time to recharge

COVID-19 Wedding Postponements

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So, the 2020 wedding season is well underway … not! This was going to be my busiest year for a while and I was really looking forward to it. Then we all know what happened!

Everything has changed since my last post on the subject PLEASE CLICK HERE

For the latest guidance from Hampshire Registration Services PLEASE CLICK HERE

One of my couples were lucky and had their wedding just before things got serious and we had a wonderful day at The Italian Villa, Compton Acres. It was an amazing day.

Since then many of my couples have been in touch as the lockdown and social distancing has changed everything. Fortunately, because I only accept a limited number of weddings every year, I’ve been able to accomodate all the rescheduled dates.

Today, I should have been on my way to Devon to help prepare for a wedding on Saturday.

It’s been such a stressful time for couples who had been so looking forward to their Spring 2020 wedding. I’ve tried to help as much as possible, here’s the message I sent to my clients …

” With regards to your wedding my situation is this …
If you have to postpone it won’t be a problem as far as I’m concerned. 
I will be happy to transfer your booking to another date. 
If I’m not available for a rescheduled date I will find you the best replacement available and refund you in full. “

Paul The Party DJ ~ March 2020

Make no mistake, COVID-19 wedding postponements have caused all sorts of stress, anxiety, and heartache but it’s not the end of the world. Remember the most important thing – you’ve found “the one” and your wedding will happen.

I’m so sorry that this terrible situation has arisen and I hope it’s not causing you too much stress. It will pass and we will be able to celebrate love, family and friendship again.

I hope that makes sense and I am happy to chat or answer questions even if you aren’t my client. So, if you want to call or FaceTime on 07973 617153 or just email paul@thepartydj, I’m here for you.

The one that got away. Italian Villa wedding 2020
Kate and Sam’s Italian Villa wedding, March 2020
Life Sounds Better To Music ~ July 2020

Life Sounds Better To Music ~ March 2020

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Life Sounds Better To Music ~ March 2020 … Well, what a month that was! I guess in years to come we’ll all have our stories to tell of the time when the Earth really got sick, but let’s leave that for another day. Thank goodness we have music!

Musically, it’s been another interesting month, it would be very easy for me to post a dozen tracks.

First let’s start with another one of those tracks that’s not new but came across my radar and turned into a real “earworm”.

Kings Of Tomorrow featuring April ~ Fall For You

One of the highlights of this strange month for me was the 12 hour live stream Defected Virtual Festival (CLICK HERE). This track came on in the final hour when Angel sang a couple of songs. “Fall For You” was originaly released in April 2013, I just think it’s gorgeous.

Kings Of Tomorrow is New York born, house music DJ, and record producer Sandy Rivera. The featured singer April is April Morgan who met Sandy Rivera when she was out riding her bike singing!

The Killers ~ Caution

I guess most wedding DJ’s get to play Mr Brightside on a fairly regular basis and this isn’t going to replace it, but it’s pretty good. Caution is the first single from The Killers new album “Imploding The Mirage” which comes out on May 29th ahead of their sold out visit to the St Mary’s Stadium Southampton on 3rd June. Obviously the tour may well be postponed but hopefully the whole tour will get rescheduled.

Fatboy Slim & Eats Everything ~ All The Ladies

Finally, an interesting video that came out in the middle of the month from Norman Cook and Daniel Pearce a.k.a. Fatboy Slim and Eats Everything. Basically theu have a new track called “All The Ladies” so they went out in the car with a Pioneer controller and a speaker and jammed the track with various samples and other tracks.

Jacob Collier (featuring Kimbra & Tank and The Bangas) ~ In My Bones

I’ve beena huge Jacob Collier fan for a few years now and was lucky to see him live, back in 2017, in Brighton. He’s a fantastic talent and has been championed by many including legends like Quincy Jones. He releases new material on a fairly regular basis and this came out towards the end of the month. If you’ve never heard of Jacob Collier there is plenty to explore on YouTube. I actually posted about him in my Christmas message of 2017 CLICK HERE.

That’s Life Sounds Better To Music ~ March 2020. Don’t forget to check out January and February, and keep an eye out for April – you could even subscribe!

Possible Solution For 2020 Wedding

A Possible Solution For 2020 Wedding Couples

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** UPDATE ~ well, it was good advive for a few hours! Credit to the Government for continuing to act. 

Couples ~ these are extraordinary times. Please cherish the love you have together. Remember, you can only control things that are in your control! Stay calm and be patient, your day will come.  If anyone wants someone to talk to, I’m here.                                                                                                                                UPDATE **

*******************

Here’s a possible solution for 2020 wedding couples if you have a Registrar booked for your wedding in the next few months. It may also work for church ceremonies too, but you will have talk that through with your minister/priest/vicar. If you, or anyone you know, has a wedding that is going to be affected by the COVID-19 virus please read on and share.

This idea for a possible solution for 2020 wedding couples comes following this update on the Hampshire Registrars  website PLEASE CLICK HERE.

If you already have a ceremony booked with us, and the venue can still accommodate your ceremony, we plan to attend. We will, however, on the advice of Public Health England, be observing social distancing protocols – in practice, this means that Registrars will carry out a legal marriage or civil partnership ceremony in the licensed ceremony room, but will require that the only people in the room are the couple, two witnesses, two guests and the registrars themselves. If you wish you can also have a videographer attend or have one of your witnesses film/record the ceremony, we hope this will go some way to mitigating the impact of  holding ceremonies without the presence of families and friends.

I recommend you click the link above and read the full page – and obviously this may change so please check by going to the hant.gov.uk website and checking in the births, deaths, and ceremonies section.

So the idea would be to go ahead with your wedding on the planned date, with just you, two witnesses and and two guests (that could mean all four parents can be there), and then celebrate it with a big party later in the year. For some couples this will be great, for others it won’t be an option, but surely it is worth thinking about.

If you are considering it, I recommend you get it video’d so that you can show the ceremony, or an edited version, at your party. This can probably done professionaly by setting up one or two cameras on wide angle before the ceremony – so it doesn’t impact on the number of people in the room during the ceremony. Or perhaps you could just set up a phone to video or use use GoPro’s – I’m sure you can find a solution. Also, get as many pictures as you can of the whole day.

Basically this is the formula I suggest to couples who have a destination wedding abroad and follow it for an “after party” when they return home. PLEASE CLICK HERE for an article I wrote for our Fuerte Fine Weddngs website on the topic. You can add some kind of blessing or celebrant led ceremony to your celebration.

So far, three of my couples are taking this option.

You’ll find plenty more great advice on my website and blog and you are welcome to get in touch with any questions – even if you’ve booked someone else. If you find yourself with lots of extra time on your hands and you want a great Wedding Planning podcast, I recommend Bridechilla CLICK HERE. This week Aleisha did a podcast on coping with the Coronavirus situation.

If you want a chat or have any questions please call 07973 617153 or click here

Possible Solution For 2020 Wedding

Life Sounds Better To Music ~ July 2020

Life Sounds Better To Music ~ February 2020.

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Yes, it’s back, the series I started last month (please click here). So what’s made it into Life Sounds Better To Music ~ February 2020? Well three of these are kind of “oldies but newies” (at least to me) and ones by my friend Manuel. I’ve been fortunate to spend the whole of February in Fuerteventura, so if this month all sounds a bit summery I can only apologise … actually, Im not sorry at all 😉

William DeVaughn ~ “Be Thankful For What You Got” (FKJ Remix)

I’m always on the look out for cool remixes of my favourite tracks from “back in the day” and I was so glad to find this one. Recorded in 1972 and originally released in 1974, this is William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful For What You Got” (FKJ Remix). Apparently this version dates back to 2013, FKJ is French Kiwi Juice who is frenchman Vincent Fenton. For me this version keeps all the class of the original and brings it firmly into this Century.

Purple Disco Machine ~ “In My Arms”

Purple Disco Machine is German born DJ, producer and top remixer Tino Piontek. The new single “In My Arms” features a sample from Al Stewart’s classic 1976 track “Year Of The Cat”. I recon this one is going to be HUGE!

And for those of you who don’t remember “Year Of The Cat”, here’s a clip of the original from “The Old Grey Whistle Test (ask your dad).

MATTN vs. Stavros Martina and Kevin D ~ “Girlz Wanna Have Fun”

Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Want To Have Fun” was first a hit in 1983. Another version “Hey Now (Girls Just Want To Have Fun)” was a hit 11 years later in 1994. It’s one of those records that I wouldn’t usually play now unless it was requested. Until now.

This new version, “Girlz Wanna Have Fun” is by Belgian DJ MATTN with Stavros Martina and Kevin D gives it a whole new lease of life.

ManuFree ~ “In My Way”

Last, but certainly not least, this month is “In My Way” by Fuerteventura’s very own ManuFree. As well as being the smiling guy on the decks at the cool places on the island, ManuFree also makes his own music. This latest track has been doing very well in the Beatport charts.

You can see ManuFree at Galera Beach most afternoons and Azzurro on Saturday evenings – message me for details.

That’s Life Sounds Better To Music ~ February 2020. More “Life Sounds Better To Music” next month.

Life Sounds Better To Music ~ July 2020

Life Sounds Better To Music ~ January 2020

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Life Sounds Better To Music ~ January 2020 … I haven’t done this for ages but I’m a music lover as well as a DJ so posting a few tunes that have crossed my radar each month seems like a good idea.

Back in 2017 I did a series of daily posts as part of the 7 Day Challenge (click here) but I really must talk about music more.

So, the plan is to post three or four tracks every month that I’ve loved. They aren’t necessarily songs I’d play while I’m DJ’ing but they are songs I’d like to share with you.

I spent most of January 2020 in Fuerteventura – it’s a tough job but someone has to do it 😉 I’ve been busy with my friends Gail and Gary setting up Fuerte Fine Weddings (Click Here). If you are interested in getting married in the sun or renewing your vows please get in touch.

Anyway, here are this months songs I’d like to share (and it’s a four track month) …

Black Eyed Peas, J Balvin ~ RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)

This has been all over my radio station of choice over here (Los 40). In fact, it’s on such heavy rotation I don’t seem to be able to drive anywhere without hearing it!

The first thing that hits you is the sample of Rhythm Of The Night (the 1993 hit for Corona) then you get the Columbian singer J Balvin (who was featured in the Super Bowl Half Time show with Shakira and J-Lo) … then you find out it’s The Black Eyed Peas first single for ages! It’s taken from the soundtrack of the new Bad Boys movie.

RITMO is Spanish for Rhythm.

Gregory Porter ~ Revival

Released ahead of his new album “All Rise” which is due on 17th April, “Revival” is magnificent.

We were very lucky to see Gregory Porter on his last UK tour and he was just as brilliant as we’d expected. I can’t wait to hear any remixes, the track seems perfect for some reinterpretations.

Shapeshifters Ft Kimberly Davis ~ Second Chance

CHOOOOOOON!

You may remember The Shapeshifters for their 2004 classic Lola’s Theme. That record means a lot to me. It’s a long story but it’s part of the reason I’m still DJ’ing. The Shapeshifters is Simon Marlin and this is their new release on Defected Records. The vocalist is Kimberly Davis who may well be the same Kimberly Davis who sang with Chic … but I’m not sure (yet).

A Girl Called Eddy ~ Been Around

I have to thank my friend Rory in San Francisco for putting this on my radar. He had previously mentioned her debut album from 2004, which I enjoyed (particularly “Little Bid”) and now she finally has a new album “Been Around”. I had a fabulous day listening to this on repeat at the end of the month.

A Girl Called Eddy is singer-songwriter Erin Moran.

So that’s Life Sounds Better To Music ~ January 2020, I wonder what February holds 🙂

First Fayre of the Year

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The First Fayre of the Year for me will again be at Chilworth Manor with my dear friends and colleagues from The Hampshire Wedding Group. This is a great start for you to start making your plans with a group of wonderful, tried and trusted wedding suppliers.

Traditionally the first fayre of the year sees lots of newly-engaged couples visiting their first show. This can be very daunting because there is so much to think about. Alternatively, you may already be well into the planning process and looking for the finishing touches for your big day. Our January event is a very friendly affair with plenty of opportunities to talk to the experts who not only really know their subjects but actually care about their couples.

The Chilworth Manor is just north of Southampton, the postcode is SO16 7PT, and the fair is being held in the Coach House. This event starts at 11am through until 3pm, it’s free to enter and there is plenty of free parking.

To find out more about Chilworth Manor CLICK HERE. The wedding section is just down the page. It’s been quite sometime since I played for a wedding – it was back on New Years Eve 2012/13 (click here) – but I did play for a charity event for the Countess Mountbatten Hospice a couple of years ago (click here). It’s a fine venue, one we considered for my daughters wedding last year, and one I recommend you check out if you are looking for a venue.

I really hope to see you at the First Fayre of the Year, 5th January between 11am and 3pm at The Chilworth Manor Hotel. Start making your plans with us. If you need to know anything else just let me know.

My news

Did you see my news?

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Did you see my news on social media over the last few day? If you don’t follow me on FaceBook please click here and get following!

I have hinted about my news for quite a while but now it’s finally out there … I’m going Global! Well, that’s not entirely true. My friends will tell you I don’t really DJ very far from home and that “up North” for me is anywhere above Winchester. Well that’s not entirely true – coming up in 2020 I’ve got bookings in Devon and North Dorset but I do tend to stay local a lot of the time.

I’m very lucky to now also have a home in Fuerteventura, so Global for me is offering my services there too. I’ve set this up with my friends Gary and Gail who have moved to Fuerte. We have a new business called Fuerte Fine Weddings offering wedding planning and advice along with our celebrant, MC and DJ services. CLICK HERE to go to our new Fuerte Fine Weddings website. Basically if you want to have a destination wedding you should speak to us. Oh, and if you don’t understand what a celebrant does please click here.

This won’t change anything over here at all. I’m still taking 2020 and 2021 bookings in the UK. I’m still available for my couples whenever they need me, when I’m in Fuerteventura I have great wifi. That means even though I can’t always meet in person I can video chat via FaceTime, Skype or FaceBook Messenger. Actually I get better internet access in Spain than I do in the UK.

Whether it a wedding in South West England or Fuerteventura, I’d love to be considered to help you create the day of your dreams so please get in touch. CLICK HERE and let’s have a chat.

italian villa wedding

It’s a small World after all

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It’s a small World after all …nope, not a post about Disney themed weddings, although I have done a few of those … maybe another time … anyway, please read on 😉

It’s a small World after all, I’ve been involved with weddings with Americans, Chinese, Dutch, Egyptian, Indian, Italian, Lithuanian, Moroccan, Nigerian, Norwegian, Pakistani, Polish, Scottish, Welsh and even a bride from Saint Helena in the South Atlantic. People are finding their partners from all over the World, not just down the road.  Having said that, I married a woman whose house I went past almost every school day for 7 years but we met in Jersey, so maybe it was a small World then too!

I always encourage couples to think about wedding traditions from their birth culture and consider whether they should be incorporated in their big day. This year I had a wedding where, during the wedding breakfast, if the Bride or Bridegroom left the room (for a comfort break) all the guests went to kiss the remaining spouse. I think that was a Norwegian tradition.

There are lots of traditions involving food and drink. Polish weddings are full of these including the bread, salt, vodka and water ceremony (CLICK HERE to find out more)  which I’ve seen many times.

The other thing I encourage you to do is start your own traditions. Perhaps there is a poem or a song you are passionate about – commit to read it or have it played at future events, birthdays and anniversaries.  You could write a special toast that you could repeat whenever you are with family and friends who attend your wedding. Maybe you could include a DJ set by the Bride!

It's a small world after all

What would make your wedding even more personal and special to your friends and family?

Do some research and find out about cultural and family traditions, it’s a small World after all.

Possible Solution For 2020 Wedding

I’ve still got to pack for my honeymoon

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“I’ve still got to pack for my honeymoon”. One of my 2019 Brides said that to me two days after her wedding with under 24 hours to her honeymoon flight! So, I thought I’d write this post with a few thoughts.

Maybe it’s just something I do, but I pack for holidays way ahead. I love having a case on the spare bed and putting stuff in it. Making sure all my favourite things are clean and ready, usually buying a few new things to take away too. We’re talking about your honeymoon here so it’s special – hopefully special enough for all new underwear!

I also love buying a couple of things while I’m away – stuff that nobody back home – when I was a club DJ I loved looking for a couple of different shirts. Obviously, your honeymoon isn’t necessarily a holiday for shopping but it’s lovely to have a few things that remind you of those special days.

Choosing and packing your honeymoon clothes can be a great way to relax and get a sense of looking forward that I think will help you ease potential stress.

A quick Google search will find you plenty of articles on what to pack. Here’s one I found on Hitched CLICK HERE.

I know many people like to have a hanging rail to sort their clothes – matching items for day and evening. Think about how many outfits you will need – don’t take too much.

My favourite travel tip

This is something I’ve been doing for years … get a four gang power adapter to plug into your travel plug (if you honeymooning abroad) so you can charge everything at the same time.

One more thought

While I’m thinking of it here’s one more thing you may wish to consider – a session with a photographer while you’re on your honeymoon. I know that sounds crazy after you’ve probably spent a sizeable amount on your wedding photos but these would be something special to remember your honeymoon and also a great surprise to share with everyone later. So you might like to take something special to wear – maybe even a shoot in your wedding outfits.  This came to mind because I met a wonderful photographer in Fuerteventura who does quite a few honeymoon sessions – check out the fantastic Tija Mikeli CLICK HERE . An hour or so with a good photographer can get you some fabulous pictures and it probably won’t cost the earth.

There you have it, just a few thoughts. Please make sure you are not saying “I’ve still got to pack for my honeymoon” just days before you travel.

The Selfie Wizard

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Before I get into The Selfie Wizard I just want to check that you’ve seen my last post and the very special offer for my new Celebrancy service – if you haven’t, please CLICK HERE.

What is The Selfie Wizard? I can’t believe I haven’t covered this before! After all, I’ve been using it for over two years at most of my events.

The Selfie Wizard is a clever way of sharing the pictures taken on phones and displaying them.

In at the beginning (well almost)

It was invented and developed by my dear friend, and all-round great guy, Toni Cavallo. Toni’s a very clever man who has been involved in the photo-booth industry for many years. He first told me about his idea years ago, and I’ve done my best to help him develop it.

I like to think of myself as The Original Wizard of Selfie, and was actually the first person to take the prototype out. I used first used it at Rachael and Remi’s wedding in October 2017. Since then I’ve used it at numerous times and it’s always very popular.

Once it was ready for launch, I contacted a few of my colleagues and introduced them to The Selfie Wizard. Many of them became the first users and helped Toni with feedback and ideas.

One of my sets ups with the Selfie Wizard running through my projector

The Selfie Wizard is a small computer which sets up a local wifi network. People can then upload phone pictures, which can then be displayed. The SW even has a facility so that the pictures can be checked before they are shown. After the event, all of the pictures can be digitally shared with the hosts.

The SW is very easy to use. It can also be used to pre-load old photos and provide a slide display. This is really popular both at weddings and birthday parties.

Earlier this year, Toni was presented with the Best Accessory of the Year award by Pat Sharp at the 2019 ProMobile Conference. I was very surprised and honoured when Toni mentioned me in his acceptance speech. It’s been great fun and a great to be involved in the project

Toni invented the Selfie Wizard
Toni, in the centre, receiving his award from Pat Sharp and ProMobile editor Eddie Short

Interested in The Wizard?

If you’d like to find out more about how we can use the Selfie Wizard at your party or wedding just let me know. If you are interested in buying a The Selfie Wizard CLICK HERE, or talk to me.