Choosing a venue

We can’t believe how many venues make awful party spaces, the lighting's wrong, the room is too big and inviting as an iraqi jail!. When you decide on a venue have a think about the space they are offering for the party, is it close to the bar as that’s where people congregate. Is it close to residential dwellings or bedrooms where noise will be an issue? do they have a noise limiter in use? What time does the music go off? Past clients that wanted a fantastic party have changed their venue because the party would not have lived up to their expectations.

Atmosphere

Great parties have a great atmosphere, Getting the atmosphere right is not as easy to achieve as you think as it has to be worked on and should be considered carefully when organising your party. Some clients opt for a packed programme of events - we played at one wedding where the couple had issued laminates to guests with a running order, our favourite activity was "skinny dipping 4am - 6am" the guests were breathless by the time the dj started and a bit cold!. If budget allows fill the time with STYLISH entertainment.

Budget Properly.

Decide how you want to spend your money, do you want to save it all up for an expensive band that will only play for 90 minutes? or do you want to spend it across the day or night with musicians, dj and cabaret. Research has shown that newlyweds wished that they had spent more money on their wedding entertainment and we know the reason why, weddings are fretted over for months, every detail of the day is checked and re-checked, arguments occur, tears shed, money spent and eventually you arrive at the big day and all goes well until the djarrives looking like a throwback to 1975, and in fact, still playing music from 1975 including 30 minutes of non-stop Abba hits. This is all done whilst eating a pasty and leaching over the wedding guests however young. Considering the evening party is over a third of your wedding day, do not opt for the cheapest entertainment, it's money badly spent. You won't be buying the cheapest dress in the shop!

Music Requests

We think music requests are a good thing as it enables a dj or band to understand what type of crowd they will be playing to. It's equally important to inform them of what music you don't like, if r&b makes you mad or reggae riles you, then please tell us in advance. At STYLISH Entertainment, we actively encourage clients to send their dj requests which are then incorporated into their sets. A good dj knows what tracks to play at the right time.

Fireworks, Food & Chinese Lanterns

If you want to create a fantastic atmosphere at your party, consider when and how you offer evening food and in some cases, fireworks. For entertainers breaking up a party is always a dispiriting experience and also for guests that are enjoying themselves. If you are staging a summer party and it is a lovely night then people will stay outside, inside the dance-floor is empty, the atmosphere flat and the talent runs off to commit suicide!

First Dance

First Dance's are a great way to start the party however, they should take place at a time that is right for the party and not the first track that the dj or band plays. The first dance is the only device for getting everyone around the dance-floor at the same time, if you do it at the right time, the guests will want to dance, if you perform it to early, your guests will sit back down and the dance-floor will be empty. Also, it is a good idea to check that your photographer is flexible and will stay until after the first dance whatever time it happens. So let the dj warm the crowd up first

First Dance Ideas

We speak to many couples that don't have a clue about a first dance and ask our advice. We offer the following "perform a dance that is fun to watch and perform, ear chewing to Lionel Ritchie's "Endless Love" is so 1980's" Most grooms would rather walk on hot coals than dance in front of their mates. So, have some fun with it, rehearse at home with a bottle of wine and a big smile. You always have the option of including everyone in the first dance. Last year, a couple wanted "donna summers - i feel love" as their first dance, we were sceptical that it would get the crowd up however, it did and it was a fantastic moment. Everyone coming together for a slice of classic disco.

Special Interest

Inform your entertainers if there are a contingent of family and friends that will want to dance to something unusual. We have played sets of dutch pop, italian folk, irish jigs, bhangra, bollywood, salsa, russian cossack and mongolian music with different arm & leg movements for each one! It is better to pre-warn your dj, singer or musicians that a touch of italian folk music is on the cards and they should expect the dance-floor to clear so that your family's mario lanza can do his turn.

Remember that your djs, musicians and entertainers are all performers. It is difficult to perform whilst you are being verbally abused by a guest that has consumed too much alcohol and has a crush on the groom. If you are aware of anyone at your party that has a reputation for abusive behaviour, please let the performers know as they can bring their tin hats.

After The Party

Performers love adulation and acknowledgement (who doesn't?), if you can spare 5 minutes to send an appraisal of your party to the artistes they are always very grateful and you never know when you might want to use them again.