make me nervous… after all they do “tricks”. One I do trust (I think 😉 ) is my Hampshire Wedding Group colleague and friend Paul Newton.

I’ve known Paul for a few years now and been fortunate to work alongside him a few times and I think he must be an actual wizard because I can’t see how he does what he does. I’ve even been next to him at wedding fairs for hours and watched him do the same trick multiple times and I still can’t work it out!

So when Tarik and Amina asked a while ago for my suggestions for an entertainer at their wedding which was held last weekend I had no hesitation in recommending Paul Newton ~ Magician, Mind Reader, Hypnotist (and all round lovely bloke).

Paul arrived while Tarik and Amina’s guests were enjoying their wedding breakfast and was soon going from table to table amazing their friends and family with his close up magic. After the speeches Paul took a few moments with the newly weds to show everybody that … you know what, I’m not going to tell you. What I will say is that it was magic, it was romantic and Tarik and Amina absolutely loved it and so did their guests!

For more information about Paul Newton PLEASE CLICK HERE

You can meet Paul at this Sunday’s wedding fayre at Winchester Guildhall AND you could win a discount on Paul’s services – it’s one of the prizes in the FREE prize draw. For more information and to preregister and get an extra entry PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Mad times at The Party DJ Hampshire HQ

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The last few weeks really have been mad times at The Party DJ Hampshire HQ!

It’s funny how some things take much longer than you expect and others just happen. I just wanted to get a quick post to tell you about a few things

First, my new brochure is now finished and back from the printers. You can see it on my Bookcase page CLICK HERE or on the Unique page CLICK HERE The picture below is just the cover and won’t work as a browser 😉

I’ve also been planning my Autumn Wedding Fair campaign and I’m delighted to say you can see me at there events organised by The Hampshire Wedding Group. These are FREE to enter wedding fayres and there is also a FREE draw at each one with loads of discounts to be won with great suppliers (including me!). If you preregister and then attend you’ll get two entires into the draw – For details and to register CLICK HERE.

Finally, I’m delighted to say I was nominated again for The Hampshire Wedding Supplier Awards. You may remember I won in two categories last year – ‘Best Wedding DJ’ and ‘Contribution to the Wedding Industry’. This finalists will be announced in October with the awards being held on 10th November. Please keep your fingers crossed for me.

More details on all kinds of stuff very soon when I get a moment … did I mention these are mad times at The Party DJ Hampshire HQ?

Take care

Paul x

Martin made my day

Martin made my day!

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Martin made my day last Friday! As the weather was looking good, Ce and I decided to take a morning off and headed down to Boscombe to walk along the front to Bournemouth and back. We had just parked the car and were on our way down to the beach when I heard a message “ping” from my phone.

Hampshire wedding DJ

The message was from Martin who married Jen five years ago. I knew it was their anniversary and it was always intention to send them a message at some point in the day – we are still friends on FaceBook, but this was totally unexpected and it really made my day. In his message Martin mentioned a video I cobbled together for them. I had forgotten all about the video, I don’t do them now because the little recorder I used to use no longer works – having watched this I think I had better replace it. I always try and snap a few photos, some that I only share with the Bride and Bridegroom.

What a great day we had, full of amazing memories. I think it’s fair to say I have come a long way since then and spent thousands of pounds on training, but looking back it certainly proves to me that I have always strived to offer more.

I also think it’s worth mentioning that many couples book a photographer who leaves after the first dance – the ones I recommend often stay much later to capture the fun of the evening party!

I’m not sure if you can still get married at Marwell, I don’t think you can have your reception there any more which is a great shame. The Marwell Hotel is next door which is a another great wedding and reception venue.

For my original blog post about Jen and Martin’s Wedding PLEASE CLICK HERE

Jen and Martin have recommended me to many of their friends and their wedding also resulted in other bookings too – PLEASE CLICK HERE

Martin made my day, mug of tea raised to Jen, Martin, Jasmine, Daisy and all their family and friends ~ cheers!

Congratulations on your engagement

Congratulations On Your Engagement

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Congratulations On Your Engagement, so what’s next?

This post was inspired by my daughters engagement a couple of weeks ago. As we said to each other “**it just got real!”.
And yes, before you ask, he did come and talk to Ce and I before he got down on one knee on their trip to Paris.

As you probably realise, I think I know a thing or two about planning a wedding, but already I’m struggling to come up with the right advice at the right time – obviously this is their wedding but my daughter has said numerous times already that she wants all the help I can offer!

Getting started is REALLY tough. I’m making notes because I’m pretty sure there’s a book in this!

We are starting with trying to find the date and venue, you’d think I’d be able to help with the venue and we’ve been able to rule plenty out because they won’t fit their requirements, but the choice is still very complex. So stay tuned for updates as we go through the process!

I found this video I made at the end of 2015. Apparently it’s been viewed on YouTube over 1,500 times, I think I need to update it because the sounds not great, but I thought I’d share it again because the content is very relevant to where we find ourselves. It’s called Congratulations On Your Engagement.

If you’d like access to “Your WOW Wedding” and my “Music For Wedding Ceremonies” guide please email paul@thepartydj.co.uk and I’ll send them over to you.