New Forest Wedding DJ Archives

Engaged over the festive period? Congratulations!

27th December 2019/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

Congratulations to everyone who got engaged over the festive period. It’s a special time of year and now it will be even more special for you. My late wife, Ce, and I got engaged on Boxing Day a long time ago so I know how it feels.

4 Tips to get you started

So now the big adventure begins. Plenty of big decisions to make but please don’t worry about it – there is plenty of good help and advice to be had. Make sure you take some time for just the two of you to find out what each other want. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and get carried away.

1. Why not start with the simple “describe your wedding in 3 or 4 words” exercise. Both of you write down you words without showing each other and then talk through your ideas.

2. You can CLICK HERE to see my Your WOW Wedding booklet. It’s full of great advice.

3. Then talk to your married friends and family. Ask them what they loved about their weddings and ask them if there’s anything they’d do differently.

4. My final recommendation is to visit wedding fairs and talk to the exhibitors. You don’t have to book anything, just ask questions and listen to the answers you are given. If you really like a supplier get their details and do some research on them. My first fair of the New Year is on Sunday 5th January – I’ll post full details early next week.

That’s it for this post. If you got engaged over the festive period don’t forget to request your free WOW Wedding Guide and CONGRATULATIONS!

Get Me To The Church On Time

17th July 2018/0 Comments/in Soap Box/by Paul

“Get Me To The Church On Time” is a song from the musical My Fair Lady and this post isn’t about that, or even Church – I was just thinking about wedding day timings and the idea that “it’s the Bride’s prerogative to keep the Bridegroom waiting”. Whether it’s a Church, a civil ceremony or a humanist wedding blessing, this is one wedding tradition that you can forget in my humble opinion and here’s a few reasons why.

First, it’s just rude. Of course the Bride will make an entrance, everyone is there waiting for her arrival, to see the dress, to see the Bridegrooms reaction as sees her for the first time etc etc etc.

Being late causes stress – is she coming? Is she OK? What’s happening?

It’s quite usual for things just before the Ceremony to take longer than expected – maybe the traffic is heavier than expected, one of the bridesmaids has a problem, the photographer needs a little longer to get everything covered and captured for posterity. So please make sure you make a plan – talk to your hair and make-up artist, your photographer, your driver, make sure you have plenty of time.

If you are late for a Church wedding your minister may well take offence and your ceremony may “get off on the wrong foot”. If you are having a civil ceremony with a registrar they will probably have another wedding to get to after yours and have to rush, or maybe even cancel because they don’t have enough time. If you are having a humanist celebration then you may be OK, but it’s still not ideal.

People don’t like to be kept waiting – FACT. If your nearest and dearest are all seated and ready for the wedding and you’re late they won’t thank you for it. If you have any children or babies at your wedding their parents will probably be able to keep them quiet for the duration of the ceremony, but if you arrive late the children will me more fidgety.

If you are late it may throw out the timings for the rest of the day, the meal etc.

One last thing, if you are late YOU LOSE time for the rest of the day – time you will never get back.

Please make sure you make a plan to Get me to the Church on time.

And finally, here is Stanley Holloway’s version of “Get me to the Church on Time”

Here’s one I prepared earlier … Mark and Rebecca Ferrell

19th January 2018/0 Comments/in Soap Box/by Paul

I was going through my files earlier this week and found this video I made a year ago, it’s about Mark and Rebecca Ferrell. Now I’ve decided to post it because the content is still relevant and, I’ll be honest, I’m too lazy to make it again!

So this post is really for DJs who might be considering training options and also for couples who want to find DJ’s who really want to give their clients more than just music.

I first became aware of Mark and Rebecca around 2009 when I started to look for training opportunities and people offering something more to their clients. I found their Marbecca website (CLICK HERE) and was very taken with their ideals, but they were based in the States and it was unlikely (for numerous reasons) that I would be able to travel to train with them.

A few years later when I was on my first training course with Derek Pengelly and I met Alan Marshall who told me all about his Marbecca experiences. Alan was then responsible for bringing Mark and Rebecca to the UK and so I got the opportunity to train and develop my skills using the Marbecca Method. They visited the UK twice and I was so lucky to train with them at five of their Marbecca workshops, as well as hear Mark speak to gatherings of DJs and just spend time with them.

I love working on my performance and Mark and Rebecca helped me enormously but my time with them has meant so much more to me. To have the opportunity to help couples create WOW Weddings is a real blessing and so much of what I do, how I do it and why I do it is down to Marbecca.

I see many people on social media criticising Mark and Rebecca Ferrell and questioning their motives and ability – I can honestly say from the bottom of my heart that these are two of the kindest and most honourable people I have ever met. I also see many arguments from DJ’s as to why this isn’t for them and that’s fine, BUT if you are a DJ looking to improve your skills I would 100% recommend you consider Marbecca, AND if you are a couple looking for a DJ I’d 100% recommend you look for one who has been trained by Mark and Rebecca Ferrell – and the more training they’ve done with them the better!

I’ve blogged about Mark and Rebecca several times before …
Mark Says (CLICK HERE)
Marbecca 2013 (CLICK HERE)
and Keeping Focused (CLICK HERE)

This is my video, as I say I made it a year ago. If you would like to find out more about them CLICK HERE or just give me a call.

Married In May

12th January 2018/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

Married In May is the latest of my series looking at weddings in each month of the year.

May in Hampshire, and particularly the New Forest, is a wonderful time of year. Spring has truly sprung and the rhododendrons look amazing (even though they are considered a weed by The Forestry Commission because they are not originally from the area (CLICK HERE for more information)).

The first and last Mondays of May are Bank Holidays ~ May Day and Whit Monday (now sometimes referred to as Late May Bank Holiday). It is a popular month for weddings and so dates at some venues might already be booked – but there are always alternative venues and dates!

What will the weather be like if you chose to get Married In May? Once again I turn to MyWeather2 (click here to see the full page). Here are the best bits …

Temperature ~ daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 17°C that’s about 62°F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 9°C, that’s 47°F. Recent highest recorded temperatures in May have been 29°C that’s 83°F, with the lowest recorded temperature 0°C, about 32°F.

Rain ~ The average monthly amount of precipitation has been recorded at around 45 mm, that’s 2 inches. Throughout the month you can expect to see rain or drizzle falling on 15 days of the month.

Sunshine ~ For May expect the sun to shine for an average of 9 hours per day.

One May phenomenon that has emerged in recent times is “May the fourth” also known as Star Wars day. When a couple with the surname May who love Star Wars got married it wasn’t a surprise when they picked the fourth. I was able to hook them up with Darth Vadar and a couple of Storm Troopers who arrived during the wedding breakfast and dragged the groom outside – an amazing moment from a truly memorable day.

The pictures in this blog post come from couples who got Married In May at Skylark Country Club, Winslowe House, Bartley Lodge and The Kings Arms – click on the venue names to get more information.

April Weddings

29th December 2017/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

What can I tell you about April Weddings …
The second month of Spring and, as I mentioned last time, it’s another month when the schools might be on holiday. Easter can fall any time between March 22 and April 25.

So what’s the weather likely to be like at April Weddings? Here’s a link to myweather2.com CLICK HERE. In summary it says …

Temperature ~ generally reach highs of around 14°C that’s about 57°F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 5°C, that’s 42°F. Recently the highest recorded temperature in April has been 24°C that’s 75°F, with the lowest recorded temperature -4°C, about 25°F.

Rainfall ~ The average monthly amount of precipitation has been recorded at around 51 mm, that’s 2 inches. Throughout the month you can expect to see rain or drizzle falling on 17 days of the month, with snow falling on 1 days.

Sunshine ~ For April expect the sun to shine for an average of 9 hours per day.

Traditionally April is known for “April Showers” and in one day the weather can change from springtime sunshine to winter sleet and snow. So perhaps the question shouldn’t be “what’s the weather likely to be like at April Weddings?” but actually “what ISN’T the weather likely to be like at April Weddings?”! I guess the important this is to lease with your photographer and venue to explore all the possibilities for photos.

The first of April is April Fools Day, a date which has been popular with couples who wanted a fun-filled wedding day.

I’ve done some wonderful April weddings. The ones featured in the pictures here are from The Marwell Hotel, New Place and Bartley Lodge. (Click the hotel names to find out more about getting married at these three excellent venues).

My daughter is getting married in April next year (2018) so I’ve got my fingers crossed for a great month!

What comes after April Weddings? That’ll be May Weddings – see you next time 😉

Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ

18th December 2017/0 Comments/in Music/by Paul

Well we’re back from our break in Feuerteventura and so it’s finally time to get in the Christmas spirit… Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ.

As you may have seen on my FaceBook page my friend Stephen created the must-have Christmas decoration for 2017. Surely everyone will want to put this grumpy Hampshire Wedding DJ on top of their tree to wish all their families;y and friends a Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ! Move over Elf you are so last year 😉

Stephen says … “Now be careful with sharp scissors – you might want to ask a grownup to help you…
Cut all around it carefully, then cut along the two sets of dotted lines on the back so that you can wrap it around and slot the two pieces together.
Enjoy!”

I wonder if anyone will make one and send me a picture – I’ve got a bottle of prosecco for the best picture I receive c/o paul@thepartydj.co.uk

Here’s a few Christmas tunes from me with absolutely no Michael Bublé, Pogues or Mariah!

Let’s start with the last person I saw in concert, the amazing talent that is Jacob Collier
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ~ Jacob Collier & Tori Kelly

This next one was used by Apple for their Christmas campaign a few year back
Stevie Wonder and Andra Day ~ Someday At Christmas

I have a Fast Food Rockers story, but I’m not going to tell you 😛
This is a brilliant Christmas song …
Fast Food Rockers ~ I Love Christmas

As a long-time Chris Moyles listener, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without this one
Lou Monte ~ Dominick the Donkey

I think this is my favourite Christmas song
Dean Martin ~ Let it Snow!

Once again, Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ.

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

Starting The New Year With A January Wedding

30th November 2017/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

January a month for new beginnings so starting the New Year with a January Wedding is the obvious choice for some couples.

January is also considered a long month after the excitement of the festive season things can fall a bit flat, so starting The New Year With A January Wedding is a great way of putting some joy into everyones lives. It’s worth remembering that many people disappear off the radar over the holiday season so having all your plans in place well in advance will reduce stress in the final days before the wedding.

Again I went to MyWeather2 CLICK HERE for a summary of the weather conditions.

Temperature ~ January daytime temperatures will generally reach highs of around 9°C that’s about 48°F. At night the average minimum temperature drops down to around 4°C, that’s 38°F. In recent times the highest recorded temperature in January has been 15°C that’s 59°F, with the lowest recorded temperature -7°C, about 19°F.

Rainfall ~ The average monthly amount of precipitation has been recorded at around 73 mm, that’s 3 inches. Throughout the month you can expect to see rain or drizzle falling on 20 days of the month, with snow falling on 1 days.

Sunshine ~ expect the sun to shine for an average of 4 hours per day.

So weather-wise it’s going to be fairly bleak but there may well be opportunities to get some pictures outside. However, keep in mind it may be bright but bitter and guests will want to keep their coats on and you don’t want anyone to get chilled in the traditional sense of the word!

The pictures here come from January weddings at Sparsholt and Ampfield Golf Club

If you have any questions of ideas about starting The New Year with a January Wedding please let me know paul@thepartydj.co.uk

Le Chanteclerc Wedding Fayre This Sunday

20th October 2017/0 Comments/in Event/by Paul

This Sunday I’ll be at Le Chanteclerc wedding fayre, just off Junction One of the M27 at Cadnam for the first wedding fair at this fabulous, much loved restaurant. The function room has been beautifully refurbished and everything is ready for couples to have a good look around. CLICK HERE to go to Le Chanteclerc website. I’ve been going to Le Chanteclerc for years, it’s one of our favourite local restaurants – so if you’ve never tried it, you really should! They also have bedrooms and do a great B&B package.

It’s another FREE Wedding Fayre with another FREE Prize Draw and a FREE Drink if you come and chat with me!
Once again many members of the Hampshire Wedding Group are offering prizes in a free draw – you can even preregister for the event and draw by completing this form – PLEASE CLICK HERE. However you must attend the event to be in the draw.

Wedding fayres are a great place to get ideas and I recommend you take a few minutes to talk to all the suppliers – these people have so much knowledge and they’ll be happy to answer any questions you have.

As I say, if you come and see me and mention this blog post I WILL EVEN BUY YOU A DRINK 🙂

Have a great weekend and I really hope to see you at Le Chanteclerc Wedding Fayre

Previous clients, please help me!

16th September 2017/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by Paul

So, here’s a request for previous clients, please help me!

I’m particularly looking for couples, clients, you know who you are, who are on FaceBook and have Google to pop a review on for me. It will really help with my SEO and lots of things that I really don’t understand.

On FaceBook I have eleven so far and haven’t had any new ones since February this year and I know lots of people who use FB haven’t posted a review yet. I have ten 5 stars and one 4 Star (gutted). Thank you Gemma, Karen, Sarah, Charmaiine, Varun and Dik (who I don’t think I know at all and have no connection with), Fatma, Michelle, Jenny, Colin, Sarah, Jill, Emma, Sue, Hannah, Wendy and Lauren.

It only takes a second to click on the Star rating and a minute to post a comment AND it would be great if you could please make sure you have “liked” the page too, thanks x 😉

CLICK HERE to go to The Party DJ FaceBook page

On Google I only have five and the most recent one was four years ago, but they are all 5 star. Thank you Fern, Jason and the three “A Google User”‘s – Hayley and Stuart, Craig and Karen, and the last one from 5 years ago which I can’t remember who posted it. 🙁

If you search DJ Southampton in Google you should find a window a bit like this and (if you have a Google ID) you can then post a review – I hope that makes sense, if you’re having problems please let me know.

Oh and one last thing (I don’t ask for much do I), if you have any friends planning their wedding, please put them in touch with me – even if they already have their DJ sorted, because I’m running more WOW events soon to help plan great weddings!

So, previous clients please help me! It should only take a few minutes and I’d really REALLY appreciate it.

Getting Married For The Second Time Around?

23rd July 2017/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

Are you getting married for the second time around?

Second Time Around is the title to a 1979 pop/disco classic by Shalamar that I used to love playing in the clubs and bars. Actually the song is about having a second go at a relationship but why should we let that get in the way of a snappy title!

So, are you getting married for the second time around?

If so you are probably facing all kinds of issues, some over and above those you faced the first time. Making your wedding different may well be high on your list of priorities – that’s definitely somewhere I can help. Because I spend time getting to know every couple and their concerns and challenges the service I offer is well worth considering.

If you’ve been married before you really know how the day flies by. Think about how the previous wedding felt and what you liked and disliked about it – you have a chance to create something so much better based on those experiences. Obviously there will be areas of sensitivity that need to be managed – using someone that understands all of this is part of what I offer all my couples.

Maybe you are considering renewing your vows and getting married for the second time around to celebrate your love and your lives together, I’d be delighted to help you too.

Finally, here is Second Time Around by Shalamar 😉

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