My final wedding of a VERY hectic 2022 “season” saw me in my most favourite and most visited venue, The Old Hall in Ely for Molly and Brandon’s big night!
Regular readers will know I work here often and I LOVE the place. It’s ALWAYS a good night, and Molly & Brandon’s evening reception was no different.
As with many of my couples this year, I’d not met up with Molly & Brandon before the big day, so after setting up the kit in the starlit dance marquee, I quickly found them at the bar beyond the curtains that separate the dancing area from the dining area and had a quick chat.
The brief for this one was simple….play ANYTHING that’s going to make people dance. No “do not plays”, very few “must plays”, just do my job, engage with the guests and let’s have a party.
GAME ON!
I kept the setup simple for this one
There were no requirements for a specific type of setup for Molly and Brandon’s wedding (the music was ALWAYS going to be the important part of the evening), so I went with the “classic white” mixed with my “sticks” setup.
It looked awesome in the marquee!
The First Dance
The First Dance is always special at The Old Hall, because the curtains separating the guests from the dance marquee are ripped aside to show you on the dance floor mid-dance.
However, a slight snag (and Molly won’t mind me mentioning this I’m sure) is that she was VERY nervous. It’s a tense moment where you feel all eyes are on you (and actually, they are), but I try to work with your photographer to make it as painless as possible.
Obviously your photographer needs to get those all important shots for the album, and as soon as they’re done they give me the “thumbs up” to invite your guests to join you.
The very last thing ANY supplier wants is for you to feel awkward on the dance floor!
I made a bit of a mess!
The Old Hall is one of the few dedicated wedding venues these days that will allow the use of a confetti cannon – and it looks AWESOME on the official photos!
As always with Old Hall weddings, I set off a single shot of white paper confetti. The photographer was on the other side of this picture behind Molly & Brandon from where this one was taken and the photo will show the confetti showering over them!
Talking of photos...
I’m not a photographer by any stretch of the imagination. My time is spent mixing the music to make your guests dance. Any photos I take are mere snapshots taken on my mobile phone.
That said, here’s how the evening looked from my side of the DJ booth!
And so, to the playlist that caused this healthy looking dance floor!
I had a few pre-requests from Molly and Brandon, the rest of the night was up to me and the guests to decide.
Cheesy “Action Dances” really aren’t my thing, but if that’s what you ask for, I’ll happily include them into the evening’s entertainment.
Trust me, the playlist may look a bit wobbly, but it worked and worked incredibly well!
CeeLo Green – Music To My Soul (First Dance)
Lionel Richie – Dancing On The Ceiling
Tiffany – I Think We’re Alone Now
Wham! – Freedom
Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way
Earth, Wind & Fire – September
John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John – Summer Nights
Abba – Dancing Queen
Frank Sinatra – The Way You Look Tonight (special request for Molly and Dad to dance to)
Elvis Presley – Return to Sender
The Detroit Spinners – Working my way back to you
Donna Summer – Hot Stuff
Abba – Money. Money. Money
Dj. Casper – Cha Cha Slide (I did mention anything goes!)
Los Del Rio – Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)
Whigfield – Saturday Night
The Gap Band – Oops Upside Your Head
B Witched – C’est la vie
Kenny loggins – Footloose
Steps – 5,6,7,8
Rednex – Cotton Eye Joe
Vengaboys – We Like To Party (The Vengabus)
Dexys Midnight Runners – Come On Eileen
Bryan Adams – Summer of ´69
Bon Jovi – Livin On a Prayer
Guns ‘n’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine
Flo Rida feat. T-Pain – Low DJ Beats
Chris Brown – Yeah 3x
Rihanna Feat. Calvin Harris – We Found Love
LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett & Goonrock – Party Rock Anthem
Darude – Sandstorm
Alice Deejay – Better Off Alone
Livin’ Joy – Dreamer
Gala – Freed From Desire
Sean Kingston – Party All Night
Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby
Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines
Madness – House Of Fun
Damian – The Time Warp
Bob The Builder – Big Fish Little Fish (don’t ask!!!)
Whitney Houston – How Will I Know?
The Nolans – I’m In The Mood For Dancing
The Weather Girls – It’s Raining Men
Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca
Shakira; Wyclef Jean – Hips Don’t Lie
Beyonce feat. Jay-Z – Crazy In Love
Queen – Dont Stop me Now
The Killers – Mr Brightside
Chumbawamba – Tubthumping
DJ Otzi – Hey Baby
Shania Twain – Man! I Feel Like A Woman
Tina Turner – The Best
Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
The Supremes – You Can’t Hurry Love
DJ Ötzi – Sweet Caroline
Hermes House Band – Country Roads
Robbie Williams – Candy
Kelly Clarkeson – Since U Been Gone
Pitbull feat. Ke$ha – Timber
Chris Brown – Turn Up The Music
Pitbull – Hotel Room Service
Nicki Minaj – Super Bass
David Guetta & Bebe Rexha – I’m Good
The Kid Laroi, Justin Bieber – Stay
Are YOU getting married at The Old Hall Ely?
If so, PLEASE get in touch. I work there on a very regular basis, know the rules and how things are expected to go, and it’s ALWAYS a good night!
