Music at a marquee wedding

Marquee weddings are wonderful. You can pretty much start from scratch and personalise your design right down to the last detail. But don't get caught out when it comes to your music. If you don't plan everything carefully you could really upset your neighbours. We asked Susan Heaton-Wright from Viva Live Music how to avoid the pitfalls of live music in a marquee. Here is what she said...

“Last week I attended an event in a beautiful marquee. The venue and the catering was wonderful. There was also an excellent duo of musicians, but guests struggled to speak to each other despite the music being ‘background’. It was a shame because the musicians were great and it was a fabulous event. 

Marquees are particularly challenging for sound. The ‘walls’ don’t allow sound to bounce off them, and most marquees are quite large, so in order for guests to hear and enjoy the music, amplification and sound levels need to be higher. 

In addition to this, the sound does not remain in the marquee and neighbours can be disturbed by any entertainment: whether it be a DJ, band or just the sound of guests talking. Therefore noise levels need to be managed carefully, to ensure guests’ enjoyment and neighbours expectation is met. 

We heard that Paul McCartney’s wedding caused angry neighbours to contact Environmental Health in the early hours, and for them to visit the venue to have the music stopped. We don’t want this to happen at another wedding! 

Initially, I would seek advice from Environmental Health at your local authority. They have the power, ultimately, to have music stopped if an event is disturbing neighbours and no one wants this to happen at a wedding. They would be able to advise you on what time the music should be stopped (whether it be a live band or a disco) and also the sound volume (decibels). Local authorities vary with their systems, but it could be that you could register the event and agree on timings and sound levels (and remember to have a decibel meter), so if there are any complaints from neighbours, you will be able to prove you have permission. 

There are other tips regarding sound levels; 

1. Make sure the musicians set up and sound check in plenty of time. Give them a deadline when they can do this BEFORE the event – don’t tell them on the day.
2. Delegate someone in your party: a best man, father of the bride etc. who will monitor the sound levels.
3. Choose musicians or a DJ that will respond to requests for sound levels to be managed. We always have a clause saying that musicians respond to requests for music volume to be altered by clients – I would recommend this is put in any contract.
4. Be clear about whether you want the musicians or music to be ‘background’ or a ‘feature’ – eg After dinner cabaret or a band.
5. As I mentioned earlier, marquees are particularly difficult to supply sound to; so often musicians only have two speaks at the front, and will put the volume of those high, so it is too loud in front of them, but the other side of the marquee can’t hear the music. A better solution is to have four speakers, one in each corner. The volume can be kept lower and more guests can hear it.
6. It is worthwhile using the services of a sound engineer who will mix the sound levels correctly. A common mistake for DJs and musicians is to put the treble too loud, which in a marquee is particularly difficult for guests to hear each other speak as the sound cuts through the atmosphere.

In the end, it is about being informed; for the musicians or DJ working with the client to ensure the event goes well; listening to the client and also the client being prepared with timings for the supplier to ensure the event is a great success.”

Sing your heart out

I asked my favourite music expert Susan Heaton-Wright http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/
to look at how brides can take elements of the Royal Wedding and make them their own.  One aspect that would be interesting to recreate is the choir.

The choir at the Royal Wedding was simply outstanding. They are one of the best choirs in the world and the sound they created was perfect for the Abbey. They led the hymn singing; sang anthems during the service, including during the signing of the register, and performed the astonishing “I was Glad” by Parry, as Catherine walked down the aisle.

Some churches do have a choir and they will be used to singing popular hymns and anthems for weddings. If you've booked a church it is worthwhile listening to the choir at a service, to see if you like the sound of them.

An alternative might be to either book a professional quartet of singers, who would lead the singing and anthems as required, or to book the services of a local amateur choir.

One note about an amateur choir; they are doing this for pleasure, but there are costs involved for them such as rehearsal time, the time of the conductor (who is normally a professional musician), hiring the music and the rehearsal room and arranging the singers to come to the wedding. I normally recommend that you make a donation to the choir of £200 - £300 to cover their expenses and time.

There are plenty of beautiful choir anthems that could be included such as:

• Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring:  Bach
• Lead Me Lord : Wesley
• The Lord is my Shepherd: Various * many choirs will have the ‘Vicar of Dibley’s’ version by Howard Goodall
• Hallelujah Chorus:  Handel
• If ye love me: T Tallis
• Cantique de Jean Racine: Faure

The choir will also lead the hymn singing for the congregation. Just think how relieved all your guests will be!

Recreate aspects of the Royal Wedding with a Trumpet Fanfare

Wasn’t the trumpet fanfare when the Queen arrived; Catherine arrived and also when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared after signing the register, fab?

Westminster Abbey is a huge venue, and requires a group of trumpeters to fanfare.  For most of us though, our wedding venues are a little smaller so a single trumpet player can re-create this feature very easily.

Rather than the trumpeter just playing as the bride arrives at the ceremony, they could play throughout the ceremony.  Here are our music expert, Susan Heaton-Wright's music suggestions:

Processional:

Trumpet Voluntary: Clarke
Bridal Chorus: Wagner (Lohengrin)
Trumpet Voluntary: Stanley
Prelude to Te Deum: Charpentier

Recessional:

Wedding March: Mendlessohn
Rondeau: Mouret
Hornpipe from Watermusic: Handel
Ode to Joy: Beethoven (Ninth Symphony)

During the signing of the register:

Let the Bright Seraphim: Handel (with a soprano soloist)
One of the solos from above.

In addition, the trumpeter could play the melody of any hymns, to lead the hymn singing.

With thanks to Susan Heaton-Wright http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/

Take the lead from the Royal Wedding

If you were glued to the TV last month soaking up every last detail of the Royal Wedding, you have to agree that the organisers must be very pleased with themselves.  An undeniable triumph!  The beautiful lace gown. Pippa's incredible bridesmaid dress, the impeccably timed logistics (wouldn't have wanted that job!) and the beautiful music.

Of course, the happy couple had a rather large budget available, a unique venue, and some of the world’s best musicians to play. However, there are ways you can re-create some aspects of the wedding ceremony for your wedding.  I spoke to my music guru Susan Heaton-Wright (http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/) for some hot tips and here they are...

Music before your wedding ceremony

The music played before the Royal Wedding was programmed and listed in the order of service. I always recommend that brides ask musicians to play music 15 minutes before the start of the ceremony; not only does this create a wonderful atmosphere, but guests don’t arrive in silence and are entertained. If you've booked a church organist, they could play a programme of music; similarly other musicians you might have booked, including a harpist, string quartet, pianist or even a singer, could perform at this point.

The musicians in this picture are http://www.adriamus.com/ who played outside on the terrace at Paige and Harish's wedding at the Bingham Hotel in Richmond.

Photo credit:  http://www.helenjonesphotography.co.uk/

Music at the Royal Wedding Reception

If you are as excited about the Royal Wedding as we are, you will be desperate to know every small detail about it.  Susan Heaton-Wright, our music expert has been keeping her eye on what is happening on the music front and gives us her thoughts about the types of music that might be played at the reception.
She says:

"After the wedding ceremony, William and Catherine and their guests will be attending a reception, hosted by the Queen, at Buckingham Palace. It was announced that the Welsh Harpist, who is the harpist by royal appointment, will be providing some background music for the reception.

Any reception is enhanced by good quality background music, and the Royal household is experienced in creating the most memorable occasions which include unforgettable music. I know a number of outstanding musicians that have performed at royal occasions, as background musicians, and they have said that the Royal household is always actively involved in choosing play lists, to create the correct atmosphere for each occasion. They might have been asked to include a ‘favourite song’ of a special guest; ‘Happy Birthday’ or even a special national song of a foreign guest!

We know that William and Catherine have engaged the Royal Harpist, Claire Jones to perform background music; she hasn’t revealed what she is playing, but as for any musician playing at a wedding, it is a very special occasion and one that she is very excited about.

We also know that the Welsh Guards: The Prince of Wales’s regiment are playing as guards of honour. My understanding is that they will play along side the Royal party going to and from the Abbey, but also play at the Buckingham Palace entrance that guests arrive at. What a welcome, and what an unforgettable experience!

We don’t know at this stage what other background music will be taking place during the reception, although there could be some options, including a smaller ‘concert’ band of the Welsh Guards playing background music, or possibly a string quartet or small orchestra. What we do know is that William and Catherine will have been proactive in the play list choices. I can’t wait to hear more details!"

Credits:  Susan Heaton-Wright, http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/

Royal Wedding Ceremony Music

In a series of blogs leading up to the Royal Wedding, our music expert Susan Heaton-Wright tells us her thoughts about the type of music that the Royal couple might choose for their big day.  Susan tells us:

"As with any wedding ceremony, the music chosen defines the taste of the couple and also creates a unique atmosphere for the occasion. In the case of a Royal Wedding, where a huge venue like Westminster Abbey is being used, the chance to be grand and over the top isn’t too much, but a requirement! Also, research has shown that music that makes you happy, excited or provokes positive memories results in dopamine to be produced by the brain. This has more ‘feel good’ effects than chocolate!!

The royal couple have at hand, some of the world’s most talented and experienced professional musicians to perform at their wedding, and they will have benefited from their experience and advice, although ultimately the music is their decision.

In a statement, St James's Palace said: "Both Prince William and Miss Middleton have taken a great deal of interest and care in choosing the music for their service, which will include a number of well-known hymns and choral works as well as some specially commissioned pieces." – so we can be clear that the music will reflect their tastes.

Also, this country isn’t good at celebrating its musicians’ talents, but here is an international occasion where we can showcase our outstanding talent and standards. That can only be good for our country!

So from what we have gathered, there will be the excellent Westminster Abbey Choir and London Chamber Orchestra led by conductor and music director Christopher Warren-Green. They will lead and accompany the hymns; and be able to give the best advice on what will work best acoustically for the Abbey.

As you can see from the video, the young choristers are rehearsing hard: I doubt if they will have had an Easter Holiday, but what a brilliant experience for them, and how proud their parents will be.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8458190/Choir-warm-up-vocal-chords-for-royal-wedding.html

There will be a fanfare from the Central Band of the RAF; they will play as Catherine enters the Abbey, and possibly as the couple first appear as a married couple before leaving the Abbey.

Thinking about the music for the ceremony, Catherine will need to choose a striking piece of music to walk up the aisle to. Perhaps she will have the choir and orchestra playing; possibly the organ playing as an ‘entrance’ piece of music. This can be the most exciting part of the ceremony; when we first see what the bride is wearing and how she wishes to portray herself with the music.

Since it is a church wedding – and the Queen is head of the Church of England, there will be hymns. We will discover what William and Catherine will have chosen on the day, but sensibly they have a choir to lead the singing. For other weddings, a solo singer or choir to lead the singing is a good idea since guests feel less self conscious if there is a ‘lead’. They will also have the benefit of a strong orchestra; for normal weddings an excellent organist or small instrumental ensemble are great.

During the signing of the register, there will be further music. Given that there will be pressure for Catherine to adjust her veil, two or three pieces will be performed. Will these be by the choir? Orchestra? Or will there be a surprise performer?

When William and Catherine re-appear, it will be their first appearance as a married couple. Possibly there will be another fanfare before the exit piece of music is performed whilst they walk down the long aisle at Westminster Abbey. Again, they will have been advised as to how long the music will need to be, to ensure they are actually leaving the Abbey as the music ends.

One point I should mention is that music will play prior to the ceremony starting (and Catherine arriving at the Abbey), but also after they leave. We have all attended weddings where it is silent until the bride arrives, and after the bridal couple leaves; no one wants to speak! Be rest assured, the Royal Wedding won’t have this; there will be musical entertainment for the guests before and after in the Abbey – inside and out!"

Credits:  our thanks goes to Susan Heaton-Wright for her thoughts on music for the Royal Wedding Ceremony.  http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/

Entertaining the crowds at the Royal Wedding

It's less than a week away and excitement around the Royal Wedding is growing.  To get us all in the mood and to find out what we can expect on the day, we asked our music expert, Susan Heaton-Wright from Viva Live Music to talk about what kind of music we can expect on the day.  Here are her thoughts: 
Susan says "Part of the whole pageantry associated with Royal occasions, includes entertainment for the general public who will watch and celebrate the wedding outside Westminster Abbey and along the route to Buckingham Palace. For Royalty, recorded music is not enough: live musicians are required to play and entertain.

One of the most effective ways of entertaining outside in this way is using brass bands. The sound they make carries and noise levels are not a factor. It really is exciting to hear a brass band performing in one of the Royal parks, or even marching on the streets to accompany the royal party.

The Cold Stream Guards will march down the Mall three hours before the ceremony, and play for two hours outside Westminster Abbey to entertain the crowds.

All of the musicians used in the bands are professionals: they will have either been at music college prior to joining the army, or they will have trained in the army. Their role is principally as band members, but during combat, they are required as front line professionals: carrying stretchers and as drivers. This is an extremely proud time for them, and they will have rehearsed extensively."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/royal-wedding/8463281/Coldstream-Guards-prepare-for-the-royal-wedding.html

Credits:  http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/

Romance in the air

February is well and truly here and Valentines Day is only five sleeps away.  To embrace the whole romantic vibe, we've put together some ideas to help you have a Valentine's Day to remember. 

Our friends at Viva Live Music believe music is the key.  They say:

"Recent research has identified that the brain secrets ‘feel good’ hormones when people hear music they know, or which they associate with happy memories. The impact is even more profound than tasting good food. 

Throughout history, serenading has been an important romantic gesture; the troubadour: a wandering minstrel, serenading a lady below her window is a classic gesture. But even now, there are ways of creating a romantic atmosphere or arranging a romantic gesture. Here are five ideas.

1) A singing telegraph is a fun way of arranging the delivery of flowers, chocolates or champagne. The singer bursts into song, serenading the person of your choice.

2) In true Casablanca style, ‘Play it again Sam’, you could arrange to have specific music played by a live musician when you go out to dinner. If you call the restaurant beforehand, they may be able to advise you on what's possible. Alternatively, on the day, ask the musician if a request or dedication could be made. Guitarists or pianists are ideal for this.

3) If you decide you want to propose, a solo violinist is perfect. They could set the scene, playing romantic music, whilst the most important question is asked.

4) You might also consider a private singer to either serenade you when the two of you are dining privately or to sing a special song during your meal.

5) It is also truly romantic to create your own playlist of songs; downloading songs from itunes to burn either a CD or ipod playlist. This is a lovely romantic gesture, particularly if you and your loved one have some wonderful musical memories that you have shared together."

Have a great day!
 
Credits:  Our warmest thanks go to Susan Heaton-Wright at Viva Live Music.  http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/

Photo credits:  http://www.janepackerdelivered.com/

A White Wedding...Dreamy backdrop or a planning nightmare?

It’s been snowing quite heavily here at Clare Beckwith Weddings HQ for a quite few days, but last Saturday we did venture out to a wedding at the 5 * Hanbury Manor where we have been invited to help out as Wedding Concierge.

With the forecasters predicting snow, we packed the car full of sensible essentials (spade, food, water, high vis. jacket etc) plus lots of warm clothing, and set out early.

It started to snow heavily after we arrived and the snowy backdrop of the Garden Court was picture perfect. It was everything you could ever dream of for a white wedding.

But white weddings can cause havoc with your plans too, as we were about to witness when the live 5 piece band call in to say they couldn’t make it, and the photographer turned up red faced and hassled, half way through the ceremony.

It wasn’t a wedding that we had designed and organised ourselves, so all we could do was watch and learn.

As a wedding planning business, we always think ahead and put contingency plans in place, and if you are organising your wedding yourself you should too. It’s essential, even on a normal weather day!

We’ve spoken to a few of our wonderful suppliers to help compile these 10 top tips to help you think of everything if you are facing a snowy, crisp weather wedding.

1) In the planning process, make sure you get good wedding insurance and have a written contract with all your suppliers containing a cancellation clause.

2) A few days before your big day, watch the weather. Yes, boring we know and much like watching paint dry, but very necessary if you want to avoid nasty surprises. Try http://www.accuweather.com/

3) As soon as you hear of weather warnings, contact your suppliers to alert them, and to see what their travel/contingency plans are.

4) If snow is forecasted, encourage suppliers to drive up the day before and stay in a B&B.

5) Make sure all suppliers know where they are going and what time they need to be there for. Provide maps and rough estimates of drive times between venues. It might seem like spoon feeding, but some people aren’t as sensible as you!

6) If you are planning a winter wedding, try to hold it all in one place, or within a very short distance from ceremony to reception venues. Make sure staff are prepared for the winter conditions and that guests are kept happy and not standing around in the cold.

7) If you are booking a live band, try to do so through a reputable agent. Try http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/
They only have musicians and bands that have been interviewed and auditioned. The musicians are trustworthy and won’t let down clients. In the unlikely event that someone is ill in the band, they will organise other musicians – giving you additional peace of mind.

8) If you are let down by any of your suppliers, check with your venue. They should have a list of local suppliers that could be contacted in an emergency. Alternatively, they might have other musicians on-site for residencies or other events that might be able to provide some entertainment – even if it wasn’t what was originally planned.

9) Contact suppliers via local business websites that might be able to assist. Even if they can’t, they might know someone that can. You would be surprised how everyone helps in a crisis!

10) If you find yourselves without a photographer, ask one of your guests with a decent camera to stand in for a bit until they arrive. You might even discover a hidden talent!

And to keep everyone comfortable and warm...

1) Make guests aware of the conditions so that they can dress appropriately, wearing suitable footwear, coats etc. Read my last blog post by Isobel Kershaw for some stylish ideas!

2) Prime your ushers to help push cars in the snow and also make them aware they may have to remove snow in places for guests to get to the church. Give them spades to do the job!

3) Serve warm mulled cider in the church to keep guests warm and happy!

4) If you are having a church ceremony, give out hand and foot warmers to guests with their order of service. Churches often have no heating and are cold at the best of times.

5) At the reception venue, ask your photographer to set up lights in an allocated room to do all the formal family shots which will keep guests in the warm.

6) Lay out a red carpet laid for the bride to walk on in places where it is particularly snowy or icy.

Winter weddings are wonderful. Don’t let the snow put you off. Just be prepared!

Our sincere thanks go to the amazing Lord and Leverett http://www.lordandleverett.com/ and to Viva Live music http://www.vivalivemusic.co.uk/ for their contributions to this blog post.
Photo credit:  http://www.marriott.co.uk/

Wedding entertainment ideas

Every bride wants her day to be special and different to other weddings. Of course having live music and entertainers will always make your wedding unique. Plenty of people organise a harpist or string quartet to play background music during the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, which is lovely, but there are so many other choices available.

So, if you are in the process of organising your wedding entertainment, why not consider some of these alternative options suggested by Susan Heaton-Wright from NSN Productions.

1. Gospel Singers. They could sing during your wedding ceremony and throughout the drinks reception. At NSN, our Gospel Singers are singing at a wedding which is being filmed for ‘Four Weddings’. They will lead the hymns if you are having a church ceremony and generally ‘up’ the energy levels!

2. Mix and Mingle artistes. This could include singers, moving musicians and magicians who entertain guests during the drinks reception. This is often a time when everyone is waiting around for the bride and groom to finish having their photographs taken, so entertaining guests in this way is great fun and really memorable. Surprise singing guests: singers who mingle with guests and suddenly burst into song is also great fun and unforgettable. At NSN, one of our most popular musicians is ‘The Romantic Tenor’ who serenades guests during drinks receptions.

3. Wedding ceremonies can be made special by musicians playing both before and after the ceremony. Music can really relax the atmosphere and provide a welcoming environment for your guests, so why not ask the musicians to play 15 minutes before the ceremony and for 10 minutes afterwards.

4. If you are having a church ceremony, why not consider having a professional singer, while the register is being signed. You could also ask the singer to lead the hymns. We find it can really help to encourage shy guests to join in the singing too! Alternatively, you could consider booking the church choir to lead the singing which will always be memorable.

5. Consider times during the day when there isn’t much going on; when photos are being taken for example, or after the wedding breakfast and before the evening reception. Guests are often kept waiting for the next thing to happen. As well as the mix and mingle artistes, magicians and surprise singing guests that we mentioned earlier, you could also consider singing waiters who are a complete surprise for guests and make everyone laugh! If you have a hired a themed band for the evening – such as a 50s or Jazz band, why not employ the services of a dance teacher to show your guests a few dance steps in preparation for the evening. Older guests will enjoy showing younger ones how it is done!

6. One of the most memorable weddings I attended had a Ceilidh which included a number of people singing; dancing and playing instruments. The band had an excellent caller, but the bride and groom also invited guests to perform. It is so memorable when a musical friend or family member plays an instrument or sings at your wedding.

Credits: Our thanks go to Susan Heaton-Wright, http://www.nsn-productions.com/

Top Tips: Booking a band for your wedding

At Clare Beckwith Weddings, we’ve had a busy Summer 2010 wedding season and we’ve been lucky enough to work with some amazing musicians this year. We’ve heard everything from opera singers, string duos, string quartets, saxophonists, harpists, live bands... the list goes on. If you are new to booking musicians though (as most brides are), it can be a minefield if you don’t know what to look out for. So we spoke to expert Susan Heaton-Wright of NSN Productions to see if she had any helpful hints for our brides...

Susan told us...

“When I attend meetings and tell people what I do, I am often greeted with “I wish we’d known about you” – and then they tell me about a wedding disaster involving musicians. In some cases the disaster occurred a number of years ago, and still upsets the bridal couple; yet these problems could have been easily avoided. Here are my top tips for choosing and booking a band; what questions to ask; what to avoid and what to include in any agreement:

1. Be clear about what type of music you want for the reception. You’d be amazed at what a journey of discovery this can be for a couple when you realise your fiancé loves heavy metal and you prefer jazz! Ask bands for their play lists. Do they arrange ‘requests’? Is there a charge for this? How much notice do you need for requests?

2. Ask for references and if it is possible go to meet the band and listen to their sound samples.

3. When receiving a quote, check what it includes. Are there any hidden extras – including sound systems, travel, VAT, lighting etc. Make sure you receive a fee which includes everything before making a booking.

4. The band should have Public Liability Insurance certificates as well as having all electrical equipment PAT tested. The former is a requirement by many venues; the latter is mandatory.

5. Confirm everything that you agree in writing or write up a contract.

6. Some bridal couples engage friends of friends who play in bands to play at their weddings. Make sure everything is agreed in writing with clear cancellation clauses. It is not unknown for friends of friends’ bands to suddenly get a paid engagement, leaving the bridal couple in the lurch at the last minute.

7. Most bands will request a deposit to confirm a booking. Remember to ask for a receipt for this deposit and to ask the conditions of the deposit before parting with your money.

8. A band will normally be setting up early; performing and packing away – making a long evening’s work. They will get hungry and will perform better if they’ve been fed. They don’t need the meal you are serving your guests. Most venues will offer a ‘suppliers’ meal – either a pasta dish or substantial sandwiches which costs less. We recommend you also offer soft drinks but not alcohol.

9. Be clear about when they should set up and do their sound checks. You need to avoid them walking through the wedding breakfast with their equipment or doing “One, Two – Hello O2” whilst your speeches are in full flow. The venue will normally be able to advise you on a practical solution – including a discreet entrance for the band to use to set up. Likewise, consider how they will pack up after they have played, to avoid any disruption to the wedding.

10. Dress code; it is important to specify how you would like the band to dress – and put it in the contract. Some bands will coordinate their clothing to match your theme, others will not. It is also important to request that they are smartly dressed when they arrive and set up. There is nothing worse than scruffy jeans and t shirts being seen; they can wear smart t shirts and trousers to move equipment.

11. Noise levels. When we set up our company, we conducted a survey of 500 people of all ages. 97% said their biggest complaint about live music – and bands in particular were that they were too loud. There is a time and place for very loud music, and weddings, where there are usually a wide range of ages, and people that want to talk to each other – and be heard, isn’t one of them. If it is possible, have another room for people who want to talk. However we recommend you have someone in the wedding party (probably the Best Man) who liaises with the band; is involved in setting the sound levels and asks them to reduce the volume if necessary. Ensure it’s in the contract that the band should adjust volume levels if necessary.

12. We recommend you book a band via a music company or agency. As a professional third party, they can often resolve problematic situations, without causing the bride unnecessary anxiety.”


Our special thanks to Susan for her great advice. http://www.nsn-productions.com/

Find us in Your Herts and Beds Wedding - August/September Issue

We are always delighted to offer our advice to the team at Your Herts and Beds Wedding magazine because they are such a lovely bunch, and in the August/September issue we feature a number of times with hints and tips for their readers.

Here's what we have to say...

First Song Confusion

Reader question:  I want my first dance to be special, but my partner and I have never really had a song that's personal to us, so it's proving to be difficult. We've gone through all the usual lists of songs, but nothing ever seems quite right. Are there options we haven't explored yet?

Clare Beckwith Weddings say:  If you've already gone through all the usual options, perhaps you should consider commissioning a bespoke song for your first dance.  This will allow you to have your track tailor-made to suit you both, and everything from the musical style to the lyrics can be especially constructed around your shared memories. 

Try Jenna Myles at Pocket Songbird.  Pocket Songbird offers a personalised song writing and production service to make your big day extra special.   Whether it’s a bespoke song for your first dance together, with lyrics written especially about the two of you, or a very special surprise gift, delivered to your partner on the morning of your wedding, Pocket Songbird works with you to say it all in a song.

After talking through your ideas, their experienced songwriters will write and produce your very own song in your preferred musical style … package it beautifully and deliver it directly to you. They can also arrange a live performance of the song at your wedding, if you are looking for a truly personal first dance!

Call Jenna on 07855 357580.

I want our personalities to shine through

Reader question:  Having been to lots of traditional style weddings, I'm desperate to make my own big day more original, but I'm finding it difficult to think of ways to inject my personality into the proceedings. How can I add all the special touches that my partner and I want without 'theming' the whole wedding?

Clare Beckwith Weddings say:  You and fiance have been evolving your personal styles since you were young, and what better occasion than your wedding day to let your personalities shine through?  There are hundreds of ways to add character to a wedding, starting with the date itself.  Why not schedule it for a date that's special to you?  The anniversary of the proposal, or when you first met each other is ideal. 

Other ways in which you can add your own individual touch is to ask your florist to attach a piece of sentimental jewellery, like a broach to your bouquet, or personalise your favours by hand writing and attaching a heartfelt message for each guest telling them why they are so special to you.  Writing your own vows is also a popular way to persoanlise the service.

But whatever you decide on, remember that your day is an extension of your personal style so don't put on an East End inspired day complete with a red London bus and jellied eels if you are more of an uptown girl.

Photo credits.  My very special thanks to the gorgeous Mark and Tristan at Lord and Leverett, and to Mark and Rachel at eXpression photography.

First dance:  http://www.lordandleverett.com/
Flowers with broach:  http://www.expression-photography.co.uk/

Music at your wedding to make your heart sing!

I have just met a fantastic singing duo who I can't wait to tell you about. 

Chris and Taira  recently formed 'Mantal' following glittering careers in London’s West End.  They've taken lead roles in some of theatre's most memorable shows including Billy Elliot, We Will Rock You, Blood Brothers, Fame, Grease and Starlight Express. They've also sung with famous names such as Phil Collins and Elton John.

Now, you can hire them for your wedding - for the ceremony, for your first dance, or even for your wedding reception.  Believe me, not only are they a beautiful couple, but they sing beautifully too!  In a class of their own.

Credits: http://www.mantal.co.uk/