What's Your First Dance?

I think that music is key to a great wedding and one of the most important things you will have to do as a couple is take your first dance as husband on wife. What is your first dance? I'd love to know. If you need some ideas read this blog from Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove

Whether you are having live music in Essex or a DJ for your wedding one of the things you need to give some thought to is your first dance. I meet so many couples who can’t decide what to have for their first dance. The thing to do if you don’t have a song is think about the time that you met, what was around at that time? think about the music you both like to listen to now, is there a favourite artist you both like? and always think about the lyrics they are so important.
Anything goes when it comes to your first dance, after all it is your wedding. Over the years I have literally sang allsorts of songs, from the lovely ballads; Songbird, Feel My Love, Stuck on You, Heaven to more unusual songs like Times Like These by the Foo Fighters and You Look Good on the Dancefloor by the Artic Monkeys!! See what I mean when anything goes.
If you are having a DJ then getting the song is easy, if you are having a wedding band in Essex  then its a little harder. Some bands won’t learn your first dance, as they are unable to do so,  you would have to play a recording, that’s not much good. A good top professional wedding band in Essex will be able to learn and play absolutely anything that you want. We are certainly happy to learn anything we are asked to.

I have listed my top ten songs, these are all songs that we have performed over the last few years and are in no particular order, just some of my personal favourites.

Times Like These – The Foo Fighters
So Amazing – Luther Vandross
Heaven – Bryan Adams/DJ Sammy
Feel My Love – Adele
Use Somebody – Kings of Leon
Rule The World – Take That
Fallen – Lauren Wood
Chasing Cars – Snow Patrol
Everything – Michael Buble
L.O.V.E – Nat King Cole

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Hedingham Castle, Essex

Next month I am planning the music for a wedding at the fabulous Hedingham Castle. A few weeks back I went to have a planning meeting with my clients and to see the castle for the very first time. The castle is the oldest Norman Keep in England, and its here that the ceremony will take place.

The drinks reception takes place within the house or out on the terrace, weather permitting and the wedding breakfast is held in a marquee at the back of the main house. It really is a venue for a princess. My clients are having a saxophone/vocal duo for both the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. They have booked Essex duo, Unforgettable www.unforgettable-musicduo.co.uk to provide this.

Its such fun when you spend time with couples giving them ideas for the music for their big day, often they don't realise that when you book professional musicians to play, pretty much anything goes!

Wedding Fayres - good or bad?

Its the time of the year when every weekend you can go to a wedding fayre or open day. Are these really worth your time? Absolutley yes if you choose carefully. This weekend the biggest wedding show in Essex takes place at The Brentwood Centre. Its the annual Heart Fm show, now in its 25th year!
Its a big show with everything you could possibly need for your wedding and more. The suppliers that are exhibiting have had to make a substantial investment in themselves and their business to get the exposure. These are serious suppliers, I know quite a few of them personally and can vouch for their work.
Open days are also great, as often the venue will have hand picked some suppliers to come along and exhibit. These will be people they have worked with before and whose work they know. Be more wary of smaller wedding shows, it seems every events company is organising them these days and some of them aren't organised particularly well. I know as I've wasted hard earned money advertising at them.
Do your research into who's organising and the calibre of suppliers that will be there. That way you don't waste every weekend trawling around wedding fayres.
If you're free on Saturday and Sunday the 18th and 19th of February come along to the Brentwood Centre. This is one fayre you shouldn't miss. Come and say hello, I'll be in the marquee area and will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have when it comes to planning your big day.

Hedingham Castle, Essex

Today I went to meet one of my couples at their venue, Hedingham Castle. As a musician I have played in the marquee before but I never got the chance to see the famous keep, where the civil ceremony will take place. I got totally lost absorbing all of the history of the place that I completely forgot to take any pictures!! (note to self, on the wedding day take pictures) If you have always thought about marrying in a castle then this could be for you.

Taken from the website: Hedingham Castle's Norman keep, 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants, Jason Lindsay and his wife Demetra. There are four floors to explore, including a magnificent banquting hall spanned by a remarkable 28 foot arch, one of the largest Norman arches in England. A good view of this splendid room can be obtained from the Minstrels' Gallery, built within the thickness of the 12 foot walls. Castle weddings in medieval surroundings. For those wishing to get married in a Castle, it is now possible to have a romantic candlelit Civil Ceremony in the Banqueting Hall.

Small receptions can be held in the elegant rooms of the Georgian house which is a beautiful location for Wedding Receptions and is also perfect for delightful, intimate winter weddings. For larger parties or those requiring dancing, there is a marquee on the private Tulip Lawn. Drinks can be served on the terrace which has beautiful views over the lake.

Do have a look at the website, but if you want to be a princess for the day then this is it.

www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

The Fennes Estate

On Sunday I attended The Fennes Estate open day. On my last post I gave you a quick overview of the venue, but what is hard to picture is attached to this gorgeous house are two fabulous pavillions. One has a nighclub area, brilliant if you are having a DJ in the evening. The bar is in the same room, which is always better and this is attached to the main house and where you would also hold your civil ceremony of you choose to have one.
 The second pavillion can seat up to 360 people for your wedding breakfast, or can be used for the evening reception if you are having a live band.  If you are looking for an exclusive venue, which is your home for the day then take a look around The Fennes. They also have great deals if you are happy to get married mid week and the staff are great.

My colleague Ian and I

The larger pavillion

The smaller of the two pavillions

The walkway from the main house

The Library

The Fennes Estate Open Day

Wedding open days and fayre's are a great way for you to meet suppliers face to face and chat about your wedding. It will also give you the opportunity to see flowers, cakes, dresses, entertainment and get some ideas for your big day.
On Sunday 22nd January I will be at The Fennes open day with my musical hat on, to chat to couples about booking live music for their wedding day, and giving them planning ideas about timings, the sorts of live music you can have, song ideas for their ceremony. In fact anything music related.
If you are currently looking for a venue for your wedding then take a look at The Fennes, It is a beautiful Georgian house situated in 100 acres of tranquil Essex countryside. The house and the grounds are your exclusively for the day, which I have to say I like. I'm not keen on a venue where you can literally bump into another bride in the loo!
I  will be launching one of my new acts at The Fennes, called Unforgettable, a combination of smooth saxophone and exquisite vocals, which will provide the perfect accompaniment to your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast, or even all three. I think its quite a classic and elegant touch to your wedding day, without being classical.
They will be performing throughout the day so come along and say hello. If you are looking for a band or any live music for your wedding day,  then I will be able to answer any questions you have and of course you can chat to me about any help you might need with your wedding plans. Do check out www.groovemusicmanagement.co.uk