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

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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The Bridal Experience

For any brides in the Essex or Hertfordshire area that would like to come along to the Bridal expereince do get in touch. This is going to be a lovely afternoon where you can meet suppliers, listen to talks about wedding planning in Essex and listen to some great live music from Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove.

It is an invitation only event, it is not a wedding fayre, but a chance for brides to enjoy a little pampering, enjoy afternoon tea and chat one to one with some hand picked wedding suppliers in Essex.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/the-essex-events-company/bridal-experience-25-nov-2012/475289675868540?ref=notif&notif_t=like

Bridal Experience - 25 Nov 2012

An experience for brides to be and their guest - Invitation Only...

by: The Essex Events Company

Essex Wedding Awards

The inaugural Essex Wedding Awards are being held at The Crown Plaza Resort 5 Lakes on November 29th. This is the very first time suppliers in Essex have been recognised for their hard work. As a wedding planner in Essex I am very excited to see who has been honoured for all of their hard work and I am very interested to see if Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove are winners.
Foe those of you that don't know, I manage the band and have done for the last nine years and in that time they have gone from strength to strength.
Last year they were shortlisted for The Wedding Industry awards. The only live band in the East of England to make it on the shortlist and they have been nominated again this year. They also won The Wedding Experts Award 2012. It really has been a brilliant year for them. Fingers crossed for the 29th November.

Wellington Barn

A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of assiting in the orgnisation of a wedding at a Wiltshire wedding venue, Wellington Barn in Calstone. This barn is set in the most beautiful location with views to die for. The bride and groom were very specific about the music for their day as it was to play an important part. I worked closely with the couple to plan the ceremony, drinks reception and of course the party.

It was late September and a gloriously sunny day, which just showed off the venue to its full potential. A side area of the barn was laid out for the ceremony and the bride was accompanied down the aisle to 'Suddenly' from The Slipper and the Rose. Apparently she had dreamed of walking down the aisle to that piece of music her whole life. The recessional was to 'She's So Lovely' by Scouting for Girls.

As the sun shone down the guests moved outside for the drinks reception and Essex jazz band, The Jazz Collective, created a lovely atmosphere whilst the guests sipped champagne. The wedding breakfast was held in a separate part of the barn and whilst everyone enjoyed the food 7 piece Essex wedding band, One Foot in the Groove set up ready for the first dance.

The first dance was one of the most memorable I think I have seen in the eight years I have worked in the wedding industry. The couple danced to 'You Look Good on the Dancefloor' by the Artic Monkeys! and it wasn't long before they had everyone joining in.

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