We book wedding entertainment for a living, through brands like Magician For Hire and UK Photo Booth Hire. So we're not neutral. But these are the questions we'd want every couple to ask, whoever they book. A good entertainer will have quick, clear answers to all of them.
Have you done weddings before?
Weddings are their own thing. A magician who's brilliant at corporate dinners might not know how to work round a photographer, or when to step back for the speeches. Ask how often they do weddings and how they fit into the day.
Ask for reviews from recent weddings too, ideally on a site they don't control. Videos are useful, but they're edited. Reviews tell you how they behaved on the day.
What exactly is included?
Get it in writing. How long will they perform for? Is set-up time included in that, or extra? For a photo booth, are prints unlimited, and do you get the digital copies? For a casino, how many tables and croupiers? For a band, how many sets, and do they provide a playlist in the breaks?
And check the price includes VAT and travel, or if they're extra.
What do you need from the venue?
This catches people out. A band needs space, power and somewhere to load in. A photo booth needs a power socket and a few square metres. A casino needs table space. A stage show needs a clear area where everyone can see.
A close-up magician needs nothing at all, which is part of why we like them for drinks receptions. But for everything else, check with your venue before you book, and ask the entertainer to talk to the venue directly if needed.
Do you have insurance?
Many venues ask entertainers for public liability insurance, and some ask for PAT testing on electrical equipment. Ask your entertainer to confirm they have both, and find out if your venue needs copies in advance.
What happens if you're ill?
Nobody likes thinking about it, but performers do get ill. Ask what their back-up plan is. An agency or a larger company can usually send a replacement of similar standard. A solo act might have a network of trusted friends. Either is fine, as long as there's a plan and they can tell you what it is.
What are the payment and cancellation terms?
How much is the deposit? When's the balance due? What happens if you need to move the date, or cancel? Get all of this in writing before you pay anything. Our wedding budget guide has a full list of questions for suppliers.
How will you fit into our day?
A good wedding entertainer will ask you for your running order, not the other way round. They should know when the photos are, when the meal is served and when the speeches start, so they're never mid-trick when the plates arrive.
Ask what time they'll arrive, how long set-up takes and whether they'll need feeding. If they're performing for several hours, a hot meal is a kind gesture and often in the contract.
Can we speak to you directly?
If you're booking through an agency, ask who the actual performer will be. Can you see their own videos? Will they get your notes about the day? With our magicians, for example, couples who want a specific person can book Lewis Joss or Jamie Docherty directly. If you'd like help picking, Fine Entertainments can talk you through the options.
For ideas on what to book for each part of the day, see wedding entertainment ideas.