What To Look For When Booking Entertainment

My name is Glen Grant and I am a Toastmaster who has also been running an Entertainment Agency in Surrey for over 15 years.

Let me give you an idea of some of the options that you might consider for your wedding day.

AT THE SERVICE

Procession - This is when the wedding guests stand to greet the Bride-to-be and the person who is giving her away.

Recesssion - This is where the guests are again asked to stand at the end of the service and where the newly married couple walk back down the aisle as Mr and Mrs ...

For the Procession and the Recession - you might consider a string quartet, a harpist, an electric keyboard player, an accordionist, a kilted Scottish Piper,  a wind instrument group e.g. clarinet, saxophone, flute etc …

To get full value for money from your musicians - it would be preferable that they were fully set up and ready to play prior to your guests arriving. Whilst the guests are taking their seats - the musicians can play gently in the background.

During the signing of the register the musicians can play two or three tunes.

Tip - Try to get as much information about the musicians - get them to send you a CD, their CV.  and a suggested repertoire for you to choose your particular favourites. 

Most musicians would play between 2 and 3 hours which means that they would also play in the background during your drinks reception and if time allowed they would also play during a part of the wedding breakfast (the sit-down meal).

ENTERTAINMENT AFTER THE WEDDING BREAKFAST

Choices are plentiful - from Function Bands, Discos, Jazz Bands, Steel Caribbean Bands, Close-up Magicians, Cabaret Artistes, Country and Western Bands,  Rock n' Roll Bands, Elvis Impersonators, Ceilidh Bands, Barn Dance Bands - the list goes on and on.

Tip - In addition to getting pictures of any Band etc …  -  get them to send you their latest CD and particularly their 'playlist' indicating the type of songs and artistes  that they play.

I would certainly suggest that you arrange to go and see the Band or Disco etc… actually performing at a wedding - it should be not too difficult for the Band Leader or D.J.  etc… to ask their Client if two people (the Bride-to-be and the Bridegroom-to-be) could  stand in the background (out of the way) and listen to the Band or Disco for perhaps 40 minutes or so.

Finally - if you are employing a Toastmaster (which is a very good idea) to ensure that your wedding day runs smoothly and is conducted in a happy manner - try to talk to the Toastmaster on the phone and ask him to send you a 'current' photograph and a CV.

On your special day - you certainly don't want a 'bossy' Toastmaster - you should be able to establish how easy-going and friendly your  Toastmaster is by the way he talks to you on the telephone.  If convenient - try and arrange a meeting with the Toastmaster well in advance of the wedding day.

Conclusion: Why do I know so much about Entertainers/Bands/Toastmasters etc…????

My name is Glen Grant and I am a friendly professional Toastmaster who has been running an Entertainment Agency here in Surrey for over sixteen years.

I regularly Toastmaster for weddings all over Surrey and the South-East of England and therefore I also know lots of excellent venues where I have worked.

I can provide any of the entertainment mentioned above and much more too.

I would be delighted if you visited my website and in particular had a glance at the "Clients' Comments section.

I can also be contacted by email on glengrant@fsmail.net or alternatively please give me a telephone call on 0208 337 9018.

If you would like me to send you a brochure - then please do not hesitate to make contact with me and I will send you one immediately.

I would be delighted to be part of your special day.

Best wishes

Glen

Glen Grant - Toastmaster