LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH

Live, love, laugh Create a memorable wedding with these top entertainers

Weddings can be very long events and many couples misunderstand how vital entertainment is when it comes to keeping guests entertained. Many leave the search until the last minute, resulting in fewer options to pick from and some lovebirds are left disappointed. Finding the right company can add to the atmosphere and create everlasting memories with loved ones. We’ve gathered top entertainments from around the counties to help couples find the perfect match for their special day.

www.lightboxstudios.co.uk www.lightboxstudios.co.uk

SAY CHEESE

For those looking to guarantee memorable wedding receptions, it’s well worth considering another form of evening entertainment alongside music like a photobooth, casino or something completely different.

Epic Photobooths looks after weddings across Hampshire and beyond, offering a range of styles with versatile options for truly bespoke experiences. The company launched in 2015 and is now recommended by several wedding venues. Owner Michelle Holding and her team have recently added to their handmade rustic open-style photobooths, and lovebirds can now choose from natural wood, shabby-chic white or black finishes. The Rustic Photobooth can be teamed with a decorative backdrop to complement a colour theme selected for guests to pose in front of or, for more of a party vibe, an inflatable LED enclosure offers built-in LED lighting and the privacy of an enclosed experience.

June 2022 saw the introduction of the inflatable curved wall as an alternative backdrop. This golden masterpiece is suited to larger event spaces and captures full-body photos at a showstopping four metres wide. It’s perfect for teaming up with additional set-props such as a velvet chaise longue or a pair of thrones – the sky is the limit!

Last but not least is the black and silver inflatable camera-shaped photobooth with a circular entrance door. Finally, this year also sees the introduction of new ranges of props. Choose from either rustic prop signs teamed with Hawaiian leis to match any colour theme or fun props; think police hats, hand-held signs, novelty glasses or a mixture of both.

The team believe that at least one host should always man a photobooth. So, whichever photobooth and prop combination is chosen, pairs will be joined on the night by a friendly team member who will encourage guests to join in. The Managed Guestbook service includes a second staff member who will fill a luxury photo guestbook with a copy of every print from the night as a lovely keepsake.

For those looking for on-trend wedding favour ideas, the staff offers keyrings that allow guests to have their favourite image from the night inserted. The other side of the keyring would be personalised with the couple’s names and wedding date.

Check out: www.epicphotobooths.co.uk

www.lightboxstudios.co.uk

Based in Portsmouth, Funbooth Ltd offers entertainment and venue styling pieces with an extensive catalogue of items available to hire for all celebrations. The team covers Hampshire plus west Sussex, and most services offered include delivery, set up and collection automatically – couples won’t have to worry about a thing on their special day!

If pairs are looking for a way to keep their wedding memories alive, why not hire a photo booth? The business has three different options to pick from – there’s something for everyone.

For those who need to think about their neighbours, consider a silent disco. The team can provide headset only hire or a complete party with live DJs – whichever works best. When it comes to making spaces look incredible, the company has a vast range of options, from a starlit dancefloor to different backdrops as well as table linen hire, chair covers and more. Lovebirds can even hire LED 4ft letters spelling out words such as love.

When it comes to sweet treats, Funbooth Ltd has got different services available, from freshly made candy floss and popcorn to a choice of sweet carts.

If you’re planning to make the most of an outside space, the team has some awesome activities to hire, from a giant inflatable dartboard to bouncy castles. Coaches are available if couples want to create super safe and fun tag archery for older kids and adults or hire from the range of garden games for some retro fun.

Check out: www.funbooth.uk.com

PIANO MAN

Situated in Christchurch, Simon Woodley Pianist & Vocalist has been performing at weddings and events for nearly 15 years. With a passion for music and performing, owner Simon Woodley decided that the wedding industry would be the perfect fit for him, and each year he gets even busier.

Most couples book the company for their whole day, from the ceremony and reception drinks to the wedding breakfast. Simon says, “It’s such a privilege to play for the ceremony entrance, which is such a poignant and memorable moment. It still feels special to be able to perform their chosen song and watch on as guests turn around in anticipation.”

The company can create the perfect atmosphere for the most memorable moments while performing a wide variety of music throughout weddings, including the latest chart hits, classical and jazz and different requests. Simon says, “Music is an important part of weddings, and I’m so grateful that my job helps create the backdrop to so many magical moments.”

The team is also proud to be a recommended supplier at some of the South Coast’s most popular wedding venues.

Check out: www.simonwoodleypianist.com

www.millardphotography.co.uk

Southampton Starlight DJ started in 2014 when owner Miles Webber was studying at Solent University. At the time, he was playing at pubs and bars with the university’s equipment to make some money to assist with student life.

Fast-forward to now, things are much more professional, and the team has gone into the wedding industry and now stock an array of equipment. Miles also works as a freelance sound engineer in the summer on larger-scale events such as music festivals.

The company now offers an all-in-one solution for weddings without confusing packages. The team also provide extras such as a starlit dancefloor, Dancing on Clouds special effect, light-up love letters, up lighting, NEXO sound system and personalised projected monograms. As well as this, they can also recommend large-scale event companies in case pairs are looking for staging and on-site sound and lighting engineers for the more exclusive events.

Where the music is concerned, this is where the business can offer more than just the standard DJ. Miles says, “We like to be able to offer a wide variety of music genres so that people stay dancing all night. We also understand that weddings have a wide demographic of ages, so we always suggest that we have a consultation at your venue to discuss such matters before the event. We also like to give the choice of using full club edits using the industrystandard Recordbox software to arrange the tracks and perform on Pioneer decks.”

Check out: www.southamptonstarlightdj.com

NOW THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT!

Based out of Bournemouth but travelling as far afield as Devon or London, John Elliott Magician offers the perfect entertainment for all ages. Owner John can often be seen on the wedding exhibition circuit discussing options and quoting fair prices to couples – every booking comes with a highquality service and nothing is left to chance. Couples can relax with their guests and experience some of the most amazing magic and mind-reading they're likely to see. Conversations with couples planning their big day at many wedding fairs and exhibitions inevitably leads to why they should consider having a magician at their wedding. It’s a must-have for many pairs, but it’s surprising the number of lovebirds that have not considered the huge impact of having a professional entertainer at their event.

It has been a long and tough road for the company, but the journey is worth the destination. John says, “I’m proud to be an Equity member and a part of the prestigious Wessex Magical Association. I currently stand amongst the most popular magicians on the South Coast of England – so it was no surprise when I decided to focus almost entirely on wedding performances.”

The skills required to entertain guests at weddings are very different from being a childrens performer or an illusionist. John has consulted and trained with some of the very top names in magic who create and write for such artists as Dynamo, Derren Brown, Ryan Hayashi and many more to learn skills to astonish wedding guests and keep them entertained.

As a newcomer to the wedding industry, John considers himself incredibly lucky to be hired by couples and be a part of such important events. He comments, “To spend time entertaining wonderful people in beautiful locations and on such happy days is a dream come true for me; I can’t foresee a time now when I would choose to do anything else with my skills.”

Check out: www.johnelliottmagician.com

www.thurtlepower.com www.thurtlepower.com