Times have changed considerably, thank goodness. There are more full time professional mobile disco companies than ever before. As well as presentation, more emphasis has been placed on individualising the entertainment to suit the occasion and the guests attending. The whole ‘Mobile Disco’ experience has moved up a gear too with reputable companies providing contracts of engagement giving you peace of mind, carrying certificates of insurance, reassuring you that they comply with guidelines and laws and generally going the extra mile to make your evening truly special and memorable.

‘Specialists’ have emerged too, such as the ‘Wedding DJ’…..an unusual breed that have worked hard to finely tune their skills, to raise the standard of wedding entertainment and to change the perception of the humble DJ of the seventies. These clever little critters have come together to form the Wedding DJ Association.

The Wedding DJ Association was formed two years ago as a National organisation, bringing together wedding DJ specialists of the highest standard. Membership is strict, with each individual having to prove they have reached the required criteria. To maintain this standard, each DJ has to comply with a code of ethics and agree to abide by the constitution of the Association.

For many brides and grooms, booking a DJ is a fairly new experience. Booking the right DJ is paramount to ensure that the end of their special day is how they want it to be and fits in with how they’d imagined. With the Wedding DJ Association, Brides can now find a wedding DJ specialist in their area and be confident in the knowledge that they have found a supplier of the highest standard.

What can you expect from your DJ from The Wedding DJ Association?

• Many members are happy to meet with you prior to booking. You need to have a good rapport with the person and be confident that they can create the atmosphere you want as they will be leading your evening entertainment, and be part of your day for 5 hours or more.

• Discussions about how you want your evening to progress. From lighting and sound to including particular events such as a bouquet toss or types of music, WDJA members are committed to making your reception entertainment unique and personalised.

• All agreements and payment will be in writing, signed and duplicated.

• They will always be appropriately dressed for the occasion.

• They will be in attendance at your venue in plenty of time, courteous to all your guests and attentive to your needs and requirements.

• They will source the music you want, and present it in the way you request. For example, some people prefer a more sophisticated approach with minimal input from the DJ and less microphone work. Others opt for a personality DJ who is able to entertain and encourage a party atmosphere. WDJA members will discuss your options with you and ensure the evening is to your taste.

• Backup! Whether it’s the DJ himself who blows a fuse or the equipment he uses, WDJA members ensure they have a backup plan for life’s unforeseen eventualities.

Other things to consider when deciding on your evening entertainment:

• Music too loud can drive some guests home early. Don’t be afraid to ask your DJ to play music at a volume that is suitable to dance to, but also comfortable for those wanting to chat.

• Not all discos provide mobile night clubs. If you have more senior guests attending, engage a DJ that lights only the dance floor and doesn’t flash disco effects in the faces of seated guests.

• If you have children attending, many wedding DJs are happy to accommodate them with suitable dances and games.

Every wedding is unique and finding the right DJ to match your needs and requirements will ensure your evening is just how you want it to be, personalised and memorable.

By Emma Lintern

Inclusive Wedding Entertainment

A Ceilidh (Barn Dance) – an ideal choice for your Wedding Celebration

Choosing suitable entertainment for a wedding celebration or evening get-together on the day can be one of the trickiest organisational tasks you will ever have to perform.

Just think of all the things you have to consider;

• Firstly you’ll have to provide something that appeals to a wide range of age groups, from your elderly aunt to your 12 year old second cousin who has more energy than sense and is hyper-active from the excitement of staying up late.

• Next, you have to consider that many of the guests will be complete strangers to each other, two different families as well as friends from work and your social circle. Ideally you want to give your guests a chance to mix, something that can ‘break the ice’ in the easiest possible way without putting them ‘on the spot’.

• Finally, if you’re organising one of the biggest days in your – or a member of your family’s – life, then you want to have an event that won’t take up too much of your precious time on the big day – believe me you’ll have other things on your mind!

So what can you choose that will cover all the above bases?

Some kind of entertainment that has stood the test of time…

A popular choice for this part of your special day is to have a Ceilidh, Barn Dance or American Hoedown.

What is a Ceilidh or Barn Dance?

A ceilidh – pronounced ‘kay-lee’ – or barn dance /Hoedown (the terms are pretty much interchangeable), consists of a band who will play a selection of danceable tunes, a ‘caller’ who entices people onto the floor and then teaches the them the simple ‘moves’ they need to do for the next dance, and of course your wedding guests – the dancers. It doesn’t matter if you or your guests have never been to a barn dance or ceilidh before, the movements are so natural and the dances so thoroughly explained that anyone can do it, the caller even keeps calling the moves after the music has started to help you along as you dance. No-one is excluded because dancing this way is the most natural thing in the world – as many countries and generations can affirm. The music is lively, even funky, so that everyone moves to the groove, gets into it, and does not feel embarrassed or awkward and no-one worries if you make mistakes – it’s all part of the fun!

The caller selects the dances, organises the dancing, encourages the guests to participate – and generally acts as a master of ceremonies during the musical part of the evening. The dancing gives the guests a chance to meet each other naturally during the course of the evening, especially during the progressive dances. The dancing is pitched at the level of the dancers, and can last for as long or short a duration as you wish. It is quite common for the newly wed couple to lead the first dance – which is a nice start to their married life and some callers even have specific wedding dances that can help break the ice. If you specify exactly for whom your event is being held – an experienced, professional band or agent will select a caller who will be ideally suited to your audience.

Maybe you’re put off by the idea of the music? Well don’t be. The music produced by a barn dance or ceilidh band can come in a variety of flavours – from full electric line-ups with drums and electric guitars to more traditional ensembles or bands with a continental flavour. The music can be lively and energetic or sedate and refined, possibly both during the same set! It’s your choice. The choice of band will usually determine the flavour of the evening, so if you’re into English, Celtic (Irish, Scottish or Breton) or French music, or hot Louisiana Cajun and Zydeco or Scandinavian music, there are bands available who specialise in your preferred style of music.

From over 20 years experience with playing for wedding celebrations on both sides of the globe I’ve found that the older members of the audience are at home with the traditional elements of the barn dance while the younger folk just want to leap about and have a good time. This kind of event is the most inclusive form of entertainment available – suitable for all ages.

What is the difference between a Ceilidh and a Barn Dance?

Essentially not very much. Both are traditional social dance gatherings, using a caller and folk (or folk-influenced) music to accompany an evening’s dancing. The name Barn Dance comes from America where the dances were held in the largest suitable local venue – usually a barn. In Australia the same kind of events are called Wool Shed dances for the same reason. On this side of the world the Gaelic word ‘ceilidh’ is often used – it simply means ‘party’ which works for any location! A ceilidh tends to be more lively than a barn dance but either way it is more spontaneous than folk dances at school and all about enjoying yourselves.

You are likely to encounter a wider range of music at a ceilidh. Barn dances tend to mainly use jigs and reels, whereas at a ceilidh you could well hear polkas, waltzes or schottisches and maybe a bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Ceilidh bands also often play musical interludes between the dances to keep up the atmosphere while the audience has a well-earned rest. The music is usually based on traditional tunes from the British Isles and Western Europe – especially the Celtic nations – though more musicians are now drawing on wider influences – either from across the Atlantic with Bluegrass, Cajun and Zydeco styles or from eastern European, Gypsy and music from the near east. Also, more bands are writing their own tunes thus ensuring a perfect match between dance and music.

What do you need to stage a ceilidh?

Nothing too technical or extravagant, really. Most wedding reception venues can accommodate ceilidhs or you can find a local village hall or assembly rooms that are convenient to the locale of the wedding meal. If you are having your reception in a marquee you might want to ask the contractor to supply a dance floor, though this may not be necessary if the ground is flat and there is a firm footing. No matter where it is, you must make sure you can provide a safe power supply consisting of at least one 13 amp mains socket.

The ideal situation for a wedding celebration is to have a separate room within the same venue (i.e. hotel, function suite etc.) where the band can set up while the meal and speeches are taking place and then the guests can move through to the area where the dancing will take place when they’ve finished the toasts. If you do need to use the same room for the wedding breakfast and the dancing then you will need to allow more time – both so that the caterers can clear the room and that the band can set up their instruments and amplification.

Most bands are entirely ’self-contained’ which means that they provide their own PA (amplification) systems, and even lighting if that is required. Professional bands will be members of the Musicians’ Union which means that they are fully insured against accidents or other mishaps. Otherwise, just ensure that your guests know what they are coming to, and everyone is sure to have a great time. A real night to remember.

Before the event.

The first thing you need to do is select a band and caller. There are Entertainments Agents who specialise in this kind of event or you can use the Internet to search for suitable bands. Another useful resource is a search engine like Google – just search for “wedding ceilidh”, perhaps followed by the location of the venue to get a list of bands and callers. One advantage of the Internet is that bands can put demo sound clips and even video clips so you can hear and see what they look like, take a look at the MoonDance web site (www.moondance.org.uk), if you want to see an example. Once you’ve found a band you like then contact them either directly, or through an agent, to see if they are available.

It is a good idea to book your chosen band as early in the planning process as you can since there is often a lot of competition for particular dates – especially in the in spring and summer – so be sure to plan well in advance. Remember yours is not the only wedding taking place on that date so book early to avoid disappointment. The fee charged will depend on the size and popularity of the band – the minimum you’d expect to pay is £80 per musician/caller for a three hour dance plus a bit extra for travel and administration. This really is a minimum – popular bands will charge £100 to £150 per musician plus the cost of hiring a good PA and lights. If you go through an agent then they will add their commission on top of the band’s fee so factor this into the equation. Be a bit wary of booking a band that charges substantially less than this as they may have a more ‘amateur’ approach to your special day – or even worse – let you down at the last minute.

Once you’ve selected your band you need to talk them about your requirements for the evening. They will be able to give you sound advice on how the evening should be structured and it gives you a chance to ask for any special requests – favourite tunes or dances for instance. Most professional bands will be very accommodating and will even research and learn new material if requested. Before you confirm your booking you need to ensure that they are suitable for the venue and that they have public liability insurance, and you should give them a contact at the venue so that they can check the technical requirements – power/space etc.

What happens on the night?

When the band arrives, the caller/MC will link up with one of the wedding party, usually the Best Man or one of the parents and find out how the schedule is going. This ensures that the band can be ready at the appropriate time to start the dancing. The dancing often follows directly on from the wedding breakfast, which, needless to say, often overruns the allotted time so it is a good idea to have a location where the band can wait while you finish off the speeches. In an ideal world, your wedding reception venue will have a separate room for the dancing so that the band can be set-up and ready to go, but many don’t have the space for this.

So be sure to allow enough time for the catering staff to clear the room and the band to set up. Depending on the kind of music you’ve selected, the band will need time to set up their amplification equipment, tune their instruments and do a quick ‘sound check’. Even fully ‘acoustic’ ensembles will need to have microphones and amplified sound reinforcement for any gathering of more than about 30 people and even for this small number the caller will need to be amplified. Most bands specify that they need 45 to 60 minutes to get organised so you need to factor this into your schedule. It is always worthwhile to discuss this with your venue management and/or caterers as they will almost certainly have experience in this field and will be able to offer advice. Obviously if the band are playing in a different room they can set-up during the speeches which means that you can move straight on to the dancing after the coffee.

Once everything is ready to go the band will usually strike up a tune to get everyone’s attention. The caller then walks the audience through the dance and, when the music starts, calls the figures the first few times through the tune, and then lets everyone get on and enjoy it. Each caller has their own special way of engaging the audience – ranging from hyperactive showmanship to a more relaxed, laid-back approach. Usually there will be two dances followed by a short break during which the band will often play a tune, followed by another couple of dances and so on. Unless it’s a very short gig the band will need to take a brief break – normally when the food is served – and don’t forget to feed the band as they usually won’t have been able to get a meal otherwise. If you want music played during the break make sure you let the band know before the event so they can bring along a CD player or iPod. At the end of the evening it is traditional for the guests to line-up and see the bride and groom off on their honeymoon and it helps the atmosphere if the bands plays some suitable music while this is happening.

Other Options?

As well as having a live band for the evening event you may want to have music played during the wedding ceremony or whilst your guests are eating at the wedding breakfast. Quite often you will be able to book a subset of the band for this purpose. This may well be more economical than hiring musicians solely for this task as the band members will already be coming to your wedding. Live music through the day can make your special day even more memorable.

In some cases, wedding parties opt for a disco as well as a barn dance and this can work well as long as you have the live music and dancing at the beginning of the evening and let the disco take over as the evening draws on. This allows the audience to loosen up and get to know each other while the disco can cater to the hardened party people amongst your friends and relations.

A night to remember?

Everyone can get into ceilidhs, be they young or old. The band selects music – and the caller chooses dances – to suit the audience. Most bands and callers can tailor their performance to suit the energy and experience of the audience. So, whether your guests are beginners or experienced dancers (who might be regulars at public ceilidhs or folk festivals) with the lively music and easy steps, it is a great way to get all your guests dancing and enjoying themselves. It breaks the ice when the audience may not know each other, which is especially important at weddings.

Useful links;

• Wedding Ceilidh Resource Page – http://www.weddingceilidh.info

• MoonDance Ceilidh Band – http://www.moondance.org.uk

• Webfeet dancing on the web – http://www.webfeet.org

© 2009 MoonDance Ceilidh Band – www.moondance.org.uk

MoonDance is one of the busiest Ceilidh / Barn Dance bands in the UK. We regularly perform all over the country at Weddings, Birthday Parties, Corporate Events, Conferences, Product Launches, University Balls and Charity events as well as Festivals and Public Dances.

MoonDance provide a truly unique ceilidh experience. Imagine the accessibility of traditional dance music combined with power of rock and funk music. Unlike many ‘electric’ barn dance bands, the MoonDance sound is more than just an acoustic folk band grafted onto a pub-rock rhythm section. The music is a true fusion of the best of traditional and modern dance rhythms.

So how much does it cost? What should you look for?

You will find the answers to these questions (and many more) in the following article: http://www.themorrisagency.co.uk/blog/2009/03/a-free-guide-on-how-to-book-a-band/

www.themorrisagency.co.uk

Guide to booking entertainment

From The Morris Agency

 If you have been put in charge of looking after the music and entertainment for your next event, here is a definitive guide from entertainment industry guru, Daniel Morris of the Morris Agency.

 “Initial fears that people have with planning the music and entertainment for their event are reasonable, as it is an integral part of the event and can even be part of the main focus. There are many factors to consider when planning your entertainment, not only whether the act you are booking for your event will suitably entertain your guests, or fit within your budget or them;, but you also need to consider whether they will be reliable and professional. In the worst case scenario we have heard of cases where artists have failed to turn up on time or cancelled without giving enough time to book another act in their place. Even if they do arrive, how do you know that they are going to be as good as their demo or showreel? And this is all on top of the rest of the event planning process of organizing catering, a venue or conference facility, florists, guest invitations, transportation, accommodation… need I go on? It can be a very daunting task.”

 With this in mind, here are the key elements to think about to help get you started:

 The Venue

When booking the venue it is important to check that they have the appropriate entertainment licence and the conditions of their licence including the type of entertainment they are allowed (some venues are not permitted to have amplified music), finishing/get out times, performance area size/space restrictions, if they have any noise restrictions (such as sound limiters), access times for the band/artist, power supply etc.

 If you are considering a speciality act that uses fire or pyrotechnics, you also need to make sure that this is permitted in the venue.

 These points are always good to know early on as this may dictate the kind of entertainment you can look for. For example, some venues have sound limiters that cut out sound automatically when it goes over a certain volume, so if you have booked a band, this can damage their equipment and most importantly can disrupt the whole evening.

 However, all is not lost, even with a limitation on sound, there are still many acts that can be employed such as acoustic artists, but knowing this in advance will help you narrrow your search or review your venue.

 Band Hunting

So you know have an idea of the kind of act your venue will accommodate, lets go and look for your entertainment.

 Armed with the information acquired from the venue you can now approach the artists, but where do you look? Well, there are a few options available to you:

 Option 1 – Search the internet. You can do a search for a certain type of artist/ band, listen to their website demos or watch their showreel and contact the artist directly. Although many artists have their own website, a great website does not necessarily mean a great artist. So not only can this method be quite simply mind numbing and time consuming, it is also a bit of a lottery if you are booking an artist you have never heard of.

 Option 2 – Go on recommendation. This can narrow down your search quite fast, but do remember that colleagues may not have the same tastes and what one person may think is great might not be ideal for the guests attending your event.

 Option 3 – Go to an agent. There are lots of agencies out there, (I should know, I am own one of them.) Obviously there is going to be a fee increase for this service, (normally between 15- 20 % ) but, if the agency is a reputable one they should be able to earn their commission by verifying the acts and their ability, negotiating their fee to meet your budget, contracting the artist (more on that later) and communicating to the artist exactly what you need.

A note on professionalism. Many people place an importance on the performance but it is important not to overlook the other elements involved with booking an act/band for example, the way they conduct themselves both on and off stage, their dress code and also making sure they turn up in plenty of time etc.

 Things to ask the band/act

Whether you are going through an agent or directly to the artist, the questions are still the same.

 Here is important information you need to know about the artist:

 Availability:

You must first check that the artist is available on the date of your event and that they are happy to travel to the event location.

 How long will the artist perform for:

Performance times will vary depending on the kind of act you are booking and the event you are holding.

 There are so many different possibilities depending on your requirements, but to give you an example, a typical live performance by a function band would be something like the following:

 2 x 1 hour live sets (I like to include CD music in between and up to 45 mins after the performance)

 Or

 3 x 45 mins live sets (again with the bands would be quite happy to provide CD music in the price)

 Act/Band styles

Some artists are available as a ‘walkabout’ act as well as a stage act and some bands can perform as an acoustic duo or trio, as well as a full party band.

 If you have a larger event then you may wish to have a reception performer when the guests arrive or are eating lunch/dinner. This could be a walkabout act, close-up magician or acoustic duo or trio band.

 We have supplied many events with walkabout Mexican Mariachi bands, acoustic Hawaiian trio band, close-up magicians, human statues and Gypsy jazz musicians. It’s an upbeat and fun start to the evening before the main act, as well as a brilliant ice-breaker if your guests don’t know each other.

 The latter part of the event can then incorporate a stage show or band for dancing, either using an artist from earlier or a different artist altogether.

 Repertoire:

If you are booking a band, you should be able to get a sample set list from the band. I generally advise my clients to let the artist gauge the event as to what songs are played but within your initial enquiries it gives you a great idea of what they can do.

 Fees:

Once the artist has all your requirements, they will then be able to quote you formally.

 The fee you are quoted will be dependent on the location of the event, the performance you require, what day of the week your event is being held and the time of year your event is being held.

Barter!!

Don’t be afraid to barter, most artists/agents are happy to negotiate their fee, as every event is different.

The Booking

Let us assume you have narrowed down a selection of acts, what next?

If you have decided on the artist you wish to book, but you need to get the go ahead from your MD or person paying for the event, it would be recommended to ask the band to hold that date for you.

Most artists will be happy to pencil in a date for you if you require time to make a firm decision about booking. This ensures that they won’t take another booking while you’re in the decision making process.

Deposits and contracts

Any reputable band or artist will insist on a contract to be signed by all parties once you confirm your booking. This should include all of the information that both sides have agreed to.

More often than not, the contract will also include a requirement for you, as the client, to provide refreshments and lockable changing facilities/dressing room for the artist during their time spent at your event.

You may also be sent an artist rider with the contract which is a list of artist requirements that you will be expected to provide as a courtesy.

Things to confirm within the contract:

 Artist Name (making sure that the performers are the same ones as the demo/showreel!)

Location for the artist to appear

Date of performance

Time for arrival and set up of the artist

Performance times

Fee and payment terms (i.e deposits and payment due dates)

Artist contact number

Cancellation terms

Any special requirements regarding the performance/venue/guests or artist rider

As soon as you have signed and returned the contract and paid your deposit, your booking is confirmed.

The artist should be able to contact you a week before the performance to confirm any changes that you might have and you can rest assured that you have done all you can to make your event a night to remember.

A word on the author

Daniel Morris owns and runs The Morris Agency Ltd, one the UK’s leading music and entertainment specialists. Previous clients include the BBC, Citi Group, NHS to name but a few. They are also the booking agents for Pizza Express, English Heritage and many more. You can contact them on 0871 890 1015 and info@themorrisagency.co.uk or visit their website at  www.themorrisagency.co.uk

 Having sung at over 200 weddings with Mango, I know all too well that one of the most challenging things for a couple to do, is choose their ceremony music. Choosing the right music is very important as it accompanies all the major parts of the ceremony and sets the mood for the wedding. The songs you choose could be; songs you simply like, or songs that have some meaning to you both!
There are many websites out there to help choose your music and give you some ideas. Also, you can get inspiration from other brides in wedding forums such as; youandyourwedding.co.uk.

If you are having live music, perhaps talk to the band about your ideas. We, as Mango, have an extensive repertoire from different era’s and genres that suit a lot of musical tastes. So many couples find the songs they love from that. However, we do offer to learn a special song for our couples as this personalises their music choice. For example, we have many couples that have asked us to learn songs that fit in with their theme. One Bride had a Grace Kelly themed wedding and asked us to learn ‘True Love’ from the film High Society. Not only did it fit in with the theme, but was the Brides’ late Grandmothers favourite song and extremely personal to the family. It was a fantastic song to play as we knew it meant so much to them. We get asked to learn all sorts of different songs from the Kingsmill Bread advert song (Lucky to me) to the Smashing Pumpkins song ‘Tonight Tonight’. If like us you love music, choosing which tunes to have can be great fun and will hopefully come together beautifully on the day.

If you don’t know where to start, then help is here!!
We suggest to our clients that they choose between 5-6 songs as your guests are arriving. This sets the mood for the ceremony, they needn’t necessarily be soppy love songs, but perhaps songs that mean something to you which you enjoy listening to. (Brides remember that you won’t be there at this point!)

Processional
Choose one song for the processional – remember to think how long your aisle is. If it’s very short then the chances are you’ll be at the altar before the song really gets going! Maybe have the song play a bit before you make your grand entrance or, if you have a lot of bridesmaids, perhaps send them in before you, in order to maximise the length of the song. Your live band will be able to tailor the song to the length of the aisle. However, if you are using recorded music and are a bit technically minded, you can always edit the song to the right length. Windows movie maker is quite good to do this – you can add fade ins and outs to the music too. Also, as daft as you might feel – try practising walking along to the music. You can get a feel for the pace of the song and you can work out what part of the song will work best. Perhaps do this when no one is looking!!

Signing of the register

Choose two songs for the signing of the register. I always suggest to my clients to choose one main song and a back up song – just in case people are still taking photos.

Recessional

Choose one song for the recessional – and again, think of your aisle size. Chances are you will both be down the aisle before the intro has finished. As with the processional song, a live band can tailor this for you. Why not have a bit of fun with this one? Choose something that could turn heads, or maybe even make people giggle. We knew a couple that chose the Wallace and Gromit theme tune!

You may already know that if you are having a Civil ceremony, then the music can’t contain any religious content. Your registrar will be able to vet all the songs you choose and will inform you if any are unsuitable.

I wish you all the best in choosing your ceremony music.

Have fun deciding, and have a great wedding!

Charlie xxx

To book Mango for your wedding (or just to get some good song ideas!) visit our website – www.mangoacoustic.co.uk

07821 740304

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