Weddings near Basingstoke and Reading

It was quite a busy Saturday as I had two bookings, both weddings. Fortunately both were quite local; the first being just north of Basingstoke, the second a few miles up the road towards Reading. Surprisingly, although both of the venues are relatively local it was the first time I’ve performed magic at weddings at each of these venues.

Sherfield Oaks Golf Club

The first booking of the day was the wedding of Rob and Philippa at Sherfield Oaks Golf Club, located a couple of miles north of Basingstoke. I arrived at the venue before the guests as the ceremony was at a local church, then mingled with the guests in the bar as they arrived. This also ensured the guests to were kept occupied whilst Rob and Philippa were exploring the grounds with the photographer.

After the couple returned the guests were called to the wedding breakfast, where I mingled around the tables. I time this around the staff so that I avoided the tables where starters was getting served. By the time the last table was served their starters the top table had finished theirs so I ensured Rob and Philippa, and their parents, all saw plenty of magic.

Instead of having all the speeches after the meal the speeches were going to be spread through-out the wedding breakfast, therefore I count inured around the tables whilst the starters were cleared, then said my farewells before the first speech and let everyone enjoy their meal and the rest of the day.

Then, in the car for a quick journey up the road to…

Moat House Hotel, Winnersh, Reading

Next was Darren and Katie’s wedding at the Moat House Hotel in Winnersh, near to Reading. Whereas the first wedding of the day was for the afternoon, this was an evening wedding where I entertained the guests after the meal whilst the main room was reset for the evening.

I started in the main bar area where the day time guests relaxed after their meal. Performing magic at this time of a wedding really helps keep the momentum of the day the day going. From the guest’s point of view they don’t feel as so they are just being left in the bar either, but are being kept entertained.

This also meant that as evening guests arrived I could spot the new faces and ensure they were entertained with magic as they settled in. It also turned out that a couple of the guests even went to school with my wife!

Of course, once all the evening guests were there it was time for the cake cutting, first dance and disco-dancing. Which was the perfect time for me to head of home for a cup of tea!