63 MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT WOW THE CROWDS Mike Wild from Motiv-8 Disco Cumbria, a full-time mobile DJ, tells us what you should take into consideration before deciding on a DJ. We feel the best way to select a wedding DJ is to view photos of their equipment and see videos of them in action. When looking at the photos, keep an eye out for tatty hanging cables around the lighting and speakers and for loose cables running across the floors. If the cables are tidy and taped down, this shows care and that they are safety-conscious and professional. Ask the company to send you recent video footage; look at the body language of those dancing and how they react to the DJ. Take note of how effectively the DJ lighting covers the room. You can also get a sense of their sound quality; you should hear some bass along with the background atmosphere. Online reviews can be written by anybody, and sadly, this includes friends of the business owner, particularly with social media reviews. Keep this in mind when checking a company’s reviews. We recommend reading the company’s privacy policy and terms of service. Public liability insurance up to £10 million is a plus, as is an online portal to manage your booking. Motiv-8 Disco Cumbria www.motiv-8.co.uk THE WOW FACTOR Andrew Cooper from ACMAGIC, an award-winning magician in Greater Manchester, shares his advice for finding the perfect magician for your big day. How long should a magician perform at my wedding? As the old saying goes, ‘How long’s a piece of string?’ This answer depends on a number of variables, such as the number of guests, location, order-ofthe-day and the style of magic you would like. The best thing you can do is get in touch directly with a magician for a consultation. Check if this is a paid-for extra; for example, I offer a free consultation so we can discuss all the details of your big day before committing. When is the best time for a magician to perform on my big day? This one’s easy; the absolute best time to put a close-up magician on at your wedding is during the downtime in between the important bits. Such as during the drinks reception after your ceremony, before or after your wedding breakfast and while you wait for your evening room to be turned around. Definitely not during the food or evening, as magic relies heavily on guest interaction and no one wants to see magic while eating or partying. What should I take into consideration? Ensure your magician is insured. For example, I am insured with one of the UK’s leading insurance organisations for performers, EQUITY. I have £10 million public liability coverage. Read their reviews and check out any awards they have won. For example, I’ve been recognised as the Best Wedding Magician in the North West at both the Wedding Industry Awards and the County Brides North West Wedding Awards 2024. Will a magician be suitable for children? While a magician should be happy to entertain guests of all ages on your special day, keep in mind they may not specifically be a kids entertainer. So, if you’re looking for something to keep the kids happy, then I would suggest hiring a professional children’s entertainer, such as a balloon modeller or kid’s magician. What style of magic should we have for our wedding? This all depends on the magician. For example, I perform close-up mix and mingle style magic at your wedding while your guests enjoy a drink and canapés during those lulls, when your guests are generally waiting for the next part of your day to begin. I ensure that all of your guests get to see some magic and blend in seamlessly with your drink reception. This provides the perfect interactive icebreaker and something that will be talked about for years to come. ACMAGIC www.acmagic.co.uk www.ameliarosephotography.net www.nessworthyphotography.com
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