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.”
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| view from Stone Hall to grand staircase |
This couple were holding their wedding at an exclusive London
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.
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| 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.
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.
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| We highlighted the room's features.. |
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| ...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!
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.
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| 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.
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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
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.
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| ......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 , 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!
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| 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.]
[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!”
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
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
Find more information at www.phataahs.com or email info@phataahs.com
