Swinfen Hall was built in 1755 for a family of three and 55 servants, but for the last 17 years it has been a luxurious country house hotel. Set in 100 acres of rolling Staffordshire countryside incorporating beautiful gardens.

However the DJ access tells a slightly different story, on arriving we were bowled over by the splender that is Swinfen Hall. We were met by the evening event coordinator and told we would have go round the back of the building via the “dirt track” until we come to the court yard and the DJ access.


Some 40 minutes,15 flight cases, 2 front banners and 2 tripods later and our equipment is set and ready to go. The lay out at Swinfen is some what different as you have the main ball room this is where the entertainment takes place with lots of other rooms for guests to enjoy.

During our set up guests are invited to the bar area with the room now empty it is turned around and redressed, once ready the evening guests are invited back into the room, after a little prompting and a few rehearsal cheers the bride & Groom, Claire and Tom enter the room to dance their first ever dance as a married couple.

Claire & Tom's chosen song was Beth Nielsen Chapman’s All I Have. This was a first for me and makes a change, as I had never used this song before.

I did talk with Tom on the Wednesday prior to his wedding regarding the first dance and how he wanted me to approach it, his words were “I’m no real dancer” so please after about 1 minute invite our guest up, this we did.

It was almost like they had been pre warned to follow instruction (maybe they had) as within seconds the guests were on the floor.

Music requested by guests is always fine with us I was perhaps not prepared for what happened when Ice, Ice Baby and Bonnie Tyler were played! Let’s just say it was a learning curve.

Nor was I ready For “Jimmy” and his fantastic rendition of Bon Jovi’s Living On A Prayer however I was told that “Yes we’ve seen it all before”

Moving on and next was the food now call me boring (Dave you’re boring) but having played 11 weddings so far this year this was the best buffet ever!!! I had Fish, Chips, Sausage in Batter and Curry Sauce; unlike Dave the roadie who had just Fish & Chips, he’s cutting back don’t you know


There was a wide span of music requested and played some songs (the fast food song) were requested for the groom however after using my discretion not played where as Elton John’s Crocodile Rock was played and resulted in some pretty amazing moves.

We used our show one with extra banner on this occasion having now played the room I would recommend show two + for future events as we firmly believe in using the right gear for the job.

I would like to extend our thanks to Swinfen Hall for their hospitality, First Class, also to David the best man “we will meet again” don’t know where don’t know when (as the song goes) and of course to both Claire & Tom for inviting us to play at their wedding.

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The Best Man David Hidderley writes

Dave

Just a quick note of thanks for what I have to refer to as, "Another great Dave Dee experience". Keeping a dance floor busy is always a difficult task in a mixed evening room venue, yet you managed flashes of brilliance.

For once I realised it was best to leave you to it,no hints,no help!!!

As for Crocodile rock, Not my call, but we are still teaching you a thing or two brought the house down (Bizarre!)

Many thanks and as you noted "we will meet again"!

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Event Photos (click to enlarge)