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It’s still happening …

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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.

 

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The weekend starts here …

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Thursday evening
I’m just off to meet a new couple for a chat about their wedding day – fingers crossed!

Friday Evening
I’m doing a 175th Birthday Party ~ it’s a joint party for three lovely ladies ~ it’s going to be a blast.

Saturday
This is another interesting one, Alan, Gary and I are doing a special lighting install for an event on Sunday ~ a chance to get creative.

Sunday
It’s the Hampshire Wedding Show at Southampton University Ce and I will be there and we’re looking forward to seeing lots of our favourite suppliers and meeting lots of new couples planning their special day.

The 1st 100 brides through the door will get a luxury goodie bags, completely FREE!
There’s a FREE copy of the latest Eternity Bridal Magazine for every bride attending.
Plus it’s FREE entry for everyone
… so come and say hello!

and then …
It’s off to London first thing on Monday with Alan and Gary for a day of social media training.

I think I’ll have a rest on Tuesday 🙂

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Sunday 10th ~ Lovely and Vintage Wedding Fayre

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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!

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Wedding Fair ~ THIS Thursday

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For FREE entry please email me on paul@thepartydj.co.uk or phone/text 07973 617153

Southampton Wedding Fair

A beautiful Bridal entrance …

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Wedding music

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 …

Chilworth Manor Wedding

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D&I day

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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Woodlands Lodge Hotel

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Woodlands Lodge

Here’s another one of my reviews that I’ve posted recently on the For Better For Worse website’s venue pages …

Situated a few miles out of Southampton, just off the A35 and easily reached from the M27, The Woodlands Lodge Hotel is brilliantly located for couples who want a New Forest Wedding.

I’m a DJ and Master of Ceremonies/Wedding Host, so I get to visit dozens of venues across the region and gain a unique behind-the-scenes insight and The Woodlands Lodge is among the most friendly hotels I’ve visited. Imogene and her team have created a really welcoming atmosphere that only a privately owned/run hotel could hope to achieve.

The venue has two rooms licensed for civil ceremonies and offer various options to accommodate different couples’ requirements for their wedding breakfast and evening reception.

If you are looking for a venue where you’ll feel at home, valued and relaxed I suggest you drop in for a chat with Imogene.

Woodlands Lodge Wedding Disco

Here’s a couple of pictures from a year ago today (10th December 2011) of my last wedding at The Woodlands Lodge for Matt & Kirsten’s Wedding.

Woodlands Lodge Wedding DJ

For more information about weddings at The Woodlands Lodge CLICK HERE.

You can download their current Wedding Brochure HERE Or you could just pick up the phone and give Imogene a call on 023 8029 2257.

Woodlands Lodge Wedding Brochure

Steph & Danny’s Wedding Party

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New Forest Wedding DJ

Here’s a very quick video from last Saturday’s wedding party for Steph and Danny at the New Forest Lodge Hotel in Lyndhurst. Their whole day was full of fun with casino tables after their wedding breakfast and then a photo-booth and me for their evening party. It was really a fun day for a lovely couple with lots of very special moments.

Winslowe House

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This is a review I posted recently on the For Better For Worse website’s venue pages …

Rachel & Gareth’s wedding at Winslowe House

As a DJ and Master of Ceremonies/Wedding Host I get to visit dozens of venues across the region so I gain a unique behind-the-scenes insight and I’m delighted to offer this review of Winslowe House.

The ceremony table Winslowe House

I’ve performed here twice this year and I can honestly say the service and attention to detail Jane and her team offer is exceptional.

Ceremony at Winslowe House

There are no “conveyor belt” weddings at Winslowe House, every couple receive the individual treatment that their most special of days deserves. The Barford Room which is licensed for civil ceremonies is beautiful, the driveway and grounds are very well maintained and perfect for photos and drinks, and the range of marquee options that can be so cleverly built onto the back of the house means that the reception space is always just right for the number of guests. I love the fact the marquee incorporates the borders around the terrace and so flowers and lavender are growing in the space creating a fragrant atmosphere.

Wedding Breakfast in the Barford Room at Winslowe House

Winslowe House is Jane’s home and she treats every wedding like it’s for a member of her family. Both of the weddings I performed at were totally different from each other, both couples had a fabulous day. Before you book your wedding venue I recommend you check out Winslowe House.

Mandy & Justin’s first dance at Winslowe House

For more information about Winslowe House visit their website CLICK HERE.

Paul acting as Wedding Host for Mandy & Justin’s wedding at Winslowe House