Monthly Archives: September 2016

It’s the end of September and I can’t quite believe that we are now three quarters of the way through the year. This is the second of my planned 2 weekends off and while many people are out celebrating pay day or having final drinks before Stoptober I’m enjoying a night in with the cat catching up on admin. And paying bills. Lots of bills. Anyone else find September an unusually expensive month? Luckily month end has brought a rush of bookings. In the last 48 hours people have secured my services for a wedding on Bournemouth Beach next May, another for a garden in Wickham next August and 2 weddings at Parley Manor in 2018. I’m quite excited by the latter as its another new venue for me. It’s also nice to see people are booking ahead. The added … Continue reading →

It’s just been announced Martin Bashir is returning to the BBC as a reporter. You probably know him from his deeply personal interview with Princess Diana about her marriage on Panorama or the much talked about documentary with Michael Jackson. But did you know he is a keen supporter of charity? I was fortunate enough to work alongside him in the spring at a charity ball in the New Forest for Action Duchenne, the UK charity dedicated to raising awareness and funds for research into a cure and providing support for families living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. It’s a cause that is particularly close to his heart and having heard him talk so passionately now it is for me too.   The evening was a success and I have high hopes for another event I’m supporting in November in aid … Continue reading →

Following my post about how good last Saturdays party felt from my perspective, I’ve had this email from Natasha. “Thank you so much for all your hard work! Everyone has been raving about the party and I’m so impressed that we kept so many people on the dancefloor right until the end (I think we could easily have carried on going…!) I will certainly let you know if and when we have another party, and will recommend  you to anyone else having a party in the area”. Thank you to the wonderful Leanne Dixon for the pictures. For rates and availability for 2017 please get in touch and if I’m already booked I can recommend a trusted associate guaranteed to bring the night home in style.

Big Jay popped around this morning for his annual visit. He’s a friendly chap and we have good banter in the half an hour or so he’s here. Jay is a PAT tester, and he checks and certificates all my sound and lighting gear every year. Plus the odd hair dryer. Not mine… I haven’t needed one of those for a very long time. And obviously neither has he. Portable Appliance Testing is not a legal requirement but most high end venues require suppliers to provide a certificate every year which proves their equipment has been tested. That’s how I know that Jay drinks his coffee black, likes thrash metal and spends a lot of time on hills in Wiltshire protecting badgers. It’s because I have seen him every year while he plugs things in and applies a green sticker … Continue reading →

On Saturday night I ended a looooooong run of weekend summer events with a private party in The New Forest. I had been booked for this over a year ago and although details were very sketchy at the time it was obvious this was going to be a brilliant evening. The party was a joint 50th for a couple at their home with lots of friends and family joining the celebrations. Many of the guests had travelled internationally to be there and all were accommodated in a small glamping village of bell tents in the field down the road from the house. The garden at the house was the venue for the party with guests dining in a giant tipi at one end while another large canopy hosted the drinks reception. There was a French theme to the evening which … Continue reading →

This weekend I’ve spent more time in marquees than my own bed but it’s been great fun. Last night I was back on the sand helping the team from Beach Weddings Bournemouth with an Indian themed wedding. As I was packing away last night I realised that today it was a year since Teresa and Rob held their big day at this amazing venue. Just like Luxme and Mark the weather obliged with wonderful sunshine and the couple had a wonderful day. A year ago the party crowd were a mixed bunch with lots of 70s and 80s for the couple and their friends plus a good mix of current tunes for their teenage children and their friends. From their feedback they were obviously happy : “We just wanted to say a huge thank you for coming to the beach … Continue reading →

I’ve been looking forward to last nights party since I was booked the previous summer. The groom Tom is a fellow wedding supplier and one of the nicest people you will ever meet and so as a consequence has some great friends too. Turns out his new in-laws also have some brilliant neighbours as the whole close turned out to celebrate with him and new wife Zoe in her parents garden. From the last note of the first dance to the final song the dance floor was busy and they kept me on my toes, which conseqently meant little time for pictures but I did manage this cheeky selfie. Not my best work and I’m going to put that down to the wooden floor of the marquee which was rocking so much it felt at times like we were at … Continue reading →

I always like to do a daytime set-up whenever possible. It’s usually a lot more convenient for couples to have everything already in place rather than interrupting their day with banging and clanging in the corner and from my perspective it’s more relaxed to just arrive when needed and start. It’s not always easy to do this when you’re in a venue that requires room turnaround  between the wedding breakfast and evening party but when you’re in a marquee it’s easily done. The other nice thing is you often get to see a different side of the day and to taste the excitement in the air as the final preparations are put into place. This morning I’ve set up for Zoe and Tom’s party in Swanmore. The venue is a marquee in a garden and I have worked in it … Continue reading →