So on the last day of September, we set off for Oatlands park Hotel in Weybridge. The happy couple were Becky and Mike, and though we had played Oatlands before, we had not played in this part of the venue. After setting up, we sound checked, and the crowd returned to the room to cut the cake and push on with the first dance. The first dance itself was Stay Together, played by the band… which went rather well! Onwards into the night, the crowds sang and danced. In the break, we discovered that a quite a few of the guests were Chinook helicopter pilots for the RAF (the uniforms gave some of this away)… which in itself is pretty awesome. Yes, these guys, and gals are the folk who fly the helicopters over Al’s studio, making the windows rattle… and probably adding to the soundtrack of a few recordings that are currently circulating the world of TV and film library music! And they certainly partied, though mostly with the best behaviour (the chap who tumbled, and broke Robs mic stand was just unlucky).
So by the end, everyone left happy, and becky and Mike thanked the band. They were a lovely couple – best of luck in the forte, and thanks for looking after us!
Three days later, we we at Beaumont House in Old Windsor for a corporate event for Proctor and Gamble UK and Ireland Sales teams. We worked the crowd, DJ’d the popular tunes in the gaps, endplayed the favourites – and they danced the night away. By co-incidence the singing waiters who were booked for a wedding back in September were also booked for this event! Small world…
Next weekend we headed off to Wimpole Hall, on the WImpole Estate in Cambridge. The approach and gardens to this venue are very grand, as it is a well kept National Trust location. heaven knows what it costs to keep the gardens looking that good, but it certainly suited the wonderful wedding we were to be playing. The actual wedding reception was to be held in a marquee in the grounds of the main house – which mean you could look out on the main garden. First dance was a DJ’d Artic Monkeys song ‘Only You Know’. Erin and Richard were the happy couple, and it has to be noted, that Richard was definitely an energetic dancer, who knew all the words to his favourite songs. This was the general vibe of the wedding, with the guests having a great party… though at one stage an unfortunate party goer stumbled and crashed into Robs new mic stand… and broke it!!!
It was a 1am finish, so by 2am, we were packed up and were back on the road home – leaving the few happy stragglers catching taxis in this very grand Cambridge Estate! Congratulations to Erin and Richard – and thanks for looking after us all.
Next week, we were heading up to the big smoke, for the Irish-Lithuanian wedding of Sean and Diawah, at St Ermins Hotel. We arrived early and setup in the main room, which was pretty straight forward (one of the easiest load ins ever – straight through the side door on the street onto the stage). The band then took the chance to sight-see this area on London – over to St James’ Park, views of the Palace etc… and of course, a visit the Starbucks, as the night closed in. Rollercoaster fiddler Chris Haigh told us the tale of when he had come to play at Sting’s birthday party, in one of the houses we passed, and of how it had been snowing, but only outside Stings house – the talented Police frontman and bass player had hired in a snow machine to celebrate his special day!
Back at the hotel, we chilled until it was time to go on (after the most incredible bar food), and then we hit the stage, starting with Amazed (played by the band) as the first dance. There were only around 50 guests, but the dancefloor was full the whole time… it was a great party, and everyone was up for having a good time, with all the Irish tunes thrown in!
It was a great party – thanks for looking after us – and congratulations to Sean and Diawah!
