LET’S PARTY

After the last 18-months, friends and family want to get together for a real good celebration! Here’s a selection of local entertainment options for all ages...

FACT FILE: JUST TWO FLUTE AND HARP DUO

Graham and Kylie West 07754 261 355 | www.justtwo.co.uk Has there been a favourite wedding you’ve worked at? We have performed together at many weddings and find that each one is a different experience for us.

Kylie says... How did you get into your profession? Being both highly trained and experienced musicians, Graham is a harpist and I’m a flautist, we joined together in 2009 to form Just Two Flute and Harp Duo.

Describe your wedding services: We have performed together for wedding ceremonies, drinks receptions, wedding breakfasts and all other types of functions throughout the home counties and further afield. We play beautiful music, creating ambience, style and a sense of elegance for all of our clients when performing on their special days. Have you got a top tip for couples? If the couple are looking for ceremony music, we explain that it would be lovely if the couple were to choose their own music including: something that’s special to them both, something for the bride to enter to, at least three pieces of music whilst the couple are signing the register and something special for them both to leave the ceremony to.

The ceremony music is the most important part of the day. It leaves a lasting memory for the rest of their lives together and we ensure that we get it right. We suggest that perhaps they think back to when they first met, their first dance together, or music that they heard whilst on a dinner date. If they have trouble deciding, we can advise and help them choose something that will be right for them both, so that it is personal to them.

Emily info@seeemilypaint.com | 07980 524 946 www.seeemilypaint.com

Emily says... How did you get into your profession? I’ve always loved painting people and trying to convey their personality in a likeness. After gaining a BA(Hons) degree in Fine Art and selling my paintings through London-based galleries and at art fairs, I taught art to all ages, from three to 83, which enabled me to share my passion with others. A while ago I ran into an old friend who, since I’d last seen her, had been painting at weddings and seemed very happy! After chatting to her about it and accompanying her to a wedding, I knew this was the job for me. It amalgamates my interests in people and painting, plus I get to live vicariously through others, celebrating love!

Describe your wedding services: I offer a bespoke wedding portrait service, including a full consultation to learn what you would like to include in your painting, in terms of colour palette, people, poses, background, etc – though I’m also happy to use my own creative vision if you are unsure. I’ll travel to your venue to paint you and your guests in the setting you have created and I’m always happy to chat to your guests and entertain any questions or interest.

To meet the needs of my clients (be they the happy couple or a generous guest) I offer a range of different packages. Options include a choice of canvas size and whether you would like a personal couple portrait or to also include guests in the composition. I use top quality art materials for longevity, as this personalised work of art will be something to keep forever and pass down to future generations.

Has there been a favourite wedding you’ve worked? I usually have a video consultation with the couple to get to know them – everyone always seems so excited about their wedding – I couldn’t possibly choose favourites between these lovely, happy people. The best thing about what I do is that no two weddings are the same, every wedding is unique and amazing in its own way. And the way I will interpret it into paint will depend on many other variables too, namely the personalities of the bride and groom. If you look at my paintings, you couldn’t compare two, even if they were both based at the same old church in Rayleigh.

What song will get you up on the dancefloor? If I wasn’t busy working, I’d be on that dancefloor! (Probably for the best that I remain professional, as I doubt my dance moves would be gratefully received). I really love listening to music while I’m painting at weddings, especially if it’s live.

Have you got a top tip for couples? Yes, get a wedding painter! A painting can illustrate the magic at a celebration. It may be high-end but a unique work of art is something that can be enjoyed forever and by future generations.

FACT FILE: SOLE BAY STRINGS

Josephine Taylor hello@solebaystrings.co.uk www.solebaystrings.co.uk

Josephine says... How did you get in to your profession? All of us studied at music colleges in London and were astonished that we managed to work professionally afterwards. It’s a tough business! We’ve also always played quartets as part of our musical careers.

Describe your wedding services? We offer the melting sound of the beautiful string instrument family to provide music for one of the most memorable days in anyone’s life. We have a truly vast selection to choose from and if we don’t have your favourite song, we can arrange it for you. We provide music for the ceremony, drinks reception and/or the wedding breakfast.

Has there been a favourite wedding you’ve worked? Yes, we played in a church recently and the vicar was exceptional, being warm, funny and putting everyone at ease. The guests even sang the hymns with gusto with his encouragement. He came back to say some very lovely things about our playing but we managed to compliment him first.

What song will get you up on the dancefloor? Mr Brightside by The Killers.

FACT FILE: BLUE LION BAND

Dessie Poleon dessie@bluelionband.co.uk 07478 623 944 www.bluelionband.co.uk

Dessie says... How did you get into your profession? As students of music, studio regulars, and touring sound engineers for high profile bands, we started performing together in 2012. These gigs quickly turned into requests to perform at private events and festivals. We loved seeing the joy and full dancefloors that we could bring to these events. We perfected our event planning, expanded our repertoire, added members to the band – and the rest is history!

Describe your wedding services? The Blue Lion Band is a premium, customisable three- to 14-piece band specialising in high-energy music (at a sensible price). As live music experts, wedding enthusiasts and party starters, we infuse every event with energy and fun and pride ourselves on filling dancefloors.

What song will get you up on the dancefloor? We always recommend a variety of songs and genres to get your guests on the dancefloor. Your grandfather loves Sinatra while your niece may love Taylor Swift. It’s important to include a bit of everything! Some personal favourites are Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa, Let’s Dance by David Bowie, No Diggity by Blackstreet, and Superstition by Stevie Wonder.

Have you got a top tip for couples? Our top tip is to have fun with planning! There is so much that goes into wedding planning but when the big day comes, so many of the little details won’t matter as much as it seemed they would. As long as you’re surrounded by your loved ones and dancing the night away, the event will be incredible.

FACT FILE: FROSTIE ENTERTAINMENT

Frostie, aka Chris Frost info@magicfrostie.co.uk www.magicfrostie.co.uk

Chris says... How did you get in to your profession? I started working in entertainment at quite a young age. I loved playing with puppets and magic with my brother, and I guess I never really grew up. At 17 I went abroad for my first summer season entertaining visitors, and then spent eight years travelling Europe performing, before settling down in Essex and meeting the girl of my dreams!

Describe your wedding services? I offer a few different things. I’m a magician ‒ a proud member of the Magic Circle ‒ so can entertain you and your guests with some jaw-dropping magic, and I also offer a children’s show to give the kids something to do during the speeches (and give parents a little rest too). Over lockdown, my wife and I designed and created a nine-hole crazy golf course, so we now offer this as well! I even have a fantastic Father Christmas to accompany my Elf character, which is popular at Christmas weddings, and I’m currently branching out to include candyfloss – with candyfloss faeries as the vendors!

What song will get you up on the dancefloor? I’m a grown-up emo kid, so anything a bit scene. I love Bowling For Soup, Blink 182 anything I can bounce around to and rock out to.

Have you got a top tip for couples? My top tip for couples planning their wedding is to enjoy it. Planning your wedding can be as fun as the day itself. There’s so much cool stuff to choose from, and it really is a celebration, because you’ve found someone you love and want to be with – so have fun!

Family Entertainment at its best...