A guide to wedding magicians
You’ve arranged all of the most important elements of your wedding - the venue, the car, the cake, the flowers - and now it’s time to book some entertainment for your guests. Some form of music is a must but what else would make your big day even more enjoyable and memorable? The most popular choice is hiring a magician to amaze and astound your guests - making your big day truly magical. However it’s unlikely that you have ever booked a magician before and a quick search brings up hundreds of names - how do you choose the right one for your wedding? Help is at hand...
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There are many different forms of magic, but the one that works best at a wedding is called “close-up”. You and your guests may have seen a magician on TV but nothing beats the amazement of seeing objects appearing, disappearing and changing right before your eyes or even in your own hands! A magician will use playing cards, coins, watches and various everyday objects in their magic as they mingle with your guests and perform various mini-miracles.
Since the success of the Derren Brown TV and theatre shows people are increasingly interested in magic with a psychological aspect. A good magician can demonstrate feats of mind-reading, prediction, unconscious influence and hypnosis to amaze your guests. It is unlikely they have ever experienced this in real life before and having someone read your mind is an especially memorable event!
Since the success of the Derren Brown TV and theatre shows people are increasingly interested in magic with a psychological aspect. A good magician can demonstrate feats of mind-reading, prediction, unconscious influence and hypnosis to amaze your guests. It is unlikely they have ever experienced this in real life before and having someone read your mind is an especially memorable event!
Some magicians will also provide psychic-style entertainment with metal bending (a la Uri Geller) and palm readings. This is maybe not appropriate for all weddings but perfect for some that want a bit of an alternative feel.
When choosing a magician it is a good idea to go for one that is a member of the actors and performers union EQUITY. This means that they are a true professional performer, not a part-timer, and they will be covered by EQUITY’s £10m public liability insurance policy.
Of course it’s very unlikely that someone will be injured by a flying playing card but some hotels and wedding venues insists upon all entertainers having insurance in place, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
When choosing a magician it is a good idea to go for one that is a member of the actors and performers union EQUITY. This means that they are a true professional performer, not a part-timer, and they will be covered by EQUITY’s £10m public liability insurance policy.
Of course it’s very unlikely that someone will be injured by a flying playing card but some hotels and wedding venues insists upon all entertainers having insurance in place, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Magicians have a wide variety of performing styles and it is a good idea to see them “in action” to judge whether they fit your idea of the perfect wedding entertainment. Some magicians adopt a “cheeky chappy” persona while others like to come across as “dark and mysterious” and only you know what will work best for your guests.
A good magician should be able to adapt to their audience and entertain anyone from 8 to 80, however if you are going to have a large number of children at the wedding then a magician who is also an expert at making balloon animals may be a good choice. Ideally you will be able to see the magician perform to judge their style and skill.
This may be possible at a wedding fair or at one of their regular performance venues. You can also look at the photos on their website to see how they present themselves. If they don’t perform regularly or their website has only portrait shots and no pictures of them entertaining people then beware!
A good magician should be able to adapt to their audience and entertain anyone from 8 to 80, however if you are going to have a large number of children at the wedding then a magician who is also an expert at making balloon animals may be a good choice. Ideally you will be able to see the magician perform to judge their style and skill.
This may be possible at a wedding fair or at one of their regular performance venues. You can also look at the photos on their website to see how they present themselves. If they don’t perform regularly or their website has only portrait shots and no pictures of them entertaining people then beware!
The most popular time to book a magician is between the wedding ceremony and the wedding breakfast. This is when your guests will be milling around having a drink and a chat while you are off being congratulated and photographed.
The magician can mingle with your guests providing magical entertainment, helping to bring people together and break the ice between different groups. You can also have the magician entertain during the wedding breakfast itself and into the evening.
However once the music/disco starts it can be hard for people to hear what is going on, so think carefully about the booking running too long.
The magician can mingle with your guests providing magical entertainment, helping to bring people together and break the ice between different groups. You can also have the magician entertain during the wedding breakfast itself and into the evening.
However once the music/disco starts it can be hard for people to hear what is going on, so think carefully about the booking running too long.
How much to pay for a magician? This varies a great deal, but £300-£400 for two hours is a good guideline. There is no guarantee that a magician charging twice as much will be twice as good so talk to them, have a look at their website, try to see them in action somewhere and go for the one who feels right to you.
Having a magician at your wedding will add something really special to the day. Make your day magical with some real magic!
Author: Mike Stoner is a Magician based in Wokingham, Berkshire www.mikestoner.co.uk
Having a magician at your wedding will add something really special to the day. Make your day magical with some real magic!
Author: Mike Stoner is a Magician based in Wokingham, Berkshire www.mikestoner.co.uk
