Here this weeks video from The Party Hosts. Last week we had the introduction to the series and now we start to actually look at what you can do to make your wedding unique, elegant and fun.
Please click through to YouTube and give it a like – and share it with your friends – thanks.
As well as trading as The Party DJ I’m also very proud to be part of The Party Hosts with Alan and Gary. The Party Hosts came about because the three of us are great friends, share values, had all trained with Mark and Rebecca Ferrell among others, and live fairly close to each other. We originally got together to offer back-up for our clients in the event of something unforseen happening to any of us just prior to a booking. We then decided it might be a good plan to develop a brand that we could market and build together.
It’s now about a year since we got together and things are really starting to take off. Yesterday we launched our Wedding Entertainment Show – our weekly video tips on planning your wedding from an entertainment perspective.
We also started The Party Hosts blog here The Party Hosts
This weekend will also see the start of another of our Party Hosts projects … but we’ll tell you about that next week, when we should have some pictures.
Finally, for now, we have also been entered for the 2014 Wedding industry Awards
… but then I’d have to kill you!
So what did really happen on Tuesday?
Well I can tell you it took “place” here…
I had several roles to play, including this one …
We had a lot of fun …
… but I never got to meet Buttercup!
I had a phone call last Saturday lunchtime from someone needing a DJ for a wedding the same evening. It appears the call was from an agent who had taken the booking at a very respectable local venue.
I’m not sure what the clients were paying for the disco but I was told by the agent “there’s only £180 in it”. The call came in while I was on my way to drop Joe, our son, back at Uni in Loughborough and our day was planned out already. I declined the booking but did text the caller back an hour later to make sure the booking was covered – it was, thank goodness.
So why do I feel the need to share this here …
As I indicated I don’t know the full story – how much the couple were actually paying, why the original DJ wasn’t available, or how much was being taken by the agent as their fee. I just think it’s sad this happens so often and that couples don’t seek out entertainers who they can trust to deliver on their wedding day. I’ve never let a client down and, in the event of a major personal disaster and I can’t make a booking I have a long list of colleagues I can call on to step in and take over. This isn’t necessarily about how much a DJ charges, it’s about how much you can trust your DJ.
I always knew Meghann and Chris’ wedding was going to be a special day from the first time we met. As we all know the weather this year so far hasn’t been very kind to us, but yet again everything just came right when it needed to.
The ceremony took place at 3:30 in the King Charles Hall at Winchester Guildhall and when Meghann entered with Peter her dad to Take That’s ‘Greatest Day’ the sun was streaming through the windows.
Following their ceremony we adjourned to the Wintonian Room for drinks and canapes with a trip out to the gardens next door for photos.
Their wedding breakfast was served back in the King Charles Hall which was transformed into a wonderful dining area. I have to say the team at Winchester Guildhall, managed by Helen, were excellent and were very helpful at all times, as were the caterers Beales Gourmet Caterers managed by Mahmoud. Everything really was lovely.
The evening party started with a very special First Dance. Meghann, with the help of friend Matt, had recorded her own version of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ as can be heard on my video below. Next Meghann had a dance with her dad Peter and then Chris danced with his mum Kim, and it was great to see them all so relaxed sharing special moments together.
We had a lot of fun throughout the evening, we played ‘Getting To Know You’ with the newlyweds, Megahnn threw her bouquet and the dance floor was busy all night. Meghann and Chris had a “Don’t You Dare” list of songs which included Gangnam Style but they relented on that particular track under enormous pressure from their guests. There was even a bit of 5-6-7-8 action!
At about midnight everybody joined Meghann and Chris on the dance floor one last time for the final few songs and then friends and family formed a guard of honour to see them off to The Wanted’s ‘Glad You Came’ – what a great day!
If you are looking for a wedding venue in Winchester I can thoroughly recommend the Guildhall – if you have any questions please ask me. paul@thepartydj.co.uk
Here’s the video I cobbled together – please remember these are just for fun – I know I’m a useless videographer!
It’s been a very very busy week, especially considering that I don’t have a booking this weekend. I’ve had meetings with two couples whose weddings are fast approaching and two more with couples who have now booked me to play at their weddings.
Gary, my colleague from The Party Hosts and I also had a very exciting meeting with a very prestigious venue to talk about mood lighting and entertainment. Meanwhile Alan, the other Party Host, has been in Vegas at the annual DJ convention and training with the amazing Mark and Rebecca Ferrell – Gary and I have to wait until May for our next sessions with mark and Rebecca when they visit the UK again.
I’m eally looking forward to my first wedding fayre with Lovely and Vintage on Sunday at Victoria House in Hamble. I was over that way yesterday visiting one of my new couples and it was great to see some nice big yellow signs directing people to the event. Gary’s at the Southend Barn’s wedding fayre So come and say hello ~ bonus points if you come and see BOTH of us!
For FREE entry please email me on paul@thepartydj.co.uk or phone/text 07973 617153
My New Years Eve Wedding had many beautiful moments and the entrance of the Bridal Party really was special. Picture the scene, the registrar asks the assembled family and friends to stand and this wonderful song comes on …
A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Sam from Cago Cottage in Sway, Marie from Isabella Weddings introduced us at the Finest Marquee Hire open day. Since then I’ve visited the Cottage a few times and it really is a lovely place ~ and it’s available for wedding bookings with a really unique twist.
Cago Cottage is a beautiful 300 year old thatched cottage near Sway in the heart of the New Forest with 4 double bedrooms and is set in 2 acres of land. Basically this can become a blank canvas for you to create a truly unique, bespoke wedding day. Here’s the entry for Cago on the Hitched wedding site
A 300 year old cob wall thatched cottage with light oak exposed beams everywhere. Situated right next to the New forest, a beautiful old place (with full mod cons) which provides so much peace but at the same time offers so much fun for all to have – with the many sporting facilities in the vast grounds. Have the wedding day you truly wish for in a unique venue that is all yours, not just for the day but for the whole week of your wedding.
The cottage is without close neighbours so evening party music is not a problem. There is ample space for large marquees with up to 150 guests for a sit down meal, with lots of other facilities to have fun including boule / floodlit tennis / 5-a-side football pitch / snooker room and a massive tree house for kids to explore…! The cottage has 4 double bedrooms with 3 bathrooms, a large kitchen with a huge pine table that can sit 10/12 people. One bedroom and large family bathroom is downstairs (useful for an elderly couple…). Large BBQ outside with a huge outdoor dining table so you can enjoy the outdoor life as well. Plenty of parking for all cars in the adjoining field.
For more information about Cago Cottage call
Sam on 07791 657 309
Marie on 2380 424277 or 07973 423250
or talk to me on 07973 617153
This was actually my first New Years Eve wedding and my first visit to the Chilworth Manor since I returned to DJ’ing just over 3 years ago. I provided music for the ceremony, drinks reception, wedding breakfast and evening party as well as acting as host on behalf of the Bride and Bridegroom. Chilworth Manor is a lovely venue and the team were very attentive and helpful at all times. I’d certainly recommend having a chat with Chenine on 023 8076 7333 or email her on weddings@chilworth-manor.co.uk if you’d like your wedding close to Southampton. CLICK HERE for more information about Chilworth Manor.
The Lord Selborne Suite had been dressed by my friends from Balloonique and looked lovely, they had covered the drapes, added a twinkling backdrop to the top table and a starlit canopy to the ceiling. I added some uplighters to the columns for the day and my usual up-lighters and booth for the evening. CLICK HERE for more about Balloonique.
It was a lovely day and I hope to post more once the Bride and Bridegroom return from their honeymoon.
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