Wedding at Tinto House Hotel

Alison and Ian Watson’s Wedding was held at the Tinto House Hotel in Symington, near Biggar in Lanarkshire on the 21^st April 2012.  It was the first time that I had entertained at this venue and I was pleasantly surprised.. It was a lovely hall and the staff were very pleasant.  The fact that the stage was right next to the fire exit was an absolute treat, easy in and out with the equipment.

The night was running early, I arrived half hour early to find them just finishing the meal and asking the guests to retire to the other parts of the hotel while the hall was changed for the evening reception.  So I got in, set up and the hotel staff asked the quests to come back through.

I got a clean shirt on and played a selection of background music.  I was caught out with the management telling me that they were ready for the 1^st dance…  it was 7.25pm…..?, this is very early in my experience.  But I got the music ready and announced Alison and Ian on to the floor.  The rest of the wedding party were asked to join them and the night turned out to be everything that they wanted.. By the end of the night I had played music of all genres for all ages..

Wedding Reception in Glasgow City Halls

Lisa and Alastair Loudon’s wedding was held in the Glasgow City Halls on the 9^th April 2012.  It was an intimate affair in the recital room upstairs, a nice hall with character but a nightmare to get the kit in and out..!!  I turned up in the morning and carried the equipment in to an area that would allow a quick turnaround once the meal was finished.  This proved a godsend, as from van to hall was a long walk..!!

Anyway, the night started well, first dance announced and the happy couple were invited on to the dance floor to “Al Green – Let’s Stay Together”… The rest of the wedding party joined in and I followed on with a ceilidh session… This was very popular and everyone was getting in to the action and throwing themselves all over the place…LOL.

The bar being at the other end of the stairway didn’t help the numbers in the hall; people were going to the bar and forgetting to come back.  But I had a small group who stayed in the hall all night and I made sure they had all their requests played for their loyalty..

Civil Partnership Reception In Prestwick

Katie & Emma celebrated their Civil Partnership at the Carlton Hotel in Prestwick on the 7th April 2012.  The newly Mrs & Mrs Gray were really great to get on with.. I was told that they work in the hospitality so it makes since that they had great people skills.  I arrived about 5.30pm and set up on the stage while they were eating their wedding meal..  There was a partition wall that separated the hall in two during the meal which worked a dream.

This was the 1st time that I played in the venue, and I have to say it was a great experience.  The staff were very helpful and friendly to talk to.  There was a black LED star cloth filling the stage and a black LED dance floor to match.. 6 moving head light effects on the ceiling so I didn’t have to bring in too much lighting. For other DJs reading this the venue has a sound meter; however my 2.2k system at full pelt could not set it off..??

The girls and the staff prompted everyone back in to the hall and I announced the 1st dance.  The girls had the song all to themselves and I announced everyone else on to the dance floor.  The night went really well, starting off with about 45min ceilidh music with tuition as required and playing all the requests on the night.. I wasn’t supplied a play list but the girls were delighted by the fact they got all their songs played “next track”.  We ended the night with “auld land syne” and everyone headed either home of to the residents bar.

The girls are off to Egypt now, so if you were there, please feel free to leave a message for them to read when they get back..

Link to their pictures..

http://www.qualitydiscos.co.uk/Galleries/Katie_&_Emma_Gray/index.html

Wedding Reception in Glasgow

It was the 4th April that Suzanne and Stewart Muir celebrated their wedding at the National Piping Centre in the heart of Glasgow.  They had a great day for it weather wise so must have lots of great photos coming their way from their photographer.  The meal was over and the hall turned round for the evening reception.. I was a bit worried about the numbers with it being a Wednesday wedding, but the couple filled the hall with family and friends and I announced the happy couple to the floor.  The night went really well with the girls on the floor all night long, I think they must be in every photograph somewhere…  Everything went great up to about 10.30pm then a lot of guests left.. I had to work really hard to try and keep the atmosphere going.. I played all the requests on the night and everyone went home happy.

Both Suzanne and Stewart have already sent me fantastic feedback that is really appreciated.  Thanks..

Were you at the party…?  If so please feel free to leave a comment on here for Suzanne and Stewart to read..?

Hope you like the video and pictures, here is a link to the Photos…

http://www.qualitydiscos.co.uk/Galleries/Suzanne_&_Stewart_Muir/index.html

Alan Johnson’s birthday was not till the 4th April, but the nearest date he could get a hall was 31st March 2012.  He was celebrating his 21st birthday and I was picked to be the entertainer on the night.  This was the first time I have played in the Carluke Rovers, the venue was quite small compared to some of the places that I work in, but perfect for the numbers invited to the party.

The night went really well.. lots of clubby, dance tunes along with some hardcore thrown in to get the atmosphere going..  I mainly supply entertainment at weddings these days, so it was a treat to get down and dirty practicing my mixing skills again.. I loved it, brought it all back…  The crowd bounced all night..!!

Everyone had a great night and everything went really well, the crowd were on their best behavior and left quietly at the end. Alan was really nice, he thanked me at the end of the night and said I was worth every penny.  Lot’s of people requested cards so I think I will be back some time soon..?

Wedding Reception Disco in Glasgow

Bellahouston Park set the stage on the 29th March 2012 for Nicola & Bruce Noble’s Wedding.  They had their wedding reception in the House for an Art Lover, a Charles Rennie Mackintosh building which is a spectacular cultural attraction in Glasgow.

I arrived about 5.30pm and set up in the usual corner.. it is very cramped so you have to be as compact as possible, and you have a row of tables in front of you between the disco and the dance floor… Not ideal, but we play with what we have..!!  I normally use just the one speaker and place it close to the wall.  Having a second tripod on the other side could be a trip hazard blocking the entrance to the hall so I just go with the one speaker.. it’s loud enough…!!  It makes me more approachable too, with nothing in the way people can come up and ask for requests easily.

I started playing background music as the wedding quests started coming in to the hall, they seemed to be in a party mood as some of them were dancing away already.  So I eventually got to meet Nicola and Bruce… we had a quick chat, agreed formalities and I announced the couple up for the first dance, Coldplay – Us Against the World..  Everyone else was asked to join in and the night got started.

During the night we had a bit of ceilidh, Rock, Pop, Motown, and everything else…   We even had a song from the Groom to his wife..  Yes, Bruce brought his guitar along and I set up a microphone for him.  It was really special.

Everyone was thanking me for a great night when they left and Bruce came up to me straight after the last song to say thank you…  Nicola was over the moon and said the night was everything she could have wanted.

Anyway their off now to find a last minute deal for a honeymoon, cases packed ready to go… so I hope they get a good one..?

Mr & Mrs Noble, thanks for booking my services for your night, hopefully we will meet again at the next family party..?

Were you there..?  If so please feel free to leave the happy couple a message to read.?

You can see pictures taken on the night here.. Pictures..

Wedding Reception Disco in Glasgow

Saturday the 24th March was the day that Louise and Brett said their vows in Glasgow.  What a fantastic day they had, the sun was out all day for them so there must be some fantastic photos capturing the day.

Brett contacted me in January on 2012 on the chance that I might be free and as it happened I was.  We had numerous conversations about what was required on the night and I was happy that I knew what they wanted for their night.

I arrived about 5.30pm.  Parking at the venue is non-existent, so you have to bump up the pavement at the main stairs and unload.  Once unloaded I swung the van round and parked across the road in a parking bay… There was plenty free….!!

I set up the disco and started to play background music..  I had been contracted to play from 7.30pm but the venue staff said they were expecting the bridal party to arrive at 6.30pm… I was set up anyway so played the music for them arriving..  I think my times were more accurate as it was more like 7.30pm before they arrived.

We got to the formal part of the night and I announced Louise and Brett on to the dance floor…. “Big Cheer for Mr & Mrs Buchanan” and they danced to John Denver’s Annie’s Song.  I have never played that track as a 1st song before, but the words of the song were so fitting.  Maybe it’s just one of those forgotten tracks..

We had a great ceilidh session with everyone on the dance floor… No instructions required with this family they were flinging themselves all over the dance floor.  All in it was a great night and i’m sure everyone will remember for a long time to come.

Louise and Brett, As I said on the night.  All the very best to you two, you are a really friendly couple and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to entertain at the biggest day of your lives.  Keep my number for future parties…

Were you there..?  If so please feel free to leave a message for Louise and Brett to read.

Jamie McLean celebrated his 21st birthday at the Woodend Lounge in Glasgow on the 23rd March 2012.  It was in the function hall upstairs which was a really nice split hall.. one bit was effectively a dance floor, with a step into a second bit full of seating.  I liked the layout of the hall but it was not really suitable for an external disco to play..  They have their own in house DJ and they have their own lights and speakers bolted on to the walls.. There is a small squre in the corner they call a DJ booth and the in house disco equipment is installed there.. There was nearly no room to set up my kit so I ended up using their lighting and my PA… Not ideal but it worked on the night.

Jamie’s sister had been to lot’s of my discos and knew who to call in the event they need a DJ, I was free and was glad to meet her once again.  The night went really well, danced the night away and got merry.  Jamie and his pals headed off to a night club in the town at the end, hope he had a great night at the after party..!!

Wedding Reception in Christ the King Church

The 10th of March 2012 was the day that Charlotte and Peter tied the knot..  The now Mr & Mrs Scally had a wonderful day, mild and overcast, perfect for photographs.

They had contacted me quite some time back, and booked me straight away, and after two client meetings I had all the details that I needed to make the day run as smoothly as possible.

I arrived just as they were doing the speeches.  I wanted to be early so that I could get the equipment out of the van and into the hall ready for a quick turnaround.   Once the meal was over the venue staff and the caterers “Top Class” cleaned up while I setup the disco.  The quests were allowed back in and I got changed into my shirt for the first dance.

The bride and groom delayed the first dance till 8.15pm to allow all their guests the opportunity to see and capture it on their cameras and phones.  The music was “JACK Johnson’s – Better Together” and followed by Michael Buble – Everything and the rest of the wedding party were announced on to the floor.

The night went well and everyone seemed to have a great night, I announced last orders at 11.15pm and played till 11.45pm.  I wished the couple all the best and said goodnight to all the guets.

Were you there..?  If so why don’t you leave a small message to Charlotte and Peter to read.?

Wedding Disco In Paisley Town Hall

Linda and David first contacted me in September of 2009 asking about my services for their wedding reception.  They were looking for a clubby atmosphere for their day and even wanted to get it started before the first dance was over.  Yes they got me to change from Bryan Adam’s version of Heaven to DJ Sammy’s version for the first dance.  Linda was never off the dance floor, loving every minute of it.  Unfortunately most of the guests were less eager to get on the floor until after the buffet was over.  We had a few ceilidh songs during the night which went down well, after the dashing white sergeant everyone was out of puff..!! 

Since they had requested a clubby atmosphere I supplied a large disco with lots of flashing lights and lasers.  I told them to make sure the town hall would allow the use of the haze machine to show the effect and this was done..  On arrival at the venue I asked if the smoke alarm had been isolated and was told that it had been taken care of, so you can understand my confusion when at 11.20pm the alarm did in fact go off..??

Everyone was ushered outside and the fire brigade sent two units round which appeared to be instantly.. They must have been round the corner waiting…!! The bride and groom saw the funny side of things and got photos taken in the fire engine, I can only say thanks for it being a mild night.

We got the all clear to go back in and I asked why the alarm went off when it was supposed to be isolated..?  I was told that they switched off the zone in the main hall but forgot to switch off the zone at the back of the stage…. Priceless..!!  Anyway, once back in I shouted last orders and wound down the night..

Hope you enjoy the video, and if you were there please feel  free to leave a message for Linda and David to read.?