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

Sheena’s 60th Party at The Ageas Bowl

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What makes a great party? Well, Sheena’s 60th Party at The Ageas Bowl last month is a good example.

From the moment the guests arrived to the moment the last one left, Sheena and I had made a plan to ensure something was happening. We squeezed a lot in but made sure nothing was rushed and that everyone felt a part of the celebration.

I arrived at The Ageas around 4pm to load in and set up in the first floor Robin Smith suite. By the time Sheena and her family arrived I was suited and booted with the music playing and a slideshow running on my big projector screen with over 400 pictures from the family album. Everything was ready for Sheena’s Party at The Ageas Bowl.

Once we had everyone seated, I introduced Sheena’s Uncle Pete who presented a brilliant quiz. When Sheena and I met to plan the party I mentioned a quiz and she told me all about her Uncle who is an excellent quizmaster and has done my family events in the past including her 50th. I had my colleague John with me who run quiz nights and we were both very impressed with Pete’s quiz. There were 9 tables of guests and the winners were invited to go to the warm buffet table first, runners up second, etc … the table that came last had to wait a while longer!

After the two course buffet it was time for the formalities. I introduced another of Sheena’s uncles, Malcolm, who had travelled from Canada to join in the celebrations and he gave a lovely speech. Then I had video messages I’d collected from friends and family who couldn’t be there – messages from Thailand, Hong Kong, more from the family in Canada and many other places – over 6 minutes of snippets! Finally Sheena said her thank you’s – with many lovely insights into her family and friendships.

Then we gathered everyone together so that the official photographers could get a big photo of everyone together. Two of the guests, Thelma and Jacob, were also celebrating birthdays and Sheena had cakes for both of them. Then, birthday girl, Thelma sang “Ain’t Missbeahvin'” acappella with everyone singing and clapping along.

Finally it time to get the dancing underway and it wasn’t long before the floor was busy and it stayed that way until the end at 12:30. I had plenty of requests from the birthday girl which I had in advance and I was able to add requests from the guests as the evening went on. We were also entertained with an excellent version of “Never Gonna Give you Up” by Gerry who sang over a backing track I had ready for him.

There were a few other things that we did to make the evening special – but if I tell you everything people will just copy and that wouldn’t be right 😉

That was Sheena’s fabulous Party at The Ageas Bowl, truly a night to remember.

Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ

Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ

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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

Merry Christmas from Paul The Party DJ

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.

Karen’s 60th Party

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Last Saturday was Karen’s 60th Party at The Woolston Masonic Hall.

I was the DJ for Karen and Ian’s wedding three years ago at Avington Park and I remember chatting to them at the end of the day after all guests had left and Karen said she couldn’t wait for the next special occasion to do it again. Then a year ago on March 2016 I got an email checking my availability for 1st April this year, I was delighted!

Karen wanted a Photo Booth and I was able to introduce her to Toni from SpeedyPix. She had booked a balloon company but they let her down a couple of weeks before the event so I put her in touch with Suzanne from Tie The Knot who supplied beautiful metallic-finish balloons in Karen’s rainbow theme colours.

The evening followed a similar time-line to Vikky & Gemma’s Engagement Party (scroll down to see the post) and again I provided a photo-montage service. A very tasty buffet was provided by the team at The Masonic Hall, then Karen said a few words before cutting her cake and again we had a group photo with SpeedyPix taking the picture.

So that was Karen’s 60th Party … and guess what … at the end of the night we had a very similar conversation along the lines of “I can’t wait for the next special occasion”!

December weddings

Christmas Parties at The Port House

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This is my third year of Christmas Parties at The Port House in Port Solent.

The Port House is a cafe, bar and restaurant and home to the Portsmouth Harbour Yacht Club. It’s located in Port Solent passed the Broadwalk shopping and bars area in the heart of the marina.
CLICK HERE for more information about The Port House.

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Most of this years Christmas Parties at The Port House were for individual companies or groups from the Q.A.Hospital although we did have one night of mixed tables.
paul-taylor-a4-xmas-request-sheet
Every night I use these cards >>>
so that I get as many requests as possible – hopefully something for everyone!

I’ve found everyone to be really friendly and absolutely lovely but the cards indicate that around 80% of the guests attending have been naughty and this is usually borne out by what they’d like for Christmas (most of which I couldn’t write here for you!).

I’m actually amazed that my picture (at the bottom) has only been “tampered with” a few times and I actually quite like the additions that were made.

Guests usually arrive between 7pm and 7:30pm for arrival drinks and are then seated for 8pm ready for their meals. I cannot speak highly enough of the quality of food and standard of service by the team from Vanilla Catering at The Port House – it’s brilliant. There are several guests who attend more than one Christmas party every year and some of them have been coming for almost a decade – praise indeed. Christmas Parties at The Port House with Sally, Kit, Laura and the team is great fun.

I thought it would be fun to share my playlist from one of the nights, so here you go …

Following on from background music during the arrival and meal, I started the dancing at around 9:40pm
Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
Van Morrison – Brown Eyed Girl
Pharrell Williams – Happy
Lou Bega – Mambo No.5 (A Little Bit Of…)
Michael Jackson – Rockin’ Robin
The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
Stevie Wonder – Superstition
Dolly Parton – 9 to 5
Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing
Which took us to 10:00pm
S Club 7 – DJ Beats: Bring It All Back
Bruno Mars – DJ Beats: 24k Magic
Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling!
Kool & the Gang – Ladies Night
Shalamar – A Night To Remember
Sister Sledge – We Are Family
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
OMI – Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)
DNCE – Cake By The Ocean
Prince – 1999
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
Calvin Harris – My Way
Daft Punk – One More Time
Faithless – Insomnia
Five – Keep On Moving
Five – Everybody Get Up
Busted – Busted – Year 3000
Reef – Place Your Hands
Spice Girls – Wannabe
which brought us to 11:00pm and into the last hour …
Spice Girls – Who Do You Think You Are
Wham! – Club Tropicana
Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
Robin S – Show Me Love
Jess Glynne – Hold My Hand
Lulu & Take That – Relight My Fire
Village People – Y.M.C.A.
Whigfield – Saturday Night
DJ Casper – Cha Cha Slide
Walk The Moon – Shut Up and Dance
The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
The Foundations – Build Me Up Buttercup
S Club 7 – Reach
Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta – Grease Megamix
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
Take That – Never Forget
The Pogues – Fairytale Of New York

Looking at it now, it appears I played 46 songs in about 140 minutes so an average of just over 3 minutes of every song. The reason I chose this night to share is that every one of those songs was requested by someone on the cards I handed out, obviously lots of them were track’s I probably played anyway but I love looking into this kind of information to help me work out what I might play next time.

Other more random songs I’ve had requested and managed to fit in over the party season include …
Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
M – Pop Music
Coldplay – Hymn For The Weekend
Chumbawamba – Tub Thumping
Jim Jamison – I’m Always Here (Baywatch Theme)
Vanessa Amorosi – Absolutely Everybody
The Black Keys – Lonely Boy
Smash Mouth – All Star
DeBarge – Rhythm Of The Night

I’ve still got a couple more Christmas Parties at The Port House to go … I wonder what the request cards will bring up 😉

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real weddings

After Party ~ Countdown … 19

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I’m counting down to my next “Creating Your WOW Wedding event and there are now 19 days to go! Every day I’m posting a new tip that may help you plan your wedding and today I’m looking at an “After Party”!

After Party wow-19

The “After Party” idea is something I’ve been suggesting for about six years, I’m not sure where the idea came from but I think I was one of the first to offer it. It’s particularly useful if yours is going to be a long wedding day, or if your favourite genre of music is … shall we say, not everyones cup of tea. The idea is to end the “formal/traditional” reception at, say, 10:30pm with a “last dance” and the usual big cheer or an archway, then you can pop out and come back for your “after party” where you can let your hair down for an hour or two more with friends and family who want to stay.

With weddings often starting around noon it can be such a long day and not everyone has the stamina to party all night – this gives them a chance to stay to the end and take part in the big party ending and slip away before they collapse of exhaustion. It also means guests with children might stay to the end rather than excusing themselves early.

As I say if you want to party to the music you like but feel it’s not suitable for nana and the little ones, this also gives you a way around that problem.

If you’d like more tips please stay tuned – I’m posting another tip every day right up to 15th November when the event takes place at Ampfield.
PLEASE NOTE ~ This is not a sales event for me,you will be under no pressure to book me, the event is just great advice to help you understand how your wedding day may run and how you can use the principles on “Your WOW Wedding” to make it even better. Please reserve your places now, email paul@thepartydj.co.uk

wow-save-the-date

Rainy Days ~ Countdown Day 10

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Into double figures with the countdown! Yesterday I was looking at the weather forecast for today and this song came into my head ~ Rainy days and Mondays.

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What a miserable, rainy day! Rainy Day’s & Monday’s is a song from the early seventies by The Carpenters and, to be honest, it’s a bit sad … so not a great way to start the week but it reminded me of a video I did a few months back ~ “What If It Rains On Your Wedding Day?”. This year we’ve had quite a few damper days in the wedding season, or at least it seems that way to me. Living in the UK means it’s very hard to predict the weather so you always need to have a plan B. Here’s my video on the topic …

Plan B’s are always important – you need to have a plan for your whole day and have ideas about what you can do if things don’t go to that plan. For example … if the Bride doesn’t turn up is there anyone else who wants to marry the Bridegroom ~ not a great example, but I wanted to see who reads these posts – message me at paul@thepartydj.co.uk 😉

This daily series of posts are a countdown to the “Creating Your WOW Wedding” evening I’m holding on 15th November at Ampfield Golf Club. Seats need to be reserved in advance and tickets are £10 per couple and their guests – all proceeds to The Countess Mountbatten Hospice charity and there is a full money back guarantee from me if you feel the evening wasn’t worth it! So if you, or anyone you know, are wedding planning this event is a must. Reserve your seats today by emailing paul@thepartydj.co.uk. If you haven’t seen the other tips scroll back down my blog.

Finally, for anybody who’s actually interested, here’s that Carpenters song

8 Days Of 80’s ~ Day 8 ~ Crowded House ~ Love This Life

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And so we come to Crowded House ~ Love This Life for day 8 of my “8 Days Of 80’s” … it’s been a lot of fun, so thanks again Rory for the nomination. As I’ve mentioned before these are just 8 random songs that could have been totally different. I picked them for each for individual reasons and today’s is no exception.

To be honest, I didn’t really “get” Crowded House until 1991. We stocked all the albums and Michael again played them to many of ur regular customers, I didn’t really have any strong feelings about them either way. Around the time Woodface launched in 1991 our EMI rep, Steve, gave us a special double promo cd “Live at the Town & Country Club” and that really resonated with me. I had seen Neil Finn in Split Enz back in 1976, I’d even promoted “Six Months In A Leaky Boat” during my time with A&M, but it wasn’t until their that third album they I really connected – and then they became a bit of an obsession!

I’ve now seen Neil Finn in his various incarnations (Split Enz, Crowded House, The Finn Brothers, and solo) more than any other artist. The last show we saw was 22nd September 2015 when Neil was touring with his son Liam. I’d go again tomorrow if I could.

So, it’s back to the second album, “Temple Of Low Men” from 1988, for this beautiful song that I feel is an apt finale to my “8 Days Of 80’s”

Crowded House ~ Love This Life

Here’s the orginal album version featuring Neil, Nick and Paul (RIP)

And here’s Neil performing it live a few years ago…

For more about Crowded House TRY HERE for Wiki
Or TRY HERE for Friends Of The Enz

Thanks for reading my 8 Days Of 80’s and please “Love This Life”

P x

8 Days Of 80’s ~ Day 1 ~ John Lennon ~ Woman

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My first choice is John Lennon. Sorry, let me explain, my friend Rory, who currently lives with his lovely wife Gina in Hayward near San Francisco, challenged me to take part in “8 Days Of 80’s” on FaceBook. I’m supposed to post an 80’s video each day & nominate two people to do the same for eight days. Those two people (if they choose) should then, in turn nominate two more people etc. BUT I don’t like nominating people unless they want to take part – so, if you want to take part, please let me know.

Obviously I could chose hundreds of tracks so these aren’t going to be my definitive choices, they are just where my mind takes me while I’m doing the challenge. If you think some of these tracks are naff …. get over it! I could have chosen far worse!!

I thought I’d use the opportunity to give a little more substance and context to my selections and so for the next 8 days I’ll be posting my selections here too with added waffle.

Day 1 ~ John Lennon ~ Woman

“Woman” is taken from John Lennon’s 1980 album Double Fantasy. He chose it to be the second single and it was released in January 1981 after he was murdered on 8 December 1980. CLICK HERE for more about John Lennon

I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news of John’s death, visiting a friend near Penzance in my old MGB. I was at a point in my life where I had no real idea of where I was going, I was already DJ’ing but working in the motor trade as a parts salesman /delivery driver and getting ready to visit Jersey for the first time.

Having visited Liverpool last week I felt this was as good a choice as any to start my 8 Days Of 80’s

#‎7DayMusicChallenge ~ Day 1 ~ Stevie Wonder ~ I Wish

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Many thanks to top bloke and brilliant DJ Tony Winyard for nominating me for the FaceBook 7 Day Music Challenge. The challenge is 2015’s version of Desert Island Discs and as someone whose whole life has revolved around music this is something I’ve thought about many times.

I’ve been anticipating what direction I’d take if nominated for a few days … 7 days, 7 weeks, 7 months, maybe even 7 years would not be long enough! So let’s see where this goes …

As most of the friends I saw doing the challenge on FaceBook were other DJ’s and soul boys I thought I’d start with some of the fabulous artists I’ve been privileged to see live from that sector …

Stevie Wonder ~ “I Wish” from “Songs In The Key Of Life”

I could have picked any track from this album (double album with bonus e.p.).  Even listening to the album this morning it sounds as fresh as ever.

This was the first album I earned from my career in record retail.  Late in 1976, thanks to my friend Steve (who I now nominate to take the challenge), I tried out for a part time job at Virgin Records in Bargate Street, Southampton with management team Liz and Marty.  One of the payment options for a trial shift was an album – I was extra cheeky and asked for this double album with bonus e.p., although I did offer to pay the extra I think.

I’ve been compiling a list of all the bands I’ve seen and I have dates for most of them. I’ve seen Stevie at least once, I think it’s twice but I can only remember one for sure which was at Earls Court in the late 70’s (and I think it was an afternoon show – could he really have been doing two shows in a day back then?) but that’s as close as I’ve got so far!

Never forget ~ Life Sounds Better To Music

 

Party DJ!

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Party DJ Hampshire

I just wanted to say … I’ve still got it!

When I first purchased the Party DJ domain I had no idea I’d still be DJ’ing in 2015 and loving it more than ever.

I’ve categorised this post as “soap box” and I guess it’s a bit of a rant. The problem is anybody can call themselves a DJ – there are no qualifications that you need to have. The only criteria anybody calling themselves a DJ should meet is holding public liability insurance, and many don’t even have that! The market locally, nationally and globally is flooded with people who call themselves DJ’s although they have no little to no experience, they’ve cobbled together some cheap equipment and downloaded illegal music. People expect to pay a couple of hundred pounds for a DJ because they’ve never seen one worth more than that – when they actually see a proper DJ they are blown away.

So far this year I’ve done three weddings, I spent time in advance with each couple finding out what they loved and hated to make sure their party was as good as it possibly could be. Each of them have been great fun and I’ve received some amazing feedback both from my clients, their guests and even the staff at the venues. Each of these three couples took my advice and set up a FaceBook page in advance and invited their friends and family to make suggestions for the reception playlist, it worked really well.

First up was Kat and Gareth’s wedding at Audleys Wood. The golden rule for a busy dance floor at a wedding is wherever the Bride and Bridegroom go their guests will follow ~ Kat and Gareth spent the whole night on the dance floor!

Audleys Wood DJ

This one’s from Tara and Rob’s wedding at the Bartley Lodge ~ not one of my photos, this one turned up on FaceBook ~ thanks Nik and the ladies for wanting a selfie with me!

Party DJ Bartley Lodge

Finally for now, on Friday I was at New Place for Emma and Simon’s wedding, their friends and family had suggested nearly eleven hours of party music and I think some of them would have danced to the whole lot. You’ll find plenty of pictures from their party HERE on my The Party DJ FaceBook page .

New Place DJ

There are plenty of DJ’s out there, wherever you are, but not all of them really know what they are doing. NEVER book a DJ without having a good chat with him/her first, ask them about their experience, check they have insurance, don’t waste your money on a muppet wannabe … well I did say it was going to be a bit of a rant didn’t I.

I’ve been a DJ for a very long time and I won’t be giving up any time soon.