The Party DJ June Newsletter

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June Newsletter

Where do the months go … it’s time for The Party DJ June Newsletter already!
Keep an eye out for the links to other articles and video in this post – they should come up in bold pink.

The year so far has been challenging on a personal level, but we’re getting there!

As I type this tomorrow is my first wedding of the month. The couple booked me after attending my WOW Evening at Ampfield back in February last year, so 16 months in advance. The crazy thing is another couple who came to the same evening also wanted to book, fortunately my colleague Gary was available. Because I no longer do weddings on consecutive days I’m having to turn away more and more enquiries which is frustrating from a business point of view but I know it means the best possible service for my couples. More about this can be found in MY PROMISE (click here).

Saturday’s wedding is a venue I haven’t done for a long time and I’m really looking forward to playing there again. I hope to post about it here and on my Facebook page, so keep an eye out.

The following weekend I have a Sunday wedding so won’t be at the Rhinefield Wedding Fair which is one of the events I usually exhibit at. My booklets will be in the bags and I’m actually meeting a couple on the Saturday who I met at the last fair there.

The couple who have booked me for their wedding that Sunday found me via an on-line review for the venue on Trip Advisor where the bride mentioned the services I provided at her wedding there. That wedding is also featured in my Real Weddings book which you can see HERE Again, I hope to post about this wedding soon.

Towards the end of the month I have a 50th Birthday party for a lovely lady who’s son’s wedding I did at Wick Barn near Bath in February 2013 (Click here for my blog post and a video of Kyrah and James’ wedding). I’m really looking forward to seeing the couple and their families again.

Wick Barn DJ

Most of my time at the moment is taken up with meetings, building playlists, editing music for Ceremonies and Grand Entrances, and writing Love Stories (click on the highlighted words for more information). However Ce and I do have tickets for a few nights out this month and hope to rap a few days beside the sea if Summer sorts itself out.

So here we are in my June newsletter and once again I’ve not managed to get everything done I had hoped to, I have a list of videos ready to create (many with the content already planned), as I said at the beginning this year has been challenging, but we’re getting there!

Until next time, thanks for reading my June newsletter, mug of tea raised … cheers!

The Party DJ

The Party DJ May Newsletter

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Happy month! Welcome to The Party DJ May Newsletter

Deer at the Hampshire Wedding Festival

Deer at the Hampshire Wedding Festival

April was a busy month (as always) following on from the launch of My Promise (CLICK HERE) ~ my unique guarantee for my clients ~ a few more additions have been added to the website.

Now you can also find Paul’s Bookcase on the website.

Paul's Bookcase

So far there are two books you can view in their entirety …
My Brochure
and my new Real Weddings booklet

You can also get previews of Your WOW Wedding and Music For Wedding Ceremonies with information on how you can get the whole booklet (CLICK HERE). More additions to the bookcase will be made as the year goes on.

Ready for surgery!

Ready for surgery!

On a personal note, I underwent minor surgery which I had delayed so that it didn’t interfere with my weddings at the end of March and the beginning of April. I had a mole on my back which turned out to be a malignant melanoma – it was removed immediately and then I had to go back in for the removal of more skin from around the site and, in my case, also a Lymph Node assessment and treatment – this was one day in hospital under a general anaesthetic. The results are now back and I’ve been given the all clear I post about this here because I want you to know and take more care of yourself than I did. I love the sun, I’m pretty good at using lotion but obviously not good enough – please take care.

VIDEOS
ABC/123 Episode 19 (CLICK HERE) was on creating a great atmosphere at your Wedding Breakfast.
Episode 20 (CLICK HERE) looked at Ice Breakers to help you with that brilliant Wedding Breakfast.
This month I hope to start on Speeches.

One of the questions I see asked most on the Bridal Forums is “How much should I pay for a wedding Party DJ”. Last week I published a video on that topic CLICK HERE

I also posted a video of Testimonial Quotes from my Couples (CLICK HERE). These are some of the comments posted by my fabulous Bride and Bridegrooms in their support of my entry in the Wedding Industry Awards. I’ve been using them on the screen for my stand at the wedding fairs.

I did promise a video on how to deal with wedding stress. That should be “live” soon.

WEDDING FAIRS & EVENTS
April saw us attending three excellent wedding fairs ~ The Hampshire Wedding Festival on the New Forest Showgrounds site and the PMN Fayers at Elmers Court and Lainston House.

Lainston House

Lainston House

I haven’t booked to be at any wedding fairs in May but if that changes I’ll post here and on the Party DJ FaceBook page.

I haven’t yet been able to schedule my next Creating Your WOW Wedding event or WOW Bridegroom’s event. I hope to do so soon, and remember if you’d be interested in attending either or both of these events please email me.

So, until next time ~ mug of tea raised ~ Cheers!

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

Real Weddings

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Party DJ Real Weddings

Real Weddings from real couples just like you! That’s the idea and that’s what I’ve finally got together with a lot of help from some very special friends.

One of the things I’ve always believed in is only using real pictures of couples I’ve worked with – I hate misrepresentation and the use of “stock images” and even stolen pictures on websites. So my website and literature has always featured my couples – Real Weddings that I’ve been blessed to play a part in.

Recently a few people, fellow wedding professionals and even clients, have told me I should feature more about these Real Weddings and so I’ve started this new booklet. What I’ve tried to do is give a flavour of each wedding without listing everything that happened – hopefully it will give plenty of ideas to couples planning their big day. I will be adding more weddings both old and new as time goes on, every couple have given their permission to be included and have also been consulted about their entry because that’s they way I try and do things – I never take anything for granted.

PLEASE CLICK HERE to open Real Weddings and have a look.

This is one of a number of booklets going onto my website now, so please have a look at the changes I’ve been making with the help of my brilliant website designer Deon from Deon Design.

I’d like to thank Shellie & Matt, Sarah & Dave, Kate & Colin, Axy & Jez, Amy & Kristin, Karen & Billy, Lisa & Karl, Kat & Gareth, Emma & Simon, Josh & Max, Abi & Marcus, Emma & Craig, Charlotte & Simon, Lauren & Dave, Claire & David and Kerry & Ashley for their support.

If you are one of my couples and would like your Real Wedding to be included please let me know, thanks.

Wow Real Weddings

Rachel & Andy’s Reception at East Horton Golf Club

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East Horton Golf Club DJ

On Sunday I was delighted to provide my services for Rachel & Andy’s Reception at East Horton Golf Club.

I’d been looking forward to this one ever since I first spoke to them early last year. I met with them a couple of times, Andy came to one of my Bridegroom’s evenings and I was also able to help them with some advice for their Ceremony.

The evening reception was held in the Greenwood Room and everything looked beautiful. As always, nothing was too much trouble for the East Horton team and they did everything possible to make sure Rachel and Andy had a great day.

I’ve cobbled together some of my dodgy snaps to make this short video

For more information about weddings at East Horton Golf Club CLICK HERE, call 023 8069 7073 or email info@easthorton.com

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

April Newsletter

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Happy month! Welcome to my April Newsletter, a new feature for The Party DJ Blog.

Pauls-Guarantee-badge-2WEBSITE
March saw the launch of My Promise (CLICK HERE) ~ my unique guarantee for my clients. This is one of several tweaks I have planned for my website. I’m working closely with the brilliant (and he didn’t even tell me to say that) Deon Design on more great content.

You should be able to view my brochure on the site soon and a new booklet I’ve compiled of Real Weddings. Both are jam-packed full of great ideas to help create amazing weddings.

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TRAINING
I started March with an advanced microphone technique course with Randy Bartlett after the ProMobile Conference. Getting good training and practice isn’t easy, especially locally and, on the advice of a couple of my colleagues based in Abingdon and West London, I’ve joined Hamwick Speakers ~ the local branch of Toastmasters International. This isn’t a group in the British red coated toastmasters tradition, it’s a speaking skills organisation with branches all over the World. If you’d like to know more about Toastmasters International please let me know.

MORE VIDEOS
Tomorrow I’ll publish Episode 19 in my ABC/123 Wedding tips video series. This one is on creating a great atmosphere at your Wedding Breakfast.

Episode 20 should be out next week with some more great advice on Ice Breakers to help you with that brilliant Wedding Breakfast. Then it’s on to some advice on Speeches.

Also this month expect a video on avoiding wedding stress. This is in response to me asking what topics you would like me to cover following on from “What If It Rains On My Wedding Day” (CLICK HERE) and “What If Nobody Dances At My Wedding” (CLICK HERE).

12828312_1736102736678307_480570446068337934_oWEDDING FAIRS
I’m very excited about this months events You can see me at three wedding fairs I’ve never exhibited at before…
Sunday 10th April ~ The Hampshire Wedding Festival
This is a new event and I’ll be there along with several other members of the Hampshire Wedding group.

Sunday 17th April ~ Elmers Court Wedding Fair
This will be my first wedding fair at one of my favourite venues. I love Elmers ~ especially the outdoor ceremonies!

Sunday 24th April ~ Lainstone House Wedding Fair
Another new wedding for me at one of the best hotels in the County.

EVENTS
I hope to schedule my next Creating Your WOW Wedding event during April and possibly another WOW Bridegroom’s event. If you’d be interested in attending either or both of these events please email me.

So will this April Newsletter be the first of a regular series?

There’s only one way to find out …

see you next time ~ mug of tea raised ~ Cheers!

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

New Forest Wedding DJ

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New Forest Wedding DJ

As a New Forest Wedding DJ I get to play at some amazing venues. Last Thursday I was at Rhinefield House

I provided music for the wedding ceremony in the Grand Hall with my system tucked away at the rear of the room – you can see it behind the seats on the left of this picture.

Rhinefield Wedding Music

Next it was music in the Lounge Bar for the drinks reception and then background music back in the Grand Hall for the wedding breakfast.

Finally I DJ’d their brilliant party in the Kings Hall.

Rhinefield House DJ

I hope to post a full blog about this wedding once the happy couple have returned from their honeymoon.

Rhinefield is one of the many fantastic New Forest wedding venues I’ve had the privilege to perform at. If you’d like my feedback about any of them please let me know.

Sunday 10th April Hampshire Wedding Festival is being held in The New Forest at The New Forest Showground, New Park, Brockenhurst, Hampshire SO42 7QH.

This should be a great event. The organisers have already created, run and established The Dorset Wedding Festival, so I’m expecting great things. If you have children you may be interested to know that Freedom Childcare Services are running a free creche. The ticket prices are very reasonable and parking is free.

Tickets for the event can be ordered here.

So if you are looking for a New Forest Wedding DJ, look no further.

Rhinefield Wedding DJ

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

Tonight I Had A Lot Of Fun ~ That’s All

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“Tonight I had a lot of fun ~ that’s all ~ Goodnight!” that was my FaceBook status update early on Saturday morning and boy did I mean it!

I had just got home from a 50th party for local DJ from back in the day Shaun. Shaun was one of the DJ’s who came to the fore in the generation after me, he was resident at a few places including Martines in Eastleigh where he did I guess around six months of the year while he spent the other six months in Corfu. Anyway, I was delighted when Shaun invited me to play at his significant birthday party.

My brief from Shaun was to play what we played back then, now THIS was a real thrill for me. In fact one of my resolutions for this year was to do a night like this. I often get asked to play 70’s, 80’s or 90’s but usually that means pop and not the club music that I played for years in bars and discos. I haven’t really played a night like this since Steve Q and I did the Reunion at Oceana back in 2009 and that night I left all the hard work to Steve! This was going to be plenty of the stuff we played on our GOLD radio show.

It was also more than a bit daunting as many of our old DJ cronies were also invited so I made sure I pre-selected plenty of big tunes and spent some time practising my mixing in the week before the party. That may surprise some but much of the music I was going to be playing was from the 70’s and early 80’s, before the arrival of the drum machine, so the tempos varied with the speed of the drummer, and practise is always time well spent.

Here’s how the evening went …

8:00pm
Jackson 5 – I Want You Back (Dimitri from Paris Supa Funk Brakes Mix)
S.O.S. Band – Just Be Good To Me
Skipworth & Turner – Thinking About Your Love [Original 12″ Version]
Maze Feat. Frankie Beverly – Twilight [12″ Version]
Terri Wells – You Make It Heaven
George Benson – 20/20
Alexander O’Neal – Fake 89 (House Mix)
Crusaders – Street Life
Stevie Wonder – Do I Do
Chaka Khan – I’m Every Woman
Crown Heights Affair – You Gave Me Love
Joe Smooth – Promised Land
Shalamar – I Can Make You Feel Good
The Whispers – And The Beat Goes On
Change – The Glow Of Love
Chanelle – One Man (Original Mix)
Julia & Company – Breakin’ Down ( Sugar Samba ) [Original 12″ Version]

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It was great to play alongside ** Andrew Browning as George Michael ** again, it’s been a long time! Andrew did a brilliant show full of George and Wham’s greatest hits. For the encore Shaun joined Andrew for “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” taking the Elton John part – but if you know Shaun you’ll understand when I say it was more like George duetting with George!

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Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots (had to after Andrew’s George Michael set)
Junior – Mama Used to Say
Cameo – Candy

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Then it was time for eighties tribute four piece ** 80’s Revolution ** with a set full of the biggest hits from that amazing decade. Among the highlights for me were a great version of Huey Lewis’ “The Power Of Love” and Tears For Fears “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”. The birthday boy joined them for a couple of Spandau Ballet tracks ~ “Through The Barricades” and “Gold”.

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Gil Scott-Heron – The Bottle (Original 12 “Mix)
Hamilton Bohannon – Let’s Start The Dance
Heavy D & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love
Raze – Break 4 Luv
S’Express – Theme From S’Express
The Fatback Band – I Found Lovin’
Fat Larry’s Band – Act Like You Know [Original 12″ Version]
Soul II Soul Feat. Caron Wheeler – Back To Life
Montell Jordan – This Is How We Do It
Cheryl Lynn – Encore
Donald Byrd – Dominoes (Original 12” Mix)
James Brown – Get Up (I Feel Like Being A Sex Machine)
James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – It Takes Two
Incognito feat. Jocelyn Brown – Always There
McFadden & Whitehead – Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
The Source Feat. Candi Staton – You Got The Love
Nomad Feat. MC Mikee Freedom – I Wanna Give You Devotion
Ce Ce Peniston – Finally
Robin S – Show Me Love
Farley ‘Jackmaster’ Funk & Jessie Saunders – Love Can’t Turn Around
Steve ‘Silk’ Hurley – Jack Your Body
Frankie Beverly Feat. Maze – I Wanna Thank You

1am Carriages

Regrets … I could have played on for hours, I still had plenty of tunes I wanted to play!

I’ve had my dream booking, I wonder if I’ll get any more of these … I really hope so.

Thank you Shaun and all your friends and family, “tonight I had a lot of fun ~ that’s all”

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

ProMobile Conference 2016

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It’s that time of year again! I’m just back from the ProMobile Conference 2016. My head is full of great ideas and I’ve just spent the morning typing out a new marketing plan and my targets for the coming year. These are exciting times!

ProMobile DJs

The ProMobile Conference 2016 was held on Sunday 28th and Monday 29th February at the Crowne Plaza facility in Oxfordshire. The Conference theme was “Growing Together”.

If you look back through this blog (or use the search facility) you’ll see posts about the previous conferences, this was the fourth, and I’m so glad I attended all of them. Each year the organisers, Eddie and Mark, put together two days full of interesting and challenging content. Every year I think surely they can’t better that, surely they are going to run out of brilliant speakers, but they just went and did it again!

The keynote speakers for the ProMobile Conference 2016 were Peter Merry and Randy Bartlett, both of who had spoken at previous conferences, this time they came together and gave us hundreds of great pointers and inspired us to greater things. Also speaking were Casper Berry on risk Risk Taking & Decision Making, Gilan Gork on Influence: The Business of Body Language, Graham Jones on Internet Psychology For Mobile DJ’s and Katie Bulmer-Cooke (from the 2014 series of the BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’) with her presentation called No Added Sugar: PR Lessons From The Boardroom. Each and everyone of them were thought-provoking, informative and presented to a very high standard.

If YOU are a mobile DJ reading this to find out how I do what I do my biggest tip for you is GO TO PROMOBILE 2017

BUT my time away at the Crowne Plaza didn’t end there! On Tuesday I took a private workshop with eight other DJ’s with Randy Bartlett on his Advanced Microphone Skills Workshop … again! I say again because I first did this workshop with Randy back in 2014 when he was here last time. Great training is always worth repeating and I was glad to spend another session with Randy beating me up and helping me focus and improve my skills.

UK Training DJs

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

£3,000 worth of wedding vouchers to be won!

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This Sunday, 7th February, sees the Hampshire Wedding Group showcase at Ampfield Golf Club with over £3,000 worth of wedding vouchers to be won in a FREE DRAW.

Every couple who attend just have to register on arrival and they will be entered into the draw which will take place at the end of the event. To be in with an even better chance of winning you can pre-register for the event and get an additional entry to the draw. But you must attend the event for your entries to be included.

Among the £3,000 worth of wedding vouchers to be won is £250 to spend with the Hampshire Wedding Group member of your choice!

Individual members vouchers include …
Pomp & Petals ~ £50 towards flowers or create bouquet
Tie the Knot decor and styling ~ £150 off when hiring over 60 chair covers and 6 centrepieces
Southampton Caterers ~ £150 off when booking a wedding
Kim Collins Photography ~ £100 off wedding photos
The Ring Studio ~ £300 off of your wedding rings
Just For Tonightt ~ Party and wedding band £250 off
Ampfield Golf Club ~ £250 off any wedding
Winslowe House ~ £100 off a Ceremony-only or £150 off Ceremony & Reception
Flower Stables ~ £50 voucher to be used against wedding party flowers.
Jane Hounsome Travel Counsellor £100 Honeymoon Voucher
Suephisticated Cakes ~ £50 voucher to be used against a wedding cake
Laurel Designs bespoke stationery ~ £50 off when ordering Day & Evening Invitations
Entity Photographic ~ Half price hardback replica albums, worth £75.00
Speedy Pix ~ Selfie Your Wedding Party Package for just £100 (normally £395)
The Daisy Cake Company ~ £50 voucher to be used against a wedding cake, wedding sweet table or favours.

Finally, last but not least … bespoke wedding ceremony music or £250 off a wedding disco package with me. If you’ve already booked

PLUS, there are still more vouchers to be announced by other members of the group – that’s well over £3,000 worth of vouchers to be won

CLICK HERE to Pre-register NOW and make sure you get to Ampfield between 11am and 3pm on Sunday to meet some of the best suppliers in the region and get in the FREE prize draw to be in with a chance to win one of the vouchers.

Ampfield wedding DJ

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

Bridegroom’s Workshop ~ The Ring Studio ~ Thursday

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My last event of the year is this Thursday 3rd December at The Ring Studio and it’s for guys only! (I know it says “Workshop” but there’s no work involved I guarantee.)

It’s FREE Bridegroom’s Evening ~ no, not an evening to grab a FREE Bridegroom, this an evening to help the guys understand exactly what they can do to help make your wedding day amazing!

There will be help with the speech, what to expect and much more, there’s even a free drink!

Bridegroom's evening

This evening is exclusively for Bridegrooms-to-be but they can bring their Best Man or another friend if they wish (male or female!).  It’s highly recommended that all of my clients attend one of these events and it it’s also open to any Bridegroom who wants to give his Bride the wedding day of her dreams.

Here’s what one of my recent Bridegroom’s had to say about the Bridegroom’s Workshop in his comments supporting my entry in the National Wedding Industry Awards …

“Paul even did an evening for his Bridegrooms to help them gain confidence, help with their speeches and make them appreciate it’s their day too. He has such a friendly approach, coupled with his knowledge and understanding of how weddings work really helps make them better!”                                            Kevan ~ 2015 Bridegroom attended the March event

 

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Doors open at 7:00pm for a 7:30 start and we should be done by 9:30pm.  Please remember parking charges apply in the City Centre up to 8pm.  The Ring Studio is at 17 London Road, Southampton SO15 2AE

So, if you know a Bridegroom-to-be who would like some help with planning an amazing day for his Bride-to-be make sure he knows about this event. Space at The Ring Studio is restricted so please email paul@thepartydj.co.uk to reserve your places.