A guest blog with Close-Up Chris
Magicians have been part of entertainment history for centuries, yet let’s be honest — many folks just can’t stand them. Perhaps it’s the eye-roll-inducing performances or the idea that wedding magic equates to cheap parlour tricks. But here’s the twist: while plenty of cringe-worthy magicians are out there, the world of magic is gradually shaking off its bad rep. Thanks to hit shows like Britain’s Got Talent and Penn & Teller, people are starting to see the genuine skill and artistry behind a top-notch magic trick. Great wedding magicians can really liven up your wedding reception and get guests talking – they’re actually a brilliant entertainment choice for weddings!
Breaking Down the Stigma around wedding magicians
Let’s be real: the old stereotype of the wedding magician with rolled-up sleeves, hideous ties, and an air of self-importance is a tough one to shake. It’s enough to make you want to dodge magicians altogether. And let’s not even start on those experiences with less-than-stellar performers. No wonder people are hesitant to give wedding magicians a shot.
But here’s the twist: magic can be genuinely enthralling when done right. Take Penn & Teller, for instance. They’ve created a reputation for their craft by blending humour, skill, and a pinch of scepticism. This mix has transformed magic into something beyond simple tricks—it’s evolved into a true art form.
Why People Dislike Magicians
Despite the growing appreciation for the art of magic, some couples still avoid the very idea of this kind of wedding entertainment. Let’s delve into why:
Invasion of Space: Your uni friends are catching up as they sit down for the wedding meal, and a magician materialises at their table. It could feel a bit like having an uninvited guest at a private party — awkward and unwanted, especially if they’re not feeling it. The good news? At weddings, most people are up for a giggle and curious to see who you’ve booked to entertain them!
Fear of Looking Stupid: Nobody enjoys feeling like the butt of the joke. Your wedding guests might be sat with people they don’t know very well, so the fear of being duped or outwitted can make some folks rather prickly. A good wedding magician will read the crowd and take care not to make anyone feel uncomfortable.
Fear of “Real” Magic: Believe it or not, some genuinely worry that magic might involve the paranormal. Umm….
The last magician they watched was sub-par. Unfortunately, a single bad performance can make all wedding magicians look like amateurs. But let’s be real: not all magicians are created equal. One dud doesn’t spoil the whole deck, and you can soon bring your guests around by hiring a great magician for your wedding!
Close-Up Chris’s Approach to Magic
I totally get it. I rarely watch other magicians since they’re often less than thrilling. My magic focuses on fun and entertainment, with the trick itself playing a supporting role to the overall experience. No rolled-up sleeves, no hideous ties, and certainly no taking myself too seriously. Just some good old-fashioned fun with a sprinkle of amazement!
One reason I champion my Close-Up Corner format is that it offers a personal and tailored experience for you and your wedding guests. It sidesteps the usual pitfalls of traditional magicians, like feeling awkwardly cornered or forced into participation.
By letting guests approach me on their own terms, I avoid the awkwardness of performing for someone who isn’t in the mood for magic.
Personal Experiences
Approaching a group of wedding guests and introducing myself as the magician sometimes leads to eye rolls and a quick “No thanks,” which can be pretty exasperating. I mean, just give me thirty seconds, and I’ll win you over. Seriously, it’s going to be fun, and we’ll have a great time. While I do manage to change their minds often, it’s still a bit discouraging that they initially brush me off so quickly.
Winning Over the Crowd
Fortunately, there are some well-kept secrets that a wedding magician can use to captivate guests.
Here are a few tricks I use to charm a tough crowd:
1: Make an impact! I’m not suggesting violence — I’m talking sharp, BANG WALLOP tricks that leave a lasting impression. “Wow, Julie. This guy’s skilled — let’s see what else he’s got.”
2: Comedy: Food might win a man’s heart, but humour is the key to cracking stone-cold misery guts over here. Get them laughing, and we’re nearly at the finish line!
3: Identify the leader: They’re like a rotten apple trying to boss around the poor magician. Not on my watch. I’ll charm them with a few compliments, lay on the charm THICK, and soon enough, they’re putty in my hands. For good measure, I’ll swipe their wallet, watch, and security number—after all, they had it coming for being a jerk. Of course, I jest. (a little).
4: Keep it short: Ultimately, when hired to entertain your wedding guests, I maintain respect and professionalism. If my tried-and-true tricks fall flat, I trust my judgment and wrap up the close-up show quicker than usual. That’s the brilliance of close-up magic – it’s so flexible, you can wrap it up faster than a disappearing act.
Remember, you can’t win ’em all. I’ll just save my tears for the drive home!
So should you book a wedding magician?
Not everyone dislikes magicians, which is fortunate for my career! However, some people still have the old perception that wedding magicians haven’t evolved since the 1980s. Don’t let this put you off booking! Do your research, find a wedding magician with great reviews and someone who’s approachable so you can ask questions.
Consider this a friendly dare if you’ve never been keen on magicians. The next time a wedding magician steps up to you at a wedding showcase or event, give them thirty seconds. You might find yourself entertained in ways you never saw coming.
When we feature real couples’ weddings on our blog, we don’t ask if they had a magician. It’s a rare choice – but it’s absolute genius. Those couples who fill out our interview and who did hire a magician always, always point them out as one of the very best decisions they made. And that’s thanks to a new breed of exceptional entertainers, including our lovely friend Close-Up Chris. Wedding magicians have levelled up – big time. We’ve got 10 brilliant reasons to hire a magician for your wedding, inspired by Chris’s blog ‘Reasons to hire a wedding magician‘.
1. A good magician brings groups together
Without a magician, your wedding guests will stand around in groups with a handful of social butterflies flitting between family and friends. But it’s the dream to have everyone at your wedding chatting and laughing together… and a magician is where that starts. Picture the scene: your mates from work are huddled around the canapés, while auntie Jane and the family are chatting by the cocktail station – it’s all a bit subdued. A magician will easily bring both groups together, and have them laughing in no time!
2. The best ice breaker
Even if you’re away having your photos taken, a magician will make sure the ambience begins early. While entertainment like garden games might appeal to some of your guests, they can actually separate groups. But a magician will bring people together, looking after your guests who will be in very capable hands! As he steps away to entertain another group, the crowd that’s gathered around him will have something to keep talking about!
“Imagine the whirlwind of laughter, chatter, and good times as I steal thoughts, wallets and watches to get the fun started.” ~ top wedding magician Close-Up Chris
3. Photo opportunities – Photographers. Love. Magicians.
This is fabulous: “The true magic of any wedding (no pun intended) is those candid, unplanned moments that have your photographer clicking faster than a teenager texting their crush.”
And it’s absolutely true. I’ve heard wedding photographers say time and again that the last photos they want are the ones where guests have spotted the camera and stiffened into their ‘photo face’. Those belly laughs and eyes wide open, surprise and delight are what brings characters to the fore. That’s a dream for every wedding photographer: off guard, having fun, joyful moments and connection!
4. The lull buster
A great magician is there to fill any potential gaps before they happen. Every wedding day will have quiet bits – the vibe can’t run at 100 miles an hour all day long! And while the two of you might need some quiet time to breathe and relieve the pressure, or to feed your baby, or give some time to your little ones… your magician is there for your guests. Lulls are necessary: they’ll keep you sane. Meanwhile, a great wedding magician will mingle with guests, take hungry uncles’ minds off their tummies and make sure no one look at their watch (except if they need to check it’s still on their wrist!)
“It’s crucial to have some emergency “entertainment parachutes” ready to deploy during the lulls. In my experience, the most monotonous part of a wedding is right after the wedding breakfast… Pump in some fun that’ll invigorate your guests, shaking them out of their food stupor and gearing them up for an evening of revelry.”
5. X-Factor – unforgettable memories of an epic day (to outshine any other, if that’s your goal!)
Do you remember the weddings you went to last year? What was the best bit? (I’m guessing it was the food… and nine times out of ten, it’s the evening food. Am I right?) Or you might remember a stand-out wedding you went to – and that will be down to the entertainment.
If you want your wedding to be THE one your guests remember, you might be looking for something “more dazzling, more thrilling, more momentous – and I’ve got just the ticket. Close-up magic is like a secret weapon for weddings… There will be stories told long after the last slice of cake has been devoured, about how the magician invaded Zoey’s mind, how the magician made off with the groom’s watch, and so forth.”
6. Just the most awesome FUN!
A great magician at a wedding means guests will be laughing so hard their cheeks ache – and they’ll be laughing toegther. “Bringing in a top-notch wedding magician (or any other form of live entertainment, for that matter) is like performing CPR on your party. It injects a much-needed jolt of fun into the proceedings.”
Other entertainment will have guests smiling or tapping their feet, but only a magician can look after everyone and have the air ringing with laughter!
“While the chocolate fountain might offer a saccharine delight and the DJ can crank up the decibels till the cows come home, close-up magic is the real game-changer here.” I can almost hear the joy…
7. Versatile and there for you too!
“Procuring the services of a top-tier wedding magician is like getting an insurance policy against any wedding day hiccups:
The caterer’s timing on the roast beef has gone awry? Not an issue. Position the magician in front of your famished guests for an impromptu performance that will distract them from the delayed dinner.
The groom is a jittery mess before his speech? No worries. Let the close-up magician work his charm and provide some light-hearted entertainment to lift his spirits.
One side of the family glued to ‘their spot’ in the corner? Don’t stress, your trusty entertainer will draw them out of their shell, diffusing any awkward tension.” – Close-Up Chris
Experience and empathy will really tell, and this is where it’s super important to hire a magician who is familiar with your style of wedding (e.g. in a formal setting, or a festival style wedding, or a mix of cultures) and the running order of the day!
8. It’s not down to the two of you to keep everyone happy all day long!
At some point in your wedding day, you’ll need to breathe… and ideally, you’ll be relaxed and enjoying the entire day! That doesn’t mean your wedding won’t be a whirlwind…
“You’ll be whizzing around like a pinball on steroids, and the last thing you need is to worry about guests nodding off during what should be the bash of the decade… Just wind me up and let me loose – I’ll keep your guests so riveted they won’t even notice you’ve snuck off to snap some pics”
9. Worth every penny and a thousand times more!
“It’s a strange paradox that we wedding magicians often find ourselves at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to wedding planning/wedding entertainment. But let me tell you, the seismic shift we can trigger at your reception is nothing short of extraordinary.”
10. A focal point – the ‘Close-Up Corner’.
After your wedding meal and speeches, there’s a gap in most weddings. We see lots of couples have an outfit change, or time to put little ones to bed, or just a breather and a chance to take it all in! Guests will be waiting to see what comes next… and many will be looking forward to evening guests’ arrival. But what you don’t want is for everyone to mark their territory (chair) at the back of the room away from the dance floor, park their bums and settle in for the night. You want them standing, walking around, and still in the mood for a party! Cue the wedding magician…
“Most receptions, especially in the evenings, suffer from a common ailment. Following the room turnaround, the first dance, and the cake cutting, guests tend to glue themselves to their seats, eyes fixated on the deserted dance floor, waiting for someone to make the first move.”
Chris’s trademark “Close-Up Corner” gives guests something to go and check out – an area to hang out and be entertained. It keeps the atmosphere light and happy, and your evening reception will kick off before people realise they were even waiting for it to begin!
To sum all of this up, a great wedding magician will create talking points and memories, and that’s what makes a wedding unforgettable.
“It’s not every day that Nanna has her watch stolen (relax, she gets it back eventually), or “one of the lads” gets completely taken to the cleaners with some slick back-and-fro’ banter from yours truly.
These unique moments are the stuff legendary weddings are made of. They cast your special day in a golden glow that lingers long after the last guest has left.”
Close-Up Chris offers all day solutions for wedding entertainment. His popular showman package is perfect for grandiose weddings, offering amusement during the drinks reception and evening, with a sprinkle of bonus extras. See why it’s become a crowd favourite at https://www.closeupchris.co.uk/
I had an email the other week from a lovely person called Adele, who’s recently launched her business hiring out sustainable wedding games.
The idea came up when she looked back on her childhood. “On a Sunday evening we would all get together as a family at my grandparents’ house and play games such as dominoes and tops & tails. When you are attending big events like weddings, it can be quite daunting for some children and adults but the games can provide a really relaxed atmosphere. You can’t just buy these either so it inspired me to look at other games and think how can we make them bigger and more sustainable which is really important to me.”
So with the help of local craftsmen Adele began to assemble an impressive collection of novel games like dominoes, skittles, ring toss, boules. Slowly adding more to her collection, along with trying to make her games as sustainable and recyclable as possible.
“The games are tactile and offer a real connection between people which mobile phones and television cannot.”
Wedding games hire in Cornwall
It’s this analogue approach to a world dominated by digital games that sets Adele’s concept, called The Sensory Area, apart. This award winning small business which provides an Event Hire Service can deliver across Cornwall.
‘In keeping with our values of trying to use as much recycled wood as possible, such as different sized pallets for games and props. Our signs have that real look and natural feel which is what we want to achieve in our rustic style’.
The Sensory Area provides rustic packages including a variety of signs, cake stands, table numbers, post boxes and more along with Lawn Games Packages.
Find out more and hire wedding games throughout Cornwall from Adele at www.thesensoryarea.co.uk
Sustainable wedding lawn games hire around the UK
Rent Event – East Sussex
Sid & Olive – Merseyside & Cheshire
Belles & Beaus – Norfolk
To Have & To Hire – Surrey
Yorkshire Games Hire
We want your wedding to be a fun-filled, joyous event from the beginning to the very end. Imagine your guests smiling all day long, even the couples who don’t know a soul. Keeping every guest entertained through the quiet, in-between bits of your day can be a challenge… but we have the solution right here!
The dream is to get all your guests talking to each other, laughing and having a brilliant time. Imagine your introverted guests, or the ones who’ve come from a long way away and don’t know anyone. Your uni mates from the other end of the country, or your school friends who’ve travelled half way around the world and have never met your work pals. Rather than hovering around the edges of the crowd, what if there was a way to get them involved, right in the centre of things… loving the experience and making friends?
As much as we love a Big Jenga, the budget-friendly wedding entertainment that is garden games isn’t going to draw a mega crowd. You need ripples of laughter, an easy talking point, someone – a nice human! – to draw in your guests and bring them together.
May we suggest, as your nice human – modern wedding magician Close-up Chris?
Do NOT close this tab. Wedding magicians are BETTER than you think these days. The good ones – and Chris is absolutely one of the leading lights in wedding entertainment – the good ones will gather your guests around and have them chuckling (at each other’s reactions, most of all!) in such a natural way. There’ll be no awkwardness – Chris himself is well aware that a wedding magician’s role is to help your guests overcome any awkwardness that’s already there! (Because, wedding, small talk and not knowing anyone – you know?)
Chris’s blog has so much personality you’ll feel as though you’ve made a friend just by reading it! He describes wedding magicians as “creating an experience for your guests that intensifies the joy of the wedding. It’s about delivering opportunities that encourage people to talk, feel good, and ramp up the vibe…
It’s a subtle icebreaker that brings strangers together in a way that feels effortless and natural. With magic as a shared experience and a common talking point, everyone has a topic they can bounce off.”
If there’s a ‘gap’ in your wedding day – and most often, that’s during the afternoon when you’ve done your group photos and you’re waiting for the meal and speeches – Close-Up Chris will keep your guests smiling. He’ll mingle, he’ll entertain and he’ll bring everyone together. That’s the real magic, we think!
“There’s something magnetic and transformative in the power of a shared experience… Magic has this beautiful ability to get strangers talking and laughing together – and it’s an atmosphere so contagious, it spreads.
Other guests want to get involved and the vibe rises as more and more people discover the tricks that got other people laughing.” ~ Close-Up Chris
I could go on… but I really want you to discover Chris’s talents for yourselves now! I thoroughly recommend grabbing a cuppa and reading 5 wedding magician myth busters (because yep, I learned stuff!)
If you need to convince your other half that a wedding magician is a genius idea, then share Close-Up Chris’s ‘Guests that I meet at every wedding‘ – it’s so funny you’ll be shouting out your mates’ names as you read it!
A guest blog by acoustic wedding singer Matthew Stephens
I decided to write a little piece detailing the potential options for couples during their first dance. Aaaaand, I’m starting to wish I hadn’t! There are so many options that you could honestly write a book about it. So, I’ll look at some of the main ones I cover as an acoustic wedding singer and I’ll try to branch off into other areas as I go and cover as much as possible.
The first dance is usually the last ’set piece’ for a couple on their wedding day. The ceremony is out of the way, the speeches are done and all that lies between them and total relaxation is the first dance. Most (but, far from all) couples are quite nervous about it and just want it out of the way. I can’t think of many people, except professional dancers, who like a room to stop and for everyone to gather around and watch them dance. But, it doesn’t have to be that bad! And afterwards, a lot of couples wish they could do it again. It’s a great bit of fun and one more chance for the couple to put their musical stamp on the day. It can be a lovely and touching celebration of their love as a couple also.
But, let’s touch on some of the options –
1. The most simple and common approach….
Pick a song that means something to you, have the DJ play it and get everyone up half way through.
Even though I do custom versions of first dances, if a specific track has special meaning to a couple, it’s always my advice that they should have it. And, most couples want their guests up to join them as soon as possible!
I usually leave long enough for the photographer to snap the pictures they need and then invite everyone onto the dance floor. So, even if you are nervous about your first dance, you won’t be up there by yourselves for too long anyway. Before you know it, you’ll be surrounded by family and friends and the evening reception will be well and truly underway.
2. Have a live musician play your song…
I do this A LOT. And I love to! For many reasons. The main one being that once everyone gets up for the first dance, I go straight into my first set and I hit the floor running with a packed dance floor. It’s usually quite early, so you won’t always keep all of your guests dancing all night, but it’s still a perfect starting point to get a party started.
The options for this approach are never ending too, so I’ll just touch on a few:
- I can just play the song through.
- I can play the song in a mashup style with another song.
- I can do the first half slow, get everyone up and do the second half fast to get people dancing and kick the party off (this one is VERY popular once I suggest it to my couples).
- I can do half of the song live and half with the track.
There are so many options that this blog post could just end up as one massive list! Those are the most popular approaches in my experience and just within those options, you’d still be spoiled for choice!
3. Have a custom song written or recorded…
I’ve done this for weddings quite a few times. Sometimes, couples pick a song they like and have me change the words to fit relevant details about their history as a couple. The song can be a bit funny and a bit soppy! And, it’s always a great thing to break the recording out on anniversaries!
Or, you could have a custom recording made of a song that is particularly special to you as a couple. Lots of people I’ve worked for over the years have gone for this option. For example, I’ve done acoustic-style recordings of tracks like Chase and Status’ ‘End Credits’, and the Game Of Thrones theme song. Songs that really meant something to the couple, but wouldn’t generally fit a typical first dance.
4. Don’t think it must be a slow ballad…
This is more of a piece of advice, I suppose. But, it’s one that I repeat to customers over and over. I always tell people, ‘Don’t get caught up in what you think fits, or what other people have had. Don’t get bogged down in romantic ballads if that’s not your vibe. You guys pick a song that means something to you – anything it all. It’s MY job to make it fit.’
You can have rock, 90’s dance, country, pop – anything at all. A good wedding musician will take that piece of music and tailor it to the situation. Getting the most out of a piece of music for you and your guests is the aim of every wedding musician worth their salt.
5. Go non-traditional and be yourselves!
Many couples do this too… Throw the rule book out of the window and do whatever you fancy! We’ve had dance-offs, choreographed routines, flash mobs, traditional dances from certain cultures, everyone up at once, first dance as the last dance of the evening, dance on the grass, big entrances – ANYTHING you can think of!
If this is your vibe, I say go for it. It’ll be fun, memorable, unique and most importantly, it will make for amazing pictures and videos to look back on!
Well, I think I’ve outlined a lot of options for anyone considering what to do for their first dance. As you can tell, the possibilities are endless. Above all, my aim was to free up couples from boundaries and make sure that one of the most personal parts of their most personal day is actually personal to THEM. Nothing else matters. So, go wild with it all. Or really tear the script up and… don’t do a first dance. That’s what my wife and I did. Enjoy!
