The Get Wed Blog

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noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:42:00 +0000

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The GetWedMobile!

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:05:00 +0000

Batman had the Batmobile, Penelope Pitstop had the Pussycat Compact and now we have the GetWedMobile! ™

Check out the pictures of our tasteful new motor which will hopefully send hundreds of local people to visit www.getwed.biz

The graphics were produced by Kramers Designs and we think they look fantastic!

If you spot it driving around and are looking for great wedding entertainment then you can even grab yourself a bargain. Just tell us where and when you witnessed our picturesque Picanto and you can get 10% discount off our entertainment packages.

Happy spotting!

Your wedding, your choice...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:39:00 +0000

I've just finished a project that proves that when it comes to your wedding, you can have anything you want. Don't be put off by a parents' disapproval if you want to eschew the traditional fruit cake. Ignore your chief bridesmaid's sneering views on the colour scheme. And don't let a hotel wedding planner persuade you to cut your guest list so you can fit into their venue. One guy tried this with us, needless to say we nodded politely and chose to celebrate elsewhere.

Finally, when it comes to your first dance, you should do exactly what you want. I've just finished editing a seven minute megamix for a couple featuring sixteen songs! They didn't choose an old smoochy number to please their gran or something 'cool' to impress their friends They plan to take their guests on an epic musical odyssey featuring Shania Twain, Elvis and The Birdie Song. The music they want to hear.

It might not be to your taste. You might shudder at the thought of The Macarena being played on your big day. But you know what? Who cares? This is not your big day, it's theirs. I can't mention the happy couple's names as the whole thing is top secret. This should make it all the more fun for the guests who are sure to be clapping and singing along.

The first dance is always a focal point at any wedding reception and ideally the time when the party can really begin. When we sing live, we usually fill the dancefloor by performing our party set straight after the first dance. This sets the evening in full swing as the guests party until the early hours.

We often perform the first dance live, a great way of making a special moment even more memorable. If that's what you fancy, then great - get in touch and we'll start learning the song you want to dance to. But if you have an idea, no matter how crazy, then let your entertainer know. I'm sure they'll be happy to help you create your perfect first dance whether it's through music choice, first dance choreography or even a few confetti cannons.

Whatever you choose, enjoy it. You only get one first dance.

Bargain basement?

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:39:00 +0000

I've been following a few threads online with people discussing their wedding DJs. It's an interesting topic as entertainers generally have such a poor reputation. Horror stories of no-shows and unsuitable music abound, doubtless terrifying anyone planning their wedding.

The other amazing revelation is just what people pay for wedding discos. Quotes range from £120 to £730 (!) for five hours of music. People are then paying extra for a longer playing time or for asking the DJ to climb stairs! It's no wonder that booking a disco is such a minefield. I don't of any other industry where prices vary so dramatically for a similar service.

Of course, that's what it comes down to: The service is rarely similar. If you a paying £120 for a part-time DJ, you're unlikely to get exactly what you're after. He may not have the songs that you want (or be unwilling to get hold of them) or may dress inappropriately. You wouldn't trust your wedding food to anyone who says they can cook, so why do the same for your entertainment?

What surprised me is the number of people who chose the cheapest option and were subsequently disappointed. The average wedding disco is around six hours - a major part of the day. Make sure you put it in the hands of a professional! I recommend that you meet them in advance and let them know exactly what you want.

Of course your wedding budget is important, nobody has unlimited funds. There are savings that can be made in many areas but skimping on a DJ could be false economy. You may get two or three quotes and be happy with the DJ who's cheapest: Result! If not, I'd urge you to find the money to ensure the day of your dreams.

If you want a no-obligation consultation about how Get Wed can create your perfect wedding, don't hesitate to get in touch. Good luck!

Boogie on down!

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:30:00 +0000

Another day, another website! Boogie Babes went live roday at 3:18am. It's full of information about our pre-school dance classes and parties.

If you have a little one in your home, why not get along and find out more?

Step into the Limelight...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Although Get Wed keeps us rather busy at weekends, it's our theatre school that we focus on during the week. Our new website has just launched at www.limelighttheatre.biz so please stop by and take a look.

It's only a matter of time before we merge the two businesses and start renting out bridesmaids to families with no kids...watch this space!

If there's any brides who would like to tone up before their big day then check out our Limelight Ladies class. Visit here for more details.

Hope to see you soon!

A quick cheque...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:15:00 +0000

Argh. Ugh. Hmm. Fnrrr.

It's taken a while to work out exactly how to spell the words that I am currently thinking. I have others in my mind (that I can spell) but hey, this is a family blog.

What could get a mild mannered Brit like myself so worked up? Could it be the illegal war? How about the X-Factor twins? Surprisingly, it's neither - though for the record, one of them is an affront to every human being and an international disgrace. That Iraq thing was pretty bad too.

No, my ire is directed solely towards (FANFARE) The Royal Mail. Apparently this esteemed organisation can trace its history back to 1516, when Henry VIII established a 'Master Of The Post' (thanks Wikipedia.) There were problems though, from the very start. Apparently, old Henry didn't get his divorce papers in the mail, so he had to chop his missus' head off instead. As an interesting sidenote, this is why there is a disembodied queen's head on stamps to this day.*

And why am I so mad? Because like many people, I AM TRYING TO RUN A BUSINESS. Cheques and booking forms are consistently going missing or taking an inordinate amount of time to arrive. I am still waiting for a deposit from Birmingham which was posted on 25th September. A month ago! Now the client has to go through the hassle of cancelling then re-issuing the cheque and trusting the postmen/women/persons who are about to go on strike again. Argh. Ugh. Hmm. Fnrrr. (There it is again.)

Unfortunately this particular person doesn't use PayPal, the secure online payment system that Get Wed employs. That's a shame as it's a brilliantly easy way for a business such as ours to accept payments. Just go to our pricing page and click on the relevant button. Simple. Like a postman. It's an expensive system for us (though of course we don't pass those costs on to you, dear customer!) but is worth it for the peace of mind it provides.

So here is my advice. If you are booking with us: Use PayPal. If you are sending a parcel: Call City Link. And if you are trying to get a letter from Birmingham to Brighouse: Just walk. It'll be far, far quicker.

* This is almost certainly a lie.

PS. You may be wondering why the blog has been so quiet recently. Well, I've been updating it daily but I guess my witty, carefully-crafted musings must have got lost in the post...

Get Wed international!

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:09:00 +0000

Just a quick note today to say that we've gone international! Get Wed have just confirmed our first overseas gig. I say overseas, but 'over border' might be more apt. Just over the border in fact. Get Wed are going to Gretna!

It's a little further than we usually travel but to sing in Gretna (the wedding capital of the UK!) was just too good an opportunity to miss. I'm sure it will be a fantastic evening and our live party sets will get everybody up dancing.

So, this week it's Scotland...tomorrow, the world? Well, North Wales at least. With our new DJs and choreographers, we're covering an ever expanding area with the best of wedding entertainment.

The next few days are going to be incredibly busy with birthday parties, wedding receptions and Christenings to fit in over the weekend. I'll try to get online but may just have to update you on Monday. You'll just have to wait with bated breath and learn to cope with any abandonment issues!

By the way, if you're on the M1 over the next few days, be sure to wave. I'll be the guy learning Human by The Killers in a traffic jam!

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Wedding dance fever!

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:01:00 +0000

If you listened to Radio 1 this afternoon, you probably heard about the JK Wedding Entrance Dance. It's offically an 'internet sensation' and if you haven't seen it, you can find it here, on YouTube: JK Wedding Entrance Dance Over 16 million people have watched it already and it's brilliant. The video is a great example of how a bit of imagination and a few wedding dance lessons can make a wedding day truly memorable.

Choreographed first dances are more popular than ever but it's still a brilliant surprise for everyone when the bride and groom break into a great routine. And ladies, if your groom is not keen on taking lessons you can even have a dance themed hen night. On our wedding choreography page you'll find a video of the bride and a dozen hens performing the Dirty Dancing classic (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, including a spectacular lift!

You may think that shimmying down the aisle is a little too much, but whether it's the boys grooving to MC Hammer or the girls wishing they were Jennifer Grey, nothing raises the roof like a surprise performance. Whatever you choose to dance to, it's important to make sure that everyone is comfortable and enjoying themselves. A great wedding dance doesn't consist of complicated steps but moves that everyone can achieve while still smiling!

There are a lot of companies that offer wedding choreography but it's best to choose someone who is used to working with 'non-dancers.' Lisa tests all her steps on me and let me assure you, if I can do it, anyone can. If necessary, she'll adapt any steps to suit the wedding couple and of course take into account their experience and their attire (it's very difficult to cartwheel with a nineteen foot train!)

In a recent issue of Perfect Wedding Magazine a Manchester bride asked where she could get wedding dance lessons and they recommended calling me! It was a shock seeing my name and phone number printed in a national magazine but it goes to show that word must be spreading. Maybe one of our routines will be the next YouTube phenomenon and who knows, I could be the next Susan Boyle!

I'll leave you on that slightly queasy thought and go and practice my songs for next week. With a new Party Set about to make it's debut, I'd better learn some lyrics!

A polite request...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 20:47:00 +0000

During a disco, a request is just that. Like most DJs, I invite wedding guests to approach and ask for a tune that they want to dance to. It's why I'm there; to play the music that people want to hear.

At Get Wed, we encourage the bride and groom to email a song list over before their big day, so we can ensure to arrive with every track they want. Of course, I need to be able to fit them all in. I once received a list which totalled nine hours of playing time! If a guest asks for something, I can even (phone sigal permitting) download any tracks that I don't have during the gig. In short, when it comes to disco music, I'm a flexible kind of guy.

Does anyone else feel a but...coming on?

But (there it is!) I do reserve a few rights when it comes to requests. I'd like to explain these and assure everyone that it's not because I don't like a particular song - my tastes simply don't come into it. Any decision is based on my experience and what's best for the success of the wedding reception. So here goes:

1) I may not play your track straight away. If I play Endless Love during a rock music section, it will bring the evening to a grinding halt. Please be patient, and I'll do my best to work it in smoothly.

2) I might have played it already. With the amount of requests I receive during an average wedding reception, I usually can't play a song twice. Of course, for the bride or groom, I can always bend the rules!

3) It contains unsuitable language. Even if there's no kids present, a glare from a Nan is always unsettling! I always try to play radio edits or clean versions but if there's a track I'm not sure of, I'll have to run it past the happy couple first.

4) I can't squeeze it in! If you come to me ten minutes before the end, the chances are that the final songs will already have been picked in advance. And by the way, it's not me that dictates the finish time, it's the venue's licence. The 'One more song' chant doesn't work!

By looking back at the gig logs on the laptop, I can see exactly how many requests I've played per evening. The number is typically between 95 and 98% of those asked for, which I believe is a pretty good average. So, if you're a wedding guest and your song happens to be left out, then please let me apologise in advance. There's always a good reason for it which should hopefully lead to a full dancefloor and a brilliant wedding reception.

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A welcome change...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 13:56:00 +0000

When our equipment is set up and it's time to put on my gig clothes, I'm rarely fussy. I've changed in store cupboards, cubicles in the gents' and once, memorably, in the back of my car. Let me just say now, that the designers of the Renalt Megane were clearly not thinking 'dressing room' when they sketched out plans for the interior. It's embarrasing, really. Especially when parked in a lay-by on the A19. Still, as humans have done for thousands of years, you make the best of each situation, adapt to your environment and learn to do up your fly whilst holding a toilet door shut.

Luckily, most venues have a room available that is private, lockable and usually has a mirror. 'Where is this cosy nook?' I hear you ask. Why, the disabled toilet of course! There's nearly always one to be found tucked away somewhere and their oversized nature makes them a perfect changing space. Ah yes, the glamour of showbusiness. They never tell failed X-Factor auditionees that, do they? Simon Cowell is never so cruel as to point that out that within a year, most wannabes will have forgotten red carpet premieres and be trying to tie their shoelaces without toppling over and knocking a hand-dryer on.

By the way, I have just Googled "Is using a disabled toilet illegal" to check whether I'm on shaky ground as regards the law. Apparently it's not, so I'm not likely to get banged up just yet. Certainly not until my fake Dairylea scam gets discovered anyway.

The reason I mention all this is that at last night's venue, I got several pleasant surprises. I was DJing a fantastic wedding at the friendly Heath Cottage Hotel in Dewsbury and the staff were just brilliant. When I first arrived, they offered to help me carry my gear in. I was thrilled at this, but declined anyway. The way I figure, it's my job and not theirs. And it's not as if I helped them wash up at the end of the night!

Once I was in, I asked for directions to the disabled toilet. Noticing my suitbag, they asked if I wanted a room. A real one. In a proper hotel! I felt like Rod Stewart! Resisting the temptation to shower, watch a bit of telly and employ the Corby Trouser Press, I changed and headed back downstairs. Things just got better as it was a fantastic evening and the couple performed their first dance brilliantly. Lisa had choreographed it (more details on our wedding dance lesson page) and the audience went crazy! It really started the night with a bang and set the tone for a great party. Hopefully, we'll have some video footage to put on here soon, so everyone can share the experience!

So, I'd like to share my thanks with Hannah and all the staff at Heath Cottage. I know how delighted the couple were with their big day and all the hard work they'd put in. Hopefully, I'll have the chance to work there again and not just because I can park right by the door and don't have to carry my heavy speakers far!

Of course, I could ask for a room at any venue and most would oblige. But as I've said before (see 1st August's post, Talking the talk...) I think DJs should generally be seen and not always heard! Hotel staff have enough to worry about without helping and clearing up after me. As Tom Cruise said in Mission Impossible: "Zero residual presence." I like to think He was (very loosely) saying: "Get in, do a great job and get out, preferably, without leaving balls of gaffer tape lying around."

And as you may know, I'm similar in many ways to Tom Cruise. Except that he's probably a bit taller and certainly never has to change in his car.

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Talking the talk...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:09:00 +0000

I got asked a strange question whilst DJing last night: "Do you talk?"

At first, I wondered exactly what he meant. I'd announced that the buffet was open and introduced a karaoke singer. It was obvious that I had a tongue in my head. After a brief discussion, it turned out that he wanted me to get on the mic and encourage people to dance. I pointed out that the floor was already full and talking over the music would just interrupt the flow. He simply shrugged and walked away.

Although he'd consumed his (and Amy Winehouse's) share of alcohol, his words got me thinking, should I be more vocal during a disco gig? I've heard other wedding DJs committing the cardinal sin of introducing each song as if working on a commercial radio station. That's definitely overkill, as if you're picking the right songs, the music should speak for itself. Unless it's a request for a specific person (a 'shout out' if you will) then keep schtum.

I'm totally at home with a microphone. As a former cruise ship compere, I've been trained to engage audiences and keep them interested. I host quizzes at weddings, introduce couples, organise dance-offs (Run DMC vs Jason Nevins is very popular!) and generally keep things ticking over. I regularly host the Galpharm Stadium's wedding fayre fashion show and of course, introduce songs during our live singing sets. But here's my point for today (and you knew there was one was coming!)

When it comes to DJ chatter, less is more

During the evening, numbers on the dancefloor naturally ebb and flow. Dancing is hard work and everyone needs a drink (or a sit, or a even a smoke) to allow them to keep going. Every DJ hates an empty floor but it's important not to panic and start cajoling people to get up. You can't enjoy a wedding when you're being hassled with someone with a mic.

On the other hand, I'm often booked for gigs where they want a 'personality' to get people moving. These are corporate gigs more often than weddings as the 'colleagues night out' mentality usually leads to a more raucus affair.

These nights are great as we can bring different departments together with quizzes, games and themed activities. But they're totally different to weddings.
So should I talk more at weddings that are already running smoothly? After much soul searching, I've decided...(drum roll)...no. Anti-climax, eh?

What I will do is speak the the bride and groom beforhand and ask exactly what they want. Some already know. Last month, I had an email asking me to announce the buffet, last orders and nothing else. It was a brilliant party and people danced all night without me telling them they had to. Perfect!

But all couples are different and have an idea of a perfect reception in their heads. We just have to ask the right questions at their consultation and ensure we get it right!

Setting the standard...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 19:40:00 +0000

One thing that every couple tells us is that they don't want a 'standard wedding.' Which is lucky really as it's clear that there's no such thing!

Everybody has a differing opinion of their perfect wedding and sometimes even the bride and groom don't agree! It was not easy keeping everyone happy at a recent reception when half the guests wanted trance music and the bride and her maids insisted on Take That and Girls Aloud. Still, with a bit of compromise, blows were avoided and the dancefloor stayed full. It's our job to mix your requests with other great tunes and ensure everyone has a good time, not always a simple task!

Living TV have a new show called Four Weddings which has been described as Come Dine With Me featuring weddings instead of dinner parties. It features a similar sarcastic voice over and has brides rating their competitors' weddings in an attempt to win a honeymoon. Every week features four weddings (hence the title) and they couldn't be more different. From a fairy inspired civil ceremony to a Greek Orthodox service, it certainly reflects the sheer number of options that couples have for their perfect big day. Some choose intimate dinners with no music whereas others hire troops of pipers or Irish dancers to keep their guests (and the TV audience) amused.

If you manage to catch it, it may just inspire you to book one of the venues featured or even wear a similar outfit. After all, your big day is about you and what you enjoy. A word of warning though, not everyone's tastes will match yours exactly. If you request a night of unbridled rock for your wedding disco, it may well lead to the DJ receiving death stares from older relatives who aren't big fans of Pendulum or Metallica!

It would create a far better atmosphere if you arranged a rock section (perhaps later in the evening) and gave the DJ a bit of freedom to play other genres. By all means create a Do Not Play list (some suggestions from me would be the Cha Cha Slide and Barbie Girl) so you don't have to suffer anything you hate, but a good DJ will guage the reaction to the music and play songs suitable for everyone. That way, every guest will have a great night and hopefully remember your big day as fondly as you will.

So, for a successful disco there are a few things that you should definitely do:

1) Create a playlist and get it to your DJ before the wedding
2) List your favourite genres as well as individual tracks
3) Pick a first and last dance, so you can end on a high
4) Give the DJ (a little) freedom to use his skill and entertain the audience

We can now download requests during the gig, if someone asks for a track that we don't have. This service relies on a phone signal, so if you're getting married in a basement room (or cellar, or cave or in the middle of nowhere) it's even more important to get the list over to us in advance. We can then arrive with everything you want to hear.

The evening reception is a major part of the day, so it pays to give it plenty of thought. Just don't forget to choose a professional entertainer (instead of a cousin or an ipod!) and rely on their experience.

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Getting Wed? Think space!

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Believe it or not, the British summer is here! Even if the weather hasn't given you any clues, you will have noticed the abundance of wedding cars pootling around on Friday and Satuday afternoons. Ribbon sales have gone through the roof and at Get Wed, we are spending every weekend entertaining audiences across the North of England. And the Midlands. And down South. Actually, we're pretty much everywhere really!

For those of you who may be planning a wedding, I thought I'd pass on something that struck me at a couple of recent wedding receptions. So please keep reading, as I do have an important point (promise!)

We're often asked to provide the whole evening of reception entertainment, including live music and disco, but occasionally we are booked to work with a band. This has happened several times over the last few weeks and one thing has become abundantly clear:

BANDS NEED SPACE

It may sound obvious, but even after ten years in the entertainment industry, I was shocked at just how much cabling and equipment a five piece outfit required. I had a prime view as the only place for my DJ table was wedged in behind the keyboard player. From there, my view of the audience was obsucred by a skyline of mic stands, monitors, amps, speakers, bass bins, instruments and music stands with lyrics on. By the way, if you sing for a living, I strongly believe you should know your lyrics without needing them written down (best not get me started on this, we'll save that discussion for another day!)

Surprisingly, power sockets weren't a problem. I ran my sound equipment and lightshow from just one, and they happily powered their gear with the other seven (though I suspect one was being used to charge a mobile phone!)

We weren't working in a particularly large room and several tables had to be shifted to give the guys enough space. By the time they were set, they took up exactly half the room! Subsequently, dancing space was limited and numerous people went without chairs. Luckily there was a side room available for those without a seat but it did mean splitting guests up on a day that's supposed to bring people together.

Live entertainment is a brilliant way to ensure you and your guests have a fantastic time. The right performers can interact with the audience, fill the dancefloor and really make your wedding reception swing. They can play your favourite songs and charm your mother-in-law with a couple of oldies. There are other things to consider though. Boring and mundane things perhaps, but it's still vitally important that you get answers to these questions:

Will they physically fit into the venue, leaving room to dance and socialise?
How many power sockets do they require?
Will they be set and sound-checked before your guests are due to arrive?
HOW LOUD WILL THEY BE?

To find out all these answers, you should insist on meeting them in your reception space, ideally with a representative from the venue. Only then can you establish exactly what you want and ascertain whether they can provide it. Prepare a list of questions beforehand and probe until you're happy with all the answers.

You shouldn't have to compromise on your wedding day, especially when it comes to entertainment. The number of performers and acts out there means that you'll eventually find someone to provide your perfect entertainment in the space you have available. Just don't leave it too late, we're already taking bookings into 2011!

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Read our Get Wed Blog...

noreply@blogger.com (James McCann) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:25:00 +0000

The place to find more information about Get Wed and those behind it. Visit regularly for a host of wedding related treats...