Wedding DJ Southampton Archives

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.

Have You Got The Hampshire Wedding App?

18th December 2016/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

Launched this year, The Hampshire Wedding App is an excellent FREE app available for your phone or tablet from the Apple store in IOS or from Google Play store for Android users.

It focuses solely on the Hampshire area making it easy for engaged couples to find quality local wedding suppliers. You can search by categories and there’s a map so you can work out who really is local to you or your venue. You also have the facility when browsing to ‘favourite’ suppliers so that you can contact them when you are ready. You can also see a guide to what you should book when on the run up to your big day written by my good friend, wedding planner, Marie of Isabella Weddings

The Hampshire Wedding App also features articles to help you find out more about planning your wedding including ‘Choosing Your Venue’, ‘Legal Aspect of a Celebrants Wedding Ceremony’, ‘Choosing You Florist’ plus several more, oh and a brilliant piece about ‘Choosing Your Wedding DJ and Entertainment’ … written by me 😉

If you are a supplier looking to promote yourself on The Hampshire Wedding App CLICK HERE and tell them I sent you, there may well be discounted advertising rates while the app is growing.

So whether you are planning your wedding or you are a wedding business looking for more exposure The Hampshire Wedding App is well worth a look. Remember it’s FREE to download on IOS/iPhone or Android mobile devices.

Thank You

24th November 2016/0 Comments/in News/by Paul

I just wanted to say a huge THANK YOU to all my couples in supporting me in the recent awards I entered. Each and every one of my 2016 couples have taken the time to score me and write comments some in both of the competitions I entered.

As you may have seen last Friday I won the “Best Entertainment (DJ)” award and a second for “Contribution To The Wedding Industry” at the Hampshire Wedding Awards. On Tuesday it was the regional finals in the National Wedding Industry Awards and with an overall score of 9.9 and some amazing comments for my couples, I didn’t make it through to the finals. However I’m delighted that my two former colleagues in The Party Hosts did very well – Gary Evans won it and Alan Marshall received a Highly Commended. So, all three of us have been acknowledged this week, proof that training and dedication really do make a difference in what we do.

I returned to DJ’ing just over six years ago and I have so much to be thankful for. I’ve met some amazing DJ’s, trainers and mentors who have played a part in helping me ~ thank you.

I’ve been blessed to work with some beautiful couples and their families, and been included in so many wedding days that I will never forget ~ thank you.

I’ve also met dozens of brilliant wedding suppliers who have encouraged me and recommended me to potential clients ~ thank you.

I know I am a very fortunate person to do this for a living and have such amazing family and friends who support me … an put up with me ~ thank you

Earlier today I posted “Be Thankful For What You Got” for Thanksgiving Day on FaceBook – here’s another great song to everybody who I want to say thank you to today …

Thank you x

Wedding Insurance ~ Countdown … 14

31st October 2016/0 Comments/in Wedding Tips/by Paul

It’s Halloween – a day when we laugh about scary things – well here’s something scary that isn’t funny – sometimes things go wrong in the run-up to a wedding and that’s why I want to talk about Wedding Insurance today!

Over the weekend one of my friends from The Hampshire Wedding Group (CLICK HERE) told us about a horrendous situation regarding one of her clients. The Bride-to-be in question had just found out the hall she was holding her reception had been double-booked and she needed to find an alternative venue – her wedding is under a month away! All the invites have been sent out and she has to find a new venue that fit her requirements and make numerous new arrangements to get everything back on track … nightmare! Hopefully everything is getting sorted, certainly my friend from the Hampshire Wedding Group, Sue from Tie The Knot (CLICK HERE), was doing everything she could to help.

Now I have no idea if Wedding Insurance could have helped in this situation – I’m no expert in these matters – but it got me thinking so I turned to Google and Martin Lewis, The Money Saving Expert.

CLICK HERE for his/their excellent guide and the 10 need-to-knows
And guess what, Tip 2 … Insurance usually covers venue or supplier failure, key people falling ill, NOT cold feet!

So that’s todays tip about something I knew nothing about but knew where to look to find the answer. Unfortunately the Bride who has this nightmare doesn’t have insurance but at least she is working with a great supplier who was able to supple a list of alternative venues and a lot of great advice to help sort things out – remember what I’ve said numerous times already in these tips – get to know your suppliers and ask their advice, they can help in so many ways.

PLEASE REMEMBER … things don’t always go to plan in the run up to a wedding – make sure you’ve got good people around you AND insurance.

Don’t forget to reserve your tickets for my “Creating Your Wow Wedding” evening …

More Venue Thoughts ~ WOW Countdown ~ Day 8

22nd October 2016/0 Comments/in Event, Wedding Tips/by Paul

“More Venue Thoughts” continues on from yesterdays post about “Your Perfect Venue”

In the last post I spoke about approaching finding a venue with a clear focus on what you actually need (CLICK HERE). So here are a few more venue thoughts …

If you are struggling to pick from a short-list, visit the venues again – especially if they are a hotel or restaurant – go in as a “regular customer”, have a drink in the bar or maybe a meal or afternoon tea, see how they treat you when they don’t necessarily know you are a potential wedding client. In fact, one you’ve decided on your venue, I recommend becoming a regular visitor and letting the staff who serve you know how much you are looking forward to getting married there – don’t over do it, don’t always appear like you are looking for special treatment, just build a relationship.

That goes for other venues you might be booking too – for example if you are having your wedding at a private venue stay in touch on a regular basis – ask for their advice and help whenever you need it (without being a pain in bum).

This approach goes for everything to do with your wedding – don’t just book things and then leave it for months and months, build real relationships with all your suppliers, even if it’s just following them on FaceBook and liking their posts from time to time. These people will do their best for you especially if they feel connected and valued – just like the family and friends you get involved in helping.

That’s Day 8 of my “WOW Wedding Countdown” where I’m trying to share some of my expertise with couples planning their big day. The point is to prove that attending my “Creating Your WOW Wedding” evening at Ampfield Golf Club on Tuesday 15th November is a wise investment of your time and money. The doors open at 7pm for a 7:30 start and evening should be done by 9:30pm, 10 at latest. It’s £10 per couple and that includes two people and any parents or other people who are part of their wedding plannin, that £10 goes straight to The Countess Mountbatten Hospice. The admission fee is guaranteed with a FULL money-back promise – if you stay to the end and feel the evening wasn’t great value for money I’ll refund you in full from my own pocket – the charity will still get your £10.

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

13th July 2016/0 Comments/in 8 Days Of 80's, 80's Party DJ, Music/by Paul

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

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

A Couple of Comments I’ve Received

26th February 2016/0 Comments/in Feedback/by Paul

It’s been a busy first couple of months of 2016 here at The Party DJ HQ with just one wedding but lots of wedding fayres and meetings. I wanted to share a couple of comments I’ve received in the last couple of weeks.

The first is from Moira who came to the “Creating Your WOW Wedding” evening I presented at Ampfield Golf Club back on 16th February.

“Thanks for a great event on Tuesday. We got some great tips and ideas from it, although for me the best bit was Neil thinking about the day and what it means as opposed to just an expensive party!”

Moira

I love that. Neil, Moira’s husband to be, is hopefully going next month’s evening for Bridegrooms, so he’ll be getting plenty more brilliant ideas to make his wedding unique, memorable and fun.

It’s at Ampfield again on Tuesday 8th March and is open to Bridegrooms and their Best Men and Ushers. Once again it’s free to attend but places must be reserved in advance ~ email paul@thepartydj.co.uk

The second quote is from Eli who married Jason on New Years Eve just a couple of months ago. She posted it on my FaceBook page after seeing my Blog about “Grand Entrances”.

“Loved this bit at ours, was a real highlight especially getting the rest of our crew involved”

Eli

I’ve just posted another video in the same series about “Extended Grand Entrances” ~ that’s where I introduce the other members of the Wedding Party. As Eli said, we did this at her wedding and it was so much fun!

These are two videos in my series of 123/ABC videos where I try and explain how a typical wedding flows and how you can make each moment special – the same kind of thing I cover at my Creating Your WOW Wedding events.

Here are links to some of the series …
First Impressions
Your Grand Entrance
Extended Grand Entrances

There are plenty more to look at. By the way, every picture on my website and in my videos are of couples it’s been my privilege to work with.

If you’d like more information about my events or would like a FREE no-obligation chat about your wedding entertainment please just let me know.

The End Of An Era

3rd August 2015/0 Comments/in Uncategorised/by Paul

Last weekend could be described as “The End Of An Era” ~ don’t panic, I’m not giving up, but it was the last weekend I will ever do weddings on consecutive days. I made an announcement about this back on June 13th and have had a couple of “double -headers” since then which have both been brilliant but I worry about being totally focused and also about being able to offer last minute support to my couples in the lead up to their big day.

This has already meant I’ve had to turn down weddings for next year, so if YOU are thinking about booking me PLEASE don’t leave it too long – it’s never too early to talk about wedding entertainment.

So this was it, my last double-header wedding weekend …

On Friday I was delighted to supply ceremony music and then the evening disco for my good friend of nearly 30 years Andy and his beautiful Bride Vicky. Andy was my “lighting jock” and warm-up DJ back in my New York New York days and then at Martines 2 in Eastleigh. He’s been DJ’ing all the way through and still is very sought after as a club DJ.

They had their ceremony at the beautiful Winslowe House in West End with just their closest family followed by drinks and photographs in the grounds there. Then they moved in a white Rolls Royce on to The Navigator at Swanwick for a meal and then they were joined by more family and friends for a great party to celebrate. I had the honour of sharing their Love Story with everybody before their first dance which was to the Luther Vandross and Busta Rhymes version of “Lovely Day”

Later in the evening Vicky did a DJ set comprising of a mix I’d prepared of Andy’s own “Mercmonk” edits. It was lovely day and it was great to see many old friends and celebrate with Andy and Vicky.

Then it was home by 1:30am and a few hours sleep before I left at 10:30am for Josh and Max’s wedding at excellent The Winchester Hotel. I actually had help all-day from Charlie Rogers, an great young DJ who was keen to help and see how I ran an all-day wedding. Everybody at the Hotel was very helpful and the day ran very smoothly. I provided ceremony music and then my full Master of Ceremonies, background music, party DJ package, and it was a blast! It was great to be working alongside Andrew from Hampshire Photography ~ Whitley Weddings, Andrew also provided an “open Photo Booth” during the evening reception.

I’ll probably post more about Max and Josh’s wedding in the future, there was such a lot going on!

Again I was delighted to be allowed to share their Love Story with their friends and family before their first dance which was to the Boyce Avenue version of “Without You” (originally a hit for David Guetta and Usher).

… and that was it, the End Of An Era! Home by about 2am on Sunday morning and, as I type this on Monday morning, my feet still ache but I can’t stop smiling thinking about all the fun I had with these two fabulous couples and their nearest and dearest.

Almost ready …

22nd December 2014/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by Paul

Did you think I’d disappeared again ~ NO CHANCE!

I’m almost ready for the start of the exciting changes I’ve been working on over the last few months. The more observant of you will remember I announced Christmas Eve will be the launch day and I’m still on track so this really is The Final Countdown!

This Sunday ~ 12th October ~ Grand Harbour Wedding Fair

9th October 2014/0 Comments/in Uncategorized/by Paul

I know I keep saying I’m going to post more …

BUT this time I really am!

It’s been an amazing Wedding season for me this year, I still have at least one more to come and I feel so lucky to have played a part in so many amazing days. I meet most of my clients at Wedding Fairs and this weekend there’s another one, this time at Southampton Grand Harbour. It starts at 10:30 in the morning and finishes at 3:30 in the afternoon and I’ll be talking to lots of couples and giving out my beautiful packs full of information about wedding entertainment planning – so if your coming please stop and say hello.

Posts