Ailsa & Will's Wedding Music Package with Down for the Count
Many thanks to Sarah Legge for allowing us to share her beautiful photos of Ailsa and Will's wedding. You can see more photos of Ailsa and Will's wedding on Sarah's website.
In September 2018 we were asked to provide a live wedding music package at Ailsa and Will's countryside wedding in Surrey.
Ailsa and Will are a wonderful couple, and they really cared about the music - looking for entertainment for each part of their wedding day. We spent loads of time planning every part of their musical entertainment package with them and, by the end of the process, we really felt like their friends - one of our favourite things about working so closely with couples on a wedding music package is that we really get to know you.
The ceremony
Ailsa and Will's live music package started with their wedding ceremony music. We created a bespoke programme of music featuring our male vocalist, wedding pianist, and string quartet Down for the Count Strings.
Down for the Count Strings started things off with a selection of classical music whilst guests arrived, and then played for the procession of the bridal party.
We then had a surprise, organised by Ailsa a few weeks before the wedding - a performance of Ben E. King's Stand by Me, inspired by the version of the song performed by The Kingdom Choir at the Royal Wedding a few months before Ailsa and Will's wedding.
For the signing of the register, we accompanied Fiona Campbell - a friend of Ailsa and Will's who has performed with the English National Opera - performing custom orchestrations, written by our musical director Mike Paul-Smith, of Nella Fantasia and The Prayer.
Then for the recession of the bridal party, we pulled out another surprise - our own version of Higher and Higher, performed by our wedding pianist, male vocalist and string quartet.
The drinks reception
We then jumped in the van and hot-footed it down the road, eager to beat Ailsa and Will to the drinks reception at her Mum's house a few miles away from the church.
We created a totally bespoke band for the drinks reception - a trio featuring a stationary pianist and a roaming wireless vocalist and tenor saxophonist, which inspired the creation of our new totally acoustic roaming band The Vintage Strollers.
We performed Ailsa and Will's selection of jazz and swing music, with our roaming musicians wondering around the reception to make sure that everyone who wanted to got a part of the action.
Dinner and speeches
We had some time off for dinner - and spent most of it admiring the incredible marquee designed by Inside Outside Marquees!
We also provided a wireless microphone for the speeches - and, using our premium sound equipment, recorded the four wedding speeches for Ailsa and Will to enjoy in posterity.
The first dance
After dinner it was time for the first dance - Ailsa and Will chose Something Beautiful, performed by our female vocalist and pianist - and accompanied by some fantastic dance moves from Ailsa and Will.
The party
Then it was time for the party! Ailsa and Will chose our 10-piece Motown Collective featuring male and female vocals and four horn players. We played all their requests and it certainly felt to us that the dancefloor was full all night long.
The wedding music package
Ailsa and Will were a dream couple to work with - it was such a pleasure to provide live music for a couple who cared so much about every element of their day. We paid a huge amount of attention to detail to make sure every aspect of their live entertainment was perfect, and hope it provides special memories for years to come.
Get in touch to find out how Down for the Count can transform your wedding day with sensational live music!
Afterwards...
Here's what Ailsa had to say a few months after the wedding:
Live music was hugely important to us when planning our wedding. As soon as we found Down for the Count we knew we'd struck gold. Mike was amazing, finding a way to incorporate everything we wanted - including custom orchestrations and the roaming trio!
The live music created a backdrop for the emotions of a perfect day. The performance of 'Stand by Me' by Crawford in the church was incredibly moving and set the tone for a beautiful service. Our dear friend Fiona accompanied by the band had the bride in tears, while the incredible Hannah and the roaming trio at the reception got everyone in the party mood. The evening band had everyone on the dance floor all night, we didn't want it to end!
We had so many compliments from our guests about the band. Mike and the band made our day so special and we couldn't recommend them highly enough. Just like our first dance, Down for the Count created "Something Beautiful" for our wedding!
Ailsa & Will's wedding suppliers
Here are the dream team who helped bring Ailsa and Will's ideas to life:
Live musical entertainment: Down for the Count
Photography: Sarah Legge
Videography: Films In Bloom
Catering: Kalm Kitchen
Marquee: Inside Outside Marquees
Wedding dress: Miss Bush Bridal
Make-up: Tania Stephenson-Oliver
About the author
Mike Paul-Smith has over 18 years experience in delivering bespoke live music and entertainment packages for wedding receptions and corporate events across London, the UK and internationally.
He is the company director, pianist and musical director of Down for the Count.
