Dominic Reyes and The Merchant of Magic team and in the final stages of putting together a book for magicians doing wedding exhibitions. Do you have any tips or advice to add?
Just to clarify, the book is about magicians doing wedding exhibitions (Similar to trade shows) not performing magic at a wedding.
Please give your advice in the comments section below and if it’s something we missed, we will add it to the book and credit you.
I’d say it’s important to remain open and actually pay attention to the audience.
So many tips and tricks are about improving the effect or remaining confident etc, that the important aspect taking input from the audience gets lost.
If you give them gaps to respond and guide your performance, you’ll end up with a more organic and enjoyable show!
If your a magician/illusionist and are hired to completely astound everyone from what you have to offer in the magic field utilizing your knowledge and the experience you have, then by all means, hand out business cards and make people remember you. Even the special moment that the bride and groom are brought together is that much more worth it. Do something that includes both the bride and groom, because even a little magic brings 2 people together as one. Do something fascinating that will involve both of them. For everyone that accompanies the 2 getting married, by all means, do something for them. Not only are you presenting yourself but you are there for the wedding that takes place. Do your ultimate best to make it the best time that every person there thought they have ever had at a wedding. Most importantly, be original and be yourself. You may be scheduled to be at the next event for someone special very soon!
The most useful advice I was given was to remember wedding receptions can be loud, dj’s, guests chatting, etc. use magic where language can be replaced. A fan of cards is universal language for “pick one” handing over a sharpie and miming a signature will let the audience know you want then to sign the card. This way your not shouting against the noise to be heard.
gaThe focus should be on making the day special for the couple, so for that reason, I would not recommend a stage show. They are the stars of the day not me.
Mixing and mingling on the other hand is perfect because you can tailor the tricks to the make up of the individual small groups, including exclusive tricks only for the Bride and Groom.
I have done many wedding exhibitions. I tend to do larger ones than smaller ones. The best return was a £400 stand with lighting 2m x 1m. The exhibition ran for 2 days twice a year. Each time they had approx 7000 couples visiting over the weekend. If you are a half decent entertainer this should bring in a massive return of investment.
Never forget that as a wedding magician you are a luxury item. You really need to SELL the benefits of having a magician at their wedding.
You will never make any sales unless you demo at your stand. Once you start to demo a small crowd will gather. Exploit this as much as possible. Use as many people from different parties in the crowd as possible.
When you perform use linguistic techniques to persuade people to hire you. “This is what your guests will see when I perform at YOUR wedding next July”. “Look at that reaction, imagine the thrill your guest will have when they react in the same way next April”.
Make your stand as attractive (not tacky) and as eye-catching as possible. After wandering around for an hour people will start to switch off, each stand blends into the next. If you are not on their list of things to visit or buy then, unless you catch their eye you will be missed. I hang fine curtains of the walls of the stand with Velcro. Suspended behind the curtain is a matrix of tiny white LED lights that shine like stars through the curtain. I then hang an A0 size poster of me linking 2 wedding bands together and minimum text. I have two tables one to perform at and one with flyers and business cards.
Give out flyers. They might not look at them right away but in 6 months time, when they get serious, they’ll go through every bit of literature they gathered at the wedding show and keep it or reject it. Make sure the blurb on your flyer is wedding specific. You are not a jack of all trades you are a wedding magician.
During quiet periods go round the other stands and give your publicity material to the hotels that are also exhibiting.
When choosing a location from the floor plan. Choose somewhere close to where they are having a catwalk show (all the big wedding shows do them). You be able to give away loads of flyers as they disperse from the catwalk show. Don’t have a stand too near the exhibition entrance. People like to get in and wander before they get into the mindset of planning the wedding, by which time they’ve passed you. Don’t get a stand near the toilets, you’ll get the traffic but no-one has the time to stop.
If you are on your own remember you are gonna have to go for a pee at some time. Also bring a flask and food with you. Be discreet when you eat. Drink lots, if you dehydrate your voice will go.
Man, I could go on and on with a million tips and hints. This stuff is just off the top of my head. Happy to sit down and submit more if you MoM guys want 🙂
The IT Guy – I’m Derek Heron _ http://www.derekheron.com
Having done lots of exhibtions my advice is less is more, show them enough material to be astonished but leave them thinking if thats what he can do in 5 minutes, what can he do in 2 hours?. Also perform quick magic and so you can pack lots of punches in a short space of time.My top 3 effects to demostrate at a wedding exhibtion would be my ambitious card routine, as its quick and it gets over the sound barrier issue you sometimes may have, coin under watch which again is a quick trick but never fails to amaze and perhaps an haunted deck effect using loops, as again it gets over the sound barrier issue and is very visual. Also do not cut corners with your leaflets, business cards,posters e.t.c as your selling your product and first impressions mean everthing and just make sure you look smart which goes without saying.
Carl leek
Even if the idea entertaining children makes you want to reach for a sick bucket, make sure you’ve got not just a few effects for the youngsters but also some giveaways as well. I’ve found on more than one occasion that when the alcohol’s flowing you’ll have happier adults when the children are being entertained as well. And please, no serious mentalism or trying to be Derren Brown. This is a fun, happy occasion and they want to see you, not a clone!!
My top tip is take a friend to hand out business cards and flyers for you. Once you start getting a crowd going you should be able to maintain that for the rest of the day. You don’t want to waste time handing things out so get a friend to make sure EVERYONE gets your promo material. Prime them with the answers to a few questions (such as what you do, rough costs, etc). Those who are really interested can be directed towards you to talk directly. This way you don’t miss out on impressing potential customers.
Something I do is when I do cards tricks I make spectators sign the cards obviously. but instead of giving them to the spectator take them back then at end of the night when I do my closing trick to the wedding couple I make them both sign a card do a trick of your preference and at the end of the trick give them the full deck of cards or decks of cards which has all the signed cards in a nice little souvenir the the couple on there wedding day !!!
Remember that no matter how passionate you are about your magic that you are an accessory to their day. A magician is an added extra to a wedding and still a relatively unusual addition by comparison to the essentials, Dress, Cake, Photos, Venue, Flowers.
But all the while remember to pass on to your prospects that you are adding value to their day.
I would say four things:
1. Do themed tricks, it will bring light to your performance ( E.G you could include the king and Queen of hearts somewhere)
2. Let the spectator feel in control of the trick (that makes it more impressive)
3. Preparation is the vital point a good motto is; Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
4. Finally don’t go on, because I have found that the shorter the trick the more impressive it is. Colour changes are very effective. Just don’t leave the spectators bored. (Under 1/2 minute is what I would advise for the length of one trick)
Thanks for all the great advice so far! The book is now available for free here http://info.magicshop.co.uk/magicians-doing-wedding-exhibitions-and-fayres
Keep the tips and suggestions coming through as we will update the ebook to include the best.
Most wedding fairs I do have an exclusive [or one of a kind] exhibitor policy – but this is no guarantee that people will visit your stand – you have to go out and sell the idea of magical entertainment. Their day is very important to them and you are not one of the ‘essentials’ so I always try and ‘personalise’ at least one trick involving the B&G’s names and the date of the wedding. Talk to them about where the reception is to be held and if you regularly work their telling them that you are familiar with the venue gives a little re-assurance. Give them a ‘short’ taster demo [they have other stands to visit] make sure it’s fun!!. I am also fortunate enough to be able to offer them a combination as the ‘magical toastmaster’ or music and magic as the wedding singer/ magician which allows for a good fee quote – remember most punters consider this as a ‘one off’ event and are prepared to spend a considerable amount making the day special and memorable DON’T undersell yourself.
Magic is best when its unique. If there’s already a magician at a wedding fayre, don’t step on his toes. Find another wedding fayre to do.