Your Wedding Venue 

It’s incredible that some couples overlook the ‘party worthiness’ of their wedding venue, in favour of architectural beauty and daytime photo opportunities. Many glamorous country houses and historic mansions are not laid out in a sympathetic way conducive to a great party atmosphere. Separate bar areas that are a short hike from the room where the DJ is situated are quite common, and makes it really difficult to get everyone together for the important moments like The First Dance or the big finale. Naturally, the bar area is where people meet, greet and chat and if this is not within earshot of the DJ and the dance floor, your party may end up a little flat.

The size of your wedding reception function suite is also very important. Take advice from the venue’s wedding planner on guest numbers as they definitely know best, however be aware that they may also have an agenda to fill the date with any sized party. Purely from a wedding DJ’s perspective, smaller rooms are more intimate and it obviously takes less people to look busy on the dance floor, which in turn attracts more to join in. The opposite can be said of big, cavernous rooms, such as barns and great halls if you only have a small number of guests. It’s quite daunting for small groups of guests to strut their stuff in such a big area! They can feel very exposed! Some venues can cleverly reduce their big function suites with room dividers to suit your number of guests. Ask them if this can be done…it will certainly help create a more intimate atmosphere.

Turn Off The Lights!

Since about 2010, there has been an upsurge in the usage of American-style room decor for wedding discos. The main feature in question are the large illuminated letters adjacent to the dance floor, often spelling out ‘L-O-V-E’ or the happy couple’s names. They are often over 1m high and sometimes up to 5m wide! As good as this looks for the First Dance, it can be quite detrimental for the rest of the evening if they are not dimmed or turned off. It’s quite well established that more folk will dance the darker the room gets.

Say NO to Balloons

This is not a regular thing that I see (it’s far more likely at a kids party or a birthday celebration), but occasionally when we set up, I find the entire floor filled with loose balloons. It can look very pretty….until the kids arrive! The venue turns from a glamorous and romantic setting into a children’s ballpit! And it’s often quite difficult to clear the area (of balloons and kids!) for the First Dance.

Timing is Everything! 

One aspect of the wedding reception that is always asked by my clients is, “What time is best for the First Dance?” Depending upon many elements (the wedding breakfast, sunset photoshoots, evening guests arriving) the vast majority of my wedding reception discos hold the First Dance at 8pm. It’s the perfect time to suit almost everyone on the day….the majority of evening guests will be there, the venue staff would’ve rearranged the function suite for the party, and most importantly the guests will be ready to dance too! I’ve been asked many times to host the First Dance earlier, but instead of being the official start to proceedings on the floor, most find it too early to let their hair down.

Another little tip is not to be tempted by a music finish later than midnight. As a DJ, I love playing into the small hours in a heaving nightclub, all the revellers with their arms aloft and singing at the top of their voices….but this is a wedding reception, where some of the guests have been upright since 6.00am and they’re truly flagging as midnight approaches. It’s best to go out on a high than to fizzle and die!

The Bride Piper

This is a phrase I coined some years ago, and it’s still relevant now. The one sure way to attract more people to the dance floor at a wedding party is to get the bride involved! There must be some kind of unwritten code that states no bride shall enter into a dance routine or shimmy without at least six friends joining her! So if you have a quite conservative group of guests and your wedding DJ is doing his best without much reaction, it’s time to unleash the bride upon the floor and the rest will follow!

Live Music

Please, please, please book a wedding DJ alongside your live act (even if it’s not me, you will need one)! Many couples opt for live music and, due to the expense of the band, cannot stretch to a DJ as well. Often the band are able to play a Spotify list in the intervals but that’s where all the party energy is completely lost. I’ve been a guest at weddings where the band finish their set and walk offstage for a break leaving us to listen to low-level background music. Not only helping to keep the energy going, having a DJ is also a fabulous failsafe should anything happen to the band on the night. It’s rare, but I’ve been witness to missing drummers (and drum kits), singers with tonsillitis and on one occasion, a band so self-indulgent that the Best Man threw them offstage after 20 minutes!

And Finally… For best results, book a wedding DJ you can totally trust and leave them to command the dance floor in the best way they know how. Don’t send them swathes of track lists with strict demands on what to play and when…that simply serves to inhibit their talents and their experience of filling dance floors. As I have stated many times in my blog history, no-one can pre-judge a wedding reception’s musical journey, simply due to the diverse demographic of its guests.

I really hope that my honest observations above, taken from over 35 years as an Essex wedding DJ, help you in some way plan your ultimate wedding party!

The post 7 Top Tips For The Best Wedding Reception Ever! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

It not only provides an unforgettable romantic moment for the new happy couple, it also signals the end of the formalities of the Wedding Breakfast and the start of the evening celebrations. After all the pomp & ceremony of the day, the time has arrived to really let your hair down and party!

I have hosted over 1000 Essex wedding receptions in my long and successful career as a mobile DJ, as well as many other wedding day celebrations in Suffolk, Kent & London…you can absolutely trust me to answer all your Wedding First Dance questions and concerns using my vast experience. So, here goes….

Do we have to have a Wedding First Dance?

The simple answer is ‘no’! It’s your special day and if a First Dance isn’t something you’re both comfortable with, then we can head straight into the floor fillers. However, the First Dance is a major part of the whole wedding day, equally as important as cutting the cake or making a speech…it’s widely recognised as one of the memorable moments, especially for close family and friends looking on. Let’s not forget the awesome photo opportunity either! And as I alluded to above, it does signal the start of the evening reception, where formalities are finally relaxed.

When should we do our Wedding First Dance?

Timing usually depends upon the venue; at the vast majority of UK wedding receptions, the meal and speeches are over by 7pm. Giving the staff time to clear & rearrange the function room (and the DJ may have to set up in the same time window), 8.00-8.30pm is nearly always the best time for the First Dance. If your evening invites have stated 7.30pm arrival, then most of your guests should be there to see your big moment on the dance floor! Some of my previous couples have asked for a much earlier First Dance, even before more guests arrive. This is fine if you are shy or less formal, but it does take a little magic away from the evening. Personally, I believe the most successful Wedding First Dances are best performed between 8-9pm, with all the guests present and itching to get on the floor!

What song to choose for the First Dance?

Although this is a very personal choice, it’s probably the question I get asked the most often. The way I see it, your First Dance song should be something that you both connect with….possibly a holiday memory together, a tune you both heard on your first date, maybe the first time you ever danced romantically with one another. Never worry about whether it’s cool or not. It’s your moment, it’s your choice. I’ve become a bit of an expert over the years on love songs, especially those that contain the right kind of lyrics and sentiments. I’m always happy to guide you, try to steer you away from the sad songs with inappropriate words! Another thing to consider is the length of the song. This is not really a huge problem as we can fade it down at a pre-arranged point, but it’s nice to hear a complete track with a decent ending. Four minutes is a good maximum yardstick for First Dance track time.

When is the best time for the Father & Daughter Dance?

There are many differing opinions on this one – some believe it should take place before the First Dance, others say immediately afterwards and there are some who suggest it’s the last dance of the evening. The main thing is, there are no hard and fast rules. For me, it works at its very best when the Bride takes her dad’s hand after her First Dance. The room is already captivated with the bride and groom so bringing on Dad to take his daughter’s hand cranks up the emotion in the room to 11! It’s a guaranteed tear-jerker (in the nicest way, obviously!) One of my personal preferences as a wedding DJ is to open the floor to all the remaining guests about halfway through the Father/Daughter dance, ensuring the floor is full when you go straight into the uptempo stuff afterwards.

Do you recommend dancing lessons for our Wedding First Dance?

When you’re both out there in the middle of the floor, holding each other close and enjoying what is possibly your first moments of peace together on such a stressful and emotional day, you won’t really care what you look like to your admiring and adoring friends and family…so do you really need dance lessons to impress everyone? I don’t really think so, although it is fantastic to see a fully choreographed routine bring expressions of wonderment and surprise to your guests’ faces! If you’re both outgoing, confident people…then why not?! If one or both of you are quite introverted, then maybe just a slow smooch in the spotlight is all you’ll need.

What ‘Wow’ factor effects do you recommend for the Wedding First Dance?

The first and most obvious one is confetti…and not just the hand-thrown variety! I use fully-loaded 1 metre confetti cannons to completely dazzle and surprise everyone. As with any pyrotechnic, it’s always essential to get the venue’s permission first. ‘Dancing On Clouds’ is probably the second-most requested effect we are asked about. The photo at the top of this page shows how beautiful it looks, a dense fog around the feet of the happy couple. Unlike a smoke or haze machine, dry ice doesn’t rise and won’t set off any fire alarms! It really looks classy, particularly when lit with just white light beams. A real Hollywood moment! I’m sure you’ve also seen the four feet tall L-O-V-E letters that some DJs and venues employ, lit up in bright white bulbs as a backdrop to the dance floor. These are incredibly popular, but please remember to turn them off as the night moves in otherwise we can’t darken the dance floor for a better atmosphere!

I really hope that I have given you an insight into how important and special a Wedding First Dance can be. I am always available to chat about any aspects of your wedding music and wedding reception plans. My experience in hosting wedding receptions is truly extensive and I would be very happy to quote for my top class services on your biggest day.
Click the Contact button above to get in touch today.

The post Your Wedding First Dance – All your questions answered! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

I’m very pleased to have recently acquired a bespoke Wedding Day Post Box, hand made by the same good friend who designed the superb columns for my LED Starballs.

All bookings taken from now onwards for the full Ultimate Wedding DJ All-Day Package will include the hire of this wonderful Wedding Post Box. Sadly, my photography doesn’t do the paintwork any real justice, as the Wedding Post Box is finished in a glittery effect that looks great on any venue gift table.

Hire of this Wedding Post Box is available as an extra to any of my packages, subject to availability.

The post Ultimate Wedding DJ Package – Update first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

We really recommend that you give him a call if you’re hunting for a top photographer for your big day. http://www.peterivesphotography.co.uk/

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On Saturday, we paid another visit to Crondon Park Golf Club, for a wedding reception. For those who haven’t been there, Crondon Park is a tastefully-converted barn with beautiful grounds immediately outside and, obviously, a golf course. The venue is separate from the clubhouse so there’s no cross-over/interaction with any of the golfers on the day. Access for equipment is a little long-winded but not difficult (bring a trolley!) and the performance area is large enough for most mobile DJ set-ups or live bands. Being a barn the ceilings are high and beamed, however the acoustics are good. The bar is situated in another room, but still within full view/earshot of the DJ and dancefloor, so announcements, etc won’t get missed. There’s no sound limiting equipment (a relief!) and the dancefloor area can easily accomodate over 100 guests.

Overall, we highly recommend Crondon Park based purely on it’s party ‘worthiness’ – we make no judgement on the food or bar, etc, just the DJ’s eye view of things. The staff were extremely helpful…..I was given two fans to stop me overheating during setting up, and twice received offers of assistance from passing bar/waiting staff which was a really welcome touch. A venue definitely worth considering for your wedding reception.

The post Crondon Park Golf Club – Venue Revue first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

• DO try to meet with your DJ, or at least call them and have an informal chat about your requirements. You’ll find it really helps to get to know them beforehand.
• DO ask as many questions as you wish. A truly professional and experienced DJ has answers for almost every scenario you can imagine.
• DO provide your DJ with a good understanding of the music that you prefer not to hear at your wedding reception disco. Your DJ will be able to advise you, particularly if you ask to avoid a popular genre that guests will request on the night.
• DON’T send your DJ a huge list of 200 requests or a strict playlist to be adhered to throughout the night. Top professional DJs need room for their own artistic licence, for requests on the night from the wedding guests and also the option to change the music if the dancefloor remains empty. If you feel you have to provide a comprehensive list to your DJ, then I suggest you’ve probably got no confidence in them and maybe shouldn’t have booked them in the first place. Alternatively, you might just be a naturally controlling force, in which case we suggest hiring a PA system and using your own iPod!
• DON’T choose a novelty record as your First Dance! There was a brief phase a few years ago to break into a big hip-hop tune halfway through the romantic choice, whereby the happy couple start body-popping and street dancing to the ‘amusement’ of the assembled guests…….and more often than not it either fizzled out or ended to lukewarm and embarrassed applause. Unless you’re both trained dancers, stick to the romantic option!
• DO join your guests on the dancefloor as often as possible during the evening. I know it’s difficult to mingle and chat and keep everyone happy, but the sight of the bride and groom dancing during the night really helps the DJ.
• DEFINITELY make sure you let the DJ know well in advance if you plan to leave early for your honeymoon suite. Most DJs plan a big finale involving all the guests and the happy couple.

I hope there’s a useful tip or two above for you!

Remember, we are taking wedding bookings from January to December these days, weekdays too…..so there’s no such thing as an official ‘wedding season’ anymore. Give us a call for a quote on your big day – you won’t regret it!

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Now I guess I’ve been rather spoiled over the last 15 years or so, playing at some really nice hotels and plush marquees in landscaped surroundings, but last night was a little different. The wedding reception disco was held in a fairly large marquee in the grounds of a local cricket club. Upon first impressions (apart from the slalom from van-to-stage-area) the marquee seemed fine. However it did feel a wee bit chilly. And there was a strong smell of paraffin or some kind of inflammable liquid in the air. I was informed that the jet heater was ‘playing up’ and following some tinkering by persons unknown, the heater began blasting some much needed hot air. This lasted about fifteen minutes, whereupon the chimney part of the jet heater exploded off and shut the heater down once more, this time unfortunately for good.

The marquee grew colder very quickly….so we got the First Dance underway earlier than planned in order to get everyone dancing to keep warm. To their credit, the crowd were absolutely amazing. The dance floor was full from the start to the end. Still unsure whether it was my music choice or simply their survival instincts! We continued right the way through til midnight though, so hats off (or on, in the circumstances) to all the wedding reception guests who refused to let a little thing like body warmth get in the way of enjoying themselves.

There is a serious note here though, for any brides and grooms seeking to personally hire a marquee on private grounds……..please ensure that the marquee company have a staff member onsite or nearby for any eventualities, like heater breakdowns or high wind damage. The particular marquee we were in last night was quite a shoddy effort, not only devoid of heating but also ill-prepared as the flooring was not taped or secured down between gaps in the matting….and yes, I tripped over it on the way out!

The post Left out in the cold……. first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

On the subject of differing hours, I’ve noticed a lot of wedding couples lately have requested extended hours (i.e. 1am or 2am finishes), flying in the face of the recession and a marked downtown in alcohol sales generally throughout the UK. Despite creating more work for us, we DJs do enjoy extending the celebrations into the wee small hours……but it does come with a cautionary note for all prospective brides and grooms (and other party organisers)…….sometimes the extra hour or two can be a total wash-out due to diminishing guest numbers. The mindset in the UK is still very much based upon a midnight finish to most parties…..and even the most hardcore revellers are flagging badly when we head towards 1 o’clock, basically because they’ve been drinking/eating/celebrating since the wedding began at 1pm…. a twelve hour shift! So if you are thinking of applying for a later licence for your bar and DJ, please take into account all of the above, so that you don’t end up with just one drunken mate dancing on his own at 12.45am whilst everyone else has gone to bed!

The post 24hr Party People! first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.

The groom was a DJ himself, and I was left stunned when walking into the venue marquee by the sheer volume of lighting he had installed for the party! Over 25 DJ light effects across the whole width of the marquee….any nightclub would’ve been proud! I simply plugged in my head unit and began playing the 80’s soul weekender stuff that had been requested. It was a truly great party……..really nice people and the chance to air some rare soul gems, coupled with a one hour break whilst the groom took the controls.

It was so refreshing to get away to an unknown venue and play to a different audience……..as a resident DJ you really miss that part of the business, and although the travelling time totalled almost ten hours, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all again!

The post Have equipment, will travel…… first appeared on DJ Ian Scott.