Get Wed international!
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
Just a quick note today to say that we've gone international! Get Wed have just confirmed our first overseas gig. I say overseas, but 'over border' might be more apt. Just over the border in fact. Get Wed are going to Gretna!
It's a little further than we usually travel but to sing in Gretna (the wedding capital of the UK!) was just too good an opportunity to miss. I'm sure it will be a fantastic evening and our live party sets will get everybody up dancing.
So, this week it's Scotland...tomorrow, the world? Well, North Wales at least. With our new DJs and choreographers, we're covering an ever expanding area with the best of wedding entertainment.
The next few days are going to be incredibly busy with birthday parties, wedding receptions and Christenings to fit in over the weekend. I'll try to get online but may just have to update you on Monday. You'll just have to wait with bated breath and learn to cope with any abandonment issues!
By the way, if you're on the M1 over the next few days, be sure to wave. I'll be the guy learning Human by The Killers in a traffic jam!
Labels: birthday party, choreographers, Christening, DJs, four weddings, Gretna Green, live wedding entertainment, North Wales, Scotland, The Killers
posted by James McCann @ 23:09,
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Wedding dance fever!
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
If you listened to Radio 1 this afternoon, you probably heard about the JK Wedding Entrance Dance. It's offically an 'internet sensation' and if you haven't seen it, you can find it here, on YouTube: JK Wedding Entrance Dance Over 16 million people have watched it already and it's brilliant. The video is a great example of how a bit of imagination and a few wedding dance lessons can make a wedding day truly memorable.
Choreographed first dances are more popular than ever but it's still a brilliant surprise for everyone when the bride and groom break into a great routine. And ladies, if your groom is not keen on taking lessons you can even have a dance themed hen night. On our wedding choreography page you'll find a video of the bride and a dozen hens performing the Dirty Dancing classic (I've Had) The Time Of My Life, including a spectacular lift!
You may think that shimmying down the aisle is a little too much, but whether it's the boys grooving to MC Hammer or the girls wishing they were Jennifer Grey, nothing raises the roof like a surprise performance. Whatever you choose to dance to, it's important to make sure that everyone is comfortable and enjoying themselves. A great wedding dance doesn't consist of complicated steps but moves that everyone can achieve while still smiling!
There are a lot of companies that offer wedding choreography but it's best to choose someone who is used to working with 'non-dancers.' Lisa tests all her steps on me and let me assure you, if I can do it, anyone can. If necessary, she'll adapt any steps to suit the wedding couple and of course take into account their experience and their attire (it's very difficult to cartwheel with a nineteen foot train!)
In a recent issue of Perfect Wedding Magazine a Manchester bride asked where she could get wedding dance lessons and they recommended calling me! It was a shock seeing my name and phone number printed in a national magazine but it goes to show that word must be spreading. Maybe one of our routines will be the next YouTube phenomenon and who knows, I could be the next Susan Boyle!
I'll leave you on that slightly queasy thought and go and practice my songs for next week. With a new Party Set about to make it's debut, I'd better learn some lyrics!
Labels: Dirty Dancing, Get Wed, hen night, JK Wedding Entrance Dance, MC Hammer, Perfect Wedding Magazine, radio 1, Susan Boyle, wedding choreography, wedding dance lessons, youtube
posted by James McCann @ 20:01,
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A polite request...
Monday, 3 August 2009
During a disco, a request is just that. Like most DJs, I invite wedding guests to approach and ask for a tune that they want to dance to. It's why I'm there; to play the music that people want to hear.
At Get Wed, we encourage the bride and groom to email a song list over before their big day, so we can ensure to arrive with every track they want. Of course, I need to be able to fit them all in. I once received a list which totalled nine hours of playing time! If a guest asks for something, I can even (phone sigal permitting) download any tracks that I don't have during the gig. In short, when it comes to disco music, I'm a flexible kind of guy.
Does anyone else feel a but...coming on?
But (there it is!) I do reserve a few rights when it comes to requests. I'd like to explain these and assure everyone that it's not because I don't like a particular song - my tastes simply don't come into it. Any decision is based on my experience and what's best for the success of the wedding reception. So here goes:
1) I may not play your track straight away. If I play Endless Love during a rock music section, it will bring the evening to a grinding halt. Please be patient, and I'll do my best to work it in smoothly.
2) I might have played it already. With the amount of requests I receive during an average wedding reception, I usually can't play a song twice. Of course, for the bride or groom, I can always bend the rules!
3) It contains unsuitable language. Even if there's no kids present, a glare from a Nan is always unsettling! I always try to play radio edits or clean versions but if there's a track I'm not sure of, I'll have to run it past the happy couple first.
4) I can't squeeze it in! If you come to me ten minutes before the end, the chances are that the final songs will already have been picked in advance. And by the way, it's not me that dictates the finish time, it's the venue's licence. The 'One more song' chant doesn't work!
By looking back at the gig logs on the laptop, I can see exactly how many requests I've played per evening. The number is typically between 95 and 98% of those asked for, which I believe is a pretty good average. So, if you're a wedding guest and your song happens to be left out, then please let me apologise in advance. There's always a good reason for it which should hopefully lead to a full dancefloor and a brilliant wedding reception.
Labels: endless love, reception discos, song requests, wedding disco, wedding dj, wedding reception
posted by James McCann @ 21:47,
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A welcome change...
Sunday, 2 August 2009
When our equipment is set up and it's time to put on my gig clothes, I'm rarely fussy. I've changed in store cupboards, cubicles in the gents' and once, memorably, in the back of my car. Let me just say now, that the designers of the Renalt Megane were clearly not thinking 'dressing room' when they sketched out plans for the interior. It's embarrasing, really. Especially when parked in a lay-by on the A19. Still, as humans have done for thousands of years, you make the best of each situation, adapt to your environment and learn to do up your fly whilst holding a toilet door shut.
Luckily, most venues have a room available that is private, lockable and usually has a mirror. 'Where is this cosy nook?' I hear you ask. Why, the disabled toilet of course! There's nearly always one to be found tucked away somewhere and their oversized nature makes them a perfect changing space. Ah yes, the glamour of showbusiness. They never tell failed X-Factor auditionees that, do they? Simon Cowell is never so cruel as to point that out that within a year, most wannabes will have forgotten red carpet premieres and be trying to tie their shoelaces without toppling over and knocking a hand-dryer on.
By the way, I have just Googled "Is using a disabled toilet illegal" to check whether I'm on shaky ground as regards the law. Apparently it's not, so I'm not likely to get banged up just yet. Certainly not until my fake Dairylea scam gets discovered anyway.
The reason I mention all this is that at last night's venue, I got several pleasant surprises. I was DJing a fantastic wedding at the friendly Heath Cottage Hotel in Dewsbury and the staff were just brilliant. When I first arrived, they offered to help me carry my gear in. I was thrilled at this, but declined anyway. The way I figure, it's my job and not theirs. And it's not as if I helped them wash up at the end of the night!
Once I was in, I asked for directions to the disabled toilet. Noticing my suitbag, they asked if I wanted a room. A real one. In a proper hotel! I felt like Rod Stewart! Resisting the temptation to shower, watch a bit of telly and employ the Corby Trouser Press, I changed and headed back downstairs. Things just got better as it was a fantastic evening and the couple performed their first dance brilliantly. Lisa had choreographed it (more details on our wedding dance lesson page) and the audience went crazy! It really started the night with a bang and set the tone for a great party. Hopefully, we'll have some video footage to put on here soon, so everyone can share the experience!
So, I'd like to share my thanks with Hannah and all the staff at Heath Cottage. I know how delighted the couple were with their big day and all the hard work they'd put in. Hopefully, I'll have the chance to work there again and not just because I can park right by the door and don't have to carry my heavy speakers far!
Of course, I could ask for a room at any venue and most would oblige. But as I've said before (see 1st August's post, Talking the talk...) I think DJs should generally be seen and not always heard! Hotel staff have enough to worry about without helping and clearing up after me. As Tom Cruise said in Mission Impossible: "Zero residual presence." I like to think He was (very loosely) saying: "Get in, do a great job and get out, preferably, without leaving balls of gaffer tape lying around."
And as you may know, I'm similar in many ways to Tom Cruise. Except that he's probably a bit taller and certainly never has to change in his car.
Labels: changing rooms, Heath Cottage Hotel, Renault Megane, Tom Cruise, wedding dance lessons, wedding dj
posted by James McCann @ 14:56,
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Talking the talk...
Saturday, 1 August 2009
I got asked a strange question whilst DJing last night: "Do you talk?"
At first, I wondered exactly what he meant. I'd announced that the buffet was open and introduced a karaoke singer. It was obvious that I had a tongue in my head. After a brief discussion, it turned out that he wanted me to get on the mic and encourage people to dance. I pointed out that the floor was already full and talking over the music would just interrupt the flow. He simply shrugged and walked away.
Although he'd consumed his (and Amy Winehouse's) share of alcohol, his words got me thinking, should I be more vocal during a disco gig? I've heard other wedding DJs committing the cardinal sin of introducing each song as if working on a commercial radio station. That's definitely overkill, as if you're picking the right songs, the music should speak for itself. Unless it's a request for a specific person (a 'shout out' if you will) then keep schtum.
I'm totally at home with a microphone. As a former cruise ship compere, I've been trained to engage audiences and keep them interested. I host quizzes at weddings, introduce couples, organise dance-offs (Run DMC vs Jason Nevins is very popular!) and generally keep things ticking over. I regularly host the Galpharm Stadium's wedding fayre fashion show and of course, introduce songs during our live singing sets. But here's my point for today (and you knew there was one was coming!)
When it comes to DJ chatter, less is more
During the evening, numbers on the dancefloor naturally ebb and flow. Dancing is hard work and everyone needs a drink (or a sit, or a even a smoke) to allow them to keep going. Every DJ hates an empty floor but it's important not to panic and start cajoling people to get up. You can't enjoy a wedding when you're being hassled with someone with a mic.
On the other hand, I'm often booked for gigs where they want a 'personality' to get people moving. These are corporate gigs more often than weddings as the 'colleagues night out' mentality usually leads to a more raucus affair.
These nights are great as we can bring different departments together with quizzes, games and themed activities. But they're totally different to weddings.
So should I talk more at weddings that are already running smoothly? After much soul searching, I've decided...(drum roll)...no. Anti-climax, eh?
What I will do is speak the the bride and groom beforhand and ask exactly what they want. Some already know. Last month, I had an email asking me to announce the buffet, last orders and nothing else. It was a brilliant party and people danced all night without me telling them they had to. Perfect!
But all couples are different and have an idea of a perfect reception in their heads. We just have to ask the right questions at their consultation and ensure we get it right!
Labels: commercial radio, corporate disco, DJ chatter, song requests, theme night, wedding consultation, wedding dj, wedding entertainment, wedding reception
posted by James McCann @ 20:09,
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