Booking a wedding magician for your special event can be a scary task since this is, after all, the biggest day of your life so far and getting it all right can be a bit overwhelming. Also, with yourselves being the centre of attention, your thoughts are not going to be on the general welfare of your guests, especially when the photographs are being taken where you will likely be occupied for one or two hours.
This is where a wedding magician can move in and add that extra dimension to your guests wedding experience leaving you with the comforting thought that they are in good hands.
But how do find the right magician for your wedding day? Let's face it, the last thing you want is an amateur with no personality showing a few silly tricks your grandad taught you when you were a child!
I've compiled several things you should note when considering hiring a wedding magician. Following each of these points you can be guaranteed of getting the wedding magician your guests deserve!
1) Variety of magicians
You need to first decide the type of magician you want and when you wish him/her to perform. The following is a list of things to consider.
Kids/Adults
Decide if you want just the kids entertained or adults or perhaps a mix of both kids and adults. A lot of wedding magicians will work only on entertaining your adult guests but most would also be happy to show the children a little something too.
Magic/mindreading
Decide if you want just visual magic with cards and coins or direct mindreading. A lot of magicians will do a bit of both though a mindreader is a very unique area which is becoming very popular. So think who you would prefer at your wedding, Derren Brown (mindreader) or David Blaine (magician)?
Close up/mingling style
A form of close-up magic performed whilst people are standing in groups, whereby the magician mingles with the crowd performing to small groups at a time. This works well for the drinks reception and evening entertainment.
Table to table style
A form of close-up magic performed whilst people are sitting at tables during the wedding breakfast, whereby the magician entertains a table at a time, between courses.
Cabaret style
A magician who performs on stage to an audience. This can work well during the evening reception as a bit of light relief for everyone.
2) Cost
It's likely you have a strict budget for your wedding so the price for hiring a magician is obviously a key factor. It would be foolish, however, to simply go with the cheapest magician you can find. There is no professional regulatory body for magicians so essentially anyone can learn a few tricks and call themselves a wedding magician. If you want quality, expect to pay in the region of 300 - 500 for two hours of close-up magic. A deposit in the range of 20% up front with the balance on the day is normal.
3) Quality of entertainer
You cannot gauge a magician's quality of entertainment simply by the price he sets. Likewise DO NOT judge a magician by how flashy his/her website is. Anyone can pay a web designer enough money to create a fantastic looking site, but that doesn't mean the magician is a good entertainer. Also, do not be drawn in by lines such as "The UK's top magician", as this is likely to have been written by the magician themselves. The following points should be seriously taken into consideration when looking over a website.
Testimonials
Testimonials are so important in your decision to book so have a thorough read through what past bookers have said. Remember, no one will ever put bad or average comments on his/her website so pay attention to the way in which a review has been written. For instance, if every testimonial says "He was awesome", or "Superb magic" then be wary. More detailed testimonials which really highlight that the clients were totally amazed and had their wedding day given that extra special element is what you are looking out for. Never be too shy to ask for a phone number of a booker on the testimonials page if you want to be absolutely sure they are genuine. A magician should be able to give you this.
Video/Radio/Pictures
There is absolutely no substitute for seeing or hearing the magician entertaining. Video and radio footage are great ways to do this. If a magician has no footage on his/her website you should probably wonder how long they have actually been performing as this should be the highest priority for a magician with a promotional website. Also great quality pictures are essential. Ensure all photos clearly show the people having a good time, also that the wedding magician looks smart, you don't want them turning up in David Blaine style dress wear of t-shirt and jeans!
4) Live
If you wish you can request the magician to give a live demonstration. This is not always required but if you really want to see the magic happen in front of your own eyes and make a decision then ask! If the magician is based within around twenty to thirty miles he should likely be perfectly willing to come to you. Any greater distance and you may need to meet halfway in a bar. You can also ask about any wedding fayres they are going to be performing at and go along to those instead.
5) Contact them
Many people shy away from calling nowadays with the ease of email. Though emailing your initial request is fine to get a quote, ALWAYS call before booking. Everyone has first impressions when meeting or talking to someone for the first time. Does he sound likable and friendly? You will instinctively know if he is the right man for the job, all other things considered.
Good luck! - 31879
This is where a wedding magician can move in and add that extra dimension to your guests wedding experience leaving you with the comforting thought that they are in good hands.
But how do find the right magician for your wedding day? Let's face it, the last thing you want is an amateur with no personality showing a few silly tricks your grandad taught you when you were a child!
I've compiled several things you should note when considering hiring a wedding magician. Following each of these points you can be guaranteed of getting the wedding magician your guests deserve!
1) Variety of magicians
You need to first decide the type of magician you want and when you wish him/her to perform. The following is a list of things to consider.
Kids/Adults
Decide if you want just the kids entertained or adults or perhaps a mix of both kids and adults. A lot of wedding magicians will work only on entertaining your adult guests but most would also be happy to show the children a little something too.
Magic/mindreading
Decide if you want just visual magic with cards and coins or direct mindreading. A lot of magicians will do a bit of both though a mindreader is a very unique area which is becoming very popular. So think who you would prefer at your wedding, Derren Brown (mindreader) or David Blaine (magician)?
Close up/mingling style
A form of close-up magic performed whilst people are standing in groups, whereby the magician mingles with the crowd performing to small groups at a time. This works well for the drinks reception and evening entertainment.
Table to table style
A form of close-up magic performed whilst people are sitting at tables during the wedding breakfast, whereby the magician entertains a table at a time, between courses.
Cabaret style
A magician who performs on stage to an audience. This can work well during the evening reception as a bit of light relief for everyone.
2) Cost
It's likely you have a strict budget for your wedding so the price for hiring a magician is obviously a key factor. It would be foolish, however, to simply go with the cheapest magician you can find. There is no professional regulatory body for magicians so essentially anyone can learn a few tricks and call themselves a wedding magician. If you want quality, expect to pay in the region of 300 - 500 for two hours of close-up magic. A deposit in the range of 20% up front with the balance on the day is normal.
3) Quality of entertainer
You cannot gauge a magician's quality of entertainment simply by the price he sets. Likewise DO NOT judge a magician by how flashy his/her website is. Anyone can pay a web designer enough money to create a fantastic looking site, but that doesn't mean the magician is a good entertainer. Also, do not be drawn in by lines such as "The UK's top magician", as this is likely to have been written by the magician themselves. The following points should be seriously taken into consideration when looking over a website.
Testimonials
Testimonials are so important in your decision to book so have a thorough read through what past bookers have said. Remember, no one will ever put bad or average comments on his/her website so pay attention to the way in which a review has been written. For instance, if every testimonial says "He was awesome", or "Superb magic" then be wary. More detailed testimonials which really highlight that the clients were totally amazed and had their wedding day given that extra special element is what you are looking out for. Never be too shy to ask for a phone number of a booker on the testimonials page if you want to be absolutely sure they are genuine. A magician should be able to give you this.
Video/Radio/Pictures
There is absolutely no substitute for seeing or hearing the magician entertaining. Video and radio footage are great ways to do this. If a magician has no footage on his/her website you should probably wonder how long they have actually been performing as this should be the highest priority for a magician with a promotional website. Also great quality pictures are essential. Ensure all photos clearly show the people having a good time, also that the wedding magician looks smart, you don't want them turning up in David Blaine style dress wear of t-shirt and jeans!
4) Live
If you wish you can request the magician to give a live demonstration. This is not always required but if you really want to see the magic happen in front of your own eyes and make a decision then ask! If the magician is based within around twenty to thirty miles he should likely be perfectly willing to come to you. Any greater distance and you may need to meet halfway in a bar. You can also ask about any wedding fayres they are going to be performing at and go along to those instead.
5) Contact them
Many people shy away from calling nowadays with the ease of email. Though emailing your initial request is fine to get a quote, ALWAYS call before booking. Everyone has first impressions when meeting or talking to someone for the first time. Does he sound likable and friendly? You will instinctively know if he is the right man for the job, all other things considered.
Good luck! - 31879
About the Author:
Andrew is a full time professional london wedding magician working in the United Kingdom. For information on the service he provides and to pick up your free bonus tricks to entertain your friends, please visit surrey wedding magician and subscribe to his newsletter.
