By Dominic Reyes

Magicians at wedding fayres shouldn't prejudge reactions.

'Hi Dominic,

Many thanks for getting back so quick, and your agent has sent across the details.

Both very impressed yesterday, especially my fiancée who's a bit of a sceptic, so it would be fantastic if we could book you!'

I attended a wedding fayre yesterday. As with all the wedding fayres I do, I try to perform a magic trick to as many people as possible. I view it as a 'numbers game'. The more prospective clients I can show my magic to, the more potential bookings I could get. I always go about it in the same way:

I stand in front of my small table and stop everyone that walks past to show them a quick trick. I can usually tell within a few moments if there is interest beyond them simply being polite. It can feel like a bad sign and that your performance is not going to lead anywhere when the groom stops and the bride walks on by and starts looking at another stand. However, that's not always a signal that you won't be getting a booking from that couple.

A couple approached me and I stopped them to show them a trick. The bride walked on and started browsing through wedding dresses at the stand next to me. I didn't let that stop me though, as the groom seemed eager to see the magic.

Halfway through the card trick the bride returned and watched the finish with a bored expression, she seemed to be more interested in everything else in the room. It felt as though she was quietly waiting for her partner to finish up and join her on the bridal gown stand. 

The couple didn't really react to the trick and politely took one of my business cards and moved on. I went straight on to the next couple that were passing and thought no more about it.

This morning I recieved an email from my agent to tell me that the couple had booked me. That really, really surprised me. 

Don't prejudge reactions at wedding fayres

It's so easy to assume that a spectator isn't enjoying your performance at a wedding fayre if you judge it only by the way they react to your magic. That's not always the best way to gage how well you are doing.

There are a million and one things on a couple's minds at a wedding fayre. They are working through a checklist of things that are need for their day and there are other things to be arranged and researched.

The couple may not have even considered using a magician as part of their entertainment. People make their minds up very quickly if magic is something they would like at their party. Once that decision has been made, they instantly turn their minds to the price and when magic would fit into the timing of the day. That's a lot of things to think about which can get in the way of a good reaction. 

It would have been very easy for me to have decided that this couple were not going to book me, and end the trick earlyand not hand out a business card or take their details. Luckily, I carried it through to the end and gave them a business card.

Do This:

Forget about prejudging. At a wedding exhibition make sure that you show EVERYONE a trick if you can. Even if they don't seem to be reacting as you want them to. You don't know them, or the pressures they are facing on the day. A lack of reaction could simply be caused by them thinking through the options.

Perform your best to everyone. You simply never know if they will book you.