FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Part 1)
Hello, everyone! And welcome back to my blog.
Yes, I’m still very much learning as I go with this whole blogging thing, but I will aim to be as consistent as possible and try to provide new, fun topics, facts, tips, and all sorts of stuff.
Today, I thought I’d go highlight 3 of my most frequently asked questions. Hopefully after reading through these, any logistical concerns you had about booking live music entertainment for your upcoming wedding will be a thing of the past.
So, let’s begin!
Do you provide your own PA system / Lighting equipment?
Yes, I provide my own top class PA system for the best live sound. It is an RCF Evox JMIX8 and it sounds incredible. It is extremely versatile so it can be used for any live music performance, big or small. It’s also great for DJing with!
With all evening bookings, I always bring along my LED lighting rig, which, depending on the space (more on this later), includes a motorised disco ball, 2x moving heads, a T-bar for that lovely flood effect, plus another T-bar for bigger venues, and a floor light which is also really cool.
All in all, you can trust in me to provide all of the necessary equipment so that you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Photo by Chris Bradshaw Photography
Do we need to hire a stage?
A stage is not a necessity, I perform at plenty of events without stages. In fact, a stage is always a bit of a treat for us, because it’s so rare that we end up on one! Most venues don’t have a stage for live music or DJs, although there definitely are some that do. But it’s totally fine either way, as long as there’s enough room for me to set up then it’ll work out great. Speaking of which…
How much space do you require?
I am very accommodating when it comes to space and can fit into just about any room or marquee. For weddings and events in larger rooms, I recommend around 5 meters in width and 2 meters in depth. However, this is not a must. I remember at one wedding show, I was set up between the male and female toilets (see pic below), which proves it CAN be done!
Just goes to show you can make any space work, even if it is between two toilets!
So, that’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed this read and found it useful. Please feel free to get in touch with me if you wanted to chat about plans for live music at your wedding!
Until next time!
YOUR GUIDE TO CHOOSING THE PERFECT ENTERTAINMENT FOR YOUR ESSEX WEDDING
‘Your guide to choosing the perfect entertainment for your Essex wedding’ by Ross Wilsher Photography
Hello, and welcome to my new blog! While I’m finding my whole feet with the whole blogging thing, my first post today will actually be a post about me from Ross Wilsher Photography’s website https://rosswillsherphotography.co.uk/essex-wedding-singer-joe-bailey/
All of the fabulous photos you will see here were also taken by Ross as well. I hope you enjoy the read!
Are you searching for an Essex wedding singer or entertainer but do not know where to start? In the first of a series of blogs promoting some of the best wedding suppliers in and around Essex, I chat with Joe Bailey; a wedding singer who covers Essex and East Anglia and who I highly recommend to bring the music and merriment to your special day.
Read below to find out more about the wonderful Joe and to learn some top tips for choosing your Essex wedding entertainment.
Hi Joe, can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve been an Essex wedding singer?
Hello! I’m a singer, guitarist and songwriter and I’ve been working full-time in the wedding industry since 2013. I grew up around a lot different music such as pop, rock, soul, R&B, etc. I taught myself to sing listening to (and copying) some of my favourite singers like Thom Yorke, Bono, Jeff Buckley, Smokey Robinson, and loads more. Before long, I found my own sound and style and I’m still improving every day!
Essex wedding singer Joe Bailey grew up around an ecletic mix of music.
No two days - and no two weddings - are ever the same for Joe
What does a day in the life as a wedding singer involve?
Like the weddings that I play, no two days are ever the same, and that suits me fine! Routine / doing things by numbers bores me. I love the fact that every wedding is so different – the guests, the song choices, all the beautiful little quirks that make each day special. On wedding days, I generally wake up early and give myself plenty of time to get ready, have a couple of cups of tea and do my vocal warmups.
How many Essex wedding venues have you performed in. Do you have a favourite?
Being an Essex wedding singer means that I’ve performed at countless wedding venues around Essex so it’s genuinely hard to pick a favourite! A couple that spring to mind though are Fennes and Crondon Park! There are so many ace ones though.
It's hard to pick a favourite Essex wedding venue says singer Joe.
Essex wedding singer Joe Bailey offers a range of packages for your wedding entertainment.
How long can a couple hire you for on their wedding day?
I offer a range of live music packages that can cover any segment of the day. Ceremonies, drinks receptions, wedding breakfasts, evening receptions – I’ve performed them all hundreds, if not thousands of times! I also do plenty of all-day weddings, where I sing and play from the very start of the day, while guests are arriving, right through to the very last song of the evening (with breaks of course!). I really pride myself on providing bespoke packages to suit all needs.
What should brides /grooms consider when booking a wedding singer or wedding entertainment?
I think it’s really important to talk to your venue about amplified music. Most venues allow live music to be held outside in the nice weather during ceremonies and drinks receptions, but not all! So it’s always worth checking. Otherwise, don’t overthink it — if you love live music, get in touch with me and we can make a perfect plan together.
Joe's top tip - talk to your wedding venue about amplified entertainment.
What is your repertoire? What genres of music do you sing at weddings?
I have a very extensive song list on my website which covers music from all eras of popular music, from the 1950s and 60s right through to the chart hits of today. I like to call my genre ‘rock ‘n’ soul’ because I perform a lot of rock and pop songs, but a whole bunch of retro and modern soul tracks too — all with my rhythmic acoustic guitar playing at the heart of it.
Joe calls his musical genre 'rock n soul'.
Stay true to yourself as you plan your wedding - great advice from Joe.
Is there anything else you’d like couples to know as they plan their wedding?
Make sure you stay true to yourselves as you plan your big day! Plan more of what you love and don’t worry about whether what you’re doing is ‘normal’ or ‘traditional’ — it’s your day and it can be whatever kind of celebration you want it to be. And don’t forget: live music is always better!
How can couples find out more about you and book you as their wedding singer for their special day?
People can follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Just search @joebaileyweddingsinger on both. I post often to my grid and stories about my adventures and the lovely reviews I receive from my couples! For everything else, my website is www.joebaileyweddingsinger.co.uk. Get in touch using the contact form there or DM me on socials!
Want Joe to be your wedding singer? Get in touch today!
All images taken by Ross Willsher Photography