So what do you do if your siblings have children ? Perhaps a niece and nephew only rule ? They are of course part of your immediate family, so you’d want them to be there during your special day. Then of course there are bridesmaids, flower girls and page boys, presumably you’ll have children that you would like for these roles.

Whatever you decide to do for your wedding, having bored children nagging their parents, is the last thing they’ll need when trying to enjoy your wedding day, so why not consider some entertainment for the kids.

There are a few options for you, hiring children entertainers is one, you could easily book a professional entertainer for a set time during the day, perhaps for an hour or two. Assuming the wedding venue has an area that the entertainer could take the children, just a corner somewhere, then they are kept occupied and enjoying themselves.

Another thing to consider though is the range of ages between the children you’ve invited to the wedding. If you are looking for children’s entertainers, then you’ll need to ask them about the services they provide, and whether or not their performance can include children of a variety of ages. Clowns, puppets, face painting and balloon modelling is often fun for little children, but maybe a magician could provide entertainment for all ages,
Have a chat with the children entertainers available in you local area and see what they can offer. Also talk with the wedding venue and ask them what other couples may of done in the past, you’ll want to avoid loud music and screaming children too close to earshot

If you don’t have a large group of children at your wedding, and maybe just a few younger ones, then kids party bags are often enough to occupy them, at least through the meal and speeches which is when you’ll appreciate them being quietest the most.
They’re guaranteed to find the speeches dull, so to avoid any children from falling asleep or nagging their parents, a party bag with some puzzles, small games and a little treat inside is a great option.

Happy Wedding planning !

Only yesterday when I was enjoying the autumn sunshine, and clearing up the first leaves of the fall from my lawn, as I was thinking of the wafts of Sunday roast scents coming from my neighbour’s house.
It only seemed a few days ago that it was the waft of BBQs coming from over the fence, and yet I found myself preparing the garden for another winter.

You notice the supermarket seems to have more winter vegetables then the summer salads already, things like that go unnoticed as you find yourself shopping differently, without even realising.
The heating has already been on a few times at home, the mornings are certainly darker, and the evenings become shorter and shorter.

Of course none of this is a surprise, the same thing happens every year. For me, the “winter fixture list” seems to happen in stages, Halloween, Fireworks night, Christmas Shopping, New Years Eve, January Diet, February misery, then full of hope again in March.
As you can possibly tell already, I am not a winter person at all. But as the title of this blog post suggests, there are things that I do, without thinking, things that I enjoy about the winter.

The other day I bought my wife something from Yankee Candles UK – now they sell the world’s best fragrant candles, in a variety of scents. I bought her a large jar candle, with a wintry scent to it, hoping that it would last the entire season. There really is something to be said about curling up on the sofa, with the heating on, and the room is lit with a candle, releasing a delightful scent to make your home feel cosy.

Yankee Candles beat any of the candles I’ve bought in supermarkets or home stores. It’s my recommendation of the day, you’d be amazed at the difference in fragrances between a Yankee Candle and one of the competitors.
There is a little romance about a candle too, and according to Yankee Candles UK, they manage to sell 75% of their products in the winter months, meaning I’m not the only one who likes to have that cosy feel at home.

So after a weekend of preparing my garden for winter, saying goodbye to my Weber BBQs of the summer, and feeling a little depressed that we may have to suffer another harsh English winter, the cosy warm feeling I got when I went inside cheered me up immediately.

No doubt by the time I get my winter coat out, and my boots, hit the shops to spend what little money I have left on Christmas presents, I’ll be a bit more happy about the winter.
Until then, you’ll find me on my sofa, heating on, Yankee Candle burning away, and generally dreaming of another Summer.

At an online chat forum you can tell complete strangers what your wedding plans are, and they can share their ideas or suggest different options for you. The best thing is that people will be giving you impartial advice, rather then your closest friends saying “yes that is great” all of the time, at a wedding forum people tend to be more honest.

So if you’re looking for ideas, articles and impartial advice then take a look at www.TalkWeddings.co.uk – the brand new, free to join wedding forum.

Braintree District

Crabbs Barn
Cranes Lane
Kelvedon
CO5 9AX
Telephone: 01376 572643
Fax: 01376 571133
E mail: crabbsbarn@aol.com
Website: www.crabbsbarn.co.uk

Cressing Temple
Witham Road
Braintree
CM7 8PD
Telephone: 01376 584903
Fax: 01376 584864
E mail: cressing.temple@essexcc.gov.uk
Website: www.cressintemple.org.uk

Fennes
150 Fennes Road
Bocking
Braintree
CM7 5PL
Telephone: 01376 324555
Fax: 01376 551209
E mail: enquiries@fennes.co.uk
Website: www.fennes.co.uk

Gosfield Hall
Gosfield
Halstead
CO9 1SF
Telephone: 01787 472914
Fax: 01787 479551
E mail: info@gosfield-hall.co.uk
Website: www.brideshead.co.uk

Hedingham Castle and Hedingham Castle Mansion House
Castle Hedingham
CO9 3DJ
Telephone: 01787 463862/460261
Fax: 01787 461473
E mail: hedinghamcastle@aspects.net
Website: www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

Pentlow Tower
Pentlow
Sudbury
CO10 7JN
Telephone: 01787 281705
E mail: info@pentlow-tower.co.uk
Website: www.pentlow-tower.co.uk

Prested Hall
Feering
Colchester
CO5 9EE
Telephone: 01376 573399
Fax: 01376 572947
E mail: prestedevents@aol.com
Website: www.prested.com

Ramada Jarvis Chelmsford
Rivenhall End
Witham
CM8 3HB
Telephone: 01376 516969
Fax: 01376 513674
E mail: csales.chelmsford@ramadajarvis.co.uk
Website: www.ramadajarvis.co.uk

Smeetham Hall Barn
Smeetham Hall
Bulmer
Sudbury
CO10 7EU
Telephone: 01787 374544
Fax: 01787 372785
E mail: hydep@globalnet.co.uk
Website: www.smeethamhall.co.uk

The Bull Hotel
Bridge Street
Halstead
CO9 1HU
Telephone: 01787 472144
Fax: 01787 472496
E mail: bull.halstead@oldenglishinns.co.uk

The Essex Golf and Country Club
Earls Colne
Colchester
CO6 2NS
Telephone: 01787 224410
Fax: 01787 224727
E mail: essex.events@theclubcompany.com
Website: www.theclubcompany.com

The Stables, Spains Hall
Finchingfield
Braintree
Essex CM7 4NJ
Telephone: 01371 811596
Fax: 01371 811256
E mail: enquiries@spainshall.co.uk
Website: www.spainshall.co.uk

The White Hart
Poole Street
Great Yeldham
Halstead
CO9 4HJ
Telephone: 01787 237250
Fax: 01787 238044
E mail: mjwmason@yahoo.co.uk
Website: www.whitehartyeldham.com

The White Hart Hotel
Bocking End
Braintree CM7 9AB
Telephone: 01376 321401
Fax: 01376 552628
Website: www.whitehart-braintree.com

Woodlands Country Hotel
Coupals Road
Sturmer
Nr Haverhill
CB9 7UW
Telephone: 01440 762581
Fax: 01440 762203
E mail: woodlands@btconnect.com
Website: www.woodlandshaverhill.com

Brentwood District

Ashwells Sports and Country Club
Ashwells Road
Bentley
Brentwood
CM15 9SE
Telephone: 01277 373828
Fax: 01277 375518
E mail: info@ashwells.co.uk
Website: www.ashwells.co.uk

Cromwell Manor
Watt Tyler Lane
Pitsea
SS16 4UH
Telephone: 01268 559772
Fax: 01268 554580
E mail: cromwellmanor@ugroup.co.uk
Website: www.cromwellmanor.co.uk

Friern Manor Country House Hotel
Lower Dunton Road
Dunton
Brentwood
CM13 2SL
Telephone: 01268 494200
Fax: 01268 419739
E mail: weddings@friernmanor.com
Website: www.friernmanor.com

Holiday Inn Basildon
Cranes Farm Road
Basildon
SS14 3DG
Telephone: 01268 824052
Fax: 01268 824095
E mail: meetings-basildon@ichotelsgroup.com
Website: www.ichotelsgroup.com

Holiday Inn Brentwood
Brook Street
Brentwood
CM14 5NF
Telephone: 01277 247182
Fax: 01277 247210
E mail: meetings-brentwood25@ichotelsgroup.com
Website: www.holiday-inn.co.uk

Hutton Poplars Hall
Poplar Drive
Hutton
Brentwood
CM13 1YU
Telephone: 01277 231439
Fax: 01277 217831
E mail: lesley.dare@brentwood.gov.uk
Website: www.brentwood-council.gov.uk

Marygreen Manor Hotel
London Road
Brentwood
CM14 4NR
Telephone: 01277 225252
Fax: 01277 262809
E mail: info@marygreenmanor.co.uk
Website: www.marygreenmanor.co.uk

Mount Avenue Banqueting Suite
Hutton Masonic Hall
Mount Avenue, Hutton
Brentwood
CM13 2NS
Telephone: 01277 211549
Fax: 01277 202263
E mail: info@mountavenuebanqueting.com
Website: www.mountavenuebanqueting.com

Stock Brook Manor
Queens Park Avenue
Billericay
CM12 0SP
Telephone: 01277 650400
Fax: 01277 633063
E mail: events@stockbrook.com
Website: www.stockbrook.com

The Belvedere
Hardings Elms Road
Crays Hill
Billericay
CM11 2UH
Telephone: 01268 522828
Fax: 01268 273310
E mail: info@the-belvedere.com
Website: www.the-belvedere.com

The New World Hotel
Great Warley Street
Warley
Brentwood
CM13 3JP
Telephone: 01277 226418
Fax: 01277 239020
E mail: newworldhotel@btinternet.com
Website: www.newworldhotel.co.uk

The Old Rectory
Lower Dunton Road
Dunton Wayletts
Brentwood
CM13 3SW
Telephone: 01268 544417
E mail: sales@oldrectory.com
Website: www.theoldrectoryvenue.com

Castle Point and Rochford District

Essex County Hotel
Aviation Way
Southend-on-Sea
SS2 6UL
Telephone: 01702 279955
Fax: 01702 541961
E mail: mail@essexcountyhotel.com
Website: www.essexcountyhotel.com

Hollywood Restaurant
140 Shipwrights Drive
Benfleet
SS7 1RF
Telephone: 01702 559980
Fax: 01702 552605
E mail: info@hollywoodrestaurant.com
Website: www.hollywoodrestaurant.com

La Quinta
22-28 Benfleet Road
Benfleet
SS7 1QB
Telephone: 01702 551125
Fax: 01702 555857
E mail: enquiries@la-quinta.co.uk
Website: www.la-quinta.co.uk

Oysterfleet
Knightswick Road
Canvey Island
SS8 9PA
Telephone: 01268 510111
Fax: 01268 511420
E mail: theoysterfleet@aol.com.uk
Website: www.oysterfleethotel.de

Saxon Hall
Aviation Way
Southend on Sea
SS2 6ER
Telephone: 01702 610491
Fax: 01702 610491
E mail: saxonhall@btconnect.com

The Chichester
Old London Road
Rawreth
Wickford
SS11 8UE
Telephone: 01268 561234
Fax: 01268 561639
E mail: info@thechichester.co.uk

The Lawn
Hall Road
Rochford
SS4 1PJ
Telephone: 01702 203701
Fax: 01702 204752
E mail: keddie@thelawn.co.uk
Website: www.thelawn-weddings.com

Chelmsford Borough

Braxted Park Estate
Braxted Park Estate
Braxted Park
Witham
CM8 3EN
Telephone: 01621 892305
Fax: 01621 892840
E mail: office@braxtedpark.com
Website: www.braxtedpark.com

Channels Golf Club
Belsteads Farm Lane
Little Waltham
Chelmsford
CM3 3PT
Telephone: 01245 440005
Fax: 01245 442032
E mail: info@channelsgolf.co.uk
Website: www.channelsgolf.co.uk

County Hall
Duke Street
Chelmsford
CM1 1LX
Telephone: 01245 435824
Fax: 01245 435814
E mail: hallkeeper@essexcc.gov.uk

Creeksea Place
Ferry Road
Burnham-on-Crouch
CM0 8PJ
Tel: (01621) 784535
E mail: Christina@creekseaplace.co.uk
Website: www.creekseaplace.co.uk

Crondon Park Golf Club
Stock Road
Stock
Ingatestone
CM4 9DP
Telephone: 01277 843034
Fax: 01277 841356
E mail: events@crondon.com
Website: www.crondon.com

Five Lakes Hotel
Colchester Road
Tolleshunt Knights
Maldon
CM9 8HX
Telephone: 01621 862304
Fax: 01621 862315
E mail: suzanne.hoy@fivelakes.co.uk
Website: www.fivelakes.co.uk

Forrester Park
Beckingham Road
Great Totham
Nr Maldon
CM9 8EA
Telephone: 01621 891406
Fax: 01621 891406
E mail: info@forresterparkltd.com
Website: www.forresterparkltd.com

Furze Hill Banqueting Suite
Ivy Barn Lane
Margaretting
CM4 0EW
Telephone: 01277 355111
Fax: 01277 356108
E mail: sales@furzehillbanqueting.co.uk
Website: www.furzehillbanqueting.co.uk

Greenwoods Estate
Stock Road
Stock
CM4 9BE
Telephone: 01277 829990
Fax: 01277 829899
E mail: info@greenwoodestate.com
Website: www.greenwoodestate.com

Hylands House
Hylands Park
Nr Writtle
Chelmsford
CM2 8WQ
Telephone: 01245 605500
Fax: 01245 496804
E mail: hylands@chelmsfordbc.gov.uk
Website: www.chelmsfordbc.gov.uk/hylands

Ivy Hill Hotel
Writtle Road
Margaretting
Ingatestone
CM4 0EW
Telephone: 01277 353040
Fax: 01277 355038
E mail: sales@ivyhillhotel.co.uk
Website: www.ivyhillhotel.co.uk

Leez Priory
Hartford End
Chelmsford
CM3 1JP
Telephone: 01245 362555
Fax: 01245 231463
E mail: info@leez-priory.co.uk
Website: www.brideshead.co.uk

Newland Hall
Roxwell
Chelmsford
CM1 4LH
Telephone: 01245 231010
Fax: 01245 231463
E mail: info@newland.co.uk
Website: www.newlandhall-weddings.com

Pontlands Park Hotel
West Hanningfield Road
Great Baddow
Chelmsford
CM2 8HR
Telephone: 01245 476444
Fax: 01245 478393
E mail: sales@pontlandsparkhotel.co.uk
Website: www.pontlandsparkhotel.co.uk

Regiment Way Golf Club
Regiment Way Golf Centre
Pratts Farm Lane
Little Waltham
Chlemsford
CM3 3PT
Telephone: 01245 362210
Fax: 01245 442032
Website: www.regimentswayweddings.co.uk

South Lodge Hotel
196 New London Road
Chelmsford
CM2 0AR
Telephone: 01245 264564
Fax: 01245 492827
E mail: sales@southlodgehotel.com
Website: www.southlodgehotel.com

The County Hotel
Rainsford Road
Chelmsford
CM1 2PZ
Telephone: 01245 455700
Fax: 01245 492762
E mail: kloftus@countyhotel-essex.co.uk
Website: www.countyhotelgroup.co.uk

The Warren Golf Club
Woodham Walter
Maldon
CM9 6RW
Telephone: 01245 223258
Fax: 01245 223989
E mail: enquiries@warrengolfclub.co.uk
Website: www.warrengolfclub.co.uk

Three Rivers Golf and Country Club
Stow Road
Cold Norton
Chelmsford
CM3 6RR
Telephone: 01621 828631
Fax: 01621 828060
E mail: info@threeriversclub.com
Website: www.threeriversclub.com

Vaulty Manor
Goldhanger Road
Heybridge
Maldon
CM9 8BQ
Telephone: 01621 855628
Fax: 01708 222227
E mail: enquiries@vaultymanor.co.uk
Website: www.vaultymanor.co.uk

Waterfront Place
Wharf Road
Chelmsford
CM2 6LU
Telephone: 01245 252000
Fax: 01245 252058
E mail: info@waterfront-place.co.uk
Website: www.waterfront-place.co.uk

Colchester District

Esplanade Hotel
27/29 Marine Parade East
Clacton-on-Sea
CO15 1UU
Telephone: 01255 220450
Fax: 01255 221800
E mail: mjs@esplanadehoteluk.com
Website: www.esplanadehoteluk.com

Holiday Inn Colchester
Abbotts Lane
Eight Ash Green
Colchester
CO6 3QL
Telephone: 01206 363470
Fax: 01206 768440
E mail: conference-colchester@inchotelsgroup.com
Website: www.holidayinn.co.uk

Kingsford Park
Layer Road
Colchester
CO2 0HS
Telephone: 01206 734301
Fax: 01206 734512
E mail: enquiries@kingsfordpark.co.uk
Website: www.kingsfordpark.co.uk

Layer Marney Tower
near Colchester
CO5 9US
Telephone: 01206 330784
Fax: 01206 330784
E mail: info@layermarneytower.co.uk
Website: www.layermarneytower.co.uk

Maison Talbooth Hotel
Stratford Road
Dedham
Colchester
CO7 6HN
Telephone: 01206 322367
Fax: 01206 322752
E mail: maison@milsomhotels.com
Website: www.milsomhotels.com

Marks Tey Hotel
London Road
Marks Tey
Colchester
CO6 1DU
Telephone: 01206 210001
Fax: 01206 212167
E mail: claire@marksteyhotel.co.uk
Website: www.marksteyhotel.co.uk

Rose and Crown Hotel
East Street
Colchester
CO1 2TZ
Telephone: 01206 866677
Fax: 01206 866616
E mail: info@rose-and-crown.com
Website: www.rose-and-crown.com

The Kingscliff Hotel
55 Kings Parade
Holland-on-Sea
CO15 5JB
Telephone: 01255 812343
Fax: 01255 812271
E mail: info@kingscliffhotel.com
Website: www.kingscliffhotel.com

The Pier at Harwich
The Quay
Harwich
CO2 3HH
Telephone: 01255 241212
Fax: 01255 551922
E mail: pier@milsomhotels.com
Website: www.milsomhotels.com

The Tower Hotel
Main Road
Dovercourt
CO12 3PJ
Telephone: 01255 504952
Fax: 01255 504952
E mail: tower.harwich@aol.com
Website: www.tower-hotel-harwich.co.uk

The Town Hall
PO Box 884
Colchester
CO1 1FR
Telephone: 01206 762385
E mail: richard.buckle@colchester.gov.uk
Website: www.colchester.gov.uk

Westwood Park
London Road
Little Horkesley
Colchester
CO6 4BS
Telephone: 01206 272300
Fax: 01206 273400
E mail: enquiries@westwoodpark.co.uk
Website: www.westwoodpark.co.uk

Wivenhoe House Hotel
Wivenhoe Park
Colchester
CO4 3SQ
Telephone: 01206 863666
Fax: 01206 868532
E mail: wivsales@essex.ac.uk
Website: www.wivenhoehousehotel.co.uk

Epping Forrest

Abridge Golf and Country Club
Epping Lane
Stapleford Tawney
RM4 1ST
Telephone: 01708 688396
Fax: 01708 688550
E mail: info@abridgegolf.com
Website: www.abridgegolf.com

Blake Hall
Ongar
CM5 0DG
Telephone: 01277 366687/362502
Fax: 01277 366947
E mail: austin@blakehall.co.uk
Website: www.blakehall.net

Chigwell Manor Hall
144 Manor Road
Chigwell
IG7 5PX
Telephone: 020 8500 2432
Fax: 020 8500 9926
E mail: bookings@manorhall.co.uk
Website: www.manorhall.co.uk

Metropolitan Police (Chigwell) Sports Club
High Road
Chigwell
IG7 6BD
Telephone: 020 8500 2735
Fax: 020 8559 8803
E mail: therese@chigwellsportsclub.com
Website: www.chigwellsportsclub.com

Room in the Rodings
Dunmow Road
Beauchamp Roding
Ongar
CM5 0PF
Contact via The Reid Rooms
Telephone: 01245 231800
Fax: 01245 231555
E mail: thereidrooms@hotmail.com
Website: www.thereidrooms.co.uk

Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel
Old Shire Lane
Waltham Abbey
EN9 3LX
Telephone: 01992 717 170
Fax: 01992 711 841
E mail: events.waltham@marriotthotels.co.uk
Website: marriott.com/property/propertypage/lonwa

Waltham Abbey Town Hall
Highbridge Street
Waltham Abbey
EN9 1DE
Telephone: 01992 714949
Fax: 01992 716234
E mail: townclerk@walthamabbey.org.uk

Harlow District

Corus Hotel Harlow
Mulberry Green
Old Harlow
CM17 0ET
Telephone: 0870 609 6146
Fax: 01279 626113
E mail: Harlow@corushotels.com
Website: www.corushotels.com/harlow

Moot House
The Stow
Harlow
CM20 3AG
Telephone: 01279 424074
Fax: 01279 424074
E mail: moothousecas@moothouse.plus.com

Swallow Churchgate Hotel
Churchgate Street
Old Harlow
Harlow
CM17 0JT
Telephone: 01279 770270
Fax: 01279 770280
E mail: conference.oldharlow@swallowhotels.com
Website: www.swallowhotels.com

Uttlesford District

Audley End House
Audley End
Saffron Walden
CB11 4JF
Telephone: 01799 529403
Fax: 01799 529403
E mail: barbara.wutte@english-heritage.org.uk
Website: www.english-heritage.org.uk/hospitality

Bury Lodge
Bury Lodge Lane
Stansted Airport
CM24 8QE
Telephone: 01279 814949
Fax: 01279 812440
E mail: mail@burylodge.co.uk
Website: www.burylodge.co.uk

Down Hall Country House Hotel
Matching Lane
Hatfield Heath
Bishop’s Stortford
CM22 7AS
Telephone: 01279 731441
Fax: 01279 730416
E mail: sales@downhallhotel.co.uk
Website: www.downhall.co.uk

Maidens Barn
Maidens Farm
High Easter
Chelmsford
CM3 1HU
Telephone: 01245 231515
Fax: 01245 231075
E mail: katherine@maidensbarn.com
Website: www.maidensbarn.com

Parklands
Quendon Hall
Quendon
CB11 3XN
Telephone: 01799 543800
Fax: 01799 542800
E mail: enquiries@quendonpark.co.uk
Website: www.quendonpark.co.uk

Pledgedon Barn
Pledgedon Hall
Henham Bishop’s Stortford
Herts
CM22 6BJ
Telephone: 01279 876667
E mail: barnservices@aol.com
Website: www.barnevents.co.uk

SAS Hotel Stansted Airport
Waltham Close
London Stansted Airport
CM24 1PP
Telephone: 01279 661012
Fax: 01279 661013
E mail: reservations.stansted@radissonsas.com
Website: www.radissonsas.com

Stansted Manor Hotel
Birchanger Lane
Birchanger
Nr Bishop’s Stortford
CM23 5ST
Telephone: 01279 859800
Fax: 01279 467245
E mail: gm@stanstedmanor-hotel.co.uk
Website: www.stanstedmanor-hotel.co.uk

Thaxted Hall
Walden Road
Thaxted
CM6 2RE
Telephone: 01371 832323
Fax: 01371 830835
E mail: reception@thaxtedhall.co.uk
Website: www.thaxtedhall.co.uk

The Crown House
London Road
Great Chesterford
Saffron Walden
CB10 1NY
Telephone: 01799 530515
Fax: 01799 530683
E mail: stay@thecrownhouse.com

The Reid Rooms
Marks Hall
Margaret Roding
Great Dunmow
CM6 1QT
Telephone: 01245 231800
Fax: 01245 231555
E mail: enquiry@thereidrooms.co.uk
Website: www.thereidrooms.co.uk

The Saffron Hotel
High Street
Saffron Waldon
CB10 1AY
Telephone: 01799 522676
Fax: 01799 513979
E mail: reservations@saffronhotel.co.uk
Website: www.saffronhotel.co.uk

Whitehall Country Hotel
Church End
Broxted
Dunmow
CM6 2BZ
Telephone: 0870 873 0876
Fax: 01279 850385
E mail: sales@whitehallhotel.co.uk
Website: www.whitehallhotel.co.uk

The Cost

Always the first question asked of any act, and here the mobile DJ will nearly always come out to be the cheapest. Most good function bands (not backing track singers with mini-disc music) normally charge between £500 and £1500 for a two hour set. If money is no object, then undoubtedly a band always looks the more impressive option as there is nothing to match the sight and sounds of music played live. Of course two hours doesn’t cover the whole evening, so it may transpire that a DJ is needed after all to fill the gaps.

The average cost of a good quality wedding DJ is around the £300-£500 mark and that will cover the whole evening, from 7pm til midnight.

The Venue

Thought must be given to where and when the band can set up; a number of smaller function suites cannot cope with a 5 piece band, whereas a good DJ can adapt to his surroundings. In a larger venue, the band option begins to look better. They take up the whole stage where a DJ may fail to fill it, thus creating the overall effect of ‘bigger and better’ – it’s seldom that guests gasp with delight at a DJ’s rig like they often do when spotting a live band’s equipment. Setting-up time is also to be considered…a DJ should take around 45 minutes to get up and running, whilst a band will be a little longer as they require sound checks, etc.

And one more venue issue…the dreaded sound monitor. This cuts the power to the stage when a preset noise level is exceeded. They are notoriously troublesome for DJs, and even worse for bands as live music is a difficult noise level to control.

The Music

It’s a question of taste here, and the old adage that ‘you can’t please all the people all of the time.’ Some will be delighted to dance to a function band playing cover versions, others will be appalled that their favourite songs are being ‘murdered’ and would much rather hear the originals. If you do choose a specific type of band, i.e. a rock/indie band, then it is advisable to support them with a DJ, so those who want to hear the disco classics can have their moment on the dancefloor.

With a good quality DJ, you will of course have most music genres covered so they can effectively keep everyone happy.

To Summarise…

Having been a DJ for 20 years, a band manager and some-time singer, I think I can remain fairly impartial in my recommendations.

If your venue is small (100 people or less) then take the DJ-only option, it’s far less hassle in setting up, positioning and noise level.

Large venues can accommodate bands easily, so I would definitely recommend having one…..along with a DJ as support. A really good covers band can lift the atmosphere through the roof if they’re put on at the right time during the evening. Now all you have to do is decide for yourself!

The Author, is a professional mobile DJ Essex he has almost 20 years experience as an Essex Wedding DJ. Visit  Essex Wedding Services or further articles.

The Cost

The single most common question that DJs are asked in the first instance is “How much are you?” Now everyone loves value for money, but you haven’t even asked what service they provide yet! Despite the generic image of mobile DJs being all the same, we are very different in our approach to the work, and services can vary by some distance from DJ to DJ. If you are on a tight budget of say, £125, then your choice will be limited and you may end up with a novice or someone with borrowed and dusty equipment.

Always tempting too is letting a friend ‘have a go’…

a recipe for an empty dance floor and a full bar!

Cost-cutting is magnified two-fold when talking of a wedding

reception. Not only the most important day of your lives, but a day where you’ve probably spent £500 on a cake, £2000 on dresses and suits and untold amounts on food and drink….seems like false economy to skimp on the biggest part of the whole day, the party.

In short, don’t just book your DJ on price!

A real professional or semi-professional DJ will have spent years acquiring their music, learning how to build a dance floor atmosphere, be fully conversant in wedding etiquette and have a kit to be proud of.

To give you some idea of values, to hire a very basic DJ set-up (2 speakers, amplifier, CD decks, mixer and 2 light effects) costs £100 per night from my local disco centre. Add to that someone’s working time (6 hours on average) and travel costs, etc, you start to realise just how valuable a pro DJ can be for your event…

For weddings, look to pay between £300 – £450 for a

7pm-12am service. Birthday parties, anniversaries, etc may be cheaper as they are less pressure and usually shorter hours.

The Style & Content

It sounds so obvious to say it but I’m going to anyway….try to see your DJ in action before you book them. If it’s not convenient, then take advice from friends who have witnessed the DJ’s talents before. After all, recommendation is still the best advert for any act.

It’s always a really good idea to chat at length with your prospective DJ about your own music tastes and what you expect from them on the night. Ask them searching questions about the type of stuff they play, whether they take requests, how they propose to start/finish the proceedings, that kind of thing. A DJ worth his salt will listen intently and take onboard all of your ideas, sometimes suggesting alternatives to things he believes may not work.

If you’re theming the evening’s entertainment, make sure your DJ knows in advance…that way he can be sure to carry the right music for the occasion, such as a 70’s & 80’s Party or a Soul Night. It also gives him a chance to pass the gig on if the genre you decide on is not his speciality.

The more contemporary DJs are also inclined to avoid playing novelty records, such as the Birdie Song and Superman. If you want these included (and you want to sit on the floor and row an imaginary boat…) it’s best to check first!

The DJ Gear

As all of my DJ colleagues know, this is my soapbox subject!

So many times I have witnessed DJs putting together some of the cheapest and scruffiest gear you can imagine…throwing it loosely on a folding table, wires trailing everywhere and speakers barely capable of audible sound…and yet still charging £300 a night! They should wear a mask!

In this day and age, the range of equipment available to us is phenomenal, and at very reasonable prices for good quality; there are no excuses for a DJ’s equipment looking or sounding bad in the 21^st Century.

Right, rant over…without going too technical, good things to look for are overhead lighting (nightclub-style moving lights), speakers on stands (raises the sound above the crowd to project it across the whole room) and a tidy stage area

set-up. Cables should be tucked away wherever possible and the better pro DJs have a tasteful cover or starcloth to surround their stand.

Once playing, the sound should be crystal clear on the dance floor, both with music and the DJ’s spoken voice.

In some instances the sound won’t travel well to the back of the room, but this can be due to the venue’s acoustics and not really a problem as guests will invariably want somewhere to chat.

Most DJs have a sound system to cater for up to 150 people comfortably. If your DJ is not familiar with your proposed venue, request that he takes a look beforehand, especially if you have 200+ evening guests. Quite often I have seen small amplifiers pushed to their maximum trying to deliver to a big room….and it doesn’t sound pleasant!

Finally on the technical side, a large number of venues nowadays are insisting the DJs have both Public Liability Insurance and a certificate of safety (PAT) for their electrical equipment.

The Business End…

Once you’ve decided on your DJ for the night, ask them for a contract to sign and agree a deposit (if one is not already requested). Make sure you’ve listed all of your music requirements and arrival/ending times so that there is no confusion on the day. I would also suggest a courtesy call a week prior to the event if your DJ hasn’t called you, just to touch base and reaffirm details.

Mobile DJs have suffered a bad press over the years, when in reality it’s a very small minority of cowboys who let the side down. Most are hard-working, conscientious music-lovers who will give you a night to remember!

The aim of the site is to provide the brides and bridegrooms of Essex with an independent directory of wedding services to browse through, without the need to spend hours at wedding fayres and paying their entrance fees !

With over 60 different wedding services listed, ranging from everything from dresses to DJ’s and flowers to photographers – there really is everything required to plan your wedding day in Essex from start to finish.