21 Nov Guests I meet at every wedding
Guests I Meet at Every Wedding
After 28 years of close-up magic at weddings, I've learnt to spot the same nineteen guest types every single time. Real photos. Real reactions. All from real gigs.
Weddings are so predictable, yet so different. Some people show up late. Some forget their manners. And after 28 years of close-up gigs at weddings up and down the country, I've learnt one thing: sometimes a wedding is more about the guests than the bride and groom. The success of the day is built not just on the leading parts - but on the ensemble cast.
If you're planning your wedding, you've no doubt been a little concerned that some of your guests won't mix well with your friends, family and parents. That's a rather normal feeling. I've witnessed every type of guest at countless weddings over the years.
The key to a wonderful wedding is getting them all mingling and interacting with each other. For that you need a facilitator - and a wedding magician is a wonderful way to encourage guest harmony. A few well-placed reception icebreakers never go amiss either.
So as a close-up magician, I get to meet some interesting characters and watch some hilarious reactions. Here are the nineteen guest types I meet at every wedding I work.
The Starer
They haven't blinked since the second deal.
They say it's good to blink - apparently it's good for the eyes. But The Starer hasn't the time for this natural bodily function. They're too busy trying to catch the magician out.
Fortunately, I know some crafty ways to gently misdirect their attention.
The Alpha Male
Win him over and the rest of the table folds.
The Alpha Male is usually the leader of the pack. If I can appease him, wow him, get him on side, then I'm sure to get the blessing of his crew. He can be a difficult wedding guest to win over, but once I crack that cold exterior, he's my biggest fan.
Be careful though. The moment you slip up, backhanded compliments and mutterings of 'typical magician' will flow from those thin lips as if it were honey.
The Macarena
Big reactions, bigger gestures.
This type of guest has theatrical gestures that would look great on the West End. They'll follow each of my routines with a healthy dose of flamboyance, and their actions will light up the room.
It takes some skill to handle The Macarena - but you know for sure they'll make good company on the dancefloor later.
The Goldfish
Mouth open. No sound. Just awe.
The Goldfish is the guest who doesn't vocalise their reactions to the close-up magic. Instead, their mouth is wide open - akin to our friendly house-pet.
The reactions are silent, but the eyes are wide with wonderment. Always one of my favourite reactions to watch.
The LOL'er
Half my job already done.
The LOL'er is an absolute blast. Never-ending giggles. An infectious sense of humour that passes straight to the rest of the table.
As a performer, I gravitate to them. They make the magic land twice as hard, because the laughter is doing half my job for me.
The Hover'er
Pretends not to watch. Watches everything.
Me: "Hey there - fancy watching some close-up magic?"
The Hover'er: "No, thanks."
But once the show starts and the crowd are in full swing, The Hover'er can't help being intrigued by the reactions to this unique wedding entertainment. Of course, they can't be seen enjoying it too much - but the reality is that they're having the time of their life. Probably.
The Sceptic
Sceptical of everything. Especially me.
The Sceptic is sceptical of everything, even magic. Like The Hover'er, they can't be seen enjoying themselves too much. But if I can win them over, it's a magical thing.
The Sceptic doesn't stand a chance at the Close-Up Corner though. It's where the strongest material lives, and even the firmest-folded arms uncross by the third routine.
The "Oh no you didn't"
Personal favourite. Most unpredictable in the room.
This type is my personal favourite. The most unpredictable of any guest I come across, and always a joy to perform for.
Half sceptic, half excited - and always ready to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Always making for a great audience.
The Guffaw'er
Loud, guttural, infectious.
The Guffaw'er emits a loud, guttural laugh whenever I've landed a really good trick. Their laugh fills the room - and it's infectious to everyone within earshot.
They can be difficult to please. But when the laugh comes, you know the trick has properly landed. If you can make The Guffaw'er laugh, you've done half your job. They'll pass that joy on to the rest of the room.
The Easily Impressed
The real child in every guest.
The Easily Impressed is the guest the magician is magnetically drawn to. Their smile never leaves their face. They watch on with wonderment - and as long as the magic is of a decent standard, they'll only react with gasps and applause.
Watch this clip from a recent wedding. One guest, completely lost in it. The reactions tell you everything - it's the real child in every guest, coming back to the surface.
The Instagramer
Phone out before the trick is halfway done.
The Instagramer is the camera-friendly guest who simply can't resist capturing the magic on their phone. They're filming for their stories before the trick is even halfway through.
I don't mind. Let's face it - they're sending the magic out to a few hundred more people, and my social media channels go into overdrive when one of these guests is at the table.
The Jumpers
Magic shouldn't be this scary.
Like small children, The Jumpers find magic a little spooky. They jump - sometimes they cry - when something happens right before their eyes that shouldn't be possible.
They make for some of the best reaction shots, as you can see.
The Easily Fooled
They misdirect themselves. I barely have to try.
The Easily Fooled possess the wonderful ability to misdirect themselves. They watch the wrong hand, look the wrong way, count the wrong cards.
Often, alcohol and an open bar are involved.
The "Tell me how you did it"
They're not leaving until they know.
Once the rest of the group have wandered off, this guest sticks around demanding I tell them how the magic was done. They hate not knowing.
They're not going anywhere until they've got answers - so a couple of faux explanations and all is good in their life.
Already seen enough.
Ready to book.
If 16 guest types is more than enough convincing and you'd like to add close-up magic to your day, you can check availability and see exactly what's included in each package.
See Wedding Packages →Drop an enquiry for availability and a pricing PDF - reply back within hours.
The WTF'er
Expletives optional. Energy mandatory.
Loud, colourful characters - The WTF'er can fill the air with fun, excitement and often some expletives.
Always a joy to perform for, because they're rarely shy about showing their reactions. I find these guys at most weddings - and they're a big part of why weddings are fun.
The "Is That it?"
They've seen Dynamo. Now expect miracles.
The most demanding guest of the lot. They've seen Dynamo walk on water and Copperfield vanish the Statue of Liberty - and they want similar production values out of me.
Fortunately, I have some spell-binding trickery up my sleeve. It usually doesn't take long to impress them.
The Lads
Hardest crowd to crack.
The lads, lads, lads. They can be intimidating for an entertainer - but earn their respect, and you'll be a hero.
They love 'bants'. Hold your own amongst the groom and his besties, and you'll have their attention all night.
Predictable, yet different. The same nineteen characters at every wedding I work - and the job is making every one of them feel like the magic was just for them.
Find a magician who can handle them all.
If that magician happens to be me, the next step is straightforward. See the wedding packages, check availability for your date, and I'll send you a pricing PDF within hours.
