What is your first dance for your London wedding?

The tradition of the first dance goes back many years. The first dance signifies that the ball is officially open, or that it what it used to signify. This is the couples first dance as husband and wife and as a wedding planner in London,  I love it when the couple comes up with something different, something that I haven't heard before.

You may choose a song that has always been your song, or it might be something that was playing when you met or it might just be a song you really like.

The most popular song is still "Amazed" by Lonestar and it has been for a couple of years. A classic with beautiful words but I've also heard this year, songs by The Stereophonics, Ottis Reading, Labrinth, Bryan Adams and Luther Vandross. Here is a little snippet of London wedding band, One Foot in the Groove playing some of the first dances they have played over the last 12 months

Essex Wedding Band shortlisted for Awards

You may or may not know but my involement in the wedding industry started ten years ago when I launched my wedding band in Essex, One Foot in the Groove. Over the years we have literally played at hundreds of weddings and have built up an enviable reputation. Whilst I continue to work closely with my brides on all aspects of their wedding planning I also continue to run and sing with the band.

All of this expert knowledge on the industry I bring to all of my couples when planning their big day. I'm delighted to say this year Essex wedding band One Foot in the Groove have been shortlisted for The Wedding Industry Awards 2013, the second year in a row and we are finalists in The Essex Wedding Awards 2012. Fingers crossed that the band win an award for all of their hard work in providing fantastic live music week in and week out across the South East.

Top Tip - Recommended Suppliers

Today's top tip is about recommended suppliers. When you have decided on your venue more often than not they will give you a brochure or leaflet with all of their recommended suppliers on. Just be warned that some of these suppliers may have paid to be on that list or in that brochure and the venue might not really know their work at all.
If you are using the venue's coordinator and not hiring an Essex wedding planner, then ask them about the one's that you are interested in. Find out about how they work, the quality and if they are professional and nice to workwith.  If you are hiring a wedding planner in London then that's a job that they can do for you. Making sure their work really is recommended by the venue.

Heart FM Wedding Show - Part 2

On the Sunday at the Brentwood Centre, Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove provided the live music in the marquee. Throughout the day they played some party songs to get all the couples in the mood. This very versatile Essex wedding band were also able to play some lovely background jazz and swing, perfect for a drinks reception or wedding breakfast.
In the main arena you could find everything from cakes to gorgeous dresses,  photo booths to flowers. It really was wedding world.

I must say a big thank you to John at Vicarge Marquees, Richard at Fuud Ltd and Paul from MD Entertainments for allowing myself and the band to perform in the marquee over a very busy weekend.
www.fuudoutsidecaterers.co.uk
www.vicaragemarquees.co.uk
www.mdentertainments.co.uk

Heart FM Wedding Show - Part 1

 www.unforgettable-musicduo.co.uk

www.groovemusicmanagement.co.uk

 

 

www.fuudoutsidecaterers.co.uk 

 

www.vicaragemarquees.co.uk 

This weekend sees one of the biggest wedding fayres in the South East. A massive show with some of the top suppliers across Essex. A great place to go to to meet suppliers and get ideas for your big day. Here are a few pictures from one of the marquees, supplied by the fabulous Vicarage Marquees. catering from Fuud Ltd and entertainment from Unforgettable, saxophone/vocal duo from Groove Music Management.

Snow. What impact can the weather have on your wedding?

On Saturday, I had my music hat on as the Essex wedding band that I manage, One Foot in the Groove headed up to Milton Hill House in Abingdon, Oxfordshire for the wedding of Colin and Emma. We knew that snow was on the way, but obviously that wasn't going to stop us making the gig, and everyone did, and on time. The journey home wasn't great but we all made it back safely, thank goodness.

What happens if it snows on your wedding day? Whilst its very romantic, it can cause problems. If you are planning a winter wedding book local suppliers. For example don't book a photographer that lives 80 miles away. In the run up to the day when you know that snow is expected, make sure all of your guests have one contact number of a reliable guest, so that they can keep in touch should the weather hold them up. Ask your church or registra if they have any weddings scheduled after you, that way if things run a little late it won't be a problem, they will be able to wait for any late arrivals before the ceremony starts.

If it does snow prior to the big day, just double check with suppliers that everything is OK. If you've booked professionals they will be well prepared for bad weather. Its worth having a back up music source, should your band or DJ have a problem getting to you. Get an ipod with plenty of music, make sure it also has your first dance. The problem with DJ's/bands, is that they will often be arriving later in the day when the weather may have deteriated and the band could be arriving in a number of vehicles. I know of a band who couldn't get to a wedding because the snow was so bad. The couple had no music at all on their wedding day.

You can't of course cancel your wedding if the weather takes a turn for the worse but when planning a winter wedding there are a few things you can do to make it less stressful.  I always say to brides you can make the perfect wedding plans, but you can't plan what the weather might do. Just be prepared for it.

Hanbury Manor Wedding Fayre

Last Sunday I had a stand at the Hanbury Manor wedding fayre, with my musical hat on promoting Groove Music Management and Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove.
Hanbury Manor is a gorgeous hotel in the Hertfordshire countryside. It was my first fayre of the spring season, there are a few more coming up. I will keep you posted. We took a couple of provisional bookings for our main hertfordshire wedding band, One Foot in the groove, which was great and many more bride and grooms to be,  took the bands CD.
Its been a few years since I've been to Hanbury Manor and I had fogotten what a lovely place it is. Set in 200 acres of parkland, this 5 star hotel and country club is licensed for civil ceremonies and has several rooms suitable to hold your wedding. There is Poles Hall, a lovely wooden panelled room, which seats up to 120 guests. The Thundridge Suite, which overlooks the grounds and champion golf course, seats up to 180 guests and has a smaller suite attached for the bar and buffet in the evening.
My favourite part of this beautiful venue is The Garden Court, as its completely self contained. The conservatory for your civil ceremony and party in the evening, the lovely gardens for your photographs and the attached drawing room is perfect for the wedding breakfast. It even has its own bedrooms, so your wedding feels exclusive, as you are away from the rest of the venue at this wonderful 5 star resort. If you are looking for something elegant for your big day go and have a look.

Venues and Live Music

Some of you may know,  my background is music. I have been singing professionally all of my life and I run a very sucessful wedding band in Essex, called One Foot in the Groove. Some venues just aren't good for live music, so I thought I take this time to highlight a few things worth thinking about when you come to book your wedding venue.
Choosing a venue is one of the biggest decisions you will have to make when planning your wedding. If having a live band, or any kind of musical entertainment for that matter,  is important you should consider a few things.

Has it got a Sound limiter and what is it set at?

Bands hate them, although a top band should be able to deal with it. The problem is they are sometimes set very low according to council regulations and if the music gets too loud the power to the performing area will cut out. Not only does this kill the atmosphere at your wedding reception, but it can seriously damage the bands equipment. Discos aren't too bad with sound limiters as the sound is condensed before it goes into the limiter. You should disclose to your band if there is a limiter so they are prepared, some bands will refuse to play with them.

Will the music be in a seperate room?

As the manager of a band, there is nothing worse I get to a new venue to find that the band are in one room, the bar in another and the food somewhere else. Now whilst this lovely looking historical building might look gorgeous, will you be able to create an atmosphere? There are lots of venues in Essex that I know very well, that are like this. What happens, and its doesn't matter how great your band or DJ is, you will loose guests someone within the venue. The best venues for atmosphere are the ones where the bar, dance floor and food are all in one place, and there are plenty of fabulous venues in Essex like this, as there are across the country. I just know Essex very well.

Can you have a live band?

There are some venues that do not allow live music, or even dancing of any sort. Strange but true. Could be the floors, they don't want damaged, the ceiling, the neighbours, a whole host of reasons, but if you have set your heart on a live band at your wedding, its worth checking.

Live music in marquees

Marquees are great for live music because there are no acoustics so the band can get the sound just right. However, if the marquee is at yours or a family members house then you should remember a couple of things. Make sure there is a stable power supply to the marquee. You don't want it to cut out! Also make sure you have a flat area, ideally a stage for the band to set up on. If its uneven the musicians will struggle to play, especially the drummer. If you are not having a stage, leave enough space when putting in the dance floor for the band to set up, otherwise you'll have equipment all over the dance floor, which doesn't look great and is dangerous. Most bands will tell you, that the depth is the most important.

Just a few little things to think about if you want live music at your wedding. Happy planning