Samah's DJ

Samah and Sam's wedding yesterday was notable for several things, among them Samah joining in with the belly-dancers after the first dance, our pal Leo "Big Hair" Ferenc doing the vid and - believe it or not - a DJ that we're actually happy to recommend!

For once we had a DJ who didn't take forever and a day to set up, whose rig was neat and tidy, who had enough lights to put on a decent show, and who didn't have his name and contact details emblazoned across the front of his setup. Not only did he have a very good sound system with really tight bass playing CD's (not mp3's), but he also had the ability to flawlessly co-ordinate the first two dances, then a live guitar and vocal duet, then a 20 minute belly-dance set with Egyptian music followed by a father-daughter dance and then get everybody back on the dancefloor - all without being in your face or in any way irritating.

Mark's your man at Raindance UK

Yes, we are still here ...

... and yes I do realise that it's gone a bit quiet of late, but right now we're in Santa's workshop on Crimble Eve mode here as try to keep up to speed with the editing and processing of 5 weddings in 9 days. Add in meetings with potential clients as well as all the usual admin, and there's definitely not enough hours in the day right now.

We've tried sleeping faster but it simply doesn't work. Normal service should, however, be resumed in a week or so, by which time we hope to have a plan worked out for moving the blog from Blogger and hosting it on our own site. For now though, excuse me as I get back into processing Friday's wedding ...

Rather Unusual Weddings - cont'd again

It wouldn't have been unusual in the 1960's, but in 2007 Anna and Michael's wedding on Sunday was certainly a bit different from the timings point of view ...

1130 - 120 people start arriving at a very nice restaurant in Islington

1200 - Bride arrives with bridesmaid and father, having walked from the hotel nearby at which she got ready

1230 - Ceremony over, everybody onto the terrace for a glass of champagne, canapés and socialising after the informal speeches

1400 - Meal is served

1630 - Cake cutting and coffee

1700 - A few photos of the couple together and a few quick group shots

1730 - Guests start leaving

1800 - Couple and last guests leave

Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, and we overheard bits of several conversations along the lines of wasn't it marvellous that instead of having to stay for the evening, those who wanted to could go out to dinner afterwards or simply go home and put their feet up after a super day ...

Hats #13

Gerbera Heads

Gerbera heads in plates of water, on a terrace wall in Norfolk in the pouring rain ...

Ann's Pudding Picture #18

Victoria and David's strawberry brulée, strawberry jelly and strawberry shortbread on its way out to them at the Victoria Hotel at Holkham in Norfolk last month.

Make Up Artist

One of our brides recently used a make up artist with whom we've not worked before, and we were impressed - so much so that Louise Young is now on our (very short) list of recommended MUA's!

Louise is both a consummate professional and a lovely lady, and her website is here

One very professional band

What a pleasure it was to listen to these guys at Victoria and David's wedding last month! This is After 8 Jazz in their usual incarnation of keys, bass, drums, guitar, sax and horns, and it's been a long time since we've come across such a thoroughly professional band at a wedding.

Great musicians, smart turnout, good presence, cool sound ... we were impressed, and where wedding bands are concerned that really does not happen very often at all. David Kaplan's the contact, he's on 07956 818 035, and the band website's here