SHOW REPORT – Natalie & Gareth’s Wedding – Manor Hotel, Crickhowell – 22 October 2011

Natalie & Gareth were looking for a long, complete evening of high quality musical entertainment and lighting to follow their ceremony & wedding breakfast at this delightful country house hotel in the beautiful Monmouthshire countryside.  They therefore booked a Premium package to include 2 hours of live singing sets from myself, building the atmosphere from early evening right through until the night alongside a dedicated Pro-DJ – which this time was Phat Aah’s Entertainments’ on-team pro...DJ Mark. 

I had installed a disco in this venue before, so by liaising ahead with the wedding coordinator was easily able to assure a smooth unload and set-up for our equipment that didn’t disturb any guests as they sipped drinks in outer bar. 

Last time I’d appeared at The Manor Hotel, I’d also had the (dubious!) honour of being the couple’s Best Man – so I can honestly say I was MUCH less nervous for this performance!  It was a real pleasure to be back there, and this time helping create wonderful memories for an entirely different group of people who *this time* didn’t have a clue who I was.  (Until I started to sing!)

Looking out across a picturesque vista from one end, the ballroom at The Manor Hotel is a sweeping, beautiful room with pale oak floors & ivory-colour walls which were a prefect canvas for the large Premium show Phat Aah’s Entertainments were hired to install.  We therefore projected ‘moving wallpaper’ patterns onto the walls and ceilings, and our impressive 5ft flame effects framed the performance space while adding both warmth and drama to the stage and dance-floor.  To compliment the look, we also used our exclusive white star-lit Pro-DJ booth, which we placed symmetrically on the stage and set up to twinkle in time with the venue’s icicle-drop lighting around the edges of the ceilings. 

I opened the evening shortly after 6.00pm – an earlier start than most evening parties, but timed to fall shortly after the room had been changed over from the wedding breakfast.  This way our service filled the stop-gap between the formal and informal parts of the day, greeting & engaging guests immediately as they re-entered the ballroom, but encouraging their conversation by performing laid-back & sophisticated sounds of classic popular jazz & easy listening.

Older guests & the grandparents especially appreciated this, dancing at and tapping fingers on their tables as I performed long-ignored old-school favourites such as ‘Slow Boat To China’, Duke Ellington’s “Satin Doll” & the Nat King Cole trio’s arrangement of “Route 66”.  Of course, I also sang music to catch the ear of less....matured...adult guests joining us, covering new-school arrangements of standards by artists like Diana Krall & Jamie Cullum, with even a nod to Eva Cassidy in my vocal arrangement of “Cheek To Cheek”, which some guests noticed and thanked me for.

After a short intermission, I heated the audience by progressing to a ‘hotter’ big-band Sounds of Swing set, picking numbers that everyone knew, including Michael Buble’s arrangements of ‘Sway’ and ‘Moondance’, Ole’ Blue Eyes (Fly Me To The Moon, Bad Bad Leroy Brown) and everyone’s favourite Italian-American... (not Tony Soprano!  ....Dean Martin!) with “Ain’t That A Kick In The Head”.

I concluded this set with guests punching the air in time (perhaps they were playing air-trombone?) as I sang Andy Williams’ “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” – a perfect pre-cursor to the couple’s first dance.

With all the guests hyped and ready to party, DJ Mark magnetised more people again onto the dance-floor, mixing up the couple’s requests with other floor-fillers:  despite the promise of a photo-opportunity (the much-anticipated first dance) and lure of evening buffet. 

Time was soon made for the main spectacle of the evening, featuring Natalie & Gareth as the ‘stars’.  This lovely couple started off swaying together to a typical love song, but then jumping into a spectacular surprise first dance medley they had stitched together from snippets of a range of tracks, to make their own comedic dance-routine. 

DJ Mark & I have seen this idea executed a fair few times before, but even we were genuinely surprised and impressed when a group of the couple’s younger friends also sprang up in the final third of the routine to act as perfectly coordinated backing dancers for the routine’s finale!  A proper ‘Strictly Come First-Dance’ floor-show if ever I’ve seen one, much to the other guests’ delight, for sure!

A tasty BBQ buffet was served, but party spirit never waned.  I returned to the stage with gusto for my final two live sets of the night – and was delighted as the dance floor quickly re-filled with guests of all ages bopping along as I sang a journey through motown, disco and rock that took the party into its final hour.  DJ Mark then finished the evening with more requests and newer chart hits, leaving some guests quite breathless from dancing!

So naturally, my many congratulations go to Natalie & Gareth, but also thanks to their fantastic group of family & friends for also helping making this a fantastic night to remember.  It was a real pleasure to perform such a wide range of live music and ‘delight and excite’ guests of all generations.

So to the happy couple once again: please enjoy many & very happy years ahead together – and remember to keep ‘dancing’ in unison in everything you do!  J

Take care, and have fun.

Jon Paul

Jon Paul is available as a wedding singer with or without various disco & DJ packages - all tailored to various styles of weddings & events at most budgets, performing throughout South & Mid-Wales, as well as The South West, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Cheshire and The Midlands. Contact Jon to discuss your event ideas without obligation, or take a look at his MAIN WEBSITE for free demos, videos and testimonials.

SHOW REPORT – Robert & Carolyn’s Wedding – Searcy’s @ 30 Pavilion Road, London Knightsbridge, 20th August 2011

I met Robert & Carolyn after they asked for a card at the Wiltshire wedding of their friends, Rob & Diana, whom I performed for back in 2010.  In correspondence, Carolyn simply explained “We chose Jon because we loved his voice and the choices of songs he makes.”



view from Stone Hall to grand staircase

This couple were holding their wedding at an exclusive London town-house venue literally 2 minutes from the world-famous department store, Harrods.  Searcy’s at 30 Pavilion Road is SUCH delightful venue! 

I’d spoken with Searcy’s staff several times in the planning for the wedding, and found them extremely friendly and helpful from the outset – understanding how all the different elements of a wedding need to work together to make the whole day succeed.  Seeing how well they run their ‘show’ behind the scenes and how immaculately they treated not only guests but also other wedding professionals such as myself, only serves as the highest example to many other venues how personal and first-class events should be run. 



from landing & bar across
to library and ballroom

Robert & Carolyn’s whole wedding day was taking place within the venue, from the ceremony in the magnificent Stone Hall, right through to evening party in the ballroom – therefore I provided an all-day package tailored to suit not only what they wanted, but also the layout and style of the venue, and arrived early to assure everything was in place before the first guests started arriving.

The architecture at 30 Pavilion Road is quite spectacular, so I was aware that lots of black stands and lights everywhere might detract from the Georgian elegance. 

We highlighted the room's features..

I therefore made some suggestions to provide alternatives to better reflect the venue – and the couple gladly took these up.  These involved augmenting the room with up-lights to match their accent colour during the day, then transforming the room into a party-venue in the simplest but most effective way for the evening.

...including the ballroom's
stunning marble fireplace

Using compact and cool-running LED lights at key points in the venue’s ballroom, we augmented the features such as the beautiful fireplace and feature doorways, carrying through the colour motif from the table décor and floral arrangements. 

Later, during the evening party, the same lights were set to pulse to the beat of the music, charging the atmosphere in the ballroom without the drawbacks and extra set-up time involved with using typical disco-light stands!

We therefore arrived at the venue just after lunchtime to install the mood lighting and a low-profile sound system, which instantly worked around sound limiter issues that might prevent less flexible entertainers from even performing. 

 Arriving in plenty of time also allowed me to become re-acquainted with my previous clients (Rob & Diana) – who were guest this time and had some exciting news to share…and since I’ve also been booked by their rapidly burgeoning family for another celebration in 2012,
I look forward to catching up with them again then too!

Throughout the afternoon’s champagne reception and wedding breakfast I played a hand-picked selection of finest nu-jazz and classic jazz standards, designing the play-list to grow from cool and romantic ballads through to foot-tapping be-bop and swinging bossa nova as the day turned to early evening and the glow of the mood-lighting grew in intensity.

Vintage Amercian Songbook swing
pleased a range of age-groups

As evening guests arrived, I mixed into more contemporary music, including several specific tracks the couple had requested I play to “warm up” the crowd. 

While the venue staff refreshed the room I made use of a safe corner to put up a simple lighting stand that not only provided shapes & colours for the dance-floor but also lit my performance space, so my sets weren’t just like some voice-out-of-nowhere! 

 

Soon, it was time to start the party proper. 

The couple had requested the first of my three live sets included some classic Swing numbers mixed with other upbeat songs which got the dancing and singing-along started early.

Later, I preformed soul, pop and rock that got everyone on their feet, including a special request for a very pretty little lady who had reached the grand age of four that evening. 

Her "favouritist song in the whole wide world" was 'Lola' by the Kinks, which I gladly dedicated to her - then was amzed as she danced and sang every word perfectly!

(Many of Carolyn’s family were singers too, I learned, who performed in bands back in Ireland – so no pressure on me there then! ;-)   )

I needn’t have worried: afterwards Carolyn wrote this about me -

“Not only did we think he was great but quite a number of our guests also thought he was brilliant.” 

Well, shucks.



......best looking bride in room
(depending on the room)
((please refer to song lyrics!))



The evening skipped on apace with intersecting disco segments and the two further live sets – including the newlywed’s immaculately choreographed first dance. 

Carolyn’s fantastic personality and self-depreciating sense of humour shone through with their choice of first dance in form of the subtle “Most Beautiful Girl In The Room (Part Time Model)” by Flight of the Conchords.  (If you’ve not heard it, listen to the lyrics here on YouTube - http://youtu.be/89zOtd6VAiU! "LOL"!)

In planning the party with them, Robert & Carolyn were keen to mix up sure-fire wedding favourites from my live repertoire alongside favourite pre-recorded tracks reflecting their own styles and tastes, which I was happy to do within the supporting disco. 

Carolyn is very much a fan of 70s, 80s & 90s indie/rock, electro-pop & new-wave (which pleased me greatly – always nice to play music you love too!) while Robert is much more of the 'Ministry of Sound'-style clubbing-species, favouring Funky and Electro House.  (Which pleased me greatly…always nice to....(etc)!)



Providing sections of disco between the live sets kept the whole night continuous, fresh & evolving, so guests never became restless with the same form of music or entertainment for over-long stretches. 

Additionally the planned timings allowed me to host the evening and direct guests so not to miss key moments such as the cutting of their unique wedding ‘cake’... of cheese!

As agreed, we peaked the party after midnight with a final hour of non-stop club music for Robert, which I beat-matched as a continuous mix from his request list,  alongside a few of my own ideas to assure the flow of the DJ set. 

As a result, not only was the ballroom full of dancing people, but as I looked out there were guests dancing in the library, on the landing and stairs and even the venue staff were bouncing behind the bar!

Many weddings I provide don’t require a great deal of long “club-style-mixing” sets like this, so it was a real pleasure to flexi my DJ muscle again for a crowd all appreciating a genre of music I loved too!  I was a little sad to have to wind the night up by 1am, to be honest, and would have gladly stayed until dawn.  (Glass slippers notwithstanding.)

Robert came up to thank me, seeming surprised and delighted at once.  “Now this is MY music!” he enthused.  Well, as I say, I am an equal opportunities entertainer!  J  Afterwards, the couple’s feedback form called the background and disco music choices I mixed “outstanding” & “perfect”. 

Well, that’s good enough for me – even tho’ Pete Tong I ain’t!



circle of love - London/Irish style



The last word of course should always be the Bride’s (my wife told me to say that), so calling the couple back to the floor with all their friends & family gathered in a huge circle around them, I wrapped the night with 2 songs Carolyn had requested. 

Firstly their alternative First Dance choice – the wonderful “To The End” by Blur and then -  with everyone singing along - Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” (Deliberately NOT the cheesy Glee version, you note!)

In a summary of their thoughts about the night, Robert & Carolyn’s feedback said:

“Jon was the most attentive, impressive entertainer. Not only did he perform to an outstanding level, he took a real interest in every detail to make sure his set up fitted in with our wedding! We couldn’t have asked for more.”

Hearing that is something which pleases me exceedingly.

Some other entertainers I speak to tell me I’m over-fussy and could save myself ‘stress & worry’ and make more profit if I spent less time consulting and planning.  Well all I say is…. sometimes, chaps, it’s not just about the profit.  (You know who you are!)
[Steps down from soapbox.]

After the event, Carolyn emailed separately to say: 

“Massive, massive thank you for all your efforts.  You were fantastic and really helped make our day very special indeed….
We will definitely recommend you to our friends.  Thanks again – you’re a star!”

A wonderful day; a fantastic couple; at a top-class London venue …[with the best sarnies and ginger beer ever!]… frankly I couldn’t have asked for more myself!  So, so pleased to play a part in this magnificent day!

Many congratulations to the shiny-new Mr & Mrs Mosgrove – and here’s to many, many happy years ahead!

Take care…and have fun.

Jon Paul

Jon Paul is available as a Wedding Singer, Host & DJ for weddings of all sizes in Central London, Greater London, the East of England and throughout the UK, adapting each entertainment package to suit the couple, venue and budget. 
Find more information at www.phataahs.com or email info@phataahs.com









SHOW REPORT – Mike & Eleanor’s Wedding – Norton House Hotel, Swansea- Gower, 18 June 2011

My services were recommended to Eleanor’s folks - Dad, Paul & his 'other half' Karen - who quickly booked me for a complete night of entertainment, including live music and disco.  This wedding required a little more preparation than most, as Eleanor had her heart set on a very specific version of a song for their first dance, which was to be live and exclusive. 

Eleanor directed me to a YouTube video of an unplugged or “live lounge” cover of a David Guetta & Kelly Roland dance anthem called ‘When Love Takes Over’.  Backing tracks for the ‘dance’ version were available, but not of the stripped-down ‘lounge’ arrangement the couple had fallen in love with online.  This featured just 2 guitar parts and a simple piano motif.  No synths and drum machines this time, thank you!  J

This simple version of the track was not available pre-recorded from any backing track suppliers anywhere in the world – and to my knowledge, at the time of writing this, still isn’t… 



<pick your own onomatopeia>

 (There is a Pixie Lott version, although this differs significantly from the arrangement Eleanor liked, so wasn’t tenable.)

Quotations for bespoke music tracks obtained from on-line backing track manufacturers ranged from £200-500… L 
The Phat Aahs’ team managed to beat that price and I was able to make Eleanor & Mike’s dream come true regardless.

I have been fortunate to work alongside some very talented musicians and producer/engineer in the 15-20 years I have been involved in making music.  For a reasonable extra charge I was able to commission a similar version to the YouTube clip to be arranged, recorded and produced as an exclusive backing track by one of my own team members, the superb Rich Braithwaite, who had also been involved in producing my charity recording for the Changed Waters Katrina Project*, and produces and engineers my studio demos that you can hear on
my MAIN WEBSITE. 

[*See also my article HERE for more information about this special charity recording and the team behind it.]

Despite the studio reclocating to West Wales, the music was produced in good time for the couple to practise their first dance to well before the wedding. The plan was to then perform the vocal as a live and exclusive premier on the night, as well as record a full vocal mix in the studio.  This was then produced as a limited edition CD that was given as wedding favours to the families – all as part of the unique package we put together.  These little finishing touches, to blow my own trumpet, are what sets Phat Aahs’ Entertainments apart from the many other singer-disco services out there.

The day after the wedding, Paul & Karen emailed me to say:

“Thank you so much for the wonderful performance last night.  Many of the guests commented on how good the evening was - especially the "first dance".  Both Eleanor and Mike were thrilled with the special recording and the wonderful way in which you delivered it.”

Now, exclusively for my Facebook friends & Blog readers, you can also dowload and listen to the track in your media player via THIS LINK.

An x-small set was used due to limited space.

The whole evening was planned extensively with Eleanor & Mike, including a meeting at the venue to plan layout and lightshow.  The couple were keen to avoid too much nostalgic music as the DJ for their engagement had played what he wanted, and left swing & 50s music playing through the first half of the party – a style they dislike strongly, themselves.  We set aside time to talk about the kind of music they liked, as well as what their guests would enjoy, so that the evening moved up through the proverbial gears more quickly. 

The couple hoped to hear lots of chart and dance music, reminding them of the times they’d spent clubbing and getting to know each other & their groups of friends, many of who were there at the wedding.  I was happy to oblige by playing up-to-date club floor-fillers between my 3 half-hour live sets.



Rockin' All Over The...er...room.

 Eleanor also appreciated that her guest-list included older friends and family, so requested I incorporate classic floor-fillers that would appeal across the generations in the music I sang.  Additionally, I was able to add live numbers the couple chose from my repertoire, as well as learn some additional new modern classics – including the huge nu-soul hit ‘Forget You’, as made famous by CeeLo Green – a number which was still climbing in the charts on the day of the wedding!

Mixing up the live entertainment with their disco requests segments meant throughout the evening, at some point all guests and family were hearing songs that appealed to them – and guest sang along and danced from early in the evening. 

The intimate function suite also allowed me to get out among the guests, dancing with them and singing along as if I was a friend myself: just as the couple had wanted when we planned the party.

After returning from their Mexican honeymoon (…jealous, me?) Eleanor kindly emailed to say: “We can't thank you enough for all of your hard work on our wedding day you went down a treat with our guests they were all amazed by how amazing your voice is, it brought so much fun to the evening and we all really enjoyed having you with us.”

And I really enjoyed being there.  Congratulations again to the new Mr & Mrs Evans!

Paul & Karen's earlier email also closed by commenting:

“If ever you need a reference or a recommendation then please pass on my contact details and we would be more than [happy] to recommend your wonderful services. Once again, many many thanks for a wonderful evening of top notch entertainment.”

Once again – and as always – it really was my pleasure.

Take care…and have fun

Jon Paul

Some more pictures of the event follow.  All event photographs courtesy of Bob Grainger Photography

The Lady Killer

Note the additional lighting at the back

Another full dance-floor

SHOW REPORT :
Corporate Entertainment for Britannia International Movers’ Convention,
Marriott Hotel, Cardiff - 11 June 2011

I was delighted to be able to provide the opening entertainment for the first night of the Britannia International Movers’ Conference in Cardiff.  I was booked through Animo Events, who were organising the whole event on behalf of the company.  Britannia was also celebrating 50 years in the shipping and moving industry, so I felt privileged to be involved in this landmark occasion.

In the planning I had worked closely with Keith & Charlotte at Animo, who required entertainment to greet delegates before their opening dinner, then entertainment through the evening.  It was all about creating a big impact without being brash – sophisticated without being stuffy – but still offering the option for some fun if delegates wanted to ‘unwind all the way’ after their long journeys. 

After the event, Charlotte’s feedback said:  “We booked Jon to perform before and after dinner at a conference welcome event we arranged at the Marriott in Cardiff. Right from the start of our communication with him, we were impressed by his professionalism and attention to detail and this was further reinforced during set up and on the night.”

Last minute adjustments were easily accommodated, and we were able to judge background music from the excited buzz coming from delegates waiting in the outside bar area.

Animo had arranged for an additional staging company to set up performance space and backdrop (Missing Link Conference Co) and we were happy to work alongside them to finish the installation with one of our Premium package set-outs – complete with movie-premier style mini search-lights and 5ft flame effects, which really added drama to the hospitality suite.  Additionally I provided the skills of my team member Carl to act as supporting DJ/sound engineer and assure all audio was appropriately balanced for the room while I performed. 

Keith from Animo really wanted to make an impact on the visitors, and to ‘play up’ Welsh aspects of the venue.  For many this was the first time visiting the country, and our Welsh culture was being accented throughout the whole event – including a visit to the Millennium Stadium later in the trip.

As a grand overture therefore we planned the timing intricately for maximum impact, and as delegates entered the room, I launched into a stirring rendition of “Delilah” – welcoming them to their first evening Welsh Capital with a bang and a smile, as most got the irony of a stereotypically short Welshman (er...me, then) singing a stereotypically Welsh song!  This was instantly followed by a huge swing number – Bad Bad Leroy Brown – as a quick taster of what was to come later in the evening.

 And now the science part.  HR and Training Managers may find it useful to know that a few corporate entertainers experts call this technique the “guerrilla sets” or “slots” approach – it serves to instantly grab the attention of attendees and then quickly disappear, injecting energy into the proceedings and leaving the audience enthused and anticipating more. 
More importantly, but also acts as an ice-breaker...no marshmallow- ‘n’-spaghetti structural-engineering involved.  (HR gurus will understand this ole doozy!)
Guerrilla techniques can work with DJ skills, but a moving, dynamic focal-point such as a live artist or entertainer/events presenter arguably facilitates this better.

Guerilla-slots like this also give tables of delgates something to talk about with colleagues they may not have met before, plus adds variety to proceedings where timings or budgets do not stretch to multi-act events.  It is quite similar to the warm-up approaches used by several of my American peers, but can be more suited for the sometimes reticent British or continental businesses, who can be more passive earlier in proceedings.

Many corporate entertainers don’t do this, and stick rigidly to typical ‘sets’ or pitch at too high an energy level too early.  Personally, I believe many entertainers need to cater to their customer’s needs and thus provide great value through shaping the whole event.

Coming back to the night, I cleared the stage ready for a guest speaker, who used the dedicated speech microphone we had set up.  On this occasion I was not hired to reappear as the evening’s official host/ MC, as traditionally Brittannia use an in-house representative with whom everyone is familiar. 

It was fascinating for me, watching from the wings, to observe a different approach to the opening welcomes and thank-yous, using alternative vocal projection, mic-technique and focus-pulling methods to mine.  Plus (being a little selfish!) and excellent ‘breather’ opportunity to ‘touch-base’ on upcoming background-music programming with Carl my sound-guy.

Some delegates had already made music requests to Carl, so we left a mix of swing and smooth soul music playing as the delegates enjoyed the opening courses of their dinner.  Following the main course, however, I was straight back on stage providing a half-hour set of some fabulous Swing & Big Band staples. 

Much to the organisers’ surprise, the delegates were not as tired nor as shy & retiring as imagined, and I soon had people singing along at the tables to “That’s Life” and even dancing to my punchy rendition of Michael Buble’s “Sway”.

Animo Events later wrote that my “performance was superb and he judged the mood of the room perfectly.”  

As requested, the live performance took a short break to allow guests to request disco and karaoke songs of their own.  The client commented about this, saying “It wasn’t an easy crowd, but Jon managed to get people on the dance-floor, and he even got a delegate up on stage”!  Karaoke won’t work for every corporate group – but Animo had proposed this as something different and it was clear on the night it wasn’t as big a “risk” as I’d feared!

Finally, I came back and closed the night with a mix of upbeat classics including ‘Pretty Woman’, ‘Stuck In The Middle With You’ and ‘Mustang Sally’ – and was delighted to get a huge circle of dancing delegates singing along as I took the microphone out to get groups singing “guest slot” backing vocals, setting one table against another.  A little bit of inter-departmental competition can’t be a bad thing!

Charlotte at Animo Events commented that the “lighting rig really added a party feel to the event.”

I was told that the company’s executives were delighted that we had transformed what can be a downbeat first night into a memorable opening in a professional & successful manner. 
I’d like to think this energised the employees and enabled them to be creative and positive the next day.  This is one illustration on how investing in quality entertainment should be considered a wise business decision that can have positive impacts.

From my personal experience attending similar events,  I understand that employees infer from the bored, budget DJ wearing ripped jeans in the corner that no fore-though or effort has been put in from management for them, and they can therefore respond unenthusiastically in working groups and seminars  – immediately reducing the impact & success of corporate events.

For me, it was a real pleasure to be able interact & respond to the attendees on the night – and the flexibility of the organisers in letting their delegates’ mood lead the entertainment, rather than it be a prescribed style, resulted in a memorable and exciting first night! Equally I could have turned my hand to cocktail performance – this time however the whole group were ready to get down to business!

As a result, Animo Events said of my services: “We would certainly use him again, and would wholeheartedly recommend him to others.” I’d certainly be delighted to work with Keith & Charlotte in the future and naturally also offer my best wishes to the staff & management at Brittannia for another 50 successful years in business.

Take care…and have fun!

Jon Paul

Jon Paul is available for high quality corporate events for 50-1000 people, providing first class performance and presentation for awards ceremonies, presentations and corporate events & celebrations throughout the UK; he’s able to act as your MC/host for the evening, live performer or simply to arrange appropriate background music, disco or PA/AV solutions. 

Jon believes that corporate entertainment should not be based on ring-fenced and salami sliced budgets but rather invested as quality blue-sky thinking to assure tick-boxing for the diversity of your workforce & client-base.  While always seeking to push the envelope, Jon never relies on purely plucking low-hanging fruit, but will regularly touch-base and mind-map in a virtual working group with event management coordinators in order to bonsai-clip entertainment logistics & workflows into bespoke gift-tied corporate solutions.  Phew.

 
From years of working in corporate environments, Jon is fully conversant with most management-speak nonsense like that you’ve ploughed though above, and can often translate this to something roughly comprehensible to the actual, real human beings that most businesses actually employ.  Keeping it real, but keeping it professional – surely what most people will actually want at the end of a hard day’s networking...right? 

Jon is available to engage, motivate and entertain your staff and clients throughout the UK.  Contact Jon for more details or to chat through your corporate event planning.

SHOW REPORT – Dennis & Debbie’s Wedding – Woodlands Castle, Ruiston, Taunton – 22 July 2011

     Debbie and Dennis booked my after seeing me perform jazz, swing and soul during a stand-in set on behalf of the resident singer at Cardiff Bay’s St David’s Hotel.  This lovely couple were looking for an all-day solution for the music and hosting at their intimate wedding at the exclusive Woodlands Castle venue near their home in Taunton – and felt my services, experience and repertoire fitted their ideas perfectly.

Woodlands Castle from the grounds

The couple and I discussed best options at length to provide music throughout the whole day at this multi-room function, as well as a providing a hosting service (an informal Toastmaster/MC) to liaise with the Registrar & guideand inform guides throughout the pre-ceremony &  post-ceremony arrangements.  Music was a hugely important part of the day for this couple, and my compact and adaptable set-up enabled a range of styles to suit different parts of the day.

As guests arrived for the post-lunch ceremony, I performed a selection in the of live pop ballads and love songs, creating a vibrant yet romantic atmosphere in the vestibule and anti-room as the groom, friends and family waiting with growing anticipation for Debbie to

make her appearance. 
Ending the set, I switched to background music & my hosting role, and guided the party and any later-arriving guests into the room where the ceremony was being held.  This was an important role to ease and assure the ‘decorum’, legalities & logistics for the event – for example requesting guests left alcohol outside the ceremony space, guided them to the correct side of the room (in the absence of ushers) and requesting they avoid using confetti inside the venue.

Debbie had requested specific background music while guests waited and also a special piece for her processional entrance to meet Dennis (“You’re So Cool” by Hans Zimmerman – famously from the ‘True Romance’ movie sound-track (fittingly enough!)). 

By liaising with both the bridal party and the Registrar ahead of time we were able to plan specific points in the music for the guests to stand, for the bridesmaids to enter and for the Bride’s grand entrance to coincide with crescendos in the music, which then faded away as Debbie reached her groom & the Registrar began to speak.

After the vows, Debbie has also specially requested I learn and perform 2 special songs as a postlude - namely Elvis’ “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” while the register was signed, then (as a recessional song to accompany the newlyweds and guests' departure from  the room) the happy pop classic “My Destiny” by Lionel Ritchie. It was an inspired choice of song that added a smile and a skip to all.

Debbie later commented that my service was “Absolutely brilliant!” and thanked me for being “Really helpful with helping suggest songs and also learning ones special to us for the day.”

After a few photographs, the happy newlyweds enjoyed a horsedrawn carriage ride, and while they were  away I started my next set of a selection of jazz standards, to keep guests entertained while they enjoyed champagne and canapés in the sunshine. 

This moved on to hosting the new Mr & Mrs Scott’s arrival back at the venue for their wedding breakfast, where my hosting skills were put into play once more by inviting guests in from the bar and terrace and announcing the newlywed’s into the room.  After some brief speeches and their first course, I began my next live set, with a selection of Swing & Big Band standard as guests dined.

I was delighted and hugely complimented when Debbie & Dennis even put down their cutlery to dance by the side of their table as I sang Nat King Cole's “Let There Be Love”, while other guest looked on.

Afterwards, the Scotts’ feedback mentioned I “was really "tuned" in to both the music and our specific needs for the day.”

Pre-recorded background music continued until the end of the meal and while guests enjoyed coffee and a breath of fresh air, I relocated my sound equipment into the secondary function room, which was set up with a dance-floor and resident DJ as a specific (for want of a better term) “dancing-room”. 
It was a pleasure to work alongside the resident entertainer, and we escalated the atmosphere as more evening guests arrived, ready to party – providing him with the information he needed to welcome the couple personally over the microphone, and quickly running through the evening timings Debbie & I had planned.

We opened the evening entertainment by inviting the guests into the dancing room (although some watched through the windows to the terrace!) while Dennis & Debbie enjoyed their “official” first dance together – another special request I had learned for them, in form of “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz. 

The live set continued with classic soul and pop, and after a break for the evening buffet, I finished up with disco, soul and rock before handing back to the resident DJ.

In their later feedback, the couple enthused: “We cannot praise Jon enough, he went out of his way to make sure we had everything we wanted and I would recommend him to anyone as you will not be disappointed".

All in all a bit of a whirlwind day for everyone – but Debbie’s review of the day commented: “I don’t remember much but I will always remember the music and the dancing! Thank you for making our wedding so lovely.”

Sometimes, we entertainers turn up later in the day and miss all the romance and emotion of the ceremony and speeches – for me it was a real pleasure to play an over-arching role in facilitating and entertaining this lovely couple and their guests.  I found it a fitting reminder that weddings are about more than just the party – they’re also about each couple’s own "True Romance".

Thank you for allowing me to experience yours, Dennis & Debbie – please enjoy many many happy years together.

Take care…and have fun.

Jon Paul

Jon Paul is available as a live solo singer and/or DJ, performing vintage and contemporary music to create  day-time, evening or all-day entertainment solutions for ceremonies, receptions and parties throughout the South West of England, as well as Wales, The Midlands, Home Counties and London.  His service can also include event hosting as an informal MC as well as a variety of mobile DJ & disco solutions to suit most budgets.

Find out more on our main website at http://www.phataahs.com/