Monthly Archives: February 2019

How to Choose Wedding Music: Band, DJ or something a little different?

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So you’ve booked the marquee, sorted the caterer and made your guest list. Now, maybe you care about the photographer and the invitations? Newly married Hetty Lintell says to forget that and instead turn to the most important piece of the wedding reception puzzle: the music.

Times have changed since the Four weddings and a funeral same old group recycling days to go around. Couples these days are looking for fun fun with a difference.

It’s not something you can leave until the last minute, as top bands and DJs are booked ridiculously quickly – often, rather terrifyingly, over a year in advance.

Don’t panic, though, as here’s our pick of bands and DJs to check out if you want your party to go with a massive swing.

Roaming group

London’s must-sees

Falling under the spell of an acoustic band playing in the restaurants of the Côte d’Azur (Les Troubadours), we wanted to recreate this relaxed party atmosphere, and we suspected that if we surprised our guests with a band as they were seated. ‘expected the least, it would blow the roof off.

We were right. The London Essentials know how it’s done: they’ve performed for Oprah, on Necker Island for the Branson family weddings, and most recently for Princess Eugene’s wedding in October. It’s an acoustic group of five musicians who appear out of nowhere to “browse” the round tables between courses, and at the end of the meal, those who are not standing are probably dancing on the tables, madly elated. .

The utterly charming boys will captivate everyone – from grannies to toddlers – with their energy and zest for life, and they will work their magic over and over again (they fly all over the world, often playing every night with a big success). There wasn’t a single thank you letter after my own wedding that didn’t mention how amazing they were.
thelondonessentials.com

Large groups

White keys

For breathtaking vocals and performances, this funk, soul and disco group can offer everything from soulful solo artists to a group of 6 musicians. If you have a huge crowd to entertain you can always go for the full 12-piece group… I saw them play once and couldn’t be dragged off the dance floor.
www.thewhitekeys.co.uk

Soul beat

One of the best bands I have ever seen at a wedding. Ask the singer with the knockout attitude, who gets involved with the crowd on the dance floor.
www.articulatemusic.co.uk/soul-beat-function-band

DJ

Playlist DJ

Ben Bridgewater (from Playlister DJs) has a style described as ‘catchy and bouncy’, having organized playlists in some of the coolest places in the world, he will work with you to find the music spot for your party. Modern remixes with old classics and surprising twists are his strong point, keeping the energies high. And he’s a charmer to boot.
soundartistmanagement.com/djs/playlisterdjs

Itchy foot

Having started doing parties at Leeds University (where I first heard a set from Leo, the main DJ), they have now spread and you can opt for a full DJ or band depending on your needs. needs. Their soul and disco classics with a funky house twist are amazingly good, you won’t breathe off the dance floor. They’ll also take a lot of the hassle out of you, setting up their stage, sound, and lighting – and they can even help you find a venue.
www.itchyfeethomecoming.com

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“I remember my dress was £ 22” Wedding experts Brendan and Mai Manning recall their big day

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Brendan and Mai Manning know a thing or two about weddings. As wedding entertainment specialists, the couple have been helping make couples’ big days magical for 30 years.

Their latest venture, The Wedding Experience Expo, which takes place February 16-17 at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork, draws on three decades of industry experience and expertise. Considered a “wedding fair like no other”, couples have the option of reserving their entire wedding at the exhibition, which will be music to the ears of the bride and groom who are short on time.

The husband and wife team, who own Occasions Event Management in Cork, were only sixteen and eighteen when Cupid’s arrow struck and they were married 4 years later. They’ve been married for 40 years, and like many others who have been together for decades, their memories of how their romance unfolded differ, depending on who you talk to!

“We met when I was on tour in Killarney,” says Mai.

“Didn’t we meet at the Old Oak pub in Cork first?” Brendan asks.



Brendan decided to propose to Mai outside a church, but had a trick up his sleeve. “We had bought a lovely old three-stone ring, so I knew it was going to happen at some point,” says Mai.

“Brendan knelt in front of the Assumption Church and opened a red heart box. I expected to see my ring, but when I looked down I thought ‘this is not what I remember. “He had just exchanged it for a plastic type ring! He thought it was very funny, but my real ring appeared shortly after,” adds Mai.

While the cost of an average wedding dress in Ireland is now £ 2,000, Mai’s was considerably less than under £ 30. “I don’t remember the cost of the wedding, but I do remember my dress cost £ 22,” reveals Mai. “Munster Arcade was about to close, they were cleaning everything and this dress was right there, I liked it and it felt good. The tail of the dress was then made into a christening gown for our three children. “

And what was the most memorable thing about their big day? “The rain!” Brendan said.

“There was a thunderstorm on August 11. The car I was supposed to leave the hotel in broke down because water got in, so we had to take a taxi, ”he says.



It looks like the car wasn’t the only one that got wet that day, either. “If you look closely at our wedding photo, notice which umbrella is keeping dry, Brendan got covered and I was left in the rain!” Mai laughs.

Having been involved in the wedding industry for thirty years, the couple have since changed a lot during that time. Mai cautions against relying heavily on social media apps when planning a wedding. “Pinterest is the best and worst thing that has ever happened in terms of weddings. You look at the photos and there are some fabulous ideas that will work wonderfully for an article, but when it comes to a wedding it can. you need to breed 20 or 30 times on a very important day with a tight time frame You need help doing all of this.

Brendan and Mai’s daughter, Alex, is a wedding planner. They were therefore able to see first-hand the benefits they can bring to a future bride. “Couples are starting to use wedding planners more. You can have a planner throughout the process or you can hire them the week before the wedding where they check suppliers, are there for rehearsal, and the same day. It makes sense. As for the yarn, you can take a break and enjoy the day.

Brendan also has some tips on where a couple should invest their money on D-Day. “Great food and entertainment are the areas where people should have a blast because it’s a long day for people. It doesn’t have to be traditional entertainment either, but you’ll want to keep your guests happy throughout the day.



And for those with a big day to plan, The Wedding Expo plans to take the stress out of organizing the entire event. “It can be easy to get overwhelmed and consumed with a marriage, what we’re trying to do is make it simple for couples,” says Brendan. “We have built our exhibition around 100 exhibitors that we have chosen ourselves and with whom it is pleasant to work.

“Each category is grouped together, which makes things much easier. So the bride can say “Now I want to look at the flowers” ​​and all the flower exhibitors are there for her in one place. “

What can people expect on this day? “It’s going to be a lot of fun with entertainment throughout the weekend. We’re so excited to have top blogger Rosie Connolly to give her all of her top tips and tricks for creating the wedding of your dreams, ”said Brendan.

“There will be a fashion show, beauty salons, a“ money counts ”space and to please the boys, we also have a room for the bride and groom! One lucky participant will also win € 1,500 for a wedding dress designed by Tamen Michael.

The Wedding Experience Expo takes place February 16-17, 2019, Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork

To get tickets for The Wedding Experience Expo, visit theweddingexperience.ie/wedding-expo or eventbrite.ie


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