Wedding Season and the Scottish Weather

• Category: Ceilidhs, Events, Glasgow, Music, performing, Scotland, Travel, Weather, weddings
• No Comments

The Jiggers, (Bigdaymusic's main Scottish Ceilidh Band) is really busy at the moment, playing upwards of twenty ceilidhs a month around Scotland. Most of those ceilidhs are Scottish weddings. I guess summer is popular for weddings because of the fact that you have more daylight, nice weather for the wedding photographer, the possibility of maybe an outdoor drinks reception… But sometimes the Scottish weather has other plans…

Big Day Music, the live music agency, has musicians playing at a wedding in Arran today. Reports suggest that Ayrshire is getting thunderstorms right now.Eek! (While I write this, the rain here in Glasgow has just started. Big-time.) There's a saying that if you can see Arran from Ayr, then it's about to rain. And if you can't see Arran from Ayr, then it IS raining.

Meanwhile, I'll be playing at a Gleneagles Hotel event this evening, possibly in an outdoor marquee. If you don't hear from me soon, presume I was struck by lightning.

"If it wisnae for yer wellies, where would ye be?"

HT for the photo Elizabeth Anne Designs

Capri Skies, Dies – bridal shop closes amidst death threats

• Category: business, Events, Music, weddings
• No Comments

Scottish bridal chain Capri Skies has closed its stores in Glasgow and Ayr. Brides-to-be, understandably, are not happy about this.

In the last week I've heard stories about one couple who lost deposits on not one but TWO U.S. wedding venues which closed down. Another client phoned me this morning (wedding in two days) They had another (prominent!) ceilidh band who were happy to take their 50% deposit but not their phone calls…Luckily we're able to help them out!

It seems that the economic downturn is affecting the Scottish wedding market. My advice to brides and grooms-to-be is to do your research, get testimonials, get a written contract before any money is exchanged, and GET INSURED.

I'd like to reassure our own clients at this point that they can rest easy because:

• Big Day Music LTD and the Jiggers have NEVER cancelled a confirmed booking
• we ALWAYS confirm bookings via clear written contract AND invoice
• we have excellent customer testimonials available on request
• we have low, predictable overheads as a business, and no high premises or stock costs
• we do not deal in or depend on credit for any aspect of our business
• we always prioritise responding to customer enquiries before soliciting for new business
• we have an answerphone for outside office hours which is checked regularly
• we have an email address which is checked regularly throughout the day
• we have been established for over 10 years, with a good reputation to protect
• we are a limited company, registered in Scotland (company director info is available from companies house on request)
• we are members of the Federation of Small Businesses and also the Musicians' Union.
• We have public liability insurance and PAT tested equipment
• we have an extensive network of support musicians who can deputize at short notice
• we've played at most of the venues around Scotland, and know the individual issues associated with these.

Bear in mind that even with the best preparation in the world, sometimes things can deviate from the plan. But a wedding is about more than just a dress, or a venue, or even (dare I say it) the band. Having a great celebration does not depend on external factors, but on the people involved. Remember what you're there for.

  And watch for the signs. If your wedding preparation has got to the stage of death threats and rabidly picketing shops, perhaps I could suggest (from a safe distance) that it might be a good exercise to review your priorities?

Top 10 Records every wedding DJ needs (no 5.)

• Category: DJ top 10, Fun Stuff, Music, weddings
• 5 Comments

If you can’t enjoy Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 then you must be deaf, dull and dead.

I love this kind of tight, coherent songwriting, where every lyric flows easily towards a simple point. It avoids being trite on one hand and too clever on the other. Every part of this record fits so well, and it’s one of the true highlights of Parton’s career. I’m also a huge fan of Jolene.

A class act. Check out her greatest hits for some great, tuneful songs, shmoltzy, blue-eyed ballads and country-gal sass.
By the way,does anyone else find these fan-made videos with the cycling still images a bit spooky?

Your wedding music (part 1): The entrance of the bride

• Category: weddings
• 5 Comments

Are you married? Tell me what music the bride came down the aisle to.

If you’re not, what would you like played at your Big Day?

For my own wedding, my wife arrived to this.

Seriously. “Christ Lay Dead in the Tomb”. Cheery, eh?

She loves it. I think it may have been a kind of rite of passage to check whether the groom would bottle it.

I’ll do a follow-up for different parts of the wedding day, but for now, stick with what the bride came in to.