The following tips have been written and collated by DJ's, Musicians and Suppliers that regularly entertain at weddings. We hope that you find them useful and take them in the spirit that they were written.

First Dance

First Dance's are great 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 plays. It is a great 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 skeptical that it would get the crowd up however, it did and it was a fantastic moment. Everyone coming together for a classic slice of Disco.

Atmosphere

Great Weddings have a great atmosphere, this is not as easy to achieve as you might think, It has to be worked on and should be considered carefully when organising your wedding. Some couples opt for a packed programme of events - we played at one wedding where the couple had issued laminates, our favourite activity was "Skinny Dipping 4am - 6am" the guests were breathless by the time the disco started. So, It is important to pace your day and view if from your guests perspective. Whilst you might be relishing two hours in front of the photographers lens, your guests will be getting bored if no stimulation or entertainment is being offered. So, spend money on our Cocktail Duo or Trio they know how to create an atmosphere.

Budget Properly

Decide how you want to spend your money. Do you want to save it all up for the end of the day and hire a DJ and Band? or do you want to spend it across the day with musicians & entertainers featuring in the ceremony, drinks reception and wedding breakfast and a DJ for the evenings activities. 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 DJ arrives 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 leching over the wedding guests however young. Considering the evening party is over a third of your wedding day, do not opt for the cheapest disco, it's money badly spent. You won't buy the cheapest dress in the shop.

Music Requests

We think requests from the bride & groom 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 RnB makes you mad or Reggae riles you, then tell your entertainment accordingly. At Stylish Wedding Disco, we actively encourage clients to send requests and then incorporate them into our sets accordingly. We advise clients against sending out music requests slips with their wedding invites. We have experienced disgruntled guests who sent in a request for the bride and groom not to pass it onto the DJ. They were wise to do it as it was a prog rock track from 1972 that would have cleared the dance-floor. A good DJ knows what tracks to play and when, and will play to the crowd in front of them. Requests are at the discretion of the DJ, you wouldn't request the captain of a ship to suddenly change direction, so why would you ask a DJ to?

Fireworks, Food, Lanterns.

If you want to create a fantastic atmosphere at the 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 wedding and it is a lovely night then people will stay outside, inside the dance-floor is empty, the atmosphere flat and the DJ runs off to commit suicide!

Special Interest

Inform your entertainers if their 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 on the dance-floor.

Treatment of Artistes.

Remember that your DJ's, Musicians and Entertainers are all performers. It is difficult to perform whilst you are being verbally abused by members of a wedding party that have consumed to much alcohol and have a crush on the groom. If you are aware of anyone in your wedding party that has a reputation for abusive behaviour, please let the performers know they can take their tin hats!

After The Wedding.

Performers love adulation and acknowledgement (who doesn't?), we know that after you return from your honeymoon it's a hectic time however, if you can spare 5 minutes to send an appraisal of your wedding to the artistes, they are always very grateful and you never know when you might want to use them again, perhaps, a christening party!

Stylish Wedding Discos from Nigel Peirce Entertainment are here to make sure that your wedding goes without a hitch - on the day you get 'itched.