What do guests remember after a wedding?

Having performed hundreds of times as a wedding magician, I have seen the very good and bad when it comes to event organisation. Given that this is the most important day of many people’s lives there is no doubt that everyone wants the best. Many weddings cost well over ten thousand pounds, with over one hundred guests. There are many variables to be accounted for and organising all these elements is not easy even for an experienced wedding planner.

 When it comes to putting together your plan for the day many things need careful consideration. When I see a well planned wedding it really is a joy to be part of the magical day.

There is a lot to be said for having a wedding planner. Like all things in life it is hard to get it right the first time. As a Wedding magician it took me many performances before I was happy and comfortable. Knowing I had the right tricks and the right presentation took time and effort. So a good professional on your side to help you organise the finer details is to your advantage. Obviously all things come at a price and you may not feel you want to spend the extra cash. So here are a few things to think about.

People like to interact and be made to feel a part of your day. Sometimes speeches are put together too quickly or the ceremony isn’t well thought through. I think people remember.

I hope it helps; anyway it’s just a few thoughts from a wedding magician who has seen a few weddings.

A guide to wedding magicians, wedding party magic & Close up magic

If the magician thinks it through before they leap in then the job becomes far easier and the customers have a much better experience and will give good feedback to the booker.

This all takes a sensitive approach. Understanding people and how they behave is all part of the job of being a close up magician. Although most public functions are attended by people out to have fun the restaurant particularly at lunch time is full of people who may have a more private agenda.

                                                                                  

The magician has to be wise to the fact that not everyone may want to see the magic. A diplomatic approach is needed here. At the banquet table I take it for granted that they will want to watch. Once a year I may be wrong but I’ll take that. In the restaurant the Close up magician needs to tread carefully.

In the UK the idea of magic has to be sold to the audience, once this is done there is very little difference. A British audience will enjoy magic in the same way as the Americans. In short I think the two countries enjoy magic in the same way and to the same degree. For some reason working as a UK Magician there seems to be some stigma attached to magic. I’m not sure why, perhaps everyone has seen their favourite uncle botch a simple card trick. Perhaps some of our stars of magic now appear dated. I don’t know the reason but once this barrier has been overcome the UK, and US, audiences behave in a very similar way.

What is the difference between being a UK Magician and an American Magician?

Having worked as a UK magician and as a US Magician I thought it might be interesting to discuss the differences between performing in these two countries.

It is true to say that America looks upon magic in a less cynical light than the British. So essentially it is more difficult to be a UKmagician. However magic has always been popular in the UK as can be seen with the huge success of Dynamo. Even on a small cable channel he has been able to gain a large following and is set to break into the States as well.

 The main difference is in expectation. With the British you have to prove yourself first. If you approach a table at a wedding or corporate event your new audience will assume that the performance will not be of a high quality. It is very different in the States where their love of magic and positive outlook makes them much more likely to embrace a performance of magic and see the good in it.

The Magic Castle is a unique environment in which to work. A members club dedicated to the art of magic. Obviously those attending the shows have already decided that they wish to see magic and will be expecting the very best. This is also true as a UK magician at the Magic Circle. The society provides open evenings for the public, those who choose to come are expecting to enjoy and watch the very best in magical entertainment.

These are pretty straight forward places to work. The difference between the UK and the US can be seen more clearly at public events.