And I thought choosing a cake was hard! (A whole other blog post)See this is the trouble, I've been to a lot of weddings, I've seen a lot of great singers and bands, I've witnessed some of the West End's best dancers perform for the bride and groom (at my sister's wedding), I've even been privy to a food fight (NO, I did not join in!). Some may say I'm spoilt for choice, but I just feel a bit... meh about the whole lot. And because I've seen the same band play over and over, and similar 'acts' perform, it leaves me wanting something a bit more unique.Eeeeek. And that's the trouble. Finding what that thing is, without breaking the bank and without being too alternative (heck, give me a bunch of drag queens miming to a Liza number and I'm sorted, although not sure the other half would care for this much).We've decided we definitely don't want a band. Treading very carefully at this point as not to offend anyone (all my friends have had bands at their weddings), they just don't do it for us. There's only so many times you can hear that Michael Jackson song (I don't even like Michael Jackson music), and there's only so many arrangements of 'We Are Family' one can orchestrate before Simon Cowell swoops in and pulls the plug.This is not to say that I don't like a band. There are VERY good ones out there (see video below of a good band I've seen at many weddings). Ones that get the crowd going and makes the party come to life. It's just that for us, we prefer the actual beats of Beyonce or Rihanna or Dolly. A band, for us anyway, is a bit... done. Not really the vibe we're going for. We much prefer a proper party - dare I say clubby - vibe.No. We want a DJ (not one of those cheesy ones either, NOT a disco. The very word makes me cringe). But which one? There are MILLIONS. A cool one, that's for sure. But say that to a professional and they'll roll their eyes.I've seen many amazing DJs throughout my time in the fashion industry, each totally unique. I've seen a fierce woman with a half shaved purple mullet at River Island, Jodie Harsh - the drag queen DJ, I've seen an old school-cool guy whose decks are sat behind a big 90s fake tape player, I've partied whilst Trevor Nelson - he of BBC radio fame - spun (I'm finding out how much he costs by the way, he's amazing!).But not only is it hard to find a DJ to suit, you also have to keep in mind your guests. Leave it up to me and I'd have Dolly, Cher, Tina and then the hardest of Dancehall music for the rest of the evening. But can you imagine the, erm, older guests dancing to banging house or rave-y techno (just examples)? NO.When I told my mother we wanted a DJ, she said "But you must make sure there's something for us oldies". To which I took offence. My mother and all her friends are very young at heart. They know who Rihanna is. They know the Robin Thicke tune. They dance to them at their own 'older' parties. So she's being dramatic and annoying.So, what I said to her and what you should to yours too if you chose a DJ - "We are having all our favourite songs, old and current, no matter who is there and how incontinent they may be. And later on, it's going to get clubby. And you'll enjoy it." SORTED.What we are actually on the hunt for now is a DJ with a live instrumentalist playing alongside the music. We've heard this is AMAZING and effective and different and fun. Maybe someone playing the bongos, or a violin or... me on my accordion? We are yet to find someone who does this, but have leads, so will keep you posted.If anyone knows of a company who do this, please do let me know.Anyway, more about entertainment on the way, including having a celeb sing at the wedding, and yes, those drag queens I told you about!
Here's a video of Gilev show band doing there thing at a wedding. These are the guys I've seen a LOT!