Wedding Entertainment Disaster Stories

Murphy's Law

Over the past 10years Magnet has performed at hundreds of wedding reception and corporate functions, and although we'd like to say that "it never happens", the truth is "it does"! No matter how you prepare for your wedding reception or corporate event, there is always the chance that something may go wrong.

The Disappearing Band

Magnet receives numerous phone calls from wedding couples at the last minute, frantic because their wedding band has not turned up on their wedding day.

Our advice: Make sure you book both professional and reliable entertainment, and do not make "budget" your determining factor.

The Unprepared speech

Magnet performed at a wedding reception in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, where the father of the bride continued to reference a wedding couple that no-one had ever heard of? He also toasted them?

Our advice: Anyone giving a speech at your wedding or corporate function, should have a few concise notes, just in case nerves get the better of them.

The Amateur MC Host

Magnet performed at a wedding reception in one of Melbourne's Bayside suburbs, to find that an amateur MC host had been selected. Although this MC had done some basic research, the night turned ugly when the MC started swearing and abusing the guests through the microphone. The bride and groom were forced to apologise to the guests during their speech.

Our advice: MC hosting is an art, especially when it comes to crowd control and intonation. Always try to use the services of a professional MC in order to maintain the integrity of your wedding reception or next corporate function.

The Slippery Dance Floor

One of the biggest disasters we had was the case of the highly-polished dance floor. The venue frantically tried to un-polish the dance-floor all evening (to no avail), as no-one could dance, notwithstanding the fact that the venue was in great danger of landing a law-suit.

Our advice: Pay careful attention to your dance floor, this will be one of the main focal points at your wedding reception.

The Hidden Dance Floor

Magnet performed at a wedding reception venue in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, where the dance floor had been setup behind 3 rows of tables, which were directly in front of the stage. There were guests seated at these tables, who complained all night because the music (which was designed for the guests on the dance floor over yonder) was too loud.

Our advice: Pay careful attention to the location of your dance floor, it should always be located directly in front of the band or entertainment stage.

The Missing bridal party

Once night at a wedding reception venue in Melbourne's inner S.E., Magnet sat around waiting for the guests and bridal party to arrive. It wasn't until about 2 hours into the reception, that they finally showed (due to an extended ceremony), meaning that the 5 hour reception was now only 3 hours. It was the maddest rush we have ever experienced, not to mention a very expensive mistake by the bride and groom.

Our advice: Be mindful of your times, and make sure that the professionals you hire on your wedding day are also aware of your time constraints.

The never ending pre-dinner drinks

Magnet performed one night at a winery on the Mornington Peninsula, where the guests were entering their 3rd hour of pre-dinner drinks, on a very hot summer day. They were all commuting on buses and had not eaten anything, except a few canapes. The wedding reception was a nightmare, with some very dangerous and out-of control guests making their presence known.

Our advice: Temper your pre-dinner drinks to no more than 1/2 hour if possible. Too much alcohol and not enough food spells certain disaster.

The never ending speeches

Magnet performed at a wedding one evening at a winery on the Mornington Peninsula, where the speeches dragged on for over 3 hours? This left just 2 hours for every other formality, including the main celebration itself. Many guests became bored, and either wandered outside or simply disappeared.

Our advice: Try not to be too self indulgent at your wedding. Keep your speeches short and interesting (no more than 1/2 hour), and consider your guests, ages, styles, and mood. Remember, your wedding reception is a celebration with many formalities, so try to keep it moving along smoothly.

Dancing in the Dark

Magnet perform at a few venues where sound-level is a major issue, and devices called dBA metres are installed. These devices will "cut the power" if the band or entertainment exceed a certain preset volume. At one particular venue in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs, Magnet was playing a CD whilst the wedding couple danced to their bridal waltz. The power went out 3 times during the song, leaving the guests in total darkness, thus cheapening the entire experience.

Our advice: There are a few wedding and corporate venues around Melbourne that use dBA metres. If you are after the celebration of a lifetime, be sure to check that your band or entertainment is not going to exceed the noise restrictions set by the venue.

The Bored Child

Children are often the least considered members of the guest fraternity, and as result get bored very quickly at a wedding. Magnet was performing at a wedding reception in Melbourne's outer eastern suburbs one evening, when a group of very bored children (who had resorted to doing knee skids across the dance floor), began throwing various items at the band.

Our advice: Children below a certain age group often get bored at weddings. A better approach may be to have them at the reception for a short while only, or not at all. Unless you are able to provide them with constant entertainment, or unless they are extremely resourceful, consider having them looked after on your wedding day.

The CD that wouldn't play

One of the most common issues at wedding ceremonies, receptions, and corporate functions is the case of the lost CD track. There are numerous cases where a CD simply won't play on the provided CD player. MP3 is not "audio", so if you are planning on burning your favourite "bridal waltz" or "processional" song to CD, make sure you check the following first:

• The band or entertainer has a CD player that can play either MP3, audio, or both
• The type of CD burning process you use is compatible with the equipment provided. For example: If you burn a file to CD using MP3 format, it can only be played on computer CD players, dedicated MP3 players, or newer CD players that have an MP3 decoder.

Our advice: Whenever burning CD's for use at a wedding reception or corporate function, burn them as "audio". This way, you can't go wrong. You may need to seek professional advice on how to do this.

The hidden band

Magnet has played at several wedding reception venues, where the band has been in a completely different room or section to the guests. This makes it very difficult to entertain the guests, since music played in the early part of the function or reception cannot be heard, or is distorted.

Our advice: Make your entertainment the central focal point at your wedding reception (where ever possible), allowing for maximum cohesion and interfacing between your band and guests. Be sure to inspect the layout of your wedding reception or corporate function prior to booking.

The power failure

Magnet performed at a wedding reception on the Mornington Peninsula in a hired marquee one evening, where the power source was very suspicious. As a result, the power went out, leaving the guests sitting in total darkness until the power could be re-routed (approx. 20 minutes). This caused a huge disruption to the proceedings.

Our advice: Make sure you verify the integrity of all the power, and amenities being supplied, if you are planning on hiring a Marquee or portable reception venue.

The crazy DJ

Magnet met a bride who was disappointed because we were already booked on her wedding day. After much ado she hired the DJ from hell, and looked on as he shouted taunts at the guests during speeches, played music so loud that no-one could hear anything all night, and verbally abused people on the dance floor during the main celebration.

Our advice: Book your entertainment as early as possible (6 - 12 months in advance), to avoid having to book what's left.

The Disgruntled Best Man

Magnet performed at a wedding reception in one of Melbourne's Bayside suburbs, where a Best Man verbally abused the bride and groom during his speech. Both Magnet and the guests were horrified as they listened.

Our advice: Try to get some idea prior, as to what your Best Man is likely to say during his speech. After all, it is your reputation at stake.

The jaded Matron of Honour

Magnet performed at a wedding reception in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, to a bridal party table that looked like a funeral procession. The bride had fallen-out with her Matron of Honour only weeks earlier, in a dispute over the dresses to be worn on the day. This resulted in a disastrous split in the wedding party; first bridesmaid, first groomsmen & Matron of Honour, versus bride & groom, best man, second bridesmaid and second groomsman.

Our advice: It is your wedding day, you have to remain in total control of your wedding party from start to finish, even if it means ousting a few members