Blossomania team just gave us some tips regarding this topic. So everyone wants to have a beautiful wedding, right? A very good way is to have a unique, vibrant, and unforgettable wedding décor. They have a lot of experience with that, and this is why we thought it would be great to share our ideas with you.

One décor choice that would leave a lasting impression on your guest is a flower wall. We can customise flower walls to last from one night into several weeks and are very ideal for any location. They simply complement your social events. These are some many advantages of renting a flower wall at your wedding. Let us discuss some of them.

·         Endless customisation options 

Flower walls can be styled in so many ways. No matter your colour choice or wedding theme, there’s a flower wall that fits. You can incorporate different types of flowers for your wedding’s aesthetics, vision, and also personalize your wedding by having it in your wedding colours.

·         Great use of space 

Standing floral arrangements are beautiful and draw the eyes, but some venues are not large enough. Flower walls do not take up too much floor space, and you can have one located at your event’s entrance or behind the head table.

·         It appeals to different groups

Many people rent flower wall for one-day events, weddings, and birthday parties. And the demand at other events has skyrocketed over the years. No matter what kind of event you are planning to have flower wall rental is the right choice for your variety of needs. Including Cooperate events, fundraisers, Garden parties, office accent walls, and even concert set dressings.

·         Highlight a section

Every wedding venue has its strong areas and weak points. One of the best ways to divert attention to a particular section at your wedding is to use a flower wall. With the right floral wall, you can highlight a section of your wedding and have the guest pay attention to that particular area. A most common example of this is to have the flower wall behind the head table.

Are you looking to have a modern wedding look? With the right flower wall colour, you can accentuate your event decor to your taste. Full range of other wedding decorations is also available. We handle all sorts of events and can bring your event to life by giving it a professional touch. We are ready to work with your budget, so why not contact us today?

Visit Blossomania’s website for more details – https://www.blossomania.co.uk

1. What sort of events do acoustic duos do?

Acoustic duos usually perform at events such as wedding ceremonies and drinks receptions. Light background entertainment is a perfect match for the type of music that is usually offered by such an act. You can also hire them for parties, corporates, and commercial events.

2. What are the advantages of hiring an acoustic duo rather than a band?

Acoustic acts are simply a better fit for certain events. A light ambience of background music is a better choice for smaller venues, hotels, bars, weddings, intimate settings, and places where there are noise restrictions. The cost is drastically lower in comparison to a band and the logistics of fitting them in is far easier – not to mention cheaper! Octavas acoustic entertainment offers a range of services that are ideal for these situations.

3. What is included in the performance?

Usually most acts will perform 2 x 1 hour sets of live acoustic music. They also can offer pre-recorded background music in between their sets so there is no gap in the music for you and your guests. They can offer a range of packages to suit every kind of situation, offering extra sets, personalised set lists and special dedications. Prices can vary depending on a few details but you should expect to pay at least £450 as a starting rate for hire.

4. What do they play?

You most certainly can find all sorts of acoustic acts online that offer a range of services. The important thing is to find an act that plays what you like. They should be able to supply a set list and talk through special requests. Most acts will mix up a set of songs old and new, fast and slow, to keep it lively and interesting for guests with different tastes. Of course if it is your event or your big day, you may want to be very specific.

5. How do I know if they are professional?

All decent and professional acts should have a good and responsive website that shows exactly what they offer. You should be able to see pictures, videos, songs and general info. They will also have some testimonials and reviews on display to show off to potential clients. They should also be willing to work around any potential challenges you may face when hiring.

Fancy yourself the next Sherlock Holmes? Want to book an evening’s entertainment you’ll never forget?  Then look no further than a Moonstone Murder Mystery!

Over the years Moonstone has been testing the sleuthing skills of Detective teams all across the UK and worldwide, from Birthdays to Weddings, from conference days to retirement parties. You name the place and we bring the case! Venue clients include Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Hatfield House, Boisdale Restaurants, Sunborn Gibraltar, Hawth Theatre Crawley and even ran for a year in heart of the West End with Murder at the Library.

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We also offer virtual events which can be played with live professional actors anytime, from anywhere around the world! All of our Murder Mysteries are written in-house, using only the best, professional, experienced actors to complete the suspect line up, who will have you laughing (and guessing) all night long!

​With themes varying from our Classic 1920s thriller ‘Peril on the Palatine Express’ to our Modern Mystery ‘Murder at Mothley Zoo’, all the way to our Fairytale Fantasty ‘Bippity, Boppity, Buried’ We truly have a case for every group to enjoy! Bespoke writing is also available for that extra special touch.

All of our shows are flexible and can be adapted around your needs and event plans, having performed in hundreds of different venues (Including a boat and a moving train) there is very little we can’t adapt to these days. Our shows are perfect for Team Building, Private Parties, Christmas Parties, Birthdays, Retirement Parties, Corporate Entertainment and Hen & Stag Do’s. Contact us today for rates and options.

Can you catch the killer?

Website: www.moonstonemurders.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/MoonstoneLondon

How To Book Good Entertainment For Your Wedding

How To Choose A Wedding Magician or entertainer is not as easy as you’d think? Because, there’s so many, right? 

Hopefully you’ve now decided to look at booking a magician or other entertainer for your special day, and understand how much added value one can bring to your day. The easy answer to this is making sure they’re great! But how do you that? Birmingham Magician Owen Strickland gives 10 handy tips to help you out. As a magician, these tips mention looking for a magician, but the principles are the same for any entertainer

1.Try and meet them.

Where possible, you should absolutely try and meet ANY suppler that you’re going to have on your Special Day. This way you will get a feel for their personality, and that is so vital. This is especially true with magicians and entertainers Any professional magician should be more than happy to meet you, as well as show you some magic. Websites can make anyone look good, but can they match up to that in real life? I get the majority of my weddings from meeting couples at wedding fayres, where couples can meet me and see what I do for real. No camera tricks!!

2.Can’t meet them? Research them!

Are there videos/photos of the magician performing at weddings online? Does the magician actually do as many weddings as they say? It’s easy for suppliers to say,  “we do X amount of weddings a year”, but is there evidence of that? If there isn’t, ask yourself why? Every wedding I perform at goes on my social media accounts. It’s therefore very easy to look back at say, 2019, and see all 70 weddings on there. My website has over 1000 photos of me performing at various weddings over the years.

3.Check Their Reviews

A big indicator of the quality of a magician, is reviews. What have previous couples said about the magician? But, how do you tell if it’s a real review? A sentence on a website, saying, “He was amazing. Mr and Mrs W” could easily be made up. How do you know that couple even exist? Verified reviews are what they should have (preferably with dates and locations of weddings on) such as Google reviews, Trust Pilot etc. I have over 130 5 Star Google Reviews and over 340 5 star reviews via my verified “Best Of” page.

4. Are They Recommended by Venues?

Is the Magician recommended at any venues you know? When an established and respected venue recommends a supplier, it’s usually a good sign that they are both good and trustworthy. They will not stake their hard earned reputation on just anyone. I’m very humbled that a number of exclusive venues recommend me. Amongst such venues are Alrewas Hayes, Aston Marina, Hogarths Solihull, Warwick House Southam, Moor Hall, Bordesley Park, Calderfields Golf and Country Club, The Limes Earlswood and Swinfen Hall.

5. How much do they cost?

Cost is very subjective, and every wedding will be working to a “budget” of some sort. You probably already know how quickly the budget can get out of hand! Magicians vary greatly in cost, as does the quality. I’m probably in the mid to higher range of pricing (my packages are £450-£700). But with that comes the assurances that have been mentioned in the other paragraphs. If a price seems too good to be true, ask yourself why, and check the other 9 points in this article. A quick look at any of the “Wedding Scam” pages for suppliers will show that in every instance, it’s been a cheap supplier that’s caused the issue. My best advice would be, do not book a magician on price alone!

6. Are they Actually Entertaining?

As well as performing magic, your Wedding magician needs to be entertaining. He needs to be personable, be able to make your gusts feel relaxed and at ease. There is no use having a technically amazing magician, if he is as dull as dishwater. I know some magicians who are the best technical magicians in the country. However they would be no use at a wedding, as they’re not fun to be around or slightly entertaining. Hopefully my show reels will show you how I am at weddings. Its all about entertaining to keep your guests happy.

7. Are they Insured?

A dirty word in many ways, but an important one!! The Covid Pandemic opened a whole can of worms when it comes to wedding insurance. If ever an event has shown how vital insurance is, it’s that one! It’s vital that any supplier at you wedding has the relevant insurance. For magicians, it’s Public Liability Insurance. The majority of Venues will insist on it, and will not let a supplier on site without it. You don’t want to find out that your magician has been escorted off the premises, as he hasn’t got PLI! I have it with Equity, and covers me for £10 million. Thankfully, I have never had to use it!!

8. Have They Won Any Awards?

Has the Magician won awards? Actually, scratch that! Nearly every Magician has “award winning” on their website!! But what is the Award? It’s very easy to add “Award Winning”, without specifying what that Award was for. DO ask them what the awards they have won are, and when they won them. I’m very fortunate to have won The Wedding Industry Awards for Wedding Magician of The Year in The UK for 2021. I have also won the Regional Award a number of times. TWIA is the leading awards in the Wedding Industry, where only Brides and Grooms whose wedding a supplier has attended, can vote. They all leave feedback and its independently judged

9. Are They A Member of The Magic Circle?

This isn’t in itself vital, because I know some excellent magicians who are NOT Members Of The Magic Circle. I also know some unentertaining magicians that ARE. However, you can certainly take some peace of mind that if a Magician IS a Member. He will have been through a rigorous application procedure of an interview, exam and audition in front of some of the best magicians in the country. Only those deemed good enough are admitted. Thankfully, I passed and I am a Member. In fact, I am the West Midlands Regional Representative for The Magic Circle!

10. Are They Trustworthy?

A MASSIVE one, and good one to finish. For any couple, trustworthiness in suppliers is vital. You are not only investing a significant amount of money with them, but also investing trust that they will make your day amazing. This is a huge responsibility, and one I take very seriously. Ensure you magician gives you a legal contract that covers your money and their terms & conditions. Also ensure they give you a full invoice, detailing what you have paid

With all the postponed weddings from 2020 through Covid 19, I have heard of some horror stories from my couples about some suppliers. Some have refused to move dates or refund, leaving couples short of a lot of money. During this Crisis, I have moved 99 per cent of weddings, where I was available, for no cost. I have kept the original price that was agreed, and where I have been unable to fulfill new dates (through already being booked), I have refunded any deposit paid. My recent feedback from the poor couples who have had to postpone will bear testament to that.

So there we have it. How to choose a Wedding Magician in 10 hand steps!

For more information please see my website at www.owenstrickland.co.uk

We’re thrilled to announce that we’ve set up 3 trial selfie stations at Welcome Break services for the summer! If you’re around Sarn Park Services, M4, or Corley Services, don’t miss the chance to take a selfie and share it with yourself via email or text!

When it comes to getting married, there are many amazing places spread throughout the UK that you can choose for your wedding venue. Some are city-based, some are in the countryside, and there are also those that are found right by the coast.

One coastal town that has definitely seen a rise in popularity of late when it comes to weddings is Bournemouth. So, why is this? What is so great about having a wedding in Bournemouth?

It is by the sea

One of the most obvious benefits of choosing Bournemouth as your wedding location is because it is ideally located by the sea. The beach in Bournemouth is absolutely gorgeous, but it can also offer up some fantastic views across the sea.

The town itself has a great charm too, which means that whether you choose to get married right on the seafront or a little further into the town, you will still feel happy about where you have chosen as your location.

It is easy to get to

Some wedding locations can be a little off the beaten track. Sure, those who live further away from the South West are going to find it a long journey to get down to Bournemouth, but even for these people, it is easy enough to get down to this part of the world.

Not only are there excellent road links (although it is worth noting that these can get busy during the Summer season), but there is also a train station that you can travel to too. If you have guests that are coming from even further afield, then you can also consider Bournemouth airport, which has a variety of flights coming in every day.

There are a great variety of venues

There are venues to suit everyone in Bournemouth, ensuring that you are likely to find the exact type of venue you are looking for when you are planning a Bournemouth wedding. One amazing wedding venue in Bournemouth is the Connaught Hotel and Spa. This beautiful building is on the West Cliff of the town and is only a few minutes’ walk down to the beach, which means it is ideal when the time comes to take photos.

The hotel itself has 81 rooms, which means that it has plenty of space for all your guests to stay whilst they celebrate with you. If this wasn’t enough to tempt you, then the hotel comes with a spa, a gin bar and a swimming pool. This means that before and after the big day, you can relax and unwind in style with those you care most about before and after the big day.

As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to choose Bournemouth as a wedding location. All you need to do now is set a date and get planning, and we can promise you that you will have a truly special wedding day that you will remember for many years to come.

New Wedding Trends – Selfie Post Box

Selfies are taking over the world. And now they might be coming to a wedding near you in more ways than one. 

The latest idea is something called a “selfie post box” – literally a hybrid between a regular post-box and a photo booth/selfie camera. 

The way the device works goes something like this:

1. First guests arrive at your venue bearing cards to wish you and your spouse well in your married life. 
2. They then post their cards into a receptacle that looks very much like a regular post box. (It even features the classic Royal Mail “Elizabeth Regina” ER II moniker).
3. After that, they can interact with the touchscreen and a camera on the front of the post-box and record bespoke video messages for the bride and groom. 
4. The onboard editing tool allows them to add emojis and then instantly send messages via text or email. 

The concept is a lot of fun and adds a new dimension to sending letters. Wedding correspondence is no longer simply a few words on a page, but images, videos and emojis too, enriching the entire experience. With selfie post-boxes, guests can say what they want to the bride and groom without actually having to grab their attention on the day of the wedding. It’s a breakthrough. 

From an entertainment perspective, the idea is genius. For years, vendors have been hiring out photo booths for wedding parties to keep punters happy between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. But it was a very guest-centred experience. It didn’t provide any opportunities to communicate with the bride and groom themselves. 

This selfie post box innovation effectively kills two birds with one stone. Guests get the entertainment that they want, plus the ability to send personalized messages at the same time. 

For large weddings, it is a godsend. It means that guests can communicate their well-wishes without having to grab the bride and groom in person on the big day – something that might be nigh-on impossible when there are hundreds of guests in attendance. 

The booth comes with a battery that the vendors say will power the thing all day. And it also offers guests who haven’t brought cards with them the ability to send texts and emails to the wedding party. 

To make things even more convenient, vendors will usually deliver and collect the devices from your venue, so you don’t have to worry about additional admin. On the inside, you’ll find a secure lockbox you can use to keep all your cards safe. You simply empty the box at the end of the day and then pass the post-box back to the vendor when you’re done. If you’re not keen for guests to send you texts and emails, you can also switch this off in the settings. 

So, in summary, the selfie post box is certainly one of the most interesting innovations we’ve seen in the wedding space in recent years. And it makes a lot of sense on a practical level. Guests need somewhere convenient to put their cards wishing you well. And this device, complete with selfie capabilities, seems like the perfect solution. 

Guest Post by Samantha Cooper – Marketing Manager at Alcumlow Wedding Barn, Cheshire.

As a wedding venue we like to think that we are quite relaxed. We encourage all of our couples to put their own stamp on our venue and to have fun with it so that their big day really reflects their personalities.

We have hosted to all kinds of fun wedding entertainments from bucking broncos to bouncy castles but one of our all-time favourites are photo booths. Especially when they come with props to boot!

So why do we love photo booth weddings so much?

They Create a Buzz

When we have a photobooth present at our venue it is always one of the first things wedding guests comment on when they walk in. Almost everyone is instantly excited to use the booth and props which creates an infectious buzz. Once guests have established what time they will be ‘let lose’ to use the photobooth it gives them something extra to look forward to throughout the day.

They Make Guests Feel Thought of

Although the newlyweds will enjoy a quick go in the photobooth hire, guests recognise that it has been hired mainly for their fun and enjoyment. This makes the guests feel considered and they appreciate that the couple have gone out of their way to add some fun and laughter into the day for them.

They Bring People Together

‘Do you want to have a photo with me?’ is something we hear a lot of at photobooth weddings. Guests find that it is a great way of breaking the ice with people who they don’t know so well, especially as it’s a light-hearted activity. It also provides a super fun way for those guests who do know each other well to spend some fun time together. When used in the evening, it can also be a great way for daytime guests to mix with evening guests who have just arrived.

They Create Memories

Not only do photobooths create fun memories but they also capture them in a freeze frame. Guests are always delighted to have a photograph (or ten!) to take home with them as a little keepsake from the wedding day. Something that they can treasure and reminisce on months and years down the line.

They Provide Another Style of Wedding Photography

Although most couples hire a professional photographer for their special day, photobooths offer another, more casual style of photography which can only be a bonus. People tend to be more relaxed and silly when there isn’t another person behind the camera lens meaning that another side of their personality shines through.

All in all we absolutely love having photobooth suppliers at our wedding venue and would highly recommend Picture Blast to our couples who are looking for a professional, friendly and super fun photobooth supplier.

How it all started and famous people that have hired a photo booth from Pictureblast over the years.

We started out hiring photo booths back in May 2008. It all started with me (Paul) going to a wedding in May 2008 with my then current wife (didn’t last much longer as I preferred photo booths to her) and I came across a photo booth. I was blown away with the instant prints and the fun and laughs it created and that’s where the business started.

The very next day I was searching the Internet for software and I came across the only supplier around at the time and are still around today, Breeze – https://www.breezesys.com/. I had that installed and working with in hours, I was buzzing with excitement.

My friend and my business partner at the time was great with his hands and he put together the actual physical booth – it’s still our best rental today – the Party Booth (albeit the technology has changed a bit). No touch screen or video etc but it had a wind machine and instant prints and it created that air of excitement that still happens every time that booth is hired out today. It never fails to amaze me the that drunk people wearing props and love having their photo taken.

Fast forward 12 years and we now have 75 photo booths that we rent out for weddings parties and corporate events and we are the largest photo booth hire company in the UK doing around 2,500 hires a year. Our booth fleet consists of Party Booths, Magic Mirrors (Purchased from https://www.photobooths.co.uk/) Selfie Pods (Purchased from (http://www.ipadbooth.co.uk/ ) and Selfie Post Boxes that we make ourselves.

Our first big celebrity that hired a photo booth from Pictureblast was the Newcastle legend and England footballer Alan Shearer in May 2010 for his 40th birthday party and what a nice man he is too). I remember that day vividly as I’m a massive football fan. The guest list was immense, in attendance was Ant & Dec, Kevin Keegan, Steve Bruce, Shay Given to name a few. Watching Ant, Dec and Alan sing lets get ready to rumble on a stage in his back garden isn’t something that happens everyday.

Since then we’ve done a few famous people, Danni Dyers 13th birthday party at the Sugar Hut featured in the Only Way is Essex (https://thesugarhut.co.uk/).

Also we’ve done Danny Dyers wedding, Lisa Faulkner & John Torode’ wedding, Paul McCartney’s daughters 13th party where our attendant had Pizza and a 30 minute chat with Paul to pass the time and he sang happy birthday in a video message.

We’ve been hired for a Simon Cowell party in Cannes (we’ve driven to Cannes 4 times for events), we once drove the 800+ miles from Cannes to Calais in 12 hours so not to miss our ferry home.

The most lavish party we were hired for Ed Sheehan was also hired for an hour to sing to 16 year old girls in the back garden of a house in Mayfair, jaw dropping experience.

12 years after it all started its been a crazy ride. We get a buzz from every wedding and party we attend up and down the country, we have met some great people and had the pleasure to be at so many people’s weddings and parties.

We also have had some bad experiences, we’ve had our unit burgled and all our equipment stolen (happened on a Friday night with all booths set up for a busy Saturday) had vans written off in accidents to name a couple, but nothing compares to the impact COVID has had.

It’s been a tough year for lots of businesses in the hospitality and events sector, lots have been forced to close and will never reopen. Fortunately we are in a good position financially and will ride out this pandemic and hopefully see some of you guys at your own parties and weddings very soon.

We can’t wait to get back.

Paul.